Forgetting my age and paying the price!!

So remember when you were 21 and could stay up and out all night and barely be tired the next day? Remember how you grow up and start sleeping more and staying up all night less? Yeah, I apparently forgot that I was 31 on Sunday night and decided to pull an all nighter . . . ALL NIGHTER!! Needless to say, I was up from 7:30 Sunday morning until 5:00 Monday night. Within all that time, I was in full "go" mode . . . super energetic Sacrament service, followed by an emotional devotional and 2 all out, full energy firesides. It was after that that I decided to stay up chatting with friends all night. Don't get me wrong, I had a blast and some really good talks with new friends, but when the alarm went off at 4 am to get ready to get on the bus to head to the airport, suddenly my body went . . . "okay, time to sleep!" It was not good. I made it to the airport, with assistance from Andy, but then about passed out at the airport. Finally got on the plane home, and, well, I can't sleep on planes. I thought, hmm since I stayed up all night I should be able to sleep at least a little. WRONG!!! There were a couple of old ladies in front of us that were talking loudly the whole flight. There was turbulence on the flight as well, which i am SOOO not a fan of, but being as tired as i was, I was able to relax through it. Score 1 for staying up all night. Then I got home and still wasn't able to sleep. I was picking friends up from the airport, helping Nicole, and taking Makayla to the Doctor . It's now Sunday, a full week later, and I am still tired, plus I got a nasty cold and am still fighting that.

Please, someone remind me next time that I'm not 21 anymore!!

SUV Choir

Ok, so for those of you who don't know, the SUV Choir is the Saints Unified Voices Choir that is directed by Glady Knight. Once a month (usually) we go to a city and do a musical fireside. It's absolutely amazing and I am soooo grateful and excited that I getto be a part of it. I've been in it for a little over a year now and I have made some amazing friends and grown so much!! How could you not when you are out doing missionary work?

Well, this past weekend we were in Seattle. LOVE IT THERE!! And for those of you who think it only ever rains in Seattle, here is a photo proving otherwise:

It was so beautiful! We started our Saturday out eating at this fanstastic little restaurant called The King Fish Cafe, compliments of Bryce - love you Bryce!! It was fantastic! Yummy food!! Our choir filled the whole restaurant!

Our Saturday prformaces were amazing! It's so amazing to be up there and to watch a change come over people in the audience. I really wish that I had gone on a mission! If it was half as good as this, it would have been well worth it! Well, there's always a couples mission when we're older. Anyway, the funniest, yes I said funniest, part about Saturday night, was when the stake president said, "Ya know, I don't say the word awesome very often, but this CD is great!" (He was talking about the One Voice CD that the choir put out 5 years ago) I thought i was ging to die of laughter!! Seriously the running joke the rest of the weekend. My friend Scott came Saturday evening and that was really good to see him. I'm very glad he came.

Sunday was even better! It started off with church at a Samoan ward. Those people sang so well and with so much energy & love that I didn't even want to sing and fight against what they were doing! Even though the whole service was in Samoan, I felt the spirit was so strong! The firesides were awesome! I wonder all the time how it can ever be better than the one that we do before, and yet, it's always amazing! Sunday, everyone was dead on! Gladys was more amazing than I think I have ever heard her! She totally about blew the roof off the building! The audience Sunday @ 8 was soooo energetic! Our soloists were awesome!! When Jay sang Via Dolorosa, I bawled like a baby! It is such an amazing song!

My choir family is absolutely awesome! We have so much fun together! I had spent this weekend getting to know a couple of people a little better. I had so much fun with my new friends Andy Mathusek and Michael Thomas. If you ever want to laugh uncontrollably, hang out with these two! They are in their own little world, but they will let anyone and everyone in who wants to come! Thanks guys for a great time! (Right to left - Andy, MT & Sprout aka Michael Goedel)

Then there is my dear, and amazing friend Leah! She makes everyone look beautiful! She had a line of people who wanted her to do their makeup - and she did it! She is so full of love and life and I totally look up to her. Leah, I love you always!! You're awesome! I also got to room with Rashida. She and I have been friend for about 6 years, and it was fun to be her roomie! (left to right Rashida, me and Leah)

If any of you ever have the chance to see it, don't pass it up!! You will get a renewal of faith and a testimony builder. I have been so blessed by this choir! It has strengthened my testimony every time I get to go.

