General Conference

We had a couple of changes happen this last week, one was that we didn't have to go to Houma and do any Humanitarian work. We were ready to go, but they decided that they didn't need us right now. So we decided to take the opportunity to do some Priesthood Directed Visits. We had another wonderful visit with Alice Smith, very elderly widow and very sick. She always lets us in and visits with us. She was so sweet and grateful that we came to visit.

We are in the process of planning the Chili Cook-off/Trunk or Treat activity. It will be a joint activity with both the English and the Spanish Wards. It's amazing how much the people around here celebrate holidays and love to get together. We hope that it will be good for the members and missionaries to be able to invite non-members and less active members too.

We both enjoyed all of the talks during Conference and have such a great love for the leaders of the Church. We were able to watch all of the sessions via the internet and Don went to the Priesthood session. For those who don't know, General Conference is held twice each year (the first weekends in April and October). It is when all members of the Church, throughout the world gather together (either in SLC, at Church buildings, watch TV, internet or listen to it on the radio) and listen to the Prophet and others speak. They speak to us about what is going in our day. We call this latter-day prophesy or revelation. Each speaker uplifted us and we were touched by the messages. I could go on and on and give you a run down of all of the talks, but that is what the Ensign is for. If you would like to watch or read the talks online, visit http://www.lds.org (text will be available on Thursday).

Let's just say that Don thinks that Joseph B. Wirthlin's blind date story is one of funniest stories he's heard during Conference in a long time. I had too many that I loved - Pres. Eyring's talk on unity, Sister Dalton's on virtue, and Elder Holland's on angels were some of my favorites. But President Monson's talk on "Change and What is important" was my favorite talk. Here is a thought I'd like to share with you.

In President Monson's talk he shared a story about Brother Hess. He was a POW and was finally allowed to send a letter home. Only the letter could contain no more than 25 words. The letter was shared and many of the words that were expressed in Brother Hess' letter would be in mine as well. I think it would be a good exercise to write such a letter. It really makes you think of what is really important in this life.

We are so grateful to be serving a mission. We are grateful for the opportunity to spend every day, all day together. We will never be the same individually or as a couple.

We love you and appreciate your love and support of missionaries everywhere.

This week's challenge - Write your family a letter, as if it's your last, using no more than 25 words