General Conference was very uplifting and motivating this past weekend. I loved listening to all the words of wisdom from our church leaders. I found a theme of love flowing throughout the conference, and really felt strongly that I need to show more love to my friends and family. One talk on Saturday, from President Eyring (I think), was about strengthening our families by showing love and sharing our testimonies about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ with the people we are close to. Also, Elder Holland bore such a strong witness about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, that I was motivated to share my testimony with those I love. So much has happened in the last little while to make me realize that life is short, and we never can know what the future holds for us. So, I will seize the moment, and take the opportunity to share with you my testimony.
I know, without a doubt, that we have a loving Father in Heaven who is concerned for each one of us, and who loves us more than we can comprehend. I know that He sent his son, Jesus Christ, to the earth to live and set the perfect example for us to follow, and that Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price to allow us to repent of our sins and return to our Father in Heaven after we leave this world. I know that he atoned for our sins in the garden of Gethsemane, that he was crucified and buried, and that he was resurrected. I know that he lives today. I have felt his love and influence in my life, and I know that his arms of love will comfort those in need of comfort, and that he knows all of our pains and sorrows, but also our joys and triumphs. He is our Savior, out advocate, our friend. I love Him.
I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is His church, and that He is the one directing it today. I know that He speaks through a prophet to guide his church, just as in days of old. I know that He wants us to come unto Him, and follow Him. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God, and that the Lord speaks to him and gives him direction on how to lead His people. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, called by Him to restore His church to the earth in the latter days. I know that He spoke to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and that they directed how he was to organize their church. I know that he conversed with angels, and that the powers of heaven were given to him to translate the ancient records of the inhabitants of the American continent into The Book of Mormon. I know that The Book of Mormon is true. I know because I have read it and have felt in my heart that it is true. I have pondered and questioned and prayed, and have received my answers through the Holy Spirit that it is true. I know that the Book of Mormon can give us answers that we are seeking, and that by reading it, we can draw closer to our Father in Heaven and feel of His love for us.
I know that He hears our prayers, and that we can talk to Him anytime, and He will listen. I know that He answers our prayers in ways that are best for us. I know that He has power to make miracles happen. I know that His power is on the earth today, and that worthy men can have that power to bless the lives of those around them. I know that with that power, the Priesthood of God, we can be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost to be our constant companion in this life. The Holy Ghost can guide us, comfort us, warn us, and teach us. I know He is real, because I have felt Him.
I know that families are a little bit of heaven on earth, and that we find true joy by forming relationships here that we can have into eternity. I know that Holy Temples are on the earth to seal families together forever. I know that my marriage can last forever, not only until death, and that my children can be my children forever. I know that we are sent to earth to learn and grow, and that by loving and serving others, we are doing what our Heavenly Father wants us to do. I know that we are all His children, and that He wants us to do what is right.
I know that all of us can repent, no matter where we are in life, no matter what we have done. We can go to the Lord, truly penitent, and make a change in our lives for good. I know that He will change our hearts, if we come unto Him. I know that our faith will grow and that we will be happy if we live by His teachings.
I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to learn the gospel. I am grateful that my parents taught me that there is a God, and that they taught me to search, to question, and to think things out to find truths in all things. It is because of my upbringing that I was able to find the truth in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints when it was presented to me. I know that if we learn of the gospel of Jesus Christ with an open mind and heart, and that if we pray to know of its truthfulness, our Heavenly Father will tell us that it is true. I am so grateful to have the Holy Spirit to help me be a better person, mom, daughter, wife, neighbor and friend. I love the gospel with all my heart, and I feel so fortunate to have had the chance to learn it in my lifetime. I love my family so very much, and there is nothing I would not do for them. I want nothing more than to be with them all for eternity.
I don't know what will happen in the future, but I do know that if we follow our Savior, we can't go wrong. I love you.
I have found great enjoyment in canning my produce this fall. It is a lot of work, but I really feel a sense of accomplishment when I hear the little pops of the jar lids sealing after I have worked so hard to get them canned. I canned a lot of fruit, and fresh froze a lot of vegetables. We were able to use a lot of the vegetables from our garden, and our neighbor's brother let us come out and pick fruit from his trees. This year, with some help from my girls, Dave, and my neighbor Amy, I canned apple pie filling, peach pie filling, applesauce, plum jam, peach jam, and a ton of salsa. I also fresh froze peaches, green beans, carrots and beets.
We just finished with our last batches last night, and it feels really good to be done! I am really excited to be able to use our canned fruits and vegetables all year!
We really love the floor, and how the new wall/window turned out. I can't wait to put pictures and knick-knacks in them!
We decided to completely knock out the closet in the 4th bedroom to make about 3 more feet of space in the family room. We also are putting a beautiful laminate floor in the entire downstairs. So far, we have knocked out the wall (which was fun!) and reframed and drywalled the new wall. It is quite a big project.
