Stake Conference

Stake conference was last weekend, and this time around it meant that we had the visiting general authority staying in our house.  Elder Thomas Priday of the Sixth Quorum of the Seventy was very kind and sincere, and very complimentary about our family, our home, and our efforts in leading the Des Moines stake faithfully and fully.   

Of course, it was just a bit stressful having a general authority in our home, but he put us all at ease immediately, chatting with the kids in a grandfatherly way and expressing sincere appreciation for such lovely accomodations in our basement and tasty food in our kitchen.  And he left us a surprise to come home to after the last session of conference! He told Emma to look for it while she was giving him a big hug and telling him how much she would miss him.  Emma sure knows how to make fast friends.  

In conference he spoke about the importance of repenting daily and making a regular appointment in the temple with the Lord, and at home around the breakfast table he told us about the importance of keeping our priorities straight and our family members as our best friends. 

We sure do like each other around here, so that is counsel that we are happy to keep!

And since we will have a general authority visit the stake once a year, even if they don't stay in our home, I thought I'd better keep track of them here before my memory starts to fail me. 

Elder Robert C. Gay of the Presidency of the Seventy and Elder David P. Homer, a General Authority Seventy, visited last year and extended the call to Jason and I to serve as the stake president and "not-called-but-called" wife.  

It's hard to believe it's almost been a full year.... out of eight or nine total, we're off to a good start with a great stake full of amazing people that we feel very blessed to get to serve with and learn from.