Conference Weekend

We had a wonderful Conference weekend. Our activities included:

Saturday Breakfast
Gavin and I started out early (6:30am) for our donut run to Lehi Bakery. We hand-picked donuts for the family and were home before the other kids were awake. Enoch was very excited to have fresh donuts for breakfast. Kate, of course, just picked off the sprinkles and chocolate icing.


Conference Bags
I spent last weekend putting together some fun Conference activities and sturdy bags to hold them. I made the boy's bags from Gavin's holey jeans and Kate's bag from some left over fabric I had. The kids loved them. All weekend long Enoch kept saying, "Thanks Mom for my bag; I love it!". Each bag contained colored pencils, stickers, apostle flashcards and Friend magazine coloring books for Enoch and Kate and a Conference workbook for Gavin. I was amazed at how well it kept the kids entertained. I will put them away until next Conference and then refill them with new activities.


Pumpkin Party
We celebrated the end of the neighborhood garden with the traditional pumpkin party. Each child was able to pick a pumpkin from the patch. The adults had fun visiting. The garden was great this year and although we are sad to see it die, Greg is really tired of picking green beans!


Geography Lessons
We spread our large, laminated world map out and each time a location was mentioned by a speaker, the kids raced to the map and put on of their stickers on that place. They really enjoyed finding the new Temple sites.


Family Home Evening Lesson
The Monday before Conference we had a special FHE lesson about Conference. We read from the book of Mosiah during the reign of King Benjamin while we sat in our small indoor tent. We talked about how the people gathered together and then listened to King Benjamin from their tents. We paid special attention to Mosiah 2:9:
And these are the words which he spake and caused to be written, saying: My brethren, all ye that have assembled yourselves together, you that can hear my words which I shall speak unto you this day; for I have not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view.
We challenged our family to listen with both their ears and their hearts. During Conference, we moved our tent downstairs and the kids and Greg had fun sitting in their while watching.


Listening to Conference
Of course, the highlight of the weekend was actually listening to Conference. It was fantastic! As I mentioned, the kids did remarkably well. Gavin listened to all four sessions and filled out his extensive workbook. I was so proud of him. At dinner on Sunday, we discussed our favorite talks and I was amazed at what he remembered and learned.
I know we probably shouldn't have favorite talks, but I will always remember Elder Holland's talk as one of the most powerful I have ever heard. It will be a talk that will be quoted often and I am so thankful that I could listen to it (with my ears and my heart)!

Some things our family learned and will try to do:
1. Bear our testimonies, say, 'I love you", and be consistent. (Elder Bednar)
2. Teach our children how to feel and listen to the Spirit. (Elder Scott)
3. Ask our family each day at dinner what good deed they did that day. (President Monson)

What a great weekend. I know our family benefited from watching Conference. The Spirit was in our home and we are so blessed to be taught by our wonderful leaders.