traditions as family glue, and conference weekend

We had donned our Easter banner I made last year:

Those things have become quite a staple and we get kind of excited about them.  Lucy had been talking about them for days with sparkly eyes.

But the reason I’m telling this story is because we got this pic. from Elle on conference morning, with a little message that she was doing her own version of cinnamon rolls.

Just a little thing, but man alive I love how traditions can bond your family so much.

We had a bunch of families over for a potluck brunch between sessions, and although they all look almost comically serious in this picture, we had such a great time eating and talking.

…then back to listening.

(kind of exciting that we decided Bo was ready for us to roll back out our rug between conference sessions…so far so good…)

…and bingo:

And candy when they won bingo.

Which was extra exciting since we’re off sugar this month except for that one day and Easter.

We are doodlers around here and I love the creations these kids come up with while they’re listening.

(Claire and her friend are thinking of starting some sort of business with this little logo below)

Conference was extra good this year.  It spoke to me in so many ways.

You can listen to any conference talk HERE.

My very favorites this year were Elder Holland, who talked about “singing” in our own voices, and standing close to the Savior who has “perfect pitch.”  I loved Gary B. Sabin who encouraged us to “Stand up inside” and to be “all in.”

I loved Valeri Cordon’s encouragement to teach children through act and word as we teach in the “language of the gospel,” and Joy Jones said many similar things to help us raise a sin resistant generation.

I loved Yoon Hwan Choi’s advice to “look up” and Elder Christofferson’s description of “culture of guilt” vs. “culture of shame.”  Oh and I LOVE Elder Costa and how he talked directly to those investigating the church.

But perhaps my very favorite was Elder Palmer, who talked about six words from the bible, “then Jesus beholding him, loved him,” and how those words made him think.  It made me want to study my scriptures more in depth and learn better how to be filled with Christ-like love.

Those are just the ones I took notes on, but man alive there was a lot of rich beauty to take in and ponder and use as tools to become better, and more Christ-focused, and to LOVE MORE.

So much goodness packed into one weekend.