Conference Weekend

 We have had a really great General Conference weekend. I love snuggling up on the couch with my family and listening to our leaders. Poor Mr. Stannix had to go in to work on Saturday (darn tax season) so I snuggled with the littles on the basement floor and we watched Conference on the computer. Hyrum snuggled right up next to me and then Joe rolled over and cuddled up to my side and fell asleep part way through. The rest of that session was blissful and quiet. The kids were so good!

 There was some really great talks in the morning session. I loved how Linda S. Reeves emphasised the importance of DAILY scripture study and prayer, and weekly Family Home Evening over having a clean house etc. I also felt that President Eyring's talk was just for me. He talked about never forcing righteousness (with our kids) because it's something that must be chosen. And that we should be living in such a way that we are SHOWING our children the joy that comes from living righteously. He also said that as we choose the right, we will find happiness....in time. I feel like the burden of the trial that our family has gone through this year can be eased by righteous living and faith, and I know that things will work out in due time. 

 The afternoon session was equally awesome. I loved W. Craig Zwick's talk. He focused on kindness and charity and having civility even when we disagree. He spoke on settling disagreements with words "firm in information, but soft in spirit". His talk was a great help to me and the things that I have been pondering.

This morning we hung out with Uncle Arland and Naomi until they left for Gramma and Grampa's. Joseph is really warming up to his uncle. He always goes over to him and says, "Oof" while pointing to the roof. He is such a little dare devil! 

Today's sessions of conference were full of great things! President Uchtdorf started off the morning with a fabulous talk on gratitude. He emphasized that being grateful during our trials helps us have a glorious life. He also mentioned that we should be grateful IN our circumstances, whatever they may be. I think sometimes it's easier to be grateful when all is well. David A. Bednar gave a great talk using an analogy of a truck with a load of wood. He asked us to assess our loads and make sure they are producing spiritual traction. Our beloved Prophet concluded the session. I loved how he said that the people we meet are those God has asked us to love. Sometimes it's hard to reach out to others, but man is it important!

We took a break for lunch in between sessions. I was hoping to keep Joseph up for a while so that he would nap through the afternoon session, but the little guy always has a hard time staying awake past 11:00am. Just as we were getting ready to go play, he started nodding off in his chair. He does this quite often, usually with noise and chaos going on around him!

The afternoon session was lovely, though I always have a hard time staying awake for all of the talks. Boyd K. Packer mentioned that knowledge of ETERNAL VALUE comes only by prayer and pondering. I also loved Michaiel John U. Teh's talk about how we spend our time. He asked us to learn to recognize when we have enough (stuff) so that we can focus more on the spiritual aspects of our lives (scripture study, prayer, temple attendance). He also counseled us to put more quality time and effort into strengthening our home and family relationships. How true this is in our world today where we can so easily be distracted by technology and devices. When Mr. Stannix and I were discussing this I mentioned how it's interesting that the word "device" has the word "vice" in it. Sometimes they can be just that, a vice, if we don't use them properly. 

I am so glad we were able to watch this conference and be uplifted! I definitely have a desire to be better and to try harder.