Patience

Okay, I need to do another post, but I feel like my life never slows down and every moment I am behind another day or two!!

Quick run down, I went to Sara Bareilles last weekend with my cute friend KT!! SO MUCH FUN!! I promise to write more on that later. Also, I am headed off to Seattle this weekend with the SUV Choir to spread the word there. I AM SO EXCITED I CAN HARDLY STAND IT!

I promise that when I get home from Seattle, I will fill in the blanks and give more deets about the happenings and events of the Nathan Taylor clan.

Sunday Conference - 2 in 1

I missed Saturday afternoon, so there is no report there, and Sunday afternoon I had a roomful of little girls, so the notes are much shorter. But here it is anyway.

Sunday Morning Session:

President Eyring - Unity is coming - it's been the topic of talks for years. "We are doing better," but it will be harder in the future to maintain unity, but we can do it. We can't have unity as individuals - WE have to do it together. Unity brings us joy. 3 principals of unity:

1. Revelation - the only way our hearts can know the truth
2. Humble - pride is the great enemy of unity. The children of God have more in common than they have differences. Differences can help us grow
3. Speak well of each other - "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."

Elder Hales: Contention - nothing good comes from it. Love our enemies - it takes Faith & Strength & Christian Courage. "Standing with the Savior takes Christian Courage." We must never become contentious when discussing our religion. Meekness is not weakness, it's Christian courage. True disciples speak with quite confidence, not boastful pride. High ground is whee the light is - the first light in the morning and the last light at night.

Keith McMullin: A man filled with the love of God is no content with blessing his family alone - he wants to bless the whole world. Church Welfare Program is heavens help in practical ways. Another way to ask for help is to pray - he won't always take our afflictions from us, but he will comfort us through them.

Elaine Dalton: "In the strength of the Lord, I can do all things." Return to virtue. One virtuous Young Man or Young Woman can change the world. We need to exercise more self discipline.

Elder Ballard: Pioneers - Saints driven west. No enemy will stop or frustrate the progress of the word/work of God. we have 13 + million members, and last year (2007) the 1 millionth missionary was called to serve in this dispensation. No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing. From Joseph Smith to Thomas S. Monson, the church has gone forth boldly, nobly and independently. Much has been done, but much more is still to be done. We are all needed - we cannot sit back and be idol. We must Believe, work, serve, and overcome and those who came before us did. He isn't asking us to die as marters, but He is asking us to live a disciples life.

President Monson: Nothing is as constant as change. "Lessons in this life help us distinguish between what is important and what is not." There is no tomorrow to remember if we don't do something today. Do not assume that those around us know we love them, we need to tell them more. Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Be happy in whatever place you're in. "No room in the Inn" was not a singular rejection of the savior, just the first - yet He still invites us to come unto him. We need to adapt to changes in our lives, enjoy the journey, Realize what is important.

Sunday Afternoon:

Pres Packer: Saints persecuted and driven out of Missouri. In every nation we are to be law abiding, contributing citizens.

Elder Nelson: Men and women are that we might have joy. We will have joy as we obey Gods commands. "Marriage between a man and woman is sacred It is ordained of God." Salvation is an individual matter - exaltation is a couples matter. The earth was formed and the Church restored so that families could be sealed for eternity. Marriage is not just between husband and wife, it involves God as well. No blessings will be withheld from faithful latter day saints.

William Oswald: 3 Essentials to effective teaching:

1. Show love to those you teach & call them by name
2. Teach from the scriptures
3. encourage the pondering of Gospel truths.

Eduardo Gavarret: Our homes. Family homes, ward homes, stake homes. We have responsibility to help those who aren't here with us.

Carlos Godoy: Testimonies. The spirit is not a loud and booming voice, it's calm, quiet, gentle.

Elder Cook: Unfortunately, i didn't get to hear this one. :-(

President Monson: may we remember the words spoken at these conference sessions. Heavenly Father is mindful of the challenges we face. may we be men and women of honestly and integrity. May we be mindful of others around us.

Sat Morning Conference

President Monson: 5 New Temples!! Calgary Alberta Canada - Yeah Olson!! Greater Kansas Area, Kansas; Pittsburg Pennsylvania; Argentina (can't remember city name); and Rome, Italy. YAY YAY YAY!!

Elder Perry: Todays world, and getting back to the basics. Such a relevant talk to the things that we deal with today. Modesty, morality