I did Partake.....

I would feel amiss if I did not acknowledge conference this weekend.  I loved it.  I did not see it all, but that is the beauty of technology.....I have it ALL DVRd.  I have already started going back and taking in what I missed the first time.  

This picture of the conference center takes my breath away.  It is an overwhelming sight and very powerful to me.  I can imagine the tangible spirit in the room....can feel a portion as I type.  Truly magnificent.  

Looking at this brings back a really fun memory for me.  My parents have a time share at the Kimball - it is an old rickety condo facility that is directly across from the conference center.  They keep it up nice enough....but it just has that smell about it.  Like a convalescent center or something.  My parents offered it up to all the kids, and Kev and I took them up on one of the nights "out on the town".  It was all pretty and snowy.  Our window looked out (let's see.....I am directionally challenged so this is taking way too much brain power) Ok, we were on the side of the mountains looking over at the center.  Make sense all you Utahns?  We could see the beautiful Christmas lights, people walking in their puffy coats and boots.  The place had such a glow about it....the light off the snow.  We were in our cozy little studio with the pull down bed.  We watched, man, I cannot think of the name.....oh yeah, Land Before Time.......INSANE, but we had some good laughs.  They have a little movie rental place down in the lobby......pretty decent selection.  This place is so creepy, yet so homey also. ?!  It reminds of the movie Psycho.  The original.  Believe me when I say we stayed in our room w/ the door locked, we didn't do to much wandering or investigating before it was just too terrifying.  

Ok great night.  The next morning we walked over and got to see the Christmas Spoken Word recorded.  It was so, so wonderful.  This was my first time in the conference center.  It was sooooooooo  much of everything.  The stage was decorated to the nines, to be made to look like a cozy Christmastime scene.  It was so much fun to see the process of the recording and be able to sit and watch,  feel, and hear the most beautiful music on earth.  Bell ringers were a big part of the program, loved it.  It was a spiritual and uplifting event that I hope to repeat every year as long as we make it to Utah for our annual wintertime visit.  The only thing that would make it even better is if our family were there with us.  Everybody!  

Back to conference....  My plan is to watch each talk again, and be able to really listen.  It is tricky to watch conf with the whole family.  Important and super terrific, but I don't always get the full gist of what is being offered. 

My first redo talk was by  Jeffrey R. Holland   (click his name to watch) I really love his message.  It is centered on gratitude.  There are many highlights to take away, but a few of my very favorite moments are when he tells of the time a little older sister comes up to speak with him, in the course of their conversation, she says, "I have never been a leader of anything in the church, I guess I am just a helper."  It was like she somehow did not feel worthy.  What he says in response is so right.  (you will have to watch it yourself to see).  I know women who feel like this, and it boggles my mind.  I am staggered at their strengths and the things they do lead in.   The families they are raising.  They are sooooo much more than a title.    

My other part is when he speaks of his mission.  He saved and worked, and sold personal items and thought he had adequately prepared to pay for his service.  He had a wonderful mission, and upon his return home his parents immediately got a call of their own to serve.  He was a little panicked when he wondered how he was going to be able to pay for college and get going all on his own.  He went to the bank and checked into his account to see what was left of his funds....if any.  The bank manager....a family friend said, Jeffery, it is ALL THERE.  All of it. Your parents did not touch a cent of your money.  He had never known.  Not one word on his mission.  His dad worked harder than ever, his mother got the first job of her life to support him.  Their sacrifice was not know until later.  

Man, what parents.  Have I ever come close to sacrificing to that magnitude?  Have I ever even sacrificed?  Will I be called upon to do so?  Will I be as selfless as these loving parents?  

What was your favorite talk?

Did you have a moment in conference that was just for you?

As I re-watch, or watch for the first time all of conference I will blog a little.  I would love to hear your take also.