Our General Conference Weekend

We had a really great weekend. It was so nice to be all together, and not go anywhere, and be able to listen to the prophet. So nice! And what great talks there were! We watched on our computer through the Church website. We didn't tell the kids that they had to watch with us, but they ended up doing that anyway. Some of the time they were playing or coloring, but they really did spend more time just listening than I expected they would. I was surprised. On Sunday morning we had our traditional cinnamon rolls. (If you want the recipe, click here.) This tradition started in James' family and we carry it on, but I added just a little something from my side. I always make two batches. One with raisins like James' Mom does it, and one with chocolate chips because my Grandma always makes cinnamon rolls with chocolate chips.

Traditions have become so important to me. Last spring in Stake Conference one of the speakers talked about the importance of traditions and the fact that if you don't establish good family traditions it is just the same as establishing bad family traditions. For example, if you don't make it a tradition to celebrate birthdays you have really made it a tradition to ignore birthdays. Also, if you don't make it a tradition to watch General Conference you have really made it a tradition to not watch. Traditions are like habits. And I really want my kids to have some fun and exciting traditions for good things so that they will hopefully keep doing those good things for a very long time. Does that make sense? I hope so.

I came away from Conference feeling so excited about the Gospel. I usually do, but it seems a little more so this time. Maybe I just paid attention a little better this time. I just feel so encouraged and uplifted! So hopeful! (I again really enjoyed President Uchtdorf's talk this weekend.) It was so fun to listen to church leaders from so many places around the world. This really is a global church and is just so neat to be able to see it spreading around the world. I'm very excited by what President Monson requested on Saturday morning. I'm anxious to see what happens when we as a church pray for countries to be opened so that more people will be able to have the gospel. I can hardly wait!