I Hope They Call Me on a Mission!

Wow.  Did you hear General Conference?!?  Can you believe they changed the mission age?!!  I heard rumors that they might last conference, but wasn't even thinking about it this time...and then, they did!  My mind is a little bit blown... in a good way :)

Honestly, I'm not sure how this applies to ME yet, but I am so excited for all the changes it means for the church.  I have SO many friends that are starting their papers right now, and here I am, in Brazil, wondering what I want to do.

I've already decided that I am going to serve, the question is when.  And right now, I'm still planning on waiting till at least the end of winter semester, maybe later, depending on what else falls into place.

But I am so excited about this change.

ALSO:

I just loved General Conference!!!  I think I've gotten a lot better at listening with a purpose and actually paying attention during conference over the last few years, and this year was amazing.  Despite a lack of sleep and spending almost the entire 2 hour break on Saturday running around with two kids, I didn't fall asleep, or even come close, a single time.

All the talks felt personal.  All of them were powerful.  And all of them taught me something.

I also had the unique experience this conference of watching with nonmembers.  5 of the other students that are here in Brazil with me from other universities in the US are members of other churches, but they have been increasingly interested in the gospel, and also in being willing to talk about general church-related principles, etc.  They attend FHE with us almost every week, and all of them watched at least one talk with us (Pres. Monson being the favorite...of course!).  They watched his talk at the end of the Sunday morning session,  and then kept coming in for the rest of the afternoon sessions, trying to catch bits of his talks and even listened to talks from the other members.  They seemed sincerely interested, and actually focused...I don't think any of them were watching just because they wanted us to be happy at having been able to share the gospel with them; it was like they really WANTED to listen, and that they were interested in what was being said.

We also had a good talk between sessions about why we have general conference, why we take notes (it never occurred to me that they would find note-taking during church strange haha), and who the different leaders are that speak.

It was so neat.

I love Conference.  I won't share all the really personal spiritual experiences on a public blog, but I did have them.  I am so grateful for President Monson and the Priesthood and that we have a living prophet on the earth today!  I love the gospel, and I love my Savior, Jesus Christ.

PS.  I came to the conclusion yesterday, while on the immediate post-Conference spiritual high of wanting to save the world and be better in every possible way, that if Conference coincided with New Year's, I might actually be able to stick to my New Year's resolutions.  :)