Confessions of an Unlikely Teacher

We really do appreciate the comfort of watching conference from home. This morning we woke up and made yummy pumpkin spice waffles and delicious smoothies in our new blender! What a fun morning!

I have been strongly impressed by the talks this general conference that we can do more to serve and help those less fortunate than ourselves. We can do more to live simply so that we have more of an abundance to share. I am grateful for our opportunity to go to the DR to serve this summer. I think there is a lot we can do in the next two months to prepare to really help those people. We are excited to share our lives and talents with them. In the meantime, we need to do all that we can here.

President Monson: Attend the temple more often. We live within 2 miles of it. Put a picture of the temple in every bedroom of the house. When our children reach the age to make the decision to go to the temple, it will have already been made.

Elder Robbins: Compliments should be based on characteristics and choices made, not necessarily specific behaviors or achievements. Teach children character traits and doctrinal principles, not basic behaviors. Teach them why so they can choose to be. We cannot put the weightier matters of the kingdom on a check list because we are never done. We must continually work on those things that help us to become like God.

Make tithing a priority always. If we pay our tithing, we will never have want for anything.

Elder Grow: The Atonement is for everyone. Even the most difficult person to get along with or the person who seems like they would never accept the gospel is someone's brother who too, can turn around and apply the Atonement in their life someday. Inspire hope. Christ invites us to repent so that we do not have to suffer the full weight of our mistakes. We do not have to suffer if we repent. We might think we are suffering in this life, but we do not know what suffering is. Turn to the Savior.

Elder Holland: Consecrate your life to the callings God has for you. Conference is to declare the unsearchable riches of Christ. There should be something for everyone in listening to General Conference. The gospel is meant to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable.

In matters of discipleship, the church is not a fast food outlet; we can't always have it our way.

If the apostles teach by the spirit and we listen by the spirit, something will touch us and teach us exactly what we need. In one way or another, God will have his voice heard. Every sermon given is a message of love as well as a warning.

President Monson: Christ taught us how to live and how to die. He redeemed us from Adam's fall. He leads us to salvation.

Goals:
Read the Book of Mormon in Spanish by the end of our time in the DR.
Physical Activity for 180 minutes each week.
Grocery shopping once each week with planned menus.
Limit fast food (Costa Vida!, pizza, etc.) to one meal each week, no more.
Donate to the mission fund.
Increase fast offering.
Make 72 hours kits.
Compliment people on their choices.
Read the May Ensign and study it consistently until October.