General Conference October 2014

My dad was unable to make it out for Conference weekend, so we took the opportunity to relax and watch it at home.  Kimie was in town from Japan, so we made plans to meet up with her after the afternoon session.  It took us longer than expected to get to Temple Square, and we ended up missing her. 

The guys stayed for the Priesthood session, while we gals hung around for a bit and enjoyed the scenery. 

Saturday:

Enjoying a puzzle in between sessions

Sleeping

 Temple Square:

 Mirror Pool:

 Sunday:

October Conference 2013

The weather was a bit on the colder side for General Conference this October.  We went from summer temperatures to winter.  Luckily, Sunday was warmer than Saturday.  Instead of having a picnic lunch in between sessions on Saturday, we went to Johnny Rockets.  It was a nice change, except we decided to get a table outside and although it started off as nice, by the end of our meal we were all pretty cold.

Sunday, we had our normal picnic, but we sat against the Tabernacle instead of on the grass because the grass was wet.  So, we changed up our routine a bit.  We still sat inside the Tabernacle for Conference itself, and it still became too warm inside by the end of the day.  Our bums were numb from the hard benches, even with the pillows we brought to sit upon.  Each Conference becomes harder and harder to make the trip up to temple square, especially since we can watch it from the comfort of our own couch.

However, make it we did, and once it was all said and done, it is fun to soak in the atmosphere and spirit that reside there.  Zuri kept herself entertained for three and a half hours on Saturday by drawing/coloring in a blank notebook.  She and my dad would create connect-the-dot pictures and she loved that.  Zuri was stuck to my dad like glue all day Saturday. 

Sunday, she spent most of the morning with Shin and Heather, but fell asleep on my dad's lap 20 minutes before the end of the morning session.  We thought she might sleep through the lunch break, but she woke up and was full of energy--ready to run around.

After conference was over Sunday afternoon, we went first to the mirror pool, and then to see the Christus while giving traffic a chance to clear out. 



There were a few talks that really touched me, but the two that I really remember are the ones from Elder Jeffrey R Holland and President Henry B Eyring.

Elder Holland talked about mental illness, specifically depression.  While the closest I have ever come to depression would be the time right after Kai came home from the hospital, but before he was vented and before we had respite care (during Kai's "blue" period), I know several people who have (or had) depression.  I cannot myself fathom the pain that those people go through, but I am glad that it is being addressed.  Too many people try to hide it, or feel that by not addressing it, it will just go away.  Unfortunately, that course of action rarely resolves the problem.

President Eyring talked about the choices that we make which would lead us to happiness.  The part that touched me the most was near the end of his talk, however, when he was talking about the wayward grandson, and the grandmother who questioned why he was given to her.  The response back was:
"I gave him to you because I knew you could, and would love him."   

More than any other statement made in conference, that one line has stuck with me.  Am I still searching for answers as to why with Kai?  I thought not, but that statement changed my whole perspective.

I gave him to you because I knew you could, and would love him. 

I am nowhere near a perfect parent.  Daily, there are things that I know I could be doing better.  I do the best that I can, and some days my best is better than other days.  So why would I be given this child that someone else could take care of better than I?  This non-verbal, non-mobile child that needs so much... But what I can communicate to him is my love.  Anyone could go through the motions and do the therapies with him.  I have seen nurses do just that--go through the motions.  Then there are the nurses who truly care.  The difference can be seen very clearly.

I gave him to you because I knew you could, and would love him....and I do.


Heather chasing Zuri around.  Shin and Zuri at the Christus.

April 2013 Conference

Conference this spring was a bit on the chilly side; there were rumors of snow, but the most we received was rain.  We had a small group this time: just Dad, my Uncle Francis, Shin, Heather, J, Zuri and I, but it was nice to have us all together.

Once again we heard some wonderful talks which helped to strengthen and lift us.





Zuri's favorite part of Conference was of course in between the sessions, running around and playing!  During the sessions, Shin and Heather helped to keep her occupied, and she made it through all four without a problem!





"Grandpa, will you play with me?"