This weekend however I made time to "relax" which was during the 8 hours of conference I had the incredible opportunity to experience.
First I started out my Saturday in the best way possible, at the Down Syndrome of Louisville event where I walked a 4K. I'm hoping next year I'll actually be able to run it, however this year I did improve greatly on my time and performance form last year. Last year I was totally not in shape and I remember having to stop and rest often and came well in last place, I was also in a ton of pain the rest of the day and the next day. This year I didn't need to stop and rest even once, and my friend Valerie and I didn't come in last place... I'm pretty sure there were at least 5-6 people still behind us!! Also I wasn't sore at all, in fact I had wanted to stop at the gym to do some biking to finish up the Iron Man challenge I'm working on but I didn't have the time.
My friend Valerie was so nice and came to support our team and be my walking buddy, even though it was FREEZING!!
This is Ruby's original poster, I was obviously excited to see it.
The reason I didn't have time to go to the gym was because every 6 months my church has a general conference where all the members around the world gather to watch the Prophet and Apostles speak to us over many hours on Saturday and Sunday. It is my favorite weekend of the year and I feel real sadness every time the last prayer is said on Sunday.
I'll admit though I didn't always feel this way about conference, I always loved conference weekend because when I was little it usually meant my cousins coming in and being able to play all weekend, but as I got older and watched it I don't feel like I truly appreciated the sacredness of conference until I was out on my own at college and I got to choose for myself how I was going to make conference apart of my life. I gained an even deeper appreciation of conference during my mission, and this deep appreciation has not gotten any dimmer since I've been home.
This has been one of my favorite conferences of my life time, it's hard to pick a favorite talk, but I could probably narrow down my top 2 favorite sessions, the general women's session and the Saturday morning session were my top 2.
While I know I'm not "old" at the age of 28, however being 28 and single in the Mormon church, you could say I'm practically an old maid. I absolutely love my single status, I know it's not something my parents probably want to hear, but I do enjoy being single, I'm a very independent person and I think if I ever do meet a guy who is crazy enough to want to marry me it will be hard for me to settle down. Those are things I'm working out... don't worry I know it's a commandment to get married and all that jazz.
However with all that being said, it can be a little hard or discouraging to be single in the church. There is such an emphasis on strong marriages and families, as there should be I believe. But I often feel like the single people of the church get over looked, like oh this is just a temporary part in your life, lets focus on the more important members. I know that is not true, trust me I'm not trying to play a pity card here or anything. But sitting through talk after talk, and lesson after lesson on marriage and how hard it is to be a mom and things like that, it can wear a person down. I do have to do a shout out for my ward family however, they do an amazing job of making me feel loved and included even though I don't have a husband and kids.
But I just want to use that little bit of background to emphasize how absolutely AMAZING the general women's session of conference was. All those feelings I've ever felt of being a "second rate Mormon" were totally washed away as I listened to talk after talk, and watched 2 videos highlighting single sisters. I saw and felt and knew in that moment that this is a church for everyone, no matter what marital status you are. I am not alone, my God knows who I am and what my struggles are intimately.
I felt like this entire conference was written and given just for me, and I know just about everyone else who watched this conference feels the same way. I already love the 3 new apostles who were sustained this conference and I can't wait to get to know them better. I loved the talks on women and mothers, the talks about the Atonement and Sabbath day observance, the talks about the plan of salvation, trials and progression. I feel renewed, rejuvenated and ready to do better and be better.
My heart ached seeing 3 of the Apostles I've seen sitting up on that stand my whole life not there, but I also rejoiced in all the talks that mentioned these men and how amazing they were. I cried watching President Monson's strength fail him right in front of our eyes. I love him so much and can't even imagine the weight on his shoulders and the pain he is in from missing his beloved wife Frances. I adored the children's choir on Saturday and seeing those two little boys in the front row holding hands was just about the cutest thing I saw. There were so many big and little moments of conference that I feel will be forever etched in my mind.
I have renewed my conviction to keep the Sabbath day holy, and I want to try to find ways that I can be better at it. I have decided to take up the challenge given by Elder Larry R Lawrence of the 70 in the first session to ask the Lord in sincere prayer what I lack and what is keeping me from progressing (admittedly this is something I'm nervous about doing). I've also committed to "ponderize" a scripture a week. I will strive to always be temple worthy, and I have made specific goals on how I can attend more regularly. These are just a few things I have taken away from conference and committed myself to do, however they are not the only things I have committed to trying. If I listed everything I got out of conference this post would be way too long, and also more personal than I'm willing to share.
What were some of your favorite parts of conference? What are some of the things you feel more committed to do going forward? I'm already planning on re-watching conference this week, and I can't wait! If you haven't had the chance to watch it I recommend it, these talks are great no matter where you are in life, check them out here: lds.org
Just a pic of Prim enjoying conference with me :)
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