Spiritually Uplifted

On September 21st Brad and I were able to attend my in-laws Stake Conference. It was such a wonderful meeting... many things contributing to that. First and foremost, we were kid free so we could actually listen. My parents were kind enough to watch our kids so we didn't have to fight them through 2 hours of Stake Conference. Secondly, Elder Holland and John Huntsman Sr. were presiding at the meeting so we were able to hear them speak. Elder Huntsman talked about the importance of children and how much the Lord loves them. Elder Holland was actually pretty funny during his talk. He talked a lot about reorganization in the church and how incredible it is that the entire church is run by volunteerism. They were reorganizing the Stake Presidency and something he brought out was just because the old presidency is getting released and a new one put in you don't automatically stop loving the old presidency and start loving the new one. There is plenty of room in your heart for all... love mulitplied is not love divided. You don't have to love someone less to love someone new, rather your love grows exponentially and you are capable of loving even more. I think this applies to so many areas of life... motherhood especially!
When Brad's dad called and invited us to attend his Stake Conference we of coarse assumed that he would be getting a calling, but we were all stumped because he had already been Stake President in that stake. Brad and I had our theories on what his calling would be, and we guessed right. Leigh was called to be the Stake Patriarch. What an incredible and honorable calling. Elder Holland was able to set him apart, and it was such neat experience to be there. To shake the hand of an Apostle of the Lord and to hear the setting apart. One of the things that struck me the most was the complete trust the Lord has in Leigh to have him hold such a high and holy calling. It is the only calling in the church that doesn't have a presidency- people to keep you in check. He works directly with the Lord and recieves inspiration for those he is blessing through the Holy Ghost.

Leigh, Elder Holland, Elder Hunsman, Paula and Kelsey

We went to dinner at Brad's parents house after the meeting, and as we were visiting in the living room I thought what a perfect environment to receive those blessings. They will be having a lot of visitors in their home. They just finished an entire remodel of the upstairs so it looks nice, but more importantly I was thinking their home is a place the Spirit can dwell at all times. I dare say they don't have a single movie, book or cd in their home that would offend the spirit. Both my mother-in-law and father-in-law are two of the best and most righteous people I know. I think they both have lived very worthy of this calling. Congratulations.