October already… general conference was this weekend, very uplifting as usual. I even managed to watch most all of it — we have the rest recorded for later. Something to do while I fold laundry tomorrow night. But more on conference later. First, the most important part — pictures here:
A quick recap on September and into October:
- Alec ended up having his two front teeth removed after his bicycle accident. Just means he’ll be toothless for a few years.
- The boys started school — 4th, 2nd, and preschool.
- Soccer season started as well. Three games every Saturday. It’s tough to have both of us there at all of them, but I know the boys appreciate it when we do. It’s Alec’s first season, and he rocks
Trent is now at the level with goalies. He loves defense and forward. He’s been nick-named ‘The Wall’. Caleb’s now playing on the intermediate league, and it’s fun to see how they are really starting to play soccer! - Mark is walking a few steps now. He loves the dog, the dog puts up with him really well.
This week, we took a little trip to Rocky Mountain National Park to see the Elk rut. It was a beautiful day in the mountains, and it was cool to see (and hear) the big bulls bugling to gather their harems together. In one part of the valley (Moraine Park), the cows were grazing up within 10 feet of the cars and people. It was a fun experience.
I spent Friday / Saturday digging a trench for conduit to put in an electrical line out to our shed. The older boys ‘helped’ a bit too — mostly they enjoyed playing in the dirt and throwing dirt clods. I was hurrying to get it dug and put in the conduit before the forecasted storm moved in Saturday night, but that never materialized.
Laying the electrical lines is the first step in a bunch of work we have planned for the back yard. It’s slow going, though, as it often has to take back seat to other priorities. But we are anxious to be able to enjoy our yard more.
I really enjoyed watching / listening to conference. I just want to write a few of the thoughts that were memorable to me:
- The calling of President Eyring to the First Presidency, and Elder Cook to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
- Elder Ballard’s message about being prepared to share the gospel — know what we want to say, answer the question being asked. Few people will have the time or patience to listen to an hour discourse on the church. We can be more effective with a few specific points.
- President Eyring’s counsel to pray for others instead of ourselves. Forget our own concerns and shortcomings. True power in prayer and in priesthood service comes from focusing on the needs of others, seeking to understand their needs and find ways to serve them.
- President Monson’s anecdote about the boy with ‘flaming red hair’ — followed by President Hinckley’s challenge to him to dye his own hair!
- Elder Oak’s talk on good, better, best. It really is easy to merely be a good person, so much more to seek and exemplify the best in all we do.
- President Hinckley: Singers can sing the same song over and over again, orchestras repeat the same works, but a speaker is expected to give a new message each time… I enjoy his wit, as well as his words of testimony and counsel.
