This Way or That Way

Perfect for Me.

It came at the perfect time and I heard perfect messages...for me. There's nothing like the direct and refreshing instruction of General Conference. What a blessing it is! It was so refreshing to hear from our living prophet, Thomas S. Monson, and the apostles of the Lord. God truly knows each and every one of us individually, loves us, and gives us direction. He speaks through his prophet and apostles and the Spirit prompts us individually.

I felt the Spirit so strong! I heard the things that I needed to hear. And I've been prompted in a couple of areas. Here are my two favorite talks that poked and prodded my very soul!

Elder Uchtdorf in the RS General Meeting:

• To me it appears that our splendid sisters sometimes undervalue their abilities—they focus on what is lacking or imperfect rather than what has been accomplished and who they really are. Perhaps you recognize this trait in someone you know really well. The good news is that this also points to an admirable quality: the innate desire to please the Lord to the best of your ability. Unfortunately, it can also lead to frustration, exhaustion, and unhappiness.
• “When you find yourselves a little gloomy, look around you and find somebody that is in a worse plight than yourself; go to him and find out what the trouble is, then try to remove it with the wisdom which the Lord bestows upon you; and the first thing you know, your gloom is gone, you feel light, the Spirit of the Lord is upon you, and everything seems illuminated.”
• "In the end, the number of prayers we say may contribute to our happiness, but the number of prayers we answer may be of even greater importance. Let us open our eyes and see the heavy hearts, notice the loneliness and despair; let us feel the silent prayers of others around us, and let us be an instrument in the hands of the Lord to answer those prayers."

President Thomas S. Monson in the Sunday Morning session:

• "...be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon."

• "Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances; we must deal with them the best we can, but we should not let them get in the way of what is most important. And what is most important almost always involves the people around us."

And so...what shall I do with this knowledge, with these feelings, and with those yearnings I felt within myself? Goals, I say!

• I am going to be a better wife and mother. I do get so caught up in checklists, meetings, and things that need to be done. I do think it is important to make my house and home by keeping it clean and tidy, but not at the expense of spending quality time with my children when they need me, want to play with me, or want to spend time with me. I need to spend more time talking to them, teaching them, and loving them even more. Above all else, my family and their needs need to come first.
  
• I will try to more cheerfully serve others and serve more often. Sometimes, I let the thought pass through that I am already doing enough. But I am sure I can always go one more mile.
• I am going to be more diligent in reading my scriptures and saying prayers of gratitude. I loved Elder Bednar's talk about prayer and I plan on implementing it in my life. Also, I know that if I will diligently study my scriptures, I will have more patience.
• I am going to use kinder words and a quieter voice. I've found that lately I've let myself slip back into having a shorter fuse with my children and raising my voice at them. I hate the way I feel afterward, I would hate to be treated like that, and I know that it hurts both them and me. I can do better and I will.

I enjoyed this Conference so much. I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father, His beloved Son Jesus Christ, and their love for me. I am grateful that I have the knowledge of my Savior and His Atonement, and that because of Him, I can become a better person.