This past weekend was a great one for me personally, and for my family. It was General Conference. This is the first Conference weekend that our family has not been together, but it was for a fabulous reason.
Mundo turned 12 years old this past spring and is now able to attend the Priesthood session of Conference. Sweetie has promised for years that when our boys turn 12, he will take them up to Salt Lake City to attend the Priesthood session live. Well, they did just that. Their weekend began with a trip up to Logan to see Utah State stomp BYU (being Aggie alum....we were thrilled with the victory!), and then to my parents house in Idaho to spend the night. They then traveled to Salt Lake, ran a few errands, and then went to the stand by window of the Conference Center to see if they could luck into some tickets. A wonderful, kind gentleman had two extra and gave them to my guys. The seats were fabulous! They were off to one side, but a mere 50 from the podium! It was a great experience for them spiritually, and also as father and son. They're already planning for next years trip....
(Picture of the two of them will be forthcoming.......)
As for me, I've been struggling mightily with all of the responsibilities that I have. Some of them I have by choice. Others have been placed on me. But the past two weeks have been stressful, and I have found that inside, I'm not truly happy. Sure, life is crazy and I feel often overwhelmed, but deep down, I have always had a satisfaction in what I'm doing. But now it's missing. I prayed that during Conference, I would find an answer, a way that I could find happiness and fulfillment in all that I do, despite the pressures that come with a busy schedule. I know that happiness is a choice. I can't buy it, eat it, wash it, or clean it. I have to choose it.
I listened to Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk (actually several times), and discovered what I'm missing out on. He listed four important relationships that we have to pay attention to. The one I've been lacking is my relationship with ME. I've been careful to maintain my relationship with my Heavenly Father, to read His word and listen to His promptings. I've also tried to fulfill my calling to the best of my ability. I've continued to do all I can to support my husband and to raise and nuture my sweet children. But the one person I've not paid any attention to is me. I've been so wrapped up in church, family, home, and school, that I honestly don't have time to take time for me. That was my 'ah-ha!' moment.
I still am not sure how to squeeze in time for me. I certainly know I can't have hours to do that, but it's always the little things that make the biggest difference. Like blogging here right now. The house is quiet (a rare moment indeed!), and I could be doing homework. But I choose to do something that I WANT to do. Not something I NEED to do. Maybe - just maybe - I'll find my way back into my own good graces again. 20 minutes at a time.
