After a day of wallowing in my own self pity in what are very trivial issues, I decided the best thing for me would be to review what touched me at General Conference:
As I just hinted at my self pity, I must say Elder Holland's talk definitely hits home to a number of emotions I have been feeling lately. The picked on feeling of why it seems like my life has much more opposition than those around me (ok, just some, obviously not all, I'm strictly speaking of the day to day grind here not any huge trails which I know may offend some but I'm only human). His words hit me like a ton of bricks, "May I plead with us not to be hurt—and certainly not to feel envious—when good fortune comes to another person? We are not diminished when someone else is added upon. We are not in a race against each other to see who is the wealthiest or the most talented or the most beautiful or even the most blessed. The race we are really in is the race against sin, and surely envy is one of the most universal of those."
"The formula of faith is to hold on, work on, see it through and let the distress of earlier hours, real or imagined, fall away in the abundance of the final reward."
I took comfort in so many of the messages shared at conference and since I'm a quote person, I thought I would share some of my favorites:
"I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines."- Elder Holland
"Our Father in Heaven did not put us on this earth to fail, but to succeed gloriously."-Elder Scott
"Our Heavenly Father did not launch us on our eternal voyage without providing the means whereby we could receive from Him guidance to ensure our safe return. I speak of prayer. I speak, too, of the whisperings from that still, small voice; and I do not overlook the holy scriptures which contain the word of the Lord and the words of the prophets -- provided to us to help us successfully cross the finish line."- President Monson
"We may not be at our very best every day but if we are trying, Jesus' bidding is full of encouragement and hope, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." -Elder Andersen
I also felt inspired and challenged and as stated before, lovingly chastised finding myself coming away from conference with a renewed sense of purpose and a better focus:
"Just as the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ is at the center of the plan of salvation, we followers of Christ must make our own sacrifices to achieve the destiny that plan provides for us."-Elder Oaks
"Each day, ours is the challenge to access the power of the Atonement, so that we can truly change, become more Christlike, and qualify for the gift of exaltation and live" -Elder Oaks
"Discipleship is believing Him in seasons of peace, and believing Him in seasons of difficulty, when our pain and fear calmed only by the conviction that He loves us and keeps His promises." -Elder Andersen
I have always enjoyed Conference but I definitely wish I had the incredible anticipation and excitement that Porter holds for Conference. His childlike delight when we constructed his Apostle Chain naming and coloring every apostle was adorable and I must confess inspiring. After we made it he danced around the room twirling and explaining why he loved each of the apostles and which ones were bald. On Saturday evening while Tom was at priesthood he informed me that rather than Superhero Bedsheets he would like Apostle Bedsheets. What? Who makes a request like that? I'm not entirely sure how I go about explaining to him that there is no possible way those will be an option.
And after weeks of contemplation (yes we like to be prepared around here) Porter has declared that he would like to dress up as Elder Perry for Halloween. Although an easy costume, really an apostle? Is that blasphemous? I've never heard of such a thing. Why Elder Perry you ask? Well because his name is the same as Perry the Platypus. Although Elder Cook holds a close second in this boys mind because his last name "means like baking and I love baking". I'm often questioned how Porter has developed such an amazing testimony and love for the church and although I wish I could take credit, honestly I believe this child was sent here more spiritually mature than I and feel humbled to be entrusted with such a sweet spirit. (don't get me wrong, Porter commits naughtiness on a daily basis and faces the same listening challenges as all 4 year olds)
