Twice a year special weekend

The beginning of each October and April, my church holds what is known as General Conference. They broadcast across the world from Salt Lake City, Utah. There are talks by the First Presidency of the Church and General Authorities as well as music by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and other local choirs. It is a wonderful weekend of spiritual uplift, instruction, and resolve.

There are two 2-hour sessions on Saturday and Sunday as well as a Saturday evening session for those holding the Priesthood. My oldest grandson, TJ, is now 12 and has been ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood. The only way Grandpa Glen knew how to help him with his tie was to act like he was tying his own.

It has become a bit of a family tradition for all the family to meet at our home between the afternoon and Priesthood sessions for a meal and family interaction. Then the men leave together to go to our Stake Center to view the session via satellite broadcast with other brethren. The women and children enjoy the company of one another until babies are tired and need to go home.

Today we made pizzas on the grill and enjoyed homemade cookies and ice cream. We would have enjoyed the backyard but we are having a heat wave. We broke a record yesterday at 100 degrees, first century mark for 2011. There will be more, many more. So we spent a bit of time here and there outside, but the children mostly wanted to play inside.

Sadie loves to rock and she also loves jellybeans!

This is what my library/living room looks like when it is full of grandchildren and Playmobil.

They gravitate to this room with its lovely wool carpeting.

Toby has reason to smile broadly. He hit two "grand slams" at his baseball game today.

Mabel was the first baby too tired to play and in need of going home to bed. She snuggled right up to her Auntie Nichelle while waiting for her mommy. TJ is the only grandchild left in the house. He is enjoying a solo grandkid sleepover tonight.

I'm looking forward to another day of spiritual enlightenment tomorrow. The talks are always printed in the Ensign magazine in the May or November issue so it is possible to read and study them again. I am so grateful for this constant nourishment of the soul.