General Conference Meme

Posted in About Blogs, Divinity by

This is a fun idea to let us all share our personal highlights from General Conference.  A meme is a questionnaire of sorts that is a little bit “viral”– it gets passed around among several people online.  I teamed up with Lesa from Notes about Music to create eleven questions that might help you pay more attention and learn more from both the music and the spoken words at conference.

UPDATE:  The meme is now up and running, go here to participate.

Okay, so… Instructions.  Look for answers during conference (obviously, there are no “right” answers– this is all about your personal experience and thoughts.).  When conference is over, post all your questions and answers on your own blog, at your leisure.  Anytime after Sunday afternoon/evening, either go to Lesa’s blogor come right here at Diapers and Divinity (there will be a new post up just for this purpose), and you will find some fancy-linky-collector-thing where you can share the link to your blog post.  Then we can all read what you had to say and just have a big post-conference testimony-and-goals fest.  I really hope that made sense.  Without further ado, here is the meme:

General Conference Highlights, October 2011

1.  Who were your three favorite speakers?

2.  Which talk spoke to you the most?

3.  What was your favorite Hymn and why did it move you? Continue reading →

Preparing Yourself for General Conference

Posted in Divinity by

[image credit]

Here’s the thing about General Conference that’s key:  The talks can answer your prayers and give you specific, personal direction for whatever you’re dealing with in your life.  When you open your mind and heart to the possibility of finding those answers, they are there.  Totally there.  This is where my deep love of General Conference comes from– some of my most specific, immediate answers to prayers and heart-musings have come through living prophets speaking straight to me right through my TV screen.  Those answers have come in the form of reassurances, gentle chastenings, practical ideas, reminders, and simple expressions of love.  The Holy Ghost helps me feel what the message is for me.

Here are a few disjointed thoughts and suggestions that might help you get more out of your conference experience.

  1. Pray.  A lot.  Just ramp it up a little this week.  Any time you find yourself worrying or wondering or stressing about anything in your life– no matter how small– make it a matter of prayer.  Even a quick turn-your-thoughts-upward prayer will do.  Lay that concern out for Heavenly Father and ask Him to help you find some kind of answer or direction as you listen to conference.
  2. Write those questions down.  This can help you keep them in your prayers and thoughts.  It can be a list or a collection of scrap paper.  One year I wrote individual questions on post-it notes and stuck them in my scriptures.  You might even want to keep those written questions right on your lap as you listen to the conference talks.  Keep looking at them and keep listening for related content.  Continue reading →

Preparing children for General Conference (+ packet links)

Posted in Diapers by

[image credit]

[image credit]

It’s no surprise to anyone who has visited this blog before that I love General Conference.  I know many of you do, too.  To any readers who might not be familiar with General Conference or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, go here or here to learn more about both.  Today I wanted to share a few ideas of how we can help our children appreciate and look forward to General Conference.

  1. Start now to express your excitement for conference.  Today, on two different occasions in the car, I said, “Only 5 more days until General Conference.  I’m so excited!”  Use the opportunity to bear brief testimony of living prophets and how their messages have made a difference in your life.
  2. As you say family and meal prayers, remind your children to pray for the prophet and apostles as they prepare for their conference talks.  We can ask Heavenly Father to help them be inspired as they speak and to help us be inspired as we listen. Continue reading →

GCBC Week 26: “The Sanctifying Work of Welfare” by Bishop H. David Burton

Posted in General Conference Book Club by

LAST week of General Conference Book Club.  Last.  Can you believe it?  This means two things:

  1. We did it.
  2. Only 6 more days until we get to hear the word of the Lord again from prophets and apostles.

This coming week will be a General Conference Extravaganza here on Diapers and Divinity as we get ready for another session to begin.  Starting tomorrow, watch for preparation ideas, a meme that you can participate in on your own blog, some highlights, packets for children, etc.  So, you know, stay tuned.

Do you want me to keep doing General Conference book club here on the blog?  There’s always a huge turnout for week one, and then it kind of dwindles off little by little.  I don’t mind continuing it for even a few people if they find it meaningful and helpful.

So whether you’re a regular or thinking of joining in, I’d like to know what you’re thinking. 

Okay, for this week, our last talk is “The Sanctifying Work of Welfare” by Bishop H. David Burton.

“The purpose, promises, and principles that reinforce our work of caring for the poor and needy extend far beyond the bounds of mortality. This sacred work is not only to benefit and bless those who suffer or are in need. As sons and daughters of God, we cannot inherit the full measure of eternal life without being fully invested in caring for each other while we are here on earth. It is in the benevolent practice of sacrifice and giving of ourselves to others that we learn the celestial principles of sacrifice and consecration.”

I feel like this message makes a lovely companion to Sister Allred’s talk from the Relief Society Broadcast last night.

What does this talk make you think or feel?  Share your thoughts in the comments below.

If you’re visiting for the first time and you want to know more about what we do here for General Conference Book Club, click here.

Find-A-Friend Friday: Meet Erika

Posted in Find-A-Friend Friday by

[Quick announcement first:  Congratulations to Lisaway, who won the giveaway for Melanie’s new book.  To anyone else who wants a copy for yourself, you can buy Not My Type at Amazon or Deseret Book.]

