My girlfriend studying in Australia, who joked I was living in the middle of nowhere since she was unable to add SLC, Utah to her world clock app on the IPhone, sent me a text late Saturday evening which read:
"I was reading the news...SLC is on it! Look!"
She proceeded to send me a link. The headlines yelled:
"LDS mission age lowered for men to 18, women to 19"
Basically, Pres. Monson made an announcement:
This was how his news was taken (note the difference in reactions! Horror versus happiness):
Then meme's started circulating! Who says mormons aren't fun?!
Confession time: I used to think Pres. Monson
wasn't nice because he looked scary and fierce, but I started listening
to his talks and I KNOW he is kind and faithful. I feel bad for thinking
the way I did. Sometimes.
I digress. She was surprised it made world news, politely asked me what it was like to live in a religious city, and what Mormons were like. I told her I was Mormon, and I think she got a shock.
She then asked: "So are you going on a mission?" (If you are wondering the answer is no, girls don't have to go on missions. I accepted my job offer for Jan 2014 and need to graduate before then).
But I got a chance to do something I had never been comfortable to do before: to shed some light on the gospel, and share why I converted to the church. As a recent convert (I got baptized in December 2011 - still a church newborn!!), it has been a hard thing to do. I stay away from it because
1. I dislike confrontation and discussion on any sensitive issues (i.e. politics, religion, etc),
2. I don't know yet how to answer some of the questions people ask (i.e. sabbath, coffee etc)
3. Still am learning a lot everyday! Yup, contrary to popular belief I'm not perfect :p
However, I'm thankful I got the chance to share, and more thankful for a friend who genuinely listened, wanting to know more for herself, and for politely listening, questioning, and understanding. It was like my "...and I'm a mormon" spotlight moment to a close friend who has known me for years, and surprisingly, it wasn't bad at all. Sometimes we think things to be worse than they really are. Must not be paranoid. I still don't think I am comfortable enough to share my religion with everyone or even declare it to my friends though. Baby steps, right?
General conference is always a good time for me to recharge and refocus on the bigger things in life. Too often, we get consumed by the world - What others think of us. In ourselves. In worldly pursuits - money, objects, gaming, shopping, etc. Even the very restless, easily-distracted and fidiety me managed to sit through most of it. So many good talks! I really liked Elder Dallin H. Oaks talk on marriage and how divorces affect the family; Sister Burton's on First Observe, then Serve (duh since it's the title of this entry); Elder Eyring's on faith and revelation; and the one about missionary's are there to help. I also love Richard G. Scott's - he is such a romantic old soul. I hope I marry someone like him someday. A girl can dream :)
This weekend prompted me to:
- First observe, then serve.
- Count my blessings.
- To not be caught up in the rat race or compare myself to others; but rather to be my best self. Come on now, as much as we hate to admit it, we all do compare ourselves to others around us. Such a bad habit. I'm guilty too!
- Always, always, ALWAYS make my family my priority.
What were your favorite conference topics? :)
If you are interested to find out what General Conference is, and what is discussed:
Click here to find out more.
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