Memories of General Conference

When I was a little girl, I remember conference weekend being spent with my grandparents. On the Saturday sessions, especially in October, we would go for a ride in their car while listening to conference on the radio, looking at all the changing colors of the leaves, and in between sessions, stopping and having a picnic lunch. On Sunday's my grandma would make a nice meal and have my family and my mom's sisters family for dinner. We would go over and watch Sunday morning, eat lunch, and watch afternoon session before going home. My grandpa Despain, would always sing along with the choir any song that he new. My grandpa would also be working on a puzzle that I would help or do one of his "canvas and yarn" project. Grandma usually had a afghan she was making or a counter cross stitch.
When, I was in young women's, I remember that some General Conference's, they would think it was fun to wake up early and take us to the Saturday morning session at the Tabernacle. When it was in the Tabernacle, they never gave tickets out like they do now for the Conference Center. You would just stand in line and you would have to be there pretty early like 4am to even get a shot of getting inside. Most of the time we would not make it in so we would stay and listen on the grass or the weather was bad enough that they would take us home. On time we got in, but most of us Young Women has a hard time staying awake because we were tired from getting up so early and the Tabernacle was really warm since it had no air conditioning. It was a wonderful experience being able to listen to the Prophet and Apostles in the Tabernacle.
By the time I was in seminary and institute, I was taking notes. I had a notebook and pencil, writing down every bit of information that I felt was important to me and occasionally I would review what I wrote. The first year I was at UVSC, I was in institute choir and had the opportunity to sing in the Saturday afternoon session the last time that General Conference was held in the Tabernacle. I felt so blessed to have that opportunity to sit in the choir seats, singing for congregation, and being in the same building as President Hinckley.
There were some conferences that I worked and missed Conference, It made me sad to miss it but I looked forward to reading the talks when the ensign came out.
Now that I am older, married, have children, and have been lucky enough to have a position that allows me to be home on the weekend. I am able to spend it at home, listening to Conference on TV. Saturdays, I will usually spend the time cleaning my house and by the end of the day it is clean. Sundays, it is usually spent, taking it easy. But either way, I end up with a clean house and a uplifted spirit. I love being able to listen and then read the words that are spoken by the Prophet and Apostles. I always find several talks that we meant for me. I will always pray a few days ahead of Conference, that I will have a answer to my questions or that Heavenly Father will know what I need to hear.
In April, there was a talk by Elder Anderson that helped me understand the events of our miscarriage in January and what Heavenly Father had planned for our family. This time, I have been struggling with some issues and stress at work and what to do. We have felt that i should quit my job and stay at home with the kids. It would be tough because I have worked since I was 16 years old and learning to live on less would also be heard. But the talk yesterday about the important role of motherhood gave me the clear answer that being home and taking care of my kids is more important then a job outside the home. I am tapering off slowly til the baby is born but I am looking forward to being home full time with my children. I hope that you and your families felt uplifted and got some guidance in your lives. Isn't General Conference wonderful?