General Conference

I'm not shy about my beliefs. You can learn all about them by clicking the "we believe" button above. I've shared my feelings on the gospel, my testimony, and the things I have learned through my experiences many times on this blog. Still today I am learning more about the gospel and I am learning more about myself in the gospel. This weekend marks a special weekend in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It is general conference weekend. A weekend in which there are 4 sessions for all members of the church and 1 session for the priesthood holders to tune in and listen to a prophet and the apostles speak. And not just here in the U.S. Everywhere. It is translated into 92 different languages so these messages can be shared with everyone!  

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And beyond that, some members in other countries save up for years just to get a chance to come to America and hear the good word live from the conference center. A lot of foreign members make a big trip out of it. Touring the temple grounds, taking in the sites around Salt Lake, and spending time where the Saints established a home. One of the member families from Adam's mission in Mexico is here for conference. And Adam was lucky enough to speak to them once he found out they were here so he could invite them to his team's baseball game Thursday. They said yes, so Adam worked to get them all free tickets and free BYU shirts. We all talked, I mostly just listened because only the Father spoke solid English, for about an hour after the game. Watching Adam speak in Spanish to this member family was so incredible. I could see the love he had for not only them, but for his mission. And for that brief moment I got a glimpse into the two years previous to us meeting, to see the things that made him the man he is today. It was such a humbling moment in my life. And I am truly grateful for Adam and the work he put in as a missionary. It was a great reminder of one of the many reasons I love and admire him. But, the thing about it, is that isn't just Adam's experience. Missionaries are all over the world building those relationships with members, converts, and investigators in their area... and that is what makes it beautiful!

With the member family from Adam's mission.

These missionaries, the families saving and travelling from all over the world, the investegators, the members in your community... we are all happy and working for one reason. The gospel. And so if you have any interest in what makes us tick, in what keeps us interested in the gospel, this is YOUR chance to know without having to ask someone. Conference is broadcast live for everyone and you can watch any of the sessions HERE, Saturday and Sunday at 10 am MST and 2 pm MST. And if you have questions, don't hesitate to ask me. I am so happy where I am, I am grateful for the gospel, and I will gladly answer your questions.

Love,
Deidre

Dear Nativity,

I have started to collect Nativity Scenes. Not only because they are beautiful and precious, but they are a beautiful and precious reminder of what this season is really all about. Here are a few that I love.

In church yesterday we had a wonderful discussion about the Nativity and all the people involved.

The shepherds. Hard working, possibly under-educated, and yet still took time to come to the birth of the Savior. Because they knew it was important. Because the nativity is for everyone.

The wise men. Not only did they go to seek Jesus when he was born, but they believed and did not go report. They offered gifts to the boy. They spent years searching for the boy. And wise men still seek him today.

Joseph. You cannot have a nativity without Joseph. And I wish I could know more about this wonderful man. He worked hard in his profession, and even more, he worked hard as a father. He took the responsibility and the title of father when Mary became pregnant. Even though he wasn't married to Mary yet, he stood by her. He was everything he needed to be in terms of support and love. And he was there even when he didn't need to be.

Mary. Possibly scared and possibly unsure... she was given the responsibility to give birth to Jesus and be his mother on Earth. In a time where a woman could be stoned for becoming pregnant out of wedlock, she took this and she knew it was a blessing. And not only to have a child that she would would need to care for, to worry after, to cry with, and all other motherly things, but to have that child be the Savior of the world. She is an amazing woman. So often people focus on the fact that she was the earthly mother of Jesus, but something so impressive to me is the moment she found out that she would be. When the angel came she wasn't even taken back or fearful. She was ready. She listened. She must have been so in tune with the spirit and spiritually prepared to listen to an angel that appeared right in front of her.

Jesus Christ. His birth is the reason for Christmas. His birth is the center of the Nativity. Jesus Christ is a brother, a friend, a carpenter, a teacher, a Savior, and so many other wonderful things. We are so lucky to have someone on my side through everything that knows everything I feel and everything I am going through. A man who volunteered before the creation of the Earth to come down and sacrifice himself so that we could all return to live in heaven. A man that led by example. A man that was perfect.

