Conference Weekend

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Ahhh!

That, my friends, is the sound of my proverbial cup being filled with light and encouragement!

It was so wonderful to hear a living prophet and apostles speak today! I have a testimony of my own, through the gift of the Holy Ghost, that the leaders of our church are called of God, and that they have Priesthood authority given them directly from those who held it anciently.

Here are a few of the topics that really hit home with me today:

• Children are an heritage of the Lord. I never get tired of hearing Elder Boyd K. Packer speak! I could hear of his great love and concern for children with every word. This is one I will be reviewing again and again-- especially when I have frustrating mornings like I did today. (Suffice it to say, I was doing some heavy repenting during this talk, for my impatience with destructive little girls this morning.)
• Humility is fertile soil for the Holy Spirit. I took notes on almost every word Elder Richard G. Scott said. The biggest thing I need to learn from his talk is that "Distractions keep us from receiving revelation." This is my biggest struggle right now!
• "You can't be right by doing wrong, and you can't be wrong by doing right." Brother Soares' wonderful reminders really strengthened my resolve to do what's right when he said that our choices should nourish the spirit and not the flesh.

I won't go on and on, though I could! I am excited for the talks to be up on the Church's website soon.

Here's a fun info-graphic about LDS General Conferences that I saw on Pinterest:

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Thou Shalt Not Covet

My dream house-- sorta.

SIGH.

Okay, I am trying not to act like a spoiled baby. (I really AM trying!)


Because...


Though we live in a small home, it's in an ideal location. I love our ward, our neighborhood, and our reasonable rent payments. We have an awesome landlord! What more could a girl want?!

Hence the sigh...

I feel like I'm being ungrateful.

BUT

I want to own a home again. And I want it to have more than just a "yard." I want a bit of space-- not much! Just at least half an acre, which is prime real estate 'round these parts.

And I feel like our family of thirteen-- soon to be fourteen-- really could use a house that has more than 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. (The bathroom issue is getting a bit out of hand.)

So I look. I admit it. I LOOK.

On Craig's List. On various real estate websites. I take detours in more rural-type neighborhoods, especially ones in former ward boundaries.

So silly me found an empty lot today that would be perfect! It's got everything I want. Citrus AND pecan trees. TWO WHOLE ACRES. In the boundaries of an old ward. (Did I mention I'd love to build just the house we need?) And the price is even reasonable!!!

The Lot

BUT.

The grown-up in me (yes, there's one in there, somewhere) says:

"Hello?! You don't have a down-payment."

"Your credit isn't fixed, yet. You can't get a loan."

"Even if you could purchase the land, are you really wanting to live in a tent this summer? Or are you really thinking you can pay monthly for land you want to build on in the future, while staying in your rental until you CAN get a loan to build? Even if you could find a way to buy this without a loan?"

And then I slap myself, take a deep breath, and go back to life.

Someday feels so far away!


Okay, my baby fit is now over. I'll move on.

But I think I'll partake of a little something in my sugar-free chocolate stash first.


(Thanks for joining me in my little pity party. If you come back, I promise not to whine again for a long time. At least not here... )


Love,
~Whiny Me