Preparing for Conference

It's feeling chilly today. Homes begin to start smelling like pumpkin spice scented candles, hearty soups and my favorite, home made apple cider. It seems like as soon as the first cool breeze in the air arrives, Conference follows. I love General Conference. I love seeing the Prophet and my favorite speakers (how can you possibly pick a favorite?) I love the feelings of peace and rejuvenation after each session.

We are a just a few days away from Conference and I already feel the itching for it, the answers to questions I hope to get resolved or at least some better understanding that I receive from the spirit during this wonderful time. I find myself thinking about ways I can prepare for Conference. "How can I get as much out of each session?"

Luckily there are many resources. On ldsresources.net I found a list of 12 helpful ways to prepare.

1. Make a list of specific questions or issues you’re working on and would like help with.
2. Pray to feel the Spirit and about one or all the things on your list.
3. Learn about the General Authorities’ lives, families, etc.
4. Have a Family Home Evening about General Conference (how to act during, what happens, who speaks, etc.)
5. Read your Patriarchal Blessing if you have it
6. Get plenty of sleep the night before
7. Do all your cleaning and chores before Conference if you can
8. Plan to discuss the talks after you watch Conference. This helps you pay attention because you know you’ll have to have something interesting to say about it later.
9. Plan to listen for which talk to focus on for your Visiting/Home Teaching lesson
10. Plan and shop for meals the day before. Have a Conference food tradition.
11. Plan where and how to watch Conference in advance.
12. Find your journal or whatever you take notes in. Find a pen, too.


I also found a wonderful article on lds.org to help prepare your children for Conference. There are so many fun activities as well that can help.

What are some ways that you prepare for General Conference?

Diana Noyce (Thanks Diana!) had some really great ideas. She makes sure all of her children are gathered together for Conference and uses coloring pages and bingo cards for the younger children and the older children take notes. She mentioned that Sam likes to draw portraits of the speakers with something they said in a bubble over their head. I thought that was such a cute and unique idea.

 

I hope this was somewhat helpful as you find your own unique ways to prepare yourself and your families for General Conference. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful prophet to lead and guide us. I pray we can all feel the spirit and get as much out of Conference as possible.

Haiti Newborn Kits

Stephanie Morgan wrote us a beautiful letter in regards to the kits we created a couple of months ago:

Dear wonderful Women of the Oquirrh Lake 5th Ward, 

I can't thank you enough for the amazing time, generosity, sacrifices, and love that was generated from your ward. You were able to complete a grand total of 77 Newborn Kits that consisted of 1 cloth diaper with 2 diaper pins, 1 plastic diaper cover (we ended up with 8 of these), 1 washcloth, 1 pair of baby booties or socks, 1 bar of soap or container of baby wash, 1 baby hat, layette/outfit/shirt/onesie, 1 baby brush and 1 reviving blanket! Some had just a few small items missing I was able to use to complete with with other donations (diaper pins, soap, and baby brushes for cradle cap). There were also 57 onesies, 8 baby shirts, 15 washcloths, and 5 cloth diapers left over that I will use to make other kits or give as single items to the people in Timo, Haiti!

I am overwhelmed with gratitude to be able to have these to bring with my organization to Haiti in October. I want you to know of the people you will be helping by creating these wonderful kits. I have enclosed some pictures of people I met while I was there last year. I have included pictures of all the complete kits and leftover articles. I am so excited as we have goals within our organizations of the amount of people we want to see and help. By your donations alone, we will meet our goal of Newborn Kits for October!!! Not only do we just give the kits to individuals, but they are required to go through an education process to learn about taking care of themselves, their newborns and children and how to use the items in the kits. They don't just receive "handouts", but education and information to eventually help them rise above the poverty they were born into. 

Since we are all God's children it is a privilege for myself to serve those who have the same special significance in His eyes as we do. I have been overwhelmed in my vocation and feel it is my duty to help these other special children of Heavenly Father. I have been given countless blessings not only by being born in a free country, but many other ways that these people of Haiti have not. There are many across the spans of the globe who need help like this, but we are making a difference in a small part to a few of these precious souls. I want you to know of the lives you will be helping in a small, but mighty way. For these wonderful should in Timo, Haiti to somehow learn that they are just as important as all of us, and we all have an eternal love that binds us all together. Thank you for help! Again, thank you so much and know that I have the ultimate respect for your time and sacrifices! 

Sincerely, 

Stephanie Morgan

 Thank you so much to everyone that participated in such a wonderful activity. Isn't it amazing what can be accomplished in one evening?

August Update (Ann Hobson Mission)

Latest update from Ann Hobson.

I know she would love to hear from you! 

Feel free to contact her through her 

email at:

 athobson@hotmail.com

SALAD SOCIAL 2013

The Salad Social happened. Did you attend? As always, it was a wonderful activity. The food was fantastic....surprising? No, not at all. We know how to make a mean salad!

Are you partial to a green salad? Maybe noodle, fruit or are you in it for the long haul and wanting it filled with protein? Regardless of your preference, we had it there.

After some munching and mingling, things got serious.....a competition was underway. Sister Wayment put together a fun, "Jeopardy" styled game. It turned out really cute and I know everyone really enjoyed it. Thanks Sister Wayment!

What was your favorite salad at the social? What recipe did you bring? Willing to share? Send me an email at lindseylyman@gmail.com. I'll post all recipes so we can share them with our family and friends.

Thanks for everyone who participated and made this activity a success!