Singing in General Conference

Kaleb had the most wonderful opportunity to sing in General Conference during the Saturday afternoon session this past weekend.  Several Stakes in the Riverton area were asked to participate and our stake (Western Springs Stake) was included. Kaleb along with 7 other children (Dylan Vidalis, Sara Bundy, Cambree Albrecht, Brooke McDermott, Sterling Lund, Isaac Names and Kaleb) were chosen to participate from our ward. 

The kids had practices at our local Stake Center every Sunday evening for two hours during the month of September and one dress rehearsal down town at the Conference Center on a Saturday morning, that was held a week prior to the performance. Listening to them during their rehearsals each week was amazing. The spirit was so strong at each practice and the kids sounded like angels. Tears flowed from my face at many rehearsals because of the incredible feeling and spirit that I felt. I have never experienced anything like this! I was also overcome with emotion on many occasions as the thought came to my mind how incredibly special these primary children were. My heart just burst with feelings of how proud I was of Kaleb for making the decision to accept this call from our Bishop and sing.

The day of their performance was a special one for many reasons but the one that sticks out the most is because 3 new general authorities were announced and sustained during this session. Elder Rasband, Elder Stevenson, and Elder Rendlund were the men that were called to the Quorum of the Twelve to replace Elder L Tom Perry, Elder Richard G. Scott and Pres. Boyd K. Packer all who have passed away over the course of the past 6 months. Elder Richard G. Scott passed away just 12 days before conference. I was so thrilled for Kaleb to see this process take place and to be able to sustain them as newly called apostles. I hope Kaleb will never forget this monumental lifetime experience. I was incredibly touched by so many talks during this session and watching the newly called apostles take their seats on the stand next to Pres Monson.

These talks during the session stood out to me and spoke to my heart:

1. Elder Rober D. Hales talk: "Meeting the Challenges of Today's World."

2. Elder Jeffery R. Holland: "Behold They Mother"

3. Elder Bradley D. Foster: "Its never too early and it's never too Late."

 I felt incredibly humbled and the spirit testified to me many times how important my job is as a mother and how important my job is to teach my children the importance of choosing the right as we prepare for the winding up scene before the Saviors return to the earth! Many days/times I feel so inadequate as a mother in hoping that I am teaching Kaleb and Karmindy the things that they need to know; especially teaching them the things that they need to learn to safe guard themselves against Satan's temptations and influence- I feel like I fall short everyday. I have felt like Satan's influence is all around us and is knocking on our door to our home quite frequently; especially this past year. I don't want me, Mark or our beautiful kids to succumb to Satan's temptations- there is nothing I want more than for us to be a forever family!! I know how important it is to continue to make good choices because the spirit remains with us when we do. Many days I fall short by not saying my prayers or reading my scriptures but I know that when I do I feel safe guarded from Satan's temptations. The kids and I have been trying to read the comic scriptures before they leave for school in the mornings and say family prayers. I can tell on the days that we don't read and don't say prayers that our days don't go as well. The messages from the talks that were given on this day were great reminders that I am doing my best, even though I am not perfect but as long as I am pressing forward that I am doing what my Heavenly Father and Savior want me to do.

The kids performed 3 songs during conference, Beautiful Savior, Search, Ponder and Pray and I think when I read that sweet Story of old Medley, Come Follow Me. Each was so beautiful to listen to. They sounded like angels singing. During their musical numbers, my heart swelled not only because of how proud I was of Kaleb but because of the spirit that I felt. I really wished Mark and Karmindy could have been in attendance to hear the children sing and feel the spirit. We were only given one ticket for Mark and I to attend and Kaleb had me go with him. I was thankful for the opportunity to attend with my son and see him perform and to hear the apostles and prophets speak. It will be an experience that I will treasure for the rest of my life. I also hope Kaleb will treasure this experience as well and will remember how special it was to participate in this session. I also hope Kaleb will remember the special spirit that was felt, as well as the great peace that was felt, there in that great conference center.