General Conference Weekend

The weekend before the general sessions was the Woman's Broadcast. Ages 8 and up were invited to attend. What a neat experience to be able to take two of my girls with me to join a congregation of women. We met as a stake in Washington, IA for service projects and dinner beforehand. Our group sang primary songs at a nursing home. The girls had fun playing together. Wonderful experience!

Mary Wilde, Grace Hallam, Ellie Wood, Emma Wilde, Brooklyn Melessa, Sanah Mills

Friday evening we participated in the ward MultiCultural Event at the church. Various countries were represented by different people either from that country or familiar with it. I did a display about Brazil, and made brigadeiros (like little fudge balls) to taste.  The kids had fun learning about the different cultures and tasting foods from around the world!

Saturday was the start of General Conference. Annabelle created "conference cash" and a "conference concessions stand." We all could earn conference cash by sitting quietly, listening, taking notes, and cleaning up in between sessions. We could use our cash to buy thing from the concessions stand, such as stickers, teddy grahams, funny straws, candy bracelets, fruit cups, candy, or warm fuzzies added to the warm fuzzy jar.

This was a great incentive!! The kids were eager to watch  conference so they could have a chance to earn cash and buy things. Even Finn. He had pictures of the apostles, and every time a new face came on TV he found his matching picture.

Annabelle ran the conference concessions stand. She did a great job. And the kids all loved it. In between sessions I told the kids that every 10 things they put away, they would earn 1 conference buck. Most of them picked up more than 100 items! A few of them memorized the apostles in order to earn 4 bucks.

We all went to the pool Saturday night for Deanna's birthday party. Fun!

Sunday in between sessions we met Ezra in Des Moines to join the Carters on a 1-mile walk to support Down Syndrome (their daughter has down syndrome). We enjoyed a chilly walk and visit with friends. We felt good about showing support to good friends.

Wonderful talks!! I loved Elder Scott's: family prayer should be a non-negotiable priority. Likewise for scripture study, FHE and temple attendance. I also loved Elder Holland's talk about taking care of the poor, and doing what we can to help no matter our circumstances.

After general conference ended, we had another cleanup time. By then there was not much left to buy, except for stickers no one wanted and warm fuzzies! So they worked hard this time to earn cash to buy warm fuzzies to fill the warm fuzzy jar. And they sure stuffed it full! That means they have earned an outing to the pumpkin patch!