What an amazing conference weekend! President Monson started the whole conference with his shocking announcement about the lowering of missionary age; boys can go at age 18 instead of 19 and girls at 19 instead of 21…I was actually jumping up and down with the news, especially about the age of sister missionaries changing. I remember the torture of watching all my guy friends leave at 19 and feeling oh so ready and having to wait those two long years. This change is certainly pure revelation. I can’t believe how it impacts our life too. Last year we let Sam skip a grade. As his birthday is in September he can now go to his Senior year, work that summer and then leave for his mission in the fall. If we hadn’t skipped a grade he would be 18 and a senior in high school! He reminded me that he will be gone in just SEVEN short years. Lizzie is also very excited. I told her that she is not expected to go, but that we would support her if she felt it was what the Lord wanted for her. She said most emphatically, “OH, I’M GOING!” (And she added, “Especially if I can go to Ireland!”)
I felt so filled spiritually this weekend. My favorite talk was Elder Holland’s on how we show we love Christ and his question to Peter after Christ’s resurrection about whether he loved him or not. How do I show Christ I love him? I don’t think I do it enough. Although something I learned at our Suzuki Mother’s Luncheon gave me hope. I learned that by devoting so much of my time and energy to helping the children develop their talents (especially music talent) I am actually consecrating that time to the Lord. I like that idea, and the spirit bore witness to me at that moment that what I was hearing was true. It makes a somewhat tedious and mundane task somewhat more celestial. I love how I feel when I am being edified spiritually. It seems to me at these times that it is possible for me to organize my home and stay organized, to learn to sing, to follow a budget, to always be patient and loving, to not want to take a nap everyday or shove my laundry in my closet… I feel like I can be my best self when the spirit is moving me, and I don’t even feel overwhelmed. The way seems clear how to make changes and improve. Then, when I get back to real life I look around me and can’t seem to figure out where to start! (Just that laundry pile in my closet seems like too much!) I realized that spending a little more time each day seeking that clarity of mind through scripture study and prayer will help me not to feel overwhelmed, will give me a purpose and direction I need each day, and I will be showing the Christ that I love him. He will show me which steps to take each day. I just need to show him I’m on his team.
Anna too was feeling the glow of the spirit. Tonight in her bed time prayer she said, “We thank thee that we can see Jesus tomorrow and go to his house.” If only…
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