A Spiritual Weekend

This past weekend was the 5th annual A.S.I.A. Women’s Conference held here in Hong Kong.  I LOVE this conference for two major reasons:  1. the conference itself is amazing (ie. the speakers are incredible, the spirit is so strong, my testimony is strengthened, etc.) and 2. I get to hang with my girls from Taiwan!  Love them so much!!

The wind was perfect for pictures…

We decided if we are so fortunate, this picture will go in Scarlett and Ridge’s wedding video; they are only three-ish months apart.  In fact we were both pregnant at last year’s conference.  (PS why does my midi skirt make me look like I weigh 200 pounds?)

A few notes I’d like to record and share:

I love the gospel!  I know I am so blessed to be a member of the church and have the Holy Ghost to guide me.  During the conference it was very apparent that Heavenly Father knows me and each one of his daughters—no matter where they live and how far they might be from “home.”  He knows what trials we need to go through to refine us, make us stronger, and teach us to rely on Him.  I am so grateful for prayer and repentance.  I’m grateful I can start again each new day and try to do and be better.  One day I might just get this mothering and wife-ing thing right!

I also have a strong testimony of motherhood.  I know that I am supposed to be home with my kids.  While I don’t feel I’m a natural, I know it is the refining I need.  Heavenly Father has reaffirmed to me many times that this is where I’m supposed to be, doing what He wants me to do. 

As a capstone to the conference, a few of us were able to perform sealings in the temple.  Afterwards in the Celestial room, I could feel the spirit so strong as if it were confirming to me what I already believed to be true:  temples are indeed the Lord’s house and are important and sacred.  The work that goes on there is real and our family can be together forever because of it.  I hope I never forget the way that visit strengthened my testimony that day. 

Lastly, I am so grateful for my husband.  Grateful that he would take time off to spend with the kids so I could go rejuvenate myself.  Also, that he would insist that I stay out and hang with friends while he cared for a fussy, sick baby.  What a good man I have!  I love you so much, Cody!!