I feel so lucky

This weekend I had the chance to attend 3 out of the five conference sessions (I don't get to attend priesthood no matter what, so I guess I attended 3/4). I felt so lucky! I owe a big THANK YOU to all my friends who offered me a ticket.

I'll go ahead and state the obvious: conference was amazing! I look forward to May's Ensign.

At the moment, I think my favorite talks include Julie Beck's thoughts on women and strength, Thomas S. Monson's thoughts on the Savior, and Elder Eyering's talk. I'm sure more insights will continue to pop up on my blog, but for now I'm simply enjoying the opportunity to reflect on my initial reactions to conference weekend. I will be honest, while everyone around me left the conference center feeling lighter and inspired, I felt a bit heavy and even slightly burdened with all the decisions lying ahead and all the things I feel need to change in my life. I guess I just wasn't quite ready to receive that spark of hope we all get from the spirit--that slight push of motivation to move forward. I was probably dwelling too much on the problems presented to me, rather than the happy solutions. I suppose I was seeing them more as issues instead of opportunities to improve. But as I sit and reflect today, the sense of hope and reassurance that testify of the possibilities of change has calmed my anxiety. Conference is amazing because, if I prepare (and if I am open to progress), I can face the next six months with a stronger conviction to make better what was good, and best of what was better.

President Monson mentioned somewhere in the conference that we should study the talks and then seek ways in which we can apply the counsel given. This personal application is something I would like to practice in preparation for this October, when the next general conference session begins. Instead of just reading the talks, I want to ponder them and then find ways to apply them. This is difficult for me as I am an over-analyzing person by nature. But gosh darn it, I'm sick and tired of trying to solve life's puzzles on my own! The next six months are going to be an adventure! I'm excited for whatever happens next (and I'm also worried, anxious, afraid, etc.). Things always work out as they need to, though. It's true :-)

Happy Monday!