All skate in the regular direction

Talk about a blast from the past - Friday night Gavin and Arwen’s school sponsored a skating party. I have vague memories of such an event as the debut for a treasured 80’s baby blue and pink puffed-sleeve t-shirt and miniskirt combo. But I digress . . .

We dusted off our respective pairs of roller blades acquired at a series of rummage sales, picked up a Big Y party pizza, and headed for the Galaxy Roller Rink. We had just donned our skates when we ran into friends from both kids’ classes. Before long we were doing the Hokey Pokey, wildly gesticulating to the strains of Y-M-C-A, and jamming out to the Macarena.

Two of Arwen’s friends had younger siblings vying for their parents’ attentions, so we snagged them and had a fun group of girls, all at various levels of learning how to skate. Last time we were at the rink Gavin struggled to stay upright. This time he was off on his own, no problem. I myself realized I’d never actually worn my skates and had to get used to the feel of roller blades.

Given a full schedule this week, we had to squeeze in our movie night after the skating party. We have had the best time watching all three Shrek movies! A first for us this week – neither Gavin nor Arwen fled up the stairs to avoid the antics of the wicked Charming, the banished Merlin, or the obnoxious cohorts of Arthur.

Part of what kept us so busy this past week was General Conference, the semi-annual worldwide gathering of our faith. This includes five two-hour sessions of addresses from our prophet, twelve apostles, and other church authorities. As usual, it was spiritually enlightening, renewing, and satisfying. The various themes of the talks included the importance of family, obedience to God’s commandments, growth through adversity, and service (the conference commemorated the 75^th anniversary of the Church welfare program). Among my favorite quotes of the conference:

• A person cannot give a crust to the Lord without receiving a loaf in return.– Melvin J. Ballard (quoted by Henry B. Eyring)


• We must not resent the very things that help us put on the divine nature.– Paul V. Johnson


• By becoming the answer to someone else’s prayer we often find the answers to our own. – Dieter F. Uchtdorf


• What we insistently desire over time is what we become. – Dallin H. Oaks


• Neither professions or possessions should define identity or self-worth. – Lynn G. Robbins


• I would hope that Latter-day Saints would be at the forefront in creating an environment in the workplace that is more receptive and accommodating to both women and men in their responsibilities as parents. – Quentin L. Cook

Between Saturday’s conference sessions we were privileged to participate in the baptismal service of a wonderful couple, now dear friends, who has been attending the Sunday School class I teach for the past few months. At the end they each got up and told us about the peace that has come into their home and family as they have incorporated the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ into their lives. Being with them for this significant event completed an already wonderful weekend.