General Conference weekend was a bit of a blur. There were lots of family gatherings, spiritual feeding and work. Here's a rundown of the weekend happenings...
Friday
After work Danny and I went down to my parents' house to spend some time with them. Remember when you were little and, at times, wanted to run away to live some exotic life where you could do whatever you wanted. Now that I'm older I find myself sometimes wanting to run away, but rather to my parents' home. I kind of did that for 24 hours this weekend and it was such a nice break.
When we got there we helped them clean up from their mission reunion (since my dad was once a mission president). It was kind of fun to see the look on my mom's face when we walked in. I could almost hear her thinking, "I love my missionaries, but my kids are here. Time to wrap this party up!" We quickly went to work clearing tables and putting away chairs. When everyone went home, we went back to my parents' house and watched the BYU game. Finally a victory. Sorry USU, however, I've been really proud on how well your team has been playing this year.
Saturday
I woke up to homemade Belgium waffles with whipped cream and strawberries courtesy of my wonderful mother. To have a meal that I didn't have to work to pay for or make is bliss. Thanks Mom! We watched both sessions of conference with my parents. There were some great talks which I will share more thoughts on when I do my "Favorite Quotes from Conference" post. Also, I'm excited about the changing of the required age for missionaries. More about that later.
We headed home and Danny went to Priesthood Session with his brothers. My sister Noelle came to my house and we went out to dinner at Chipotle. They have the best guacamole. Honestly, we were in taco heaven. Then my sister asked what I wanted to do. This is going to sound rather lame, but I told her grocery shopping. I've been needing to go grocery shopping for almost 2 weeks now, but with work I just don't have time. Noelle obliged and accompanied me on my grocery trip. I was so spacey and kept forgetting things I needed, so it kind of took forever. However, I had an uplifting and deep conversation with my sister among the aisles of cans, boxes and calories. It's so crazy to me that my baby sister is so grown up and sophisticated and having a baby of her own!
Sunday
I had to be at work at 6am to help with a photo shoot for the New Era Conference edition cover (an LDS Youth magazine). There is no rest on the Sabbath for many church employees when it is conference weekend. I was really disappointed to miss the morning session, but I'm hoping to watch it online this evening. Anyway, my job was to help herd 20 teenagers ages 12-18 to different areas in the Conference Center and direct them what to do for the photographer. During this photo shoot I had the epiphany that if I'm ever called to serve in Young Women's, I don't think I'll be one of the fun leaders. Maybe it was because it was so early in the morning, but my strict side sure showed.
I made it home in time for the afternoon session, which was good, but I was super tired so my ability to focus was very low. After a nice long nap and dinner, Danny and I went to his sister Mary's house to spend time with her family. I played tea party and ponies with my 4-year-old niece Lady Lu. She is so darling. Then I played Ticket to Ride with Danny, Tim and Tim's friend Chad. My 5-year-old nephew J-Man was helping me by placing my little trains on the board. He kept telling me that me and Danny are his friends so one of us was going to win. It turned out I did win. I had to really, J-Man was counting on me.
Friday
After work Danny and I went down to my parents' house to spend some time with them. Remember when you were little and, at times, wanted to run away to live some exotic life where you could do whatever you wanted. Now that I'm older I find myself sometimes wanting to run away, but rather to my parents' home. I kind of did that for 24 hours this weekend and it was such a nice break.
When we got there we helped them clean up from their mission reunion (since my dad was once a mission president). It was kind of fun to see the look on my mom's face when we walked in. I could almost hear her thinking, "I love my missionaries, but my kids are here. Time to wrap this party up!" We quickly went to work clearing tables and putting away chairs. When everyone went home, we went back to my parents' house and watched the BYU game. Finally a victory. Sorry USU, however, I've been really proud on how well your team has been playing this year.
Saturday
I woke up to homemade Belgium waffles with whipped cream and strawberries courtesy of my wonderful mother. To have a meal that I didn't have to work to pay for or make is bliss. Thanks Mom! We watched both sessions of conference with my parents. There were some great talks which I will share more thoughts on when I do my "Favorite Quotes from Conference" post. Also, I'm excited about the changing of the required age for missionaries. More about that later.
We headed home and Danny went to Priesthood Session with his brothers. My sister Noelle came to my house and we went out to dinner at Chipotle. They have the best guacamole. Honestly, we were in taco heaven. Then my sister asked what I wanted to do. This is going to sound rather lame, but I told her grocery shopping. I've been needing to go grocery shopping for almost 2 weeks now, but with work I just don't have time. Noelle obliged and accompanied me on my grocery trip. I was so spacey and kept forgetting things I needed, so it kind of took forever. However, I had an uplifting and deep conversation with my sister among the aisles of cans, boxes and calories. It's so crazy to me that my baby sister is so grown up and sophisticated and having a baby of her own!
Sunday
I had to be at work at 6am to help with a photo shoot for the New Era Conference edition cover (an LDS Youth magazine). There is no rest on the Sabbath for many church employees when it is conference weekend. I was really disappointed to miss the morning session, but I'm hoping to watch it online this evening. Anyway, my job was to help herd 20 teenagers ages 12-18 to different areas in the Conference Center and direct them what to do for the photographer. During this photo shoot I had the epiphany that if I'm ever called to serve in Young Women's, I don't think I'll be one of the fun leaders. Maybe it was because it was so early in the morning, but my strict side sure showed.
I made it home in time for the afternoon session, which was good, but I was super tired so my ability to focus was very low. After a nice long nap and dinner, Danny and I went to his sister Mary's house to spend time with her family. I played tea party and ponies with my 4-year-old niece Lady Lu. She is so darling. Then I played Ticket to Ride with Danny, Tim and Tim's friend Chad. My 5-year-old nephew J-Man was helping me by placing my little trains on the board. He kept telling me that me and Danny are his friends so one of us was going to win. It turned out I did win. I had to really, J-Man was counting on me.
I thought most of the photos of conference were candid. Do they set up many photo shoots like this?
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful weekend!
Erin - 99% of the photos from conference are candid. For whatever reason some of the magazines wanted more portrait shots for the covers this time.
ReplyDeleteI was going to ask the same question Erin did. I'm relieved to hear that the pictures are not all posed.
ReplyDeleteDid your parents have their mission reunion at their home?
Mama Wood - No, they had their mission reunion in the cultural hall of their church building. I think 150 people from their mission showed up, so it was quite the gathering!
ReplyDelete