Snatches of our Conference.

Easton counted down to conference about 8 weeks before it started.  He was so sad every time I told him how many {eternal} weeks were left before conference.

This year the boys did their little "penny listening" for key words and then used their money for the Conference store as well as a new surprise activity...building "temples" out of castle blocks-----

We also started a new tradition this year---homemade gourmet caramel apples....

Delicious.

There were so many grand and beautiful talks that spoke just to us.  It was such a great follow-up to the Relief Society meeting that I was able to attend in the Conference Center the week before.  My journal is filled with bits and pieces and snatches of the words spoken, feelings felt, and impressions from the Spirit.

And the very first thing I wrote was that my boys get to serve their missions at age 18!!!  We are ever so excited.  As President Monson led up to the announcement, I looked over at Patrick and saw tears filling his eyes.  My eyes must have showed a questioning look because he turned to me and said, "They're going to change the missionary age," with the most serene smile on his face.  My mouth opened in surprise and I looked to the screen as the announcement was made.  

My heart jumped for joy. 

Now I know why we were inspired to put Easton in kindergarten this year.  I made the decision hesitantly because although I knew he was ready intellectually and Tate needed some extra time with me, the nagging thought of him having to wait a whole year before his mission kept popping up in the back of my mind.  We prayed and fasted about the decision and just felt like we needed to go forward in faith knowing that the Lord would make everything all right.  And He has.  I never expected my prayers to be answered in this way.  And Easton is so extremely excited already.

Proclaimed by the weak and simple...

I have been pondering this lovely January morning about missionary service.  It really is a miraculous work.  To think:  that the pure, perfect gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is entrusted to the hands of young men and young women.  The thought is sobering, really.  The world would think this quite preposterous.  But with our understanding of the Lord and how He works, it makes perfect, complete sense.  Bringing this work forward through the means of youth accomplishes several purposes.  First, the gospel seems to be more readily accepted when it is delivered by seemingly "young boys and girls."  People are curious why young adults would give up time when they could be pursuing higher education, getting married, or enjoying the thrills of life.  These humble, young servants are living proof that the Lord sends the weak things of the earth to confound the mighty.  And second, missionary work offers a haven where missionaries can be separated, if you will, from the world and all of the evil, enticing traps of the adversary.  It gives them an environment where they can grow up, mature, and turn from boys into men--all the while strengthening their testimonies into sure foundations upon which to build their lives.  I love missionary work.  It's awe-inspiring.  I witnessed it first-hand for two years when my Dad was a mission president in Portugal.  And though I haven't had the opportunity to serve a full-time mission, I was able to go out for a week.  It whetted my desire to someday serve the Lord...with my dear, sweet eternal companion by my side.  That someday seems so far away.  But there are still numerous ways for us to share the gospel today.  Being a good neighbor, teaching our children about Christ, serving vigilantly in our callings, sharing our testimony through blogging or other means.  Creating a mormon.org profile to share our love of the gospel with anyone in the world.  There are so many ways, making me think that someday can really be now.