I don't write journaling posts very often, but I wanted to write about my experiences this past weekend while they are fresh in my mind. It has been a Spirit packed 48 hours.
Three weeks ago we found out that Elder Dale G. Renlund, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, would be visiting our stake conference and speaking to us. In addition to Stake Conference, there would be a meeting on Friday night for the sisters and a leadership training on Saturday that I was invited to attend as Stake Primary President. It's always exciting when an Apostle visits, and this was a first for me. I wondered who would be the "lucky" person assigned to speak in conference.
Two weeks ago I was on an evening walk with Mike and Sarah. They'd just spoken in our Sacrament meeting in the morning and I'd been joyous that I hadn't had to speak with them. While on the walk I received a call from our Stake President, Vaughn Evans. I only had my watch, so he was on speaker phone. He asked how my day was going and then cracked a joke that he may be "ruining" it. He then invited me to speak in our Stake Conference. He told me the speakers would be himself, then me, Sister Strong, and Elders Strong from the 70 and the Elder Renlund. No pressure, right?! Mike and Sarah both laughed as soon as he asked, because they know how much I "love" to speak in church. (I will never live down the ONE TIME I passed out at the pulpit in church) He said I could choose the topic, and that was it.
Mike asked me what I was going to talk about and I instantly knew. I've had a talk floating around in my head for the past couple years. This doesn't mean it was a good talk, but it means Heavenly Father knew how nervous I'd be and gave me a head start. I even tried writing it down once, but deleted it since I hadn't been assigned a talk. By Monday evening my talk was about 75% done. I'd make quite a few changes to it, but I had most of it. I spent the past two weeks avoiding the "world" as much as possible, so I'd be able to receive and listen to the impressions from the Spirit. I told Sarah we couldn't watch any Veronica Mars until after my talk. ;) (Imagine being a patriarch, Apostle, or person that was always living on a high spiritual plane)
On Friday, Sarah and I attended the women's meeting where Elder Renlund spoke along with sister Amy Wright, first counselor in the General Primary Presidency. I wish I had taken more notes, but one of the things that stuck out to me was something Sister Wright said, "When you are missing, we are less." That struck me. We all have different talents and experiences and all are needed. The world would be bland with a bunch of me walking around. ;)
On Saturday I attended a Leadership conference with Stake leaders, Ward Bishoprics, and ward organization presidents from our area, which is six stakes. It was an informative meeting. I appreciated that Sister Wright taught the Bishops about the importance of Primary. I think it's an often overlooked organization. She taught them from the Handbook a lot, and included that Primary children can give prayers and talks like other baptized members. I talked to my Bishop on the way out of the meeting and he mentioned how impressed he was with her. She's pretty amazing.
After the meeting Sister Wright met with me and the other Stake Primary Presidents for a meeting where she shared more from the handbook. It wasn't a long meeting, but was helpful.
Sunday morning was an incredible meeting and I felt incredibly lucky to have been a part of it. I don't think I'll do any of the talks justice, but they were all so good.
President Evans went first and talked about his short lived career running cross country in HS and how he hadn't noticed he'd come in dead last, because he'd been so focused on finishing. He talked about our own personal progress on the Covenant Path. I couldn't take notes, but loved it.
I spoke next. After I sat down I thought of a few nuggets I could have added, but I think my talk went well. I'll post it for posterity HERE, but really, this is more just sharing for my family. (Since I don't think anyone but my family reads my blog anymore)
Sister Strong spoke next. She and her husband had been called to be mission President/wife shortly before Covid broke out. She talked about the trials and lives lost in Peru. Then, she shared about coming home and feeling lost and struggling for the first time with depression. Her talk was incredible and I would have taken notes if I hadn't thought it would be distracting with me sitting behind the pulpit.
President Strong then spoke and I love that he started out by praising his wife and gushing over how much he loves her.
Then, Elder Renlund spoke. Once thing I loved about him speaking all weekend is that he's funny. He cracked jokes in each meeting and put people at ease. He is a special witness of Christ, and is also a regular guy. (That used to perform open heart surgery, which is quite special)
I'm glad I made myself start this back when things were fresh in my mind, because it's now Christmas Eve and probably time that I finish. I am grateful for the blessing of speaking in this meeting. I am grateful for the past 23 years of my life where I've been active in the gospel and growing my testimony of the Savior. I still have a lot to learn, but I'm eternally thankful for the nudges, impressions and blessings I've experienced along the way.
