chapter 89 : praise to the Man!

today in my religion we have our biannual General Conference meeting. it was such a wonderful experience. i LOVED the Solemn Assembly and wept from the beginning through the sustaining. part of me was even afraid that i wouldn't be able to stand due to feeling my emotions and the Spirit so strongly. i am so thankful to have a living Prophet of God on the earth who leads and guides our church. He along with the other leaders truly are called of God and i received that witness again today.
this conference, i was reminded of some things once again...

* i am so grateful for the way that the leaders of the Gospel never condemn us for our mistakes, but always tell us how well we are doing and urge us to do a little better. even though they sometimes speak on very strong and even challenging subjects, they always give their accounts in such a way that brings hope and helps me want to strive to do better, not only for myself, but for my family and those i come in contact with.

* the Brethren help me to feel loved like my Savior loves me. i know that they pray for us and are mindful of all of the members of Church and it brings such comfort to me to gain a little bit more insight into the way that Jesus Christ so selflessly loves and desires for my happiness. mr. clean made a comment like, "how could anyone listen to them and not know it's true?"

3 things that i hope to work on between now and the next conference are :
* to try to find greater balance in my life. i loved the talk by Elder Ballard in the last session. it was another testament to me that the Lord and his disciples truly are aware of what our lives are like and what we go through each day.
* i NEED to pray more and include my Heavenly Father more often. i remember hearing something to the effect that, "your need the extra help to raise your children. you can't do it alone!" this is SO true!
* use my time more wisely. i am the type of person that lives in extremes. i tend to either give 100% of myself to something or just barely get by. this goes for all aspects of my life from cleaning to getting ready and reading my scriptures to praying. my family and i deserve better than this and so do those i come in contact with as well, friends, acquaintances, etc., but most importantly, my Heavenly Father and Savior deserve better for all that they have done for me. without the mindfulness of my Father in Heaven, i know i wouldn't be who or where i am today and without my Savior, Jesus Christ and the Atonement, i would be lost!

the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored upon the earth and is here in its fullness. i am truly blessed!

yours truly.

*to see one of the most beautiful and powerful witnesses of Christ, go here.