This has been an amazing week, and not just because of the last two days of conference. Although, one thing still puzzles me: rumors I have heard about missionaries, and the fact that you sent us a picture saying something was happening to you guys...and nothing happened. You weren't the only ones that told us something might be happening. The Sisters (Hermanas), who were with us for all the sessions, thought they heard that some kinda timing of a missionaries service would change. Not only that, but they showed us some evidence that the missionary book Preach My Gospel had changed. The evidence was from Ch. 10 of the book, where it said 7 weeks would be turned to 5 weeks, and I compared and it was a change. I also heard that many people's missionary calls had said that the length of their mission would be announced in Conference. Essentially, that didn't happen either. So, what the heck, dude? haha. No but really, I'm not mad. It's actually pretty funny. Another CRAZY rumor I heard was that tea and coffee would not be a temple recommend/baptismal interview question! What? I did notice a funny tweet that said that President Nelson pretty much refuted that rumor with his talk to the men about keeping yourself healthy. So yeah, weirdish rumors.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first session. I was charged to just learn from it. But the later sessions were much more difficult to hear. Just a lot of good all at once, and a lot of tiredness. Sarah made pot pies for our friend, Nicole Rodriguez, and her family. She was intending to deliver them herself during Priesthood Session, but got sick. So, I was able to help her, but missed "watching" live, but I did listen to a lot of it Live. However, I did hear our prophet speak. It was really great, and something I needed personally, and everyone could use a good repentance lesson. I mean, Prophets are suppose to call us to repentance. I love how we learned that repentance is not an event, but a process.
I also did enjoy Elder Bednar's talk on temples. It is also something we needed to hear. The things in the temple are not secret. They are sacred, but it is unfortunate when people keep things about the temple hush-hush. It is good to know that we make covenants in the temple, that we are taught about the different laws, the Law of the Gospel, the Law of Sacrifice, the Law of Consecration, and the law of Chastity.
I am sad that they are closing down the pioneer-y temples, but I am happy that they are going to be restored and made better. I honestly can't wait for the opening of the Mesa Arizona Temple next year, and you and all the rest of the family are invited when they have the open house and rededication. I honestly am curious to know what they are going to do to Temple Square. It's crazy that they didn't announce it today. I wonder if it is because they are not totally ready, or just because the details of the renovation are so extensive, or any other reason. Whatever the reason, to hear from the Prophet in a couple weeks will be just amazing.
There were many other talks that I enjoyed. I, like Granny, and our Great Grandfather (mentioned in her letter), will definitely pour over the talks when the text does come out. I am extremely grateful for technology and just being able to have everything almost immediately at our hands, practically in a matter of seconds. Also, being able to watch the conference Casted onto the TV is just great. The church is smart, putting it Live on YouTube, which was our method of watching it, along with several other thousands of people.
I was also very impressed with President Nelson's request to react to the announcement of New temples being built in our heart and in our mind. It actually got me emotional. I was happy to reverently and silently express my Gratitude to God for the Sacredness of the announcement. Elder Holland's talk inspired me to make some changes in my worship on Sunday in Sacrament meeting. I just imagine how much Awe I get when I go to a sacred place, such as a Catholic Cathedral, or a Muslim Mosque. The overwhelming feeling is one of reverence and prayerfulness. Won't it be wonderful when we make our Sacrament Meetings a place where this atmosphere of respect to the beautiful ordinance of the Sacrament is reverenced and hallowed. I even have made a goal to play prayerful prelude music for the Organ.
ALL IN ALL, SUPER GREAT!
As mentioned, our sister missionaries were with us all four sessions. Our friend, Heidi Greathouse, made it for the first three, and a non-member friend of Sarah's named Ashley, came to Sunday Mornings. Oh, Jacob, it was so great. First of all, we had breakfast both days. Conference Tradition for Days!!!!! haha. Sat. morning we had French Toast topped with maple syrup and blended strawberries and sausage patties. For Sunday morning, we had breakfast burritos (filled with scrambled eggs, sausage, cheese, bell peppers) and hash browns on the side. So, the people who came for the morning sessions, were filled.
My favorite moment is that Ashley, who isn't a member, joined us to watch the Sunday Morning Session at Sarah's invitation. I like her a lot. In the middle, while we were singing the rest hymn, I got her a notebook and a pen to write down her ideas/thoughts. Little did I know, she used it to write down her questions about stuff she didn't understand or wanted clarification about. After the session was over, she specifically asked us questions about The Book of Mormon, how to really study the scriptures, and about the term Zion. Man, Jacob, at the mention that Jesus Christ came to the America's, she lit up and said, NO WAY, I didn't know that! It was an Aha! moment for her, and she gladly took one of our many copies of the Book of Mormon. Sarah did very good explaining the background of the book to her, and then gave time for me and the Sisters to share things about it. It was really cool. She was just drinking it in.
About studying the scriptures, we told her to start small, if she wasn't really reading them before. To dedicate time out of her day to take at least a few minutes to really Study something. Sarah shared how the scriptures have touched her life, and Sister Yeaman contributed by sharing her story of how she came to know the Book to be true, which was by studying at age 14 on her own and asking.
And then talking about Zion, Sarah took over with a bit of help from us in between, because she really knows her stuff about that.
We had invited others to come, but they bailed. The two teenagers, Valeria and Anna, had things going on. I personally had invited a woman from my work that I met last week named Pam. She is in her 50s or so and she has had missionaries over and even had the Gospel Library app on her phone and everything, but she works so much that she doesn't have the time to meet with missionaries. She is having a lot of familial issues, so much so, that at work at Amazon on our free time, I told her the story of the lost 116 page manuscript, and how even Joseph lost the power to translate for a little while. My point was to show her that God puts his foot down when we need reproving, and that she needed to step up to her sons because they are walking all over her. She is afraid that her unborn grandchild will never meet her because of the schism slowly wedging them apart.
She couldn't make it because she was out Lyfting. I also invited one last person, but for some reason, she wasn't able to watch it because her TV/internet wasn't working. I kept on reaching out to her, and yet, after the fact she texted me and told me she hoped I had a good conference weekend.
On Friday, after we went to a nice Chinese restaurant called Golden Gate, we went to Walmart to buy our food for Saturday and the following days. On our way out, we bumped into a lady that was having some mental problems and just needed a helping hand buying some things for her and for her dog and her two cats. We sat with her for a long time, hearing her out. We just let her talk for a long time. We got her son's phone number and while we were heading back to our house, we called him and he told us he was going to contact her bishop for help, because unfortunately he couldn't. However, he was grateful that we helped her because her phone had not been working. We were glad to help.
Well, it's been a good week. I have more but since it is so late, I am extremely tired. Love you!
John
