I turn the big Five-Oh!

That is, my 50th post. Sheesh, it seems like there should be more than that, but it's only been 50 witty, thought provoking, insightful posts from dear old me. Ok, ok, it's probably been none of those, but it's been fun nonetheless.

We just ended our bi-yearly world wide church General Conference. Each April and October the leaders of our church speak to us and give us council. I live for these weekends. It's quite different living out here in Utah's Little Sister, because you can turn your TV to the CW and watch conference in the comfort of your own living room, in your pajamas if you wish! In Ohio, unless you or someone you know has the Dish with BYU-TV, you go to a church building for all of the sessions.

This weekends conference was a historic one, because we, as church members sustained a new President to the church and prophet to the people. In late January, our former President Hinckley passed away, and Thomas S. Monson succeeded him. The last time this occurred was 13 years ago when President Hinckley was sustained the prophet -- a point in my life when I didn't know what a Mormon was. There is no doubt in my mind that President Monson is a prophet, just as I knew that President Hinckley was. As a people, we are encouraged to pray to gain an understanding of this leader's role. It was a feeling that words cannot describe, that tells me that President Monson is one of Gods chosen leaders.

As I grow older, I realize more and more that there are no coincidences in life. Everything is planned out and with a purpose. So I know that it's not a coincidence that many of the things that our leaders taught this weekend were topics that had been weighing on my mind. The questions and concerns that I had were answered, just like that!

One of my Assistant Principals at school had been asking my friend Shelby and I more about the church in th past few months. It's been fun to share the answers with him, and to see him come back with more questions. We encouraged him to watch some of the conference this weekend. I hope that he did, because I know that he will understand the things that we speak of. (If you want to find out more, click here).

I hope you all had a great weekend -- I hear it's starting to feel a bit more like spring back east! Just in time for me to come home!!