General Conference

This possibly could be Dad's last General Conference Training. He starts his seventh year in his calling this week. I am looking so forward to going to General Conference. It is always such a special and exciting time for me. General Conference has always fallen on or near our Anniversary and my birthday, and I treasure the change of pace and the uplifting messages we receive. Having an opportunity to experience conference in the Conference Center (at one time the Tabernacle) had always been a dream for me and with dad's calling we have had that wonderful opportunity many times. I feel so blessed through dad's devotion and dedication that has afforded us such rich and wonderful experiences. I am so grateful to have a knowledge of the Gospel and to know that these men are truly the Lord's annointed who have prayed and studied and prepared the messages that He would have them give to us at this time. With the challenges in the world today what a blessing for us to receive the guidance we will receive this weekend. I also look forward to being with Talon and Annie, Mikael and Nathan. I plan on attending the temple, and visiting the Art and History Museum- and seeing Ben's new painting that he said is actually hanging in the entrance of the Conference Center, going to lunch with my sisters, seeing friends and just spending time with DAD! I just feel so grateful for this opportunity. I will share with you what I was personally taught through the spirit if it is not to personal and I would love to hear what you learned through the spirit also. I have asked my institute classes to share next week and I am looking forward to hearing their responses, it would be nice to hear from you each also. I love you all!

Tall Tales of Mikael

If you read Mikael's blog of fears going into last weekend, my perspective was a little different. When I talked to her, her concern was, "What if I don't like his parents?" When I told dad this he just laughed and said, "she's not worried about whether they like her rather if she likes them." The more I thought about it, it was a very legitmate concern. But not worry after all, they loved her- Nathan reassured me of that several times as did his mother, and she liked them. But how could you not love Mikael- she is just her self and a wonderful self at that. I loved that she still crossed her EYE at Nathan in front of his parents at dinner, yet had good table manners. It is fun to watch Nathan with her, his is so adoring of her. I think Mikael responds in kind. It will be fun to have everyone together Moab weekend (dad is being brave about not being able to be with us all- you might send him your love and thoughts before the journey).

We also had a great time with Annie and Talon. Getting to see their beautiful new home was exciting. They are able to close on it this week- it is the beginning of a great adventure for their new family! With Brittani and Grant having things work out so smoothly in selling and being able to get into their new home, Talon and Annie's new home and for the arrival of Elijah, Andrew and Stephanie in their lovely new home in a place that they love, Perry and Christi having a new home that they love, I just can't help feeling so grateful for the blessings our family has received. Decota has improved so much since last year, Scott is loving his job and has had these opportunities to learn and progress, Mikael is drawing near the end of school with new exciting expriences of student teaching around the corner, and Johnathon is seeing success in his work, we are so very blessed as a family. Thank you all for being the wonderful family that you are and living the gospel so completely. I love you all.