Monday, October 15, 2007

Vacation Report Part One

It has taken me a few days to get back on the blogging horse. We got home from our vacation last Thursday night - but for some reason I have been feeling reluctant. I have said many times that I wish I could be more literary in my posting - I guess that is why I hesitate to make this a travel log - but here I go with the tales of our limited travels.... travails????

We did not set out Friday afternoon like we had planned - things got crazy and we heard about some freeway closings and other traffic tie-ups between here and where we were going so we came up with a new plan. We left for CA at 2:00 a.m. Saturday. A.M. people! We have done this before when driving to SLC when our kids were little. It's nice when they can sleep for a good portion of the trip. It works out for Alan because he likes to go to bed early and wake up early and all that believing in the word of wisdom etc... I, on the other hand, did not even go to bed. I kind of think Alan likes the driving in peace thing, the rest of us slept like rocks all the way to Palm Springs! We had breakfast and finished the drive in record time.

We made it to Alan's dad's house about 10 minutes before General Conference started. I always love the Saturday morning session (I really love all of the sessions) because it feels so great to be able to raise my hand and support our dear prophet and all of the priesthood leaders of the church. When it was hard for our kids to sit through conference - I could always get them to hold still through the first part of the Saturday morning session by teaching them what a privilege it is to sustain our leaders. What a lesson it is for me now to just write that sentence.

We loved being with Blaine and DeAnn, watching conference in their home. We were fed well and between sessions on both Saturday and Sunday - we took long walks through the beautiful canyon that they live in. Saturday night while the priesthood session was going on, DeAnn took all of us girls to a fun outdoor mall in Irvine. We ate dinner at Johnny Rockets there and I got to go to one of my all time favorite stores - Anthropologie. I got some cute stuff - including a journal so that I could take notes during the Sunday sessions. I forgot mine. I also got the cutest little red butter dish - it is adorable on my counter right now!! I got some other fun stuff - including the lip salve that my friend Susie Flake got me hooked on. It seems like I only go to Anthropologie when I am out of town and I never make the trip to Scottsdale for the one there.

So, the Sunday sessions of conference were great. I had some strong feelings about some of the talks. I am so glad I have a testimony of the gospel and that I understand the importance of following and sustaining our leaders. ALL of them - not just our priesthood leaders, or our local leaders or the ones that only make us feel good about ourselves. I felt the strong desire to make some personal changes in my life and the reassurance from the spirit that when we are doing the best we can do, our efforts do not go unnoticed. I know I need to be doing my best - all of the time - or at least a lot more often. The fruits of the spirit are peace, love etc... and that is the adversary who wants us to feel guilty, depressed and inadequate.

That is all of my preaching. Pictures and the fun part of our trip still to come!!

3 comments:

One Sassy Mama said...

Sounds like you had such a great time - can't wait to see the pictures. I loved conference - it gave me just the kick in the pants I needed.
nic

Beeswax said...

How was Jay Leno? And yes, that was Blossom. She is the groom's sister. I used to go to her tapings and see her with boyfriend Doogie Howser (before he was gay).

One Sassy Mama said...

Doogie Howser's gay?