women's conference

 this saturday we had the opportunity to go to salt lake city to watch the general women's conference. we had tickets to go inside, but there was literally thousands and thousands of women, so they didn't let us in. it was really okay because we were able to watch it in the tabernacle, and we were still able to feel the incredible spirit and camaraderie of the incredible women of the church.

 

nineteen

This weekend our lives were turned upside-down. In my church, we have the opportunity to hear from our prophets and apostles in General Conference. There are 2 meetings on Saturday, and 2 on Sunday. We get guidance and warnings and are comforted and filled with the spirit. We also get announcements, like that there will be more temples built.

On Saturday morning, my roommates and I and some of our other friends were sitting in our living room when the announcement was made that boys will be able to go on missions when they are 18 years old. The boys in our church go on these missions to all different parts of the world to teach people about our church. Before Saturday, they would go when they were 19. This was a big announcement. We were all freaking out.

And then we heard President Monson say, "Sisters..." and we all got quiet.

(Girls are also allowed to go on missions, but it's not required, and they don't go until they are 21.)

And then President Monson told us that girls can now go on missions when they are 19 years old.

I'm nineteen years old.

Our whole apartment was in disarray. I almost burst into tears the minute I heard the news. This was good news.

The poor boys in our apartment. They had to deal with 6 girls running in and out of our bedrooms, and everyone was crying. Needless to say, no one got very much out of the rest of the talks given that morning because we were all just thinking about what this would mean.

I had never considered going on a mission because by the time I would be 21, I was planning on working towards a career, but now that I could go now, I had a lot of thinking to do.

Having this option that we did not have the day before made everyone question whether or not they wanted to go on a mission.

For many people it was a great blessing, and for some people it won't affect them at all.

For me, I still decided not to go on a mission. I realize that there is more than one way to share the gospel, and I need to go to school because I need to help the girls, and honestly the only way I can help those girls is through what I know from the gospel.

But now my best friend and one of my roommates already have interviews to start the process of going on a mission.

And I'm going to miss them terribly. I don't know what I'll do without them for a year and a half, but I am so happy for them, that we all have this marvelous opportunity to help the gospel reach all of the people of the world.

We are angels hiding in the bones of humans... helping all the miracles along.

blanched vegetables and grandma's house

Lara (in case you don't remember her you can read this) and I went to my grandma's house for General Conference on Sunday. Conference happens twice a year, and it's the most wonderful time. We get to listen to the Prophet and Apostles give us guidance, comfort, and direction from our Heavenly Father.

Now, conference is great for making us spiritually full. At grandma's house, we get more than spiritually full. Our tummies get full too! And we get to have chocolate milk for every meal! hehehe

I have eaten so much food I have a food baby. Actually I probably have food baby twins. It's ridiculous. Or, I can quote Morgan,  "'Oh I'm so fat! I just ate two babies...' (long pause to process what she actually just said) '...worth. Two babies worth! Oh man...' "

I learned how to be slightly more domestic (this coming from the girl who can't even flip pancakes without messing them up) because Grandma makes us great food, but she turns it into a cooking lesson. Somehow I can cook when she's telling me what to do and is standing there, but when she's not there I fail miserably.

She also says funny things (warning: all things from here on out may not seem that funny to you, but they're funny. I promise. Especially if you were there and knew my grandma):

During the beginning of President Monson's talk where he told the story about the grandma who never had her grandchildren over because they would break her precious and valuable things, my grandma turns to me and says, "Don't break my precious and valuable things."

When they announced what the closing song was going to be, my grandma just sighs and says, "let the tears begin."

"Do you like mushrooms?" "You can't tell me you don't like mushrooms when I'm looking you right in the face."

"My life is very different now that I live by myself, but I can't get that in my head, so I see all of these cute little dishes and I have to buy them. I figured I'm just buying for Erica!"

I have a new love. Blanched vegetables.

not even eating them, although I like to do that too, I just like to look at them.

I'm not even joking. They are the prettiest color I have ever seen. Look at them.

Isn't that the prettiest color you have ever seen? The picture doesn't even do it justice. I did did not stare at them for a little bit because they are the prettiest color I have ever seen.

Conversation with Lara:

Erica: "These are the prettiest color I have ever seen."

Lara: "I know. I want to make everything in my life this color."

Erica: "Yeah. Blanched vegetables"

Lara: "Emerald green..."

Erica: "Blanched vegetables"

Lara: "Color of all the leaves in the world..."

Erica: "Blanched vegetables"

Lara: "Green grass..."

Erica: "Blanched vegetables."

Lara: "I know they're blanched vegetables! The word blanched just doesn't sound attractive." 

Erica: "Blanched vegetables."

This is really funny. I just saw a commercial of prison inmates doing indexing for fun. Haha.

this might be kind of bad, but it's also kind of funny.

Anyway...

Conference this year was fantastic! I cannot wait to read the talks again. Let's be honest, I took notes and I listened, but I can't remember things that well sometimes. But I do remember the amazing spirit that I felt. I know everything that was said these past two days is true and divinely inspired from my Heavenly Father. It has been exactly what I needed to hear. I am so grateful that we have living prophets today that can get revelation for us!

"To all of us he beckons: Come back. Come up. Come in. Come home. Come unto me." - President Thomas S. Monson

I also have new quotes if you click on the "quote" button.