Conference and a Worldwide Fast

General Conference was certainly memorable and unforgettable. The entire world was sheltering at home for this one. There were two youth speakers. I don't know if I would have been more nervous to talk at a regular conference session of 20,000 people or a small, intimate gathering of less than 10 . . . with the prophet in attendance. We, as a family, got to participate in a Solemn Assembly and the Hosanna Shout from home. There was a worldwide choir from across the globe singing "We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet." A new church symbol was introduced to more closely align with the shift to using Jesus Christ in our name. A new proclamation was issued (there have only been six total in the last 200 years; read this one HERE). Eight new temples were announced, one being in Shanghai China.

And President Nelson asked us all to fast again . . . this time on Good Friday, two days before Easter that the Lord might HEAR US (President Nelson's theme has been for us to discover how to HEAR HIM, how do we hear the Lord). He asked that we fast that the present pandemic may be controlled, caregivers protected, the economy strengthened, and life normalized. I joined a Facebook group called Worldwide Fast April 10, a group a missionary set up, a group that invited all people around the world, a group that has shared so many uplifting stories for people of all faiths.

That day as we fasted, it was such an incredible experience each time I thought about all the people around the world fasting at that particular moment for a common goal of getting past this pandemic. It was such a powerfully uniting effort across the globe, and I loved being a part of it. The thought I've entertained is that after this is all over, I could go anywhere in the world and whoever I talked with we would have a shared experience with this pandemic. The entire world has something in common, something we've all experienced together. Not that this pandemic is cool at all, but the shared experience on a colossal level is something that's quite remarkable.

This spring was supposed to be chaotic with SOOO many good things going on. Nate and all his tennis stuff was the major contributor, but slowly one by one, things began getting crossed off the list. The latest to go was Trek and Girls Camp, only to be rescheduled for next year. As we were fasting for normalcy, that very day UVU sent out an announcement that they were moving graduation exercises from April 30 to August 20. That was a little miracle. In a time when so many things were getting crossed off, it felt so good to have something ADDED to the calendar. It felt kind of NORMAL and human to have something to look forward to.

And then yesterday I got the mail which had our weekly grocery ads. For the past 6, 7, 8 weeks the ad has been nothing more than half of the front page. Yesterday's ad was the ENTIRE insert. That felt normal.

Things are looking up.

Nate's tennis courts that have been under lock and key are being reopened on Friday along with many other businesses with the orders to operate more safely with social distancing still in force.

Erik was transferred to Deland yesterday mid-transfer to be a part of a trio for several weeks. He thinks he'll be back to Deltona shortly as a bunch of new missionaries are being reassigned. I know of several flying back out next week. I've watched several missionaries open their calls, leaving in August.

The interior renderings of our Tooele Temple were unveiled this week.

And no new earthquakes to report. Although I did see graphic of all the major fault lines in the Salt Lake Valley. The article was suggesting that the models have been off and that these fault lines could produce an earthquake as big as 7.6. Originally, they've all concluded that we would never have anything larger than 7. Hmmmm. I'm not sure how I feel about that one.

Here's a couple of my latest favorite COVID19 memes.