Conference Reflections

General Conference was so terrific this past weekend. I remember being a kid and feeling like the conference weekend lasted, easily, a month.  Now, however, two days just doesn't seem like enough.  I felt uplifted from the first talk and that feeling lasted throughout the four sessions I got to watch.  It helps my attitude too, I believe, that The Girl enjoys all four sessions and watches with me.  I don't have to fight her to do that, unlike the boys.  Yes.  That was plural.  Genius Golfer golfed on Saturday--even through the on and off rain we had.  He is good to watch on Sunday, but his weekends are already spoken for through the spring and summer it seems.  The Boy just enjoys sleeping right now, so he missed the first session but wondered in and out during the Saturday afternoon session.  They both go to the priesthood session happily, as they make it an outing to Chili's afterward too.

The Girl takes copious notes through each session.  I do sometimes, but not always.  This time I sat and just listened.  I tried to internalize the messages and feel the Spirit's promptings as I heard what I needed to hear in each.

My favorite talk was easily from Sister Dalton.  Last weekend we got to go up tot he Conference Center to see the Young Women broadcast in person--The Girl reminded me that this "was my last one".  And while I got to drive a car load of neighbors and friends--mothers and daughters--I felt strongly that Sister Dalton and her presidency would likely be released this conference.  They having served through my whole time in our stake YW presidency with Pam and Amy and Taffy.  I have felt a great affinity to her personally--as she was a counselor to Sister Tanner when I was first called to serve in the Stake.  Her time in that kind of calling was longer than mine.  I have loved her directness and boldness as she taught and lead the YW throughout the world to return to virtue.  Rather an unpopular topic in the world's eyes, yet--especially since the missionary age change--a vital requirement for covenant keeping members of the church.

As she finished speaking in Saturday morning's session, I texted Taffy and said "That sounded like a Goodbye message".  Her words were like Lehi's when he knew he was dying and wanted to leave his testimony and most important word to his children before he left them.  Sister Dalton, too, wanted to leave her charges--the Young Women of the church--her best message.  And she did just that.



Not only did her message leave the YW with no doubt of her testimony and of their worth it but it shot home to me personally the value I have in my home, with my family and in my community.  Last week, you may remember I wrote of the USU host student who essentially dismissed me when I told her I was a stay at home mom and the feelings I had of insecurity and personal doubt that my work mattered.  Sister Dalton confirmed what I already knew--and a couple of you friends reminded me of in the comments (Thank YOU!)--that my work as a mom and a wife and a volunteer and all the other things I do that the world revile me for matter to the Lord.  Sister Dalton has always done that for me.  Each time I hear her speak I feel a renewed sense of worth and value as a daughter of my Heavenly Father.  Maybe that is why I loved serving in my YW calling so much!  Each week I had that calling I was able to testify of that value to young women throughout our stake--and thereby reconfirm it to myself too.

Hearing Sister Dalton's goodbye address made me miss my YW calling all over again.  I am struggling to feel that kind of value as I teach my Primary class.  And I'm not dismissing my primary calling--I know there is value in teaching these little girls--but I don't feel the same intensity of testimony I did with the YW. 

As Sister Dalton and her wonderful counselors were released I felt the same kind of let down I felt when we were released.  It was like they were the other half of our presidency  Having served along with with all this time, I feel some (crazy, I know) sense of solidarity with them.  Yet, I know that they have done what the Lord needed them to do and their service was complete and acceptable to the Lord.  I know that about my own time in YW too, but it doesn't help me not miss it.  I loved the YW we served.  I loved their leaders in the different wards of our stake. I felt the Lord's guidance in the work we tried to accomplish.  I am sure Sister Dalton has felt that too.  And maybe she will miss her calling the same way I have.

And maybe that is because in that calling, especially, I am absolutely sure the Lord cares what happens and won't let anything go wrong with his precious daughters.  He needs them at this time of the world.  He has prepared them to bring this 'hastening of the work" along in preparation of the second coming of Christ.  We saw that in our own stake.  We know this past generation of young women has been saved for a time such as this.  And it was a honor serving them and working with them as they have come to see their place in His kingdom.  Now we see some of their efforts as they join this wave of missionaries and I look forward to witnessing what their efforts bring about throughout the world.

Maybe Sister Dalton feels that too.  I just know that as much as I miss the YW and leaders I worked with so closely, I will miss Sister Dalton's leadership and example of discipleship.  And I do look froward to Sister Oscarson and her presidency and the challenges they overcome and the example they set.  But it won't be the same and that is OK, I suppose.  Change is hard, but constant.  And that is just one more lesson I need to learn. 

Dangit.