Merry CHRISTmas. Here is to remembering the reason for the season. What is your favorite part of the Nativity? What do you think about on Christmas Eve? How do you share the message of the season with your family?

Love,
The Skinnys

Dear Knowing,

I love this song. It is one of my holiday favorites. Because there was so much to this man. The man that we celebrate this holiday season. Jesus Christ. I love thinking about him as a child, with his mother Mary. I know that my parents think so many wonderful things of me, and I know that Mary thought so many wonderful things of her son. I like to think about all the things Mary thought of her son and what she knew. Did she know from that moment that Jesus Christ would be more than a carpenter. He would be our Savior, a teacher, a leader, an example.

I am so grateful for Jesus Christ. I am grateful for the man he is, that he would volunteer his life to save mine. That he would go through the atonement to help save me in the last day. I am grateful for his time spent in the garden that he knows all the things I feel every day. The joy, the sorrow, the trails, and success. He knows me and He has faith in me. I know. I know who He is. I know what He has and will do for me. And I know that Jesus Christ, my brother, is the reason for this season. Let us celebrate Him. Love, Deidre

Dear Sandy Hook,

Since Friday morning I have been trying to think of how to put my thoughts and feelings into words... but at the end of it all the same thing came to me. I am speechless. My thoughts, my tears, my love, and my prayers go to all those that were affected by the events of that morning. I have no doubt that arms were opened wide at Heaven's gates for all of the Connecticut natives. Young and old, boy and girl, all welcomed to be with their Heavenly family. At this special time of year I ask that we all keep these families and friends in our prayers and in our thoughts. That they might have peace, comfort, and love. And that we use moments like these to come together as a nation, all feeling the same heartache and looking for a brighter tomorrow. I want to share this special poem with you, every time I read it tears fill my eyes. I hope you can feel the same love and peace as I do when you finish.

 

 

Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
When 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.
Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
They were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.

They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"This is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."
When what to their wondering eyes did appear,
But Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
Then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
And in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
Those children all flew into the arms of their King
And as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
One small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
And as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."
Then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
Then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"
"May this country be delivered from the hands of fools"
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"
Then He and the children stood up without a sound.
"Come now my children, let me show you around."
Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA

Dear Time Out,

Remember a long time ago when I talked about Time Out for Women? Well... if you don't... Let me tell you what I said last time. "This wekend I am going to Time Out for Women with my Mom!" That was about it... and that was about... a month and a half ago. And when I was looking through my drafts I realized I never posted about it. Let me tell you, besides the fact that I got food poisoning, it was WONDERFUL!

The speakers were:

• Virginia. She was all about forgiveness.
• Sheri Dew. She talked about women in the Church and their importance.
• Chris Williams. He talked about letting it go, joining the Savior in healing, and saving souls. His big question was, "What burden can you lay at Jesus' door?" Because if we do that, He will heal us. Find out what Chris let go and what burden he laid at Jesus' door here.
• The Ladies from "Our Best Bites", Sara and Kate. They talked about looking for ways to serve and mother. And how life is more than being that picture perfect family.
• Brad Wilcox. His talk was all about names. Our name and God's name. And knowing God's name when we take it. He talked about thinking of the Savior writing His name across out heart just as Michael Angelo wrote his name across the statue he carved.
• Jon Bytheway. He said, "Regardless of your original intentions you will become what you surround yourself with." We need to surround ourselves with good things, good people, good music... just good in general. One thing he said that I loved was, "You are the average of the 5 people your surround yourself with."
• Emily Freeman. Her whole talk was based on this quoted, "Trust god enough so that you can trust his timing for us." - Neal Maxwell
• We also had wonderful musical performances from Jenny Oaks Baker, and she talked about the importance of family combined with Christ and the Gospel as well as not sweating the small stuff. And Mercy River, a group of three women. They talked about how Heavenly Father really loves it when we put our needs in His hand, letting him know He can calm us and looking to Him for hope.

This is my beautiful mother and I.

There wasn't much to take photos of. We honestly just sat and listened to wonderful speakers for two days straight. And this was the most scenery we got... besides the shopping at City Creek during lunch. I am so glad I got to spend those hours learning and growing with my Mother. She is beautiful and kind and such an inspiration to me.