Today we meet Erika.  She is a blog friend I was lucky enough to meet in real life when she came to Utah one time and graciously took family pictures for me.  See what a great job she did?

She is very kind and super talented and I’m excited for you to meet her.  Here’s Erika:


[I stole this from her blog.  Isn’t she lovely?]

My name is Erika.  I’m shockingly close to 30 and I live just outside of Portland, OR.  I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart for 9 years and we have 2 girls (6 and 4) and a boy(2).

I am a military brat, my dad served in the Army for 20+ years.  I was born in Germany, but we moved when I was two.  I’ve lived in all 4 corners of the US.  Having experienced many different climates and places I have decided that my two favorite places are Virginia and Washington state because of the beautiful greens.  I grew up in a family of 6 girls, no boys.  I was the 2nd oldest and did a lot of babysitting.  I met my husband in Florida when he moved into my ward.  It was pretty much love at first sight and he waited 9 months for me to turn 16 before he took my on my first date.  He was also my first kiss.  I wrote to him while he went on a mission and I went to BYU Provo. I didn’t do anything past my general electives at BYU.  Nothing interested me enough to commit.  The most interesting part of my history happens when my husband got home from his mission.  He had been challenged by his dad to beat his “dating record” of 39 girls in 1 year.  I knew that my husband had this goal, so I encouraged him to take girls out while still dating me.  But that started to get old, really fast.  He had bought my engagement ring and he was STILL DATING other girls.  I finally put my foot down and told him to choose between me and the numbers.  He made the correct choice.  Shortly after getting married I started massage school at Utah College of Massage Therapy so I am a closet massage therapist now.  I’m not currently licensed, but I would say that I am so grateful that I went to massage school because it rekindled my love of learning that I had lost.  After my husband graduated from BYU we moved up to Oregon and we plan to stay forever.  We LOVE the Pacific Northwest.  We now have 3 kids and I have discovered a passion for photography.

What’s your favorite part of motherhood? The hugs and kisses from my children.  Hearing them laughing together.  Watching how they grow and learn.

What part of motherhood would you subcontract out if you could? FEEDING my kids.  I honestly can’t STAND it when my kids come and ask me for food or tell me that they are hungry.  And if I think of something for them to eat, they don’t want it.  I wish I found satisfaction in feeding my family, but I jut don’t.

Brag for a minute.  Do it.  What are a few things that you’re pretty good at? I’m pretty good at putting things off…  hence my blog title “Erika’s Procrastination Corner.”  I am patient with projects.  I love doing things with my hands.  I am artistic and can draw fairly well.  I have been practicing and would say I’m pretty good at taking pictures, but I’m always trying to learn and improve.

What are you loving lately? Taking pictures and Pinterest.

What do you gravitate toward during your unscheduled time? The computer… I always have one project or another; editing pictures, blogging, creating Blurb books from my blog, checking Facebook/email, etc.

Tell us some of your best mom-tricks  (things you’ve figured out that work well for you).  Using one word commands when you need a child to obey you.  “Clothes”, “Teeth”, things like that.  

What’s something you don’t usually want people to know about you, but that they need to know if they’re going to be your friend?  I’m a homebody and would most likely rot at home if you don’t invite me to go somewhere.  I need friends who get me out of my comfort zone and reach out to include me.

 If you were in charge of a girls’ night out, what kind of activity would you love to plan?  If money and calories weren’t an issue- I’d do a spa night where we all got pedicures and then ate at a chocolate cafe and saw girly chick flick.

What parts of your testimony are you the most sure of?  I am most sure that Joseph Smith was a prophet, that he was telling the truth about the First Vision.  I am most sure that the power of the priesthood is real and that the Holy Ghost guides us.  I am most sure that Heavenly Father loves us and watches over us and has a hand in our lives.

 Let’s say you’re dying in your sleep tonight.  What would you eat for your last meal?  My mom’s beef enchiladas with an italian soda, followed by Snickerdoodles and Lemon Bars

What homemaking job/task gives you the most satisfaction?  Sweeping.  It’s quick and easy and you see immediate results and your house instantly feels 50% cleaner without crumbs sticking to your feet.

Give your best advice to a newlywed or expectant mom.  Stop thinking about you and think about them (husband/child).

What’s something unexpected in your life, and how have you dealt with it?  I got diagnosed with thyroid cancer when I was pregnant with my son.  That was definitely unexpected.  Getting the thyroid removed and dealing with the treatment wasn’t so bad, but trying to get my thyroid levels regulated has been hard.  Let’s just say I’m glad my husband and kids have put up with me.

If you could make a pie chart (graph) of your thoughts during the last week or so, what would take up most of the space?  A house.  I’m trying to figure out where the Lord stands on this house and my family, whether we should buy it or not.  It’s great fun.

Tell us about your blog:  My blog is Erika’s Procrastination Corner.  It is basically a family journal with LOTS of pictures.  I started blogging in 2007 or so and decided that I wanted my pictures to look better.  That’s what led me to discovering my love for photography.  

Thank you, Erika!  Please visit her blog to get to know her a little, or give her a quick hello in the comments here.

Happy weekend, everyone.