Pleasant Grove Utah Manila Stake Conference June 2-3, 2018

I haven't been to stake conference in over a year due to trips to California. With a calling in primary to teach weekly, stake conference has been a good time to travel with family. Keenan and I stayed home this weekend and I'm glad we did. It was really good.

In general conference in April, President Nelson announced the end of visiting teaching and home teaching as we know it. It's changing to ministering, with no assigned lessons or times to visit. Just quarterly stewardship interviews with our ward RS or EQ presidency. I'm excited about the change because I visit sisters who don't really love a lesson and visit, so this easy format has been fun.

Just today I took sidewalk chalk to the children of my sisters because the last day of school was on Thursday and it's officially summer.

Much of the emphasis of conference was on ministering. I'll share some thoughts.

President McAllister, who I really like to listen to, said that President Nelson, even before he was an apostle was known to say "I put an ! after a prophetic proclamation, not a ?" I like that. President McAllister also spoke of his work in the steel industry and referenced Alma 34:29, a scripture about impurities and dross. He quoted his grandpa as saying "It's good to be good, but is he good for something?" Are we good for something? We should seek out spiritual alloys that strengthen us via fasting, temple attendance, and scriptures.

The stake RS president, Debbie (I met her recently while hiking, but can't remember her last name) spoke on being covenant keepers and that ministering should be simple. She suggested we be humble, submissive, gentle, and obedient.

Deon, my friend in the front, organized this. Debbie is in the visor in the back, with curly hair

Joe Jenson, an EQ president from another ward, spoke of Alma 26:29 and encourages us to seek and follow promptings. He suggested we think like missionaries as we minister. The end goal is eternal life. We don't need to be limited by monthly visits. Missionaries aren't. He also read questions he's received about the new program. Can I go on visits without my partner? Can I minister to people outside of my ward? Can I minister to people not on my list? Can I give a lesson, send a text, take cookies? YES to all. Just be nice to everyone, but get to know the special people in your charge and eventually you'll know how to best help them. On a personal note, I had taken Easter Oreos with marshmallow peep flavored filling to my families. Sister Escalante texted me recently and asked where I got them. She and her kids loved them. I broke the sad news that they were an Easter limited edition Oreo. BUT...just a few days after our conversation, I saw the peep Oreos in the BYU bookstore. I bought a pack for Theresa and her kids and for Allison, my niece who also loves them and is VERY pregnant.

A ward RS president, Julie Ferry, likened the new ministering program to taking the training wheels off of a bike. We need to gain confidence by acting on revelation again and again. She referenced President Nelson's recent conference talk that talked of preparation, seeking help, listening, and following through.

President Livingston told us that the general leaders are focusing much of their efforts on the 11 western states. We are very strong. 1/5 missionaries comes from Utah. A high percentage of general leadership and monetary contributions come from Utah. Perhaps we are a great target for Satan with all that strength. Just my thoughts. He suggested we reduce structure and increase the spirit as we minister AMONG each other.

My impression is to use the To-Do list part of my planner to write impressions of ways to minister then make sure I do them if I can't do them immediately.

President Brinton, our home teacher, talked of Lehi's dream. He felt darkness and prayed before he saw that vision. He also shared it with his family. Alma 33:22-23 were referenced.

Sister Dimond, our stake YW president, suggested we expand our vision of who we are, what we can do, and who can help us (Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ). D & C 68:6.

Cameron Poulton, a recently returned missionary talked of the temple. He just returned from Samara, Russia, and told of the great sacrifice of the saints there to go to Ukraine to attend the temple. Soon they will have a temple in Russia. It still won't be easy. He said that through temple service, we can deepen our relationships with heavenly father and Jesus Christ and our capacity to love and serve others will grow. The blessings of the temple will flow into our lives.

Melia's friend and former soccer teammate, Jacie Robinson, spoke. She was very ill at the end of her mission in Romania. She was in a a coma and hospitalized for weeks. We fasted and prayed for her. Gratefully, she recovered and shared some thoughts with us. A few months into her mission, she was reading the Book of Mormon and read 3N27:27. What manner of men ought ye to be? She asked herself what kind of missionary she wanted to be. She wanted to know Christ and be like Him. She determined to read Jesus the Christ and study study study. When she told her mission president of her plan, he complimented her, but suggested she focus her study on the Book of Mormon. She implied that she was a bit disappointed. She already had a plan, but she decided to follow his advice. Just in the introduction to the Book of Mormon, she found something that shaped the remaining year and a bit more of her mission. She read that the Book of Mormon was written for everyone. She then saw people and thought "the Book of Mormon is for him" or "the Book of Mormon is for her." It's for everyone. Member, non-member, active, not active, everyone. She also suggested we be like Enoch and read, ponder, and ask (then trust she added). It was a great talk.

