Joining the Ranks
We have had a wonderful weekend. It has been productive and relaxing all in one. It feels good so sit here and reflect upon what has transpired.
Our stake enjoyed a wonderful conference. It have been given a number of items to add to my "To Do" list. I hope they don't become a part of my bucket list. I shouldn't do them just once and then move on, but I should make them a regular part of my life. I need reminders like this, often.
One of the highlights was that Tall Man was asked to speak in the "Adult" session. At first he thought that was rather odd. Why would he be asked to speak to adults? What could he say that would interest them? We reminded him often that he is not just Tall, but getting Old. He no longer falls in the ranks of "Youth". After reminding that he is getting Old, he reminded us that the group he does fall into is "Young", "Single" by title, but not mentally, and "Adult". So, in reality he is in the transition group. I must say that he is handling the transition just fine. He is also a welcome addition to the "Adult" group.
He did a good job. We have received comments all weekend long. What amazed so many was that he did not read his talk. He did not have it written down word for word. He went to the podium with a single sheet of paper and spoke about several key items he had listed. I was asked how long we had worked on it. I guess I could have said, we had been working on him his entire life, but that is not what they were talking about. I just let them know that it was his assignment, he is an adult, and I/we were there for counsel or advise if sought out. He did the rest. Last night was the first time I had heard his talk. Several asked if he practiced standing in front of a mirror. The Queen and I just giggled. If he spends any time in front of the mirror, it is not wasted practicing the words of a talk. Your talk was inspiring in many ways.
As I reflect upon the comments that were shared, I hope that all of those present listened to more than just one speaker. There was, in my ears, a re-occurring vibe. Tall Man touched upon several of them.
We, as individuals, are often our most challenging and despised critic. We spend a great deal of time creating, destroying, or trying to make over the person we see ourselves to be. Being individuals, we all do it differently and with varying levels of severity. What is most important to remember is that we are children of God. We need to plan and aspire accordingly. What is even more incredible to remember is that as children of God, he knows us, sometimes better than ourselves. He is always there, waiting for us to seek him for counsel/advise. He gives it lovingly, knowingly, and wisely. Sometimes his counsel and advise are not what we wanted to hear. It is then that we have to decide what we are going to do with it.
We heard about individuals, like ourselves, who have been waiting for it to "Click", not just in school, but in life.
- He does know what we need to learn and how we learn best.
We heard about the importance of friendship or being accepted. These are important attributes in all of our lives.
- We should not hide behind the walls of technology or our house. We need to be friendly to all and accept them as He would accept them. Sometimes these friendships are for our benefit and others it is for the benefit of him/her we are befriending.
We heard about drugs, sex, gender, and dealing with them. These items are all part of the world in which we live.
- He would have us know that there is a time, place, and purpose for each. The adversary would have us abuse, confuse, and misuse each of them. God, our father, has given us guidelines, counsel, and advise. Again, it is now in our court as to how we will apply such counsel. Who are you listening too? How are you preparing yourself for each encounter?
We heard a great deal about how we deal with accomplishments, failures, and misunderstandings.
- If we apply it appropriately, the Atonement is the answer to all of these. We must see the accomplishments for what they are and celebrate them. We cannot expect to have perfection from the beginning. We develop line upon line and precept upon precept. That being said, sometimes those classes or periods of learning in the school of we call life will have failures and misunderstandings. How wonderful it is to know that again, the Atonement is there for us. We will, see the miracle of it's power, if we will accept and follow his counsel. He will forget those moments of error, if we will learn from them and make the changes that are needed for us to enter His presence. I am grateful for the witnesses that have been shared with us this weekend. My personal testimony has been strengthened. I am reminded of the miracles that have been performed in my own life as I have let Him in.
Now, I must move on to my "To Do" list. There are things that I must check off, adjustments in my routine that I need to make, and prayers of thanks that I need to offer. Hope you can do the same.
Our stake enjoyed a wonderful conference. It have been given a number of items to add to my "To Do" list. I hope they don't become a part of my bucket list. I shouldn't do them just once and then move on, but I should make them a regular part of my life. I need reminders like this, often.
One of the highlights was that Tall Man was asked to speak in the "Adult" session. At first he thought that was rather odd. Why would he be asked to speak to adults? What could he say that would interest them? We reminded him often that he is not just Tall, but getting Old. He no longer falls in the ranks of "Youth". After reminding that he is getting Old, he reminded us that the group he does fall into is "Young", "Single" by title, but not mentally, and "Adult". So, in reality he is in the transition group. I must say that he is handling the transition just fine. He is also a welcome addition to the "Adult" group.
He did a good job. We have received comments all weekend long. What amazed so many was that he did not read his talk. He did not have it written down word for word. He went to the podium with a single sheet of paper and spoke about several key items he had listed. I was asked how long we had worked on it. I guess I could have said, we had been working on him his entire life, but that is not what they were talking about. I just let them know that it was his assignment, he is an adult, and I/we were there for counsel or advise if sought out. He did the rest. Last night was the first time I had heard his talk. Several asked if he practiced standing in front of a mirror. The Queen and I just giggled. If he spends any time in front of the mirror, it is not wasted practicing the words of a talk. Your talk was inspiring in many ways.
As I reflect upon the comments that were shared, I hope that all of those present listened to more than just one speaker. There was, in my ears, a re-occurring vibe. Tall Man touched upon several of them.
We, as individuals, are often our most challenging and despised critic. We spend a great deal of time creating, destroying, or trying to make over the person we see ourselves to be. Being individuals, we all do it differently and with varying levels of severity. What is most important to remember is that we are children of God. We need to plan and aspire accordingly. What is even more incredible to remember is that as children of God, he knows us, sometimes better than ourselves. He is always there, waiting for us to seek him for counsel/advise. He gives it lovingly, knowingly, and wisely. Sometimes his counsel and advise are not what we wanted to hear. It is then that we have to decide what we are going to do with it.
We heard about individuals, like ourselves, who have been waiting for it to "Click", not just in school, but in life.
- He does know what we need to learn and how we learn best.
We heard about the importance of friendship or being accepted. These are important attributes in all of our lives.
- We should not hide behind the walls of technology or our house. We need to be friendly to all and accept them as He would accept them. Sometimes these friendships are for our benefit and others it is for the benefit of him/her we are befriending.
We heard about drugs, sex, gender, and dealing with them. These items are all part of the world in which we live.
- He would have us know that there is a time, place, and purpose for each. The adversary would have us abuse, confuse, and misuse each of them. God, our father, has given us guidelines, counsel, and advise. Again, it is now in our court as to how we will apply such counsel. Who are you listening too? How are you preparing yourself for each encounter?
We heard a great deal about how we deal with accomplishments, failures, and misunderstandings.
- If we apply it appropriately, the Atonement is the answer to all of these. We must see the accomplishments for what they are and celebrate them. We cannot expect to have perfection from the beginning. We develop line upon line and precept upon precept. That being said, sometimes those classes or periods of learning in the school of we call life will have failures and misunderstandings. How wonderful it is to know that again, the Atonement is there for us. We will, see the miracle of it's power, if we will accept and follow his counsel. He will forget those moments of error, if we will learn from them and make the changes that are needed for us to enter His presence. I am grateful for the witnesses that have been shared with us this weekend. My personal testimony has been strengthened. I am reminded of the miracles that have been performed in my own life as I have let Him in.
Now, I must move on to my "To Do" list. There are things that I must check off, adjustments in my routine that I need to make, and prayers of thanks that I need to offer. Hope you can do the same.
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