A Dream Come True

There are many things on my "Living My Dreams" list. One of the most important is to see General Conference in person. I was given an opportunity to see the 179th Annual General Conference of The Latter Day Saints in the new conference center in SLC. My sweet hubby agreed to go with me to both Saturday sessions. (Have I told you lately how much I like my man?) Thanks to our fabulous friends in Utah, Kelly and Angie Martinez, who hooked us up with tickets, rides, entertainment, food and fun. We love you guys - for ETERNITY!

The moment I stepped out of the car, I was overcome with emotion. My honey said I was, "Giddy." But it was more than that. I was about to hear and see the Lord's true and living prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, his counselors and the Twelve Apostles. I realized how blessed I was to have the knowledge of the Gospel and have a testimony of the truthfulness of it. I knew this would be an experience that I would remember for a life time.
Ok, this will be the first of many pictures of just Pat and I...

You can't grasp the beauty or the enormity of the conference center unless you have been there. Television does not do it justice, nor do these pictures, but I tried.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir practiced while we waited for Conference to begin. I have to admit I am not a big fan of hymns or the M.T.C. Actually, the whole singing bit kept me from going to church for a long time, but that is a whole other story... Again, though, hearing those beautiful songs sung with such power and - what is the word I am looking for? Glory? It was beautiful and brought tears to my eyes.

We arrived about an hour early to ensure good seats, but soon the center was filled to capacity and still people were waiting outside in hopes of getting in.

I have been fortunate enough to see, in person, two presidents of The United States speak. Both times it was an exciting experience filled with expectation, applause, boo's, and cynicism - even if he was the popular candidate.

But what I witnessed and took part of, when President Monson entered the stage, was something entirely different. Nothing was said over over the speakers to announce his appearance, there were no written rules on how to behave, he didn't walk to the microphone accompanied by loud music and there was no fanfare. There was complete and utter silence. You could hear a pin drop. At the same moment 20,000 people stopped talking and stood. Stood in reverence for their leader, prophet and seer. I still get goosebumps thinking about it.

These aren't the greatest pictures, but I took them with my own camera. There was some joke happening up there and President Uchtdorf was smiling to beat the band. (Don't you just love him? And not just for his looks... ok, I admit it, and I said it out loud, he's a handsome man with an accent - what more can I say?)

After the first session ended, Pat and I followed the masses to find somewhere to eat. We somehow managed to get a seat on the 10th floor of The Joseph Smith Memorial Building - good thing, my honey was about to die of hunger... I really wanted a Pepsi, but that would be impossible to find on Temple Square. Imagine my dismay when I learned our restaurant served COKE - WITH CAFFEINE. Just my luck, I had Sprite.
We had a beautiful view, though.

Angie's mom, Diane, gave my family a DVD called The Stone Cutter. If you haven't seen it, do. He carved the words seen in gold in this picture.

A beautiful sight on a cold, snowy/rainy day.

Back to the conference center for the second session. Isn't my honey doing great?

I would love to invite this group over for dinner... But then again, my kids would probably start fighting UFC style, call each other "butt head" and put blown up balloons in their pants so they could suffocate whoever they sat upon.

My honey and me after conference was over. I truly will never forget that day and I am so grateful for a husband who allows me to achieve my dreams, even if they aren't his - YET.

I would like to end with my testimony. I know that blogging is true, I love adding gadgets and smile boxes. I am so grateful for the opportunity to live in these latter blogging days. I say these things in the name of blogspot.com - Amen.