General Conference

Conference Weekend is one of my absolute favorite weekends. I think it stems from family traditions. Traditions weren't a huge thing in our family (my parents were consistent about important things but they were never labeled as traditions). Even without a big emphasis on traditions some things have just evolved over time... my Dad throwing licorice at the kids during the 4th of July parade, the flying bat and ghost that visit our house each Halloween, Los Hermanos for chips and salsa, and KSL news at 10pm.

Conference weekend was one of those things that quickly evolved into a tradition filled weekend at our home. My dad is a very busy person, not busy in the sense that he doesn't have time for you but busy in the sense that he is ALWAYS doing something. Laziness isn't a part of his vocabulary. He is constantly working on something. The one exception to this rule is conference weekend. This is the time the house slippers make their appearance and the furniture gets rearranged to accomidate any guests. The TV is on a good 20 minutes early along with radios in the house to make for a great echo and ease of moving throughout the house so you never miss a word regardless of the room you are in. As children we always had our "conference BINGO" with M&M's. As teenagers, my dad would come in our rooms and make sure that our radio's were playing if we were being difficult about getting up (okay... just me).

Singing was a big part of conference in our house also and we would stand to sing the intermediate hymns as if we were in the congregation - one of the most shocking experiences for me was when enjoying conference in someone else's home and having them skip the hymns with the DVR (needless to say I felt jipped). In between conference we have a fabulous meal of homemade hoagies. My mom makes a mean hoagie and this is something we still look forward to. All in all it is just a great family time and a weekend that is filled with uplifting spiritual messages/instruction. I hope to give my children the same great memories.

I love conference weekend!