Feast

After our wonderful and magical trip to Disney’s Magic Kingdom on Friday, we were able to spend the next two days watching General Conference (http://lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2011/04?lang=eng). Before the first session on Saturday, we made a large yummy breakfast to enjoy. I love General Conference weekend because I am able to forget about all of life's stresses and responsibilities while I feast on uplifting and relevant counsel from inspired men and women of God. To summarize a friend, it never ceases to amaze me how happy and energized I feel after conference. I feel empowered, humbled, rededicated, loved, grateful, and blessed.

Here are a few thoughts/impressions I learned from this past weekend:

1. The greatest joy we receive in this life comes through following the Savior.

2. Children can teach us so much about faith, forgiveness, love, and testimony.

3. We need to be service minded and find opportunities to do good. It really is better to give than to receive. Service and consecration refine us and draw us nearer to our Savior.

4. No sacrifice is too great to receive the blessings of the temple.

5. You can tell a lot about a girl from her purse. :)

6. “Those who diligently seek to learn of Christ eventually will come to know Him.

7. “Each of our temples is an expression of our testimony that life beyond the grave is as real and as certain as is our life here.

8. The Church Welfare Program is truly miraculous.

9. The husband is the head and the wife the heart of the home.

10. I am not fighting life's battles alone.

11. My future is as bright as my faith.

12. We can always ask God for truth.

13. Desires -> Priorities -> Choices -> Actions

14. Actions + Desires = Who I become

15. Charity begins at home with the "Golden Rule."

16. The heavens are open and God speaks to prophets and apostles.

17. I need to be someone the Lord can rely on. God meets His children's needs through us.

18. We can't have growth without challenges.

19. The pure love of Christ is selfless service.

20. The Gospel is simple. Focus on those things that matter most.

21. We need to keep the Sabbath day holy

23. Marriage = Happiness

24. Expressions of love and simple heart-felt gifts are always important.

25. Righteous love is the base of an eternal marriage.

26. Christ can make us holy if we have an attitude to willingly accept and seek correction.

27. You don't need more money to pay tithing...you need more faith.

28. The atonement truly is a miracle that allows us to put mistakes of the past behind us.

29. Love one another.

30. Christ lives and He directs His church. The Church is True!

Disney, I Love Thee

Last Friday was probably my most memorable and favorite trip to Disney. Most likely because it started off with a spontaneous idea that a co-worker inspired and a text to Robert at 3 pm saying, "Disney today?" and a response that said "Let's go!"

So we did. Robert and I took off from work a bit early, sat in traffic and eventually made our way to Disney around 6:30 pm. The park was full of people, but that can't stop these pros. We know exactly how to navigate that park in order to fit everything in.

We had fun riding all the rides and just being out of the house, spending time together.

Even though we go to Disney frequently, this time made a lasting memory for many reasons. One, I was sad to see they had closed down part of the park for remodeling. Next time we go to Disney in 2012 it will be a different park than what we have been so used to for so long. They even took out one of my favorite little rides, the Barnstormer.

Secondly, it was a gorgeous night and the park was open until 1 am, so we didn't get back home until 3:30 am.

Third, it truly was a magical night. We watched the electrical parade together and fireworks. I almost even got teary eyed. (don't laugh, dreams really do come true!) To cap it all off, we watched a brand new show that they display on the castle, which was AMAZING! We loved it. Disney always makes us feel so happy and uplifted.

Fourth, I finally buckled in and bought some Mickey ears for myself.

Fifth, we ate lots of yummy snacks: cinnamon roll from the bakery and even popcorn for the parade.

Sixth, we walked on to lots of rides and rode some for the first time like the steamboat.

Disney World, I love you. Thanks for giving Robert and I so many memories. I understand why so many people come here, everyone just wants to be happy. On a sad note, our passes expire in a week. :(

Congratulations

Spencer & Hayley on getting married.

Two weekends ago, we were up in Jacksonville for Spencer & Hayley's wedding. Robert grew up playing baseball with Spencer. They were even born on the same day at the same hospital. They continue to be close friends to this day.

I haven't known Spencer without Hayley. They started dating about 6 months before Robert and I got together. They are perfect for each other and make a wonderful couple.

It was a perfect day for a wedding and Hayley looked beautiful.

The wedding party:

Austin and his girlfriend:

The family:

It was a beautiful reception and we had a lot of fun celebrating.

We are truly excited for you both and look forward to spending lots of years double dating together.