General Conference was Awesome!! Oct 4, 2010

It cracks me up every time I read Christopher's letters. He has already changed so much! lol I love him to death! Imagine Kenny going there next? That would be amazing.

Conference really made me think of the things I will limit or do with my children. There were so many talks I just loved! They seemed more bold this time than ever before. Maybe because I'm on a mission and being out here I have come to understand further the importance of God's plan.

On Saturday we were able to go to the Barry's home for both sessions of conference. Then in the break we had lunch and training about our experience and how we see the mission as sisters. We finally have our new dress code! I'm sending it to you in the package because you say you never know what to get for me. (Christmas is coming up ;) Really we have become sloppy as a mission as to what we wear as sisters. We have been wearing normal shirts and really anything we wanted that was modest because it wasn't really given what we were to wear. But that got cleaned up really fast on Saturday. I have gained a little weight so when he said not to wear tight clothes I kind of had a meltdown about my weight because everything is tight. Stupid boys don't ever gain a thing. But I have made a resolution to lose weight because I don't have money to buy more clothes. If so, I would need to go to D.I. because so many girls here give away things that are not stylish that we as missionaries wear. So shopping at D.I. here will be like shopping at murices. Anyways, it was an amazing time with just all sisters. We took pictures and had a blast~

Christopher seems to be able to write a book but I never seem to so I have my president's letter that I will send with this. This is some insight as to what I received while listening to Conference.

President Berry~

Thank you so much for letting us come to your home for General Conference. The food was great and it was nice to see the rest of the sisters all together. It was even better to be there and experience a home away from home. I really felt the spirit there and to top it off getting to hear from the Prophet, Apostles and other General Authorities speak and then receive more training from sister Berry. It was the spiritual over load of the best kind. It was a fantastic weekend all together. Thank you again.

I have really prayed and fasted about what is to be done in this area and how we can change it. For me I was looking for some kind of program to put forth or activity that might get it going, when I received my answer it came to be something of a shock to me. In response to all my worries with my companion and sisters I’m working with, to the branch and the branch president the answer was so simple and yet spoke volumes. Love them. Serve them. Thank them. Complement them. In this world of hustle and bustle especially here in Gatorville, how often do you see people really take the time to show that they care? I have yet to see it. Nor do I hear thank you’s, sincere complements, service, pure appreciation, love or respect for one another. I may be too hard on those around me but really I’m not speaking of them, but of myself. How often do I take time to show my appreciation for people in all that they do? Not very often.

With the exception of hearing from the Prophet I look forward to hearing from Elder Jeffery R. Holland every General Conference. He speaks with such conviction and passion. His testimony is so pure and strong I find it hard not to be touched by every word that he says. I was surprised to hear that most of his talk consisted of thanking everyone for their dedicated service in the church. It showed to be a great example for what I should have been doing. It struck a cord with me when he spoke of the old woman who said that she was only a helper. I cannot tell you how many "helpers" I have had help me on my mission that I will be eternally grateful for. I guess you could also call them the seed planters. But because of their little words that they found so insignificant, one of God's children was baptized and on the path to eternal life. I think about how many people are not thanked for their efforts, no matter how small or great they are. Do they know how much they are appreciated? It would break my heart to ever find someone that thought their role in this life was not important because of only the small things they've done to help. I hope that no helper would stop doing the small things, because with the small things, great things can come to pass. I know of many people who have stop doing those small things because no one seems to notice. How sad is that, that no one took the time to say one word of thanks.

When Elder Holland finished his talk a quote came to mind. "Complements strengthen the heart and put fire in the bones." That is so true. When people are being complemented or thanked for all there good efforts, you only want to go out and do more because it made you feel good. I believe if I incorporated this into everything that I'm doing, I would find that not only will I remain positive and keep that enthusiasm going but I feel that others will be drawn to the gopsel to be taught, or if a member, will continue in wanting to help. I want to live gratitude. When you live the life of gratitude, miracles follow. “Refuse to remain in a negative attitude but have the attitude of gratitude.” President Monson. (His talk was so amazing too! In fact I think I mixed the two talks together but they work hand in hand.)

There are so many other things that I’ve learned but I would take up way too much memory in your computer. I do want to thank you for everything that you do and for being completely genuine in your manner toward me and everyone around you. It makes it so much easier to come to you with any question and want to work harder in everything I do. So thank you again.

Until next week
~Sister Pedersen

I loved conference so much! It taught me so much more than just that, but I don't have a lot of time today. I hope all is well at home and that all the kids are doing good. How did you like conference? It answered all my prayers. I cannot tell you the peace that I found through listening to the many talks, it was interesting how they even mentioned text messaging and video games. Amen to that! Someone was blunt and said it. I think all parents around the world gave a hallelujah chorus. Through the years it's amazing to me how more and more blunt and specific they have to be for people to listen. I think they also talked a lot about listening to the prophet. Like it was said, a living prophet is more important than a dead one. People will keep the Ten Commandments but they just can't give up there coffee. No wonder with so many people deciding what is best for them and not listening that the prophet, Apostles and general authorities would testify so boldly about the true and living prophet today, Thomas S. Monson. I had a hard time at first with the sustaining of a new prophet after President Hinckley But the more I listen to the words of President Monson and the more I pray about it, the more the spirit tells me and the stronger my testimony becomes that he is a prophet of God. I don't know what it was about this time at conference but I could see it in his eyes when he spoke. I gained such a great respect and love for him that filled my whole heart every time he spoke. It was hard for me to keep from crying. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God. I know it! The spirit testifies to me every time he speaks. I also know that prayers are answered if we but ask, listen and wait for the answer acting in faith until that sure knowledge comes through the Holy Ghost. The waiting and the acting is the hard part but I know that through that course in time, Heavenly Father is preparing us for the answer, whenever it may come.

I love you all so much! Give everyone a big hug and kiss for me, Love you all!

Your sister missionary~
Love you!