President McAllister's second talk was based on some things he heard his parents say many many many times. "Look for something to do and do it" and "You don't need a special invitation." He talked of the man who was sick of the palsy and men lowered him through the roof to be near and healed by Jesus. It must have taken planning, thought, change of course, unity, and concessions on everyone's part. I loved that.

President Livingston was the concluding speaker with the question "Has anything changed since our last stake conference?" I missed that one, but Elder Rasband was with us and he challenged us to:

1. Replace some leisure time with temple work
2. Do family history work on Sundays or other days
3. Be temple-centered
4. Stand in holy places
5. Redouble our temple worship

President Livingston referred to a talk by Elder Kim Clark where he asked himself "What am I not doing that I should be doing?" and "What am I doing that I should stop doing?" He suggested that we eliminate distractions. I was going to write reduce distractions in my notes, but I was told in my mind that eliminate was more accurate. Oh no. Get to work, Dana. Then he gave us 3 summer invitations:

1. Prayerfully study the Book of Mormon 15 minutes/day
2. Do weekly family history/temple work
3. Pray daily for opportunities to serve

It was a really good conference. Glad I was in town to participate.

Memorial Day Weekend

So, on the Wednesday before Memorial Day weekend, I got looking closely at my calendar and realized Keenan would be in Texas at our niece's wedding and Kamiko would be busy with his girlfriend Bekki. Allie is always busy, so that left me alone. I didn't have to be back to work until the following Wednesday. Was I gonna stick around for a boring long weekend? HECK NO. I got a sub for primary and I headed out Thursday morning for California. Plus, I needed a haircut and Rachel would do it for me for "free." From my door to Walt's door was 12 hours. Since I was driving alone, I took as many breaks as I needed. I listened to audio books and music and drank diet Dr. Pepper and enjoyed every minute of it. It wasn't bad at all.

I got to Disneyland, swiped that magical annual passport, and met up with the Hebdons. Jenny Hebdon is a former student who lives about 15 minutes from Disneyland, in Orange, California. Her cousin and family were in town, so we met up at the park. We rode a couple of kid rides together, then I played tour guide, showing them where the single rider lines are for Matterhorn and Space Mountain and showing them where the entrance to the Monorail is. I then headed off to "do grown up stuff."

I went to California Adventure and watched the Electric Lights Parade. That was super fun. Then I noticed on my app that there was a sneak peek of the new movie "Incredibles 2." I got to see the first 10 minutes of that in the theater there. I'm really excited for the movie. It looks so cute. The parks were pretty crowded and I was going again on Friday, so I just went to the Hebdon's house for a good night's sleep.

Yes, it was in 3D

I got up around 7:30 and got on the road by 8:00 to be there for 9:00 opening. Before leaving, I gave Jenny and the kids the nativity puzzle dad had made for them.

Blake, 4, playing with the puzzle. I imagine Max, 3, was climbing up onto the roof.

I was alone, but that didn't bother me. I just love being there and soaking it all in. That was day #12 for me since getting my pass in January. Early in the day, Allie talked me into doing the annual passholder churro challenge. It consisted of this:

1. buy the map for $5 after proving you're an AP holder
2. find the 4 churro carts on the map and get a sticker at each one. No purchase necessary.
3. return the map with stickers to the AP area and get a special button

The churros were different flavors for Pixar Fest. There was ants on a log (donut flavor), carrot cake, a Mexican chocolate one inspired by the movie "Coco," and a lemon one. Even though there was no purchase necessary, what's the point of the churro challenge if you don't buy them and try them? I told Allie I would just break off a piece of each one and give the rest to someone near me. She said "nobody's going to want your churro." Well, I proved her wrong 3 out of 4 times. The first one was the ants on a log in Bugs Land. I shared it with some very happy high school students. I made sure to get a picture to send Allie.

the kid on the far left is named Dane

Stickers especially for annual pass holders for Pixar Fest. I now have 4 different stickers

The incredi-coaster is about to open

I waited in line to meet Anna and Elsa from "Frozen" and was stoked to find out that Olaf was also there. The girls asked about my churro challenge map and I told them how I had plans to share. They liked that idea.

How have I never noticed this "secret" passageway from Monsters, Inc. to Hollywood Blvd?

