I Love the Fall, and General Conference

I love fall. I love pumpkins, crunchy leaves, cozy sweaters, changing colors, halloween costumes, preparing for our little baby to come, but one of my absolute favorite things about fall is General Conference! I get to spend two full days listening to the words the Lord wants me to hear. He speaks through prophets and apostles, just like he did in the Bible. I always feel the spirit so strongly and I love the opportunity to refocus and remind myself of who I am and where I want to be going.

This past weekend was the General Relief Society Broadcast: a special session of General Conference just for women. I loved the messages shared, especially about how God loves us, and is always willing to give us the peace and strength we need to keep going, no matter how difficult our lives are, if we are only willing to pray and ask for it and to try our best to be obedient to his commandments. If you would like to watch this broadcast and see what the female leaders and prophet had to say to the women of this church last saturday, click here. Men are of course welcome to watch as well, the messages are just directed at the sisters.

If you would like to watch the main body of conference (split into four sessions, beginning Saturday morning and ending Sunday evening) you can go to this link. There is also a priesthood session, specifically for men in the church ages 12 and up. This will be on the same website on Saturday evening. Also, if you get BYUTV, you can watch it on the television.

I am super excited for this weekend (admittedly also for the brunch I traditionally make to eat on Sunday morning as well as for General conference) and I hope that you can feel the spirit of the Lord touch your heart and guide your life if you chose to watch with me this weekend.

my new mantra

It is better to look up.

This phrase comes from a talk from the most recent General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If you haven't read it, you definitely should, even if you aren't LDS. The entire address has such a bright message of hope, and it makes me happy.

I've been having a few minor setbacks lately that I am, stupidly, allowing to bring me down. When I catch myself thinking sad thoughts, I try to remember to look up. Even if you take this literally, it helps. The simple act of lifting your chin is the opposite of what we (or at least I) naturally want to do when I am sad, and therefore helps me to feel happier.

What makes it even more helpful, is the spiritual implications of looking up towards Heaven. To think of the love that God has for us and of his great goodness and the plan that he has for me makes me so happy. Then to go beyond that and seek his guidance, trusting that everything will work out the way that he desires, is so comforting. Even though I sometimes am selfish and wish that his plans conformed to mine, I am always happier when I banish that thought and bend my will to his.

I am so grateful for this perspective, and for my faith so that I can trust that nothing that will disrupt his plan for me will happen. I love Him so much, and am so thankful for all that he has given to me.

Women's Chorus

Once again, or I suppose as always, I am ever so grateful for Women's Chorus. I love the music that we make, the sisterhood we share, and the strength we can offer each other. I very, very rarely leave feeling down or upset with myself, although I'm generally kind of sad to leave. All of these are wonderful, but my very favorite thing about Women's Chorus is the spirit and the testimony that each girl brings that allows us to have the Holy Ghost with us as we sing, and to share our testimonies with others.

This past week we were blessed with the incredible opportunity to sing with all of the BYU audition choirs at devotional when Thomas S Monson, the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Prophet of the Lord came to speak. It was such an amazing experience. The spirit was so strong, and I received a stronger testimony that Thomas S Monson is in fact a prophet of God who receives revelation on our behalf and who loves us. I love him, although I have never had the opportunity to meet him in person. I am so blessed to be a part of this wonderful community at BYU, and to interact with the people in the choirs, and to sit at the feet of prophets and apostles and be taught the words of God. I am so grateful that I was able to get in to this university and Women's Chorus and to have all of these wonderful experiences.