General Conference

Last week-end was general conference and we were able to sit and watch every session. It was amazing and inspiring. The most moving and spiritual talk for me was Sister Tanners. Here is the conclusion to her talk. She expresses so well my feelings and testimony.
"I delight in the Lord’s mercies and miracles (see “Bless Our Fast, We Pray,” Hymns, no. 138). I know that His tender mercies and His miracles, large and small, are real. They come in His way and on His timetable. Sometimes it is not until we have reached our extremity. Jesus’s disciples on the Sea of Galilee had to toil in rowing against a contrary wind all through the night before Jesus finally came to their aid. He did not come until the “fourth watch,” meaning near dawn. Yet He did come. (See Mark 6:45–51.) My testimony is that miracles do come, though sometimes not until the fourth watch.

Right now I am exerting my faith and prayers and watching for miracles in behalf of loved ones who are physically sick, emotionally bereft, and spiritually astray. I delight in the Lord’s love for each of His children and in His wisdom to allow us individually tailored earthly experiences.

Finally, I delight in, more than I can express, the eternal love and constant help of my husband and the prayers and support of my children and parents during these years of my service as Young Women general president.

“My soul delighteth in the things of the Lord” (2 Nephi 4:16)—His law, His life, His love. To delight in Him is to acknowledge His hand in our lives. Our gospel duty is to do what is right and to love and delight in what is right. When we delight to serve Him, our Father in Heaven delights to bless us. “I, the Lord, . . . delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end” (D&C 76:5). I want to be worthy always of His delight. “I love the Lord, in Him my soul delights” (“I Love the Lord,” Jackman Music Corporation). In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

For those of you interested in reading more of this talk and other General Conference addresses go to www.lds.org and follow the link on the first item - General COnference. These can be be viewed on streaming video or downloaded as a document.

Road show memories

Saturday was the road show performance in the West Stake. Apparantly it was the first ones in about 30 years. I was the director for our ward’s production and Andy wrote the script - sort of - the ideas and major structure. There were others who did choregraphy and scripting too. It was really great to not have to worry about getting it all done in a very short time because there were other very responsible and talented people working on it too. We only had 4 rehearsals which is extremely short. Ours won the “most creative” award. Anne said our script reminded her of a group project where people have crazy ideas that they won’t let go of and so have to be included in the script. She was right. We had to include a “living fountain” where statues move and actually spit/spew out streams of water and the bishopric dressed up like a motorcycle gang and riding kids miniature motor bikes. Andy came up with the idea of Family Idol and I had kids improvise comments about immature parent behaviour. Yup – pretty random. We got a lot of laughs – especially the fountain. It made Andy and I remember another road show – 36 years ago where he and I won the best actor and best actress award and he surprised me with a kiss on stage in the final scene of our ward’s production. Who would know that a roadshow could be a life changing event.

I tried to download/upload? an example for you to see but couldn't figure out how to do it. One to give you an idea is CNU TONiGHT's living fountain from gooselaugh 007. We used the same ENYA song and the same togas and pitchers. I used living fountain + cruise to get it.

Crocuses and Poppies

I had a great run this morning and particularly loved seeing all the crocuses in bloom. They have been out for a couple of weeks but are really all over now. That doesn't seem particularly odd today since it is a pleasant though brisk spring day. Yesterday was 22 degrees and crazy hot. What is more amazing is that just last Thursday there was 4 inches of snow on this same hill. The crocuses are unphased by it all. It made me think - which is always good when I am running - why do they come out so early. I immediately thought about them being brave and strong - weathering frost, snow and heat - whatever weather happens. Maybe on the other hand they are just afraid of insects and want to avoid that plague at any cost.

I also thought about my own interest in courage. When I was in Beehives we had what was called Bandlos - a felt banner kind of thing that you wore diagonally over one shoulder across the chest. It had symbols of awards that were won etc. We had to pick a flower that was a metaphor for the virtures that we were aspiring to. I chose the poppy because it symbolizes courage, bravery and strength. I wonder now whether in that choice I set a course for myself or I simply gave words to what already was a defining value. I have included a picture of myself at that age to give some context.