I also did some important research by purchasing the pulled pork hot dog on Hollywood Blvd. Seriously the best hot dog I've had and I want to replicate it. A great dog, pulled pork, a teriyaki sauce, and pineapple salsa.

Look at that toasted bread-"best supporting roll"

I was THIS close to Cinderella, my favorite princess

they were giving out these cool buttons. I got one for Kamiko and one for Keenan

The next churro was the chocolate one in Frontier Land. I thought I'd really like that one and perhaps eat the whole thing. Nope. It was a tiny bit too bitter for my taste. I gave it to a dad that was nearby with his wife and daughters. When I told him he got the rest because I didn't love it, he said I had really sold him on it. We got a laugh out of that.

The 3rd, and my favorite, was the carrot cake one in New Orleans Square. You dipped it in cream cheese frosting with raisins and shredded carrots. That was GOOD. I had committed to a young couple in line behind me that I would give them the rest after I tried it. After the first bite, I told them they were lucky I had already promised it to them because it was so good that I could have eaten it all by myself. I stayed true to my word.

that skyline, though

After 3 churro tastings in 2 hours, I went as a singer rider on the Matterhorn and Space Mountain. Not my best idea. I felt a bit nauseous. I got fresh air and water. I now know where to get free BIG cups of ice water. I walked along Main Street and noticed an empty chair on the porch of a house there. I've always wanted to sit there, so I did. For quite a while. It was very relaxing.

Then I got the last churro. Big mistake to offer it to the lady behind me. She didn't look fun and I should have trusted my gut. But, I offered it to her and she looked at me like I was crazy, but she took it anyway. I did not take a picture with her.

Look at the edible glitter on my finger. It was a cute one, for sure.

My prize. It is now in my car.

I rode Midway Mania, my favorite, Buzz Lightyear, Thunder Mountain, and others. I had a blast. I left the park around 2:30 because I knew it would get crazy crowded. This also gave me the chance to pick up Derek at work and give him a ride home. We had a nice visit on our long, full of traffic drive to Valencia.

Friday night we had pizza with the kiddos and hung out.

Saturday I took Rose to Chick fil-A for lunch after her morning karate class. She said she'd always wanted to get an adult meal, so I used my mother's day gift from Kamiko (a chick fil-a gift card) and made her wish come true. I did tell her that just because she can eat an adult meal, she doesn't have to get them when she's with her parents. She needs to listen to them and get the kids' one because it's so much cheaper. We had so much fun. We also hung out and bugged Derek by wearing our "Derek Hunter Fan Club" shirts. He really, really hates them. He hates them enough that I don't think I'll wear mine again. It really bugs him and now I get it. The kids just love playing outside. They were dog sitting, so we hung out the rest of the day and relaxed. Rose made plans for ice cream sundaes on Sunday. That girl never stops planning and thinking.

Me and my people: Charlie, Milo (who walks everywhere now), and Rose

The fairy garden has had an upgrade since I was there last

Sunday I went to 9:00 sacrament meeting. Then we hung out and relaxed. I decided to get myself a room in Mesquite for Monday night and break up the trip into 2 days. Rose was dying to have those sundaes. Around 3:30 she wanted to have them, but Derek and Rachel said it would have to wait until after dinner. She and I had sundaes after dinner and she was content. She also asked me if we could play school on Monday, with me being the teacher and her being the student.

Monday morning I woke up with the idea to teach Rose nutrition stuff using the Choose My Plate idea from the USDA. She had fun drawing pics of her favorite foods. Then we walked to CVS to buy her some deodorant and I let her pick out a healthy snack. She wanted to get chocolate graham cookies, but decided they weren't healthy because they were chocolate. I explained that graham crackers/cookies are actually a pretty good choice because they are a whole grain. She was happy about that and we bought them.

Rose's favorites. Bacon is included, as is popcorn and cucumbers

My cute little Milo

I got on the road before lunch. I got to Mesquite in good time and thoroughly enjoyed a comfy bed, watching shows on Netflix on my phone. I slept really well. I got up at 9:30-ish and got on the road. I got home in good time, too, listening to "Man's Search for Meaning" by Victor Frankl while I drove. He's a holocaust survivor/psychologist. I enjoyed listening and learned a lot. One thing that really stuck with me was him quoting a man who he met later in his life that had been paralyzed in an accident. The man said "I broke my neck, but my neck won't break me."

Wednesday, I was back at work, teaching my students about the virtue of the incredible, edible egg. A good week.