Shaking Hands with an Apostle

Elder D. Todd Christofferson spoke at our stake conference today.  Our previous stake presidency was released and a new one put in.  It was too bad that Oskar was fussy and Harriet in full-on melt-down mode for much of the meeting so I didn't get to focus too much on what was being said.  A few highlights were that Elder Christofferson calls President Monson, "The Apostle of Compassion."  Apparently the 12 meets every Thursday in the Salt Lake Temple and report on their weeks.  Every week President Monson talks about something he did for someone personally--Elder Christofferson called it "personal ministry" even though he is so busy with his job as the prophet.

The point, obviously, is that if President Monson can work serving others into his packed schedule so can we.  Elder Christofferson also said that President Monson doesn't worry about all the people he can't help, he does what he can and "trusts God to take care of the rest."

Elder Christofferson also talked about strengthening our families by being consistent in having FHE and family scripture study.  He said that their family had scripture study in the morning and often several members of the family would fall asleep (including himself) but he still thinks that is the best thing he did as a dad.

After the meeting he stood outside in the lobby and let all the children and teenagers shake his hand.  Miriam was too shy and Harriet was too tired, but all my other children (including Oskar!) shook his hand.  Eli shook his hand twice because he cut in line (I didn't know) and shook his hand and then came back and stood by me and shook his hand again.  Elder Christofferson said to him, "I remember shaking your hand already."  Then, when he shook Emeline's hand he said, "You have a beautiful smile."  I was holding Oskar and didn't expect him to shake Oskar's hand, but he reached over Eli's head and smiled at Oskar and shook his hand and mine.  It was pretty much awesome.

Emeline does have a beautiful smile.

The reason Harriet was so tired is that Timothy took the older five kids camping Friday and that led to wacked out bedtimes.  I stayed home with Oskar and tried to work on school.  The kids had a marvelous time.  Timothy met up with his parents at the campsite so there was a three adult to five kid ratio, which is about right.  As for me--I was lonely within a few minutes of their leaving and didn't accomplish nearly enough.  I did stay up far too late watching Horrible Histories on youtube.  You have to love the BBC.

I did accomplish many things of a necessary nature but I was very glad to see everyone when they got back!