October 7th, 2013 - Mundelein, IL

Hello Hello!!

What a...weekend. Man. Who enjoyed conference?! Wasn't that the best!

Let me start by saying this. All last week, Hmna Escobar and I pretty much just preached about prophets and conference to our members, less actives, and Jessica and Jaime. Did we get them all to come...(to at least one session?) YES! I asked Jessica's parents last week (baptized 4-5 years ago) if they had watched before. Come to find out...they thought there was just one, two hour session...and they had it on repeat all Saturday and Sunday. Ahhh man. Luckily, the two of them and Jessica were there for all 4- and Hmno even went to Priesthood session! Ha, I told them that conference is pretty much Superbowl weekend (I wish I would have remembered that they don't like football that much...should have been World Cup) for us, and it was something they wouldn't want to miss. We had lunch with them between the Sunday sessions, and Jessica mentioned that it was WAY better than ANY sporting event and that she couldn't wait to read and watch later. Now if we could get everyone to see it like that!

I've enjoyed talking with just the few members we've met with since conference, and hearing their insights and what stood out to them. More than anything, I love how we all heard the EXACT same thing, but felt things completely different.

I'm looking over my notes as I'm typing...and having a really difficult time picking out my favorites, or what I even want to share now. It truly was all so good!

Yes, of course I loved Elder Holland's talk. The story at the end. Gosh. Gets me every time. In case any of you have never seen this...watch this!!! http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=911161811001  . It's a Mormon Message about the woman that was in the airplane crash that Elder Holland referred to.  Some points I loved. Never lose faith in the Man who loves you more than you could know....and if the cup doesn't pass- drink it and be strong. Patiently endure. I was telling Jessica just the day before how the topics of GC really do range everywhere! I was impressed that E. Holland decided to talk about depression - something that isn't talked about too much...but it was so spot on! I can think of a lot of people who needed to hear that. Everyone!

The Sunday Morning talk from Sister Bonnie Oscarson. Mmm. I was mostly happy, because that was the session that Jaime came to- and with every word that she said, I thought...oh! I hope Jaime heard that! We taught him Saturday afternoon, between the sessions. He's progressing, but not at the rate he could be. We discussed the baptismal service we had last week, that he attended, and what he thought/felt. He said he loved it...but had a few questions....the first...what does he have to do to be baptized?..if there were any classes he had to take. Haha, I loved when Antonio got a huge smile on his face...and said...THIS IS IT! This is the class! Good question, right? Well. Then he asked what would happen if he were baptized and then started going to a different church. Sighh....one step forward, one step back. My smile quickly returned when Antonio said something along the lines of...you won't want to leave, once you know it's true! Gosh. I half wish he could just be one of our companions and come to ALL of our lessons (he doesn't have a car...and he works a ton...so he can never come :( )  It's fun to team teach with someone like Antonio- they don't come better than him!

Anyway. Sister Oscarson talked about being truly converted. Something I wrote down, that I actually got from Jaime..yes, the same Jaime..."Salvation is personal". There are a million of contributing factors, but when it comes down to it, my salvation is my own.

I've already written a novel. But two quick explanations of the pictures.

First. Two of the Elders in my branch were in desperate need of a hair cut. They called the zone leaders to see if I could cut it. Of course they said no. But when President and Sister Woodbury came to the baptism last week; Sister Woodbury mentioned something about it, and I said I was happy to cut it- but the ZL's said no. Ha, she was bothered by that- and mentioned it to President. Needless to say, she thought it was a great idea for me to do it- and he gave me permission to do it. Looks good, yeah?

After the afternoon session on Sunday- all of the missionaries in the branch...cough cough, Hmna Mortensen....made dinner for Hmno Lugo (our ward mission leader) and his wife. This man does so much for us- so we thought this was a nice way to say thanks. It was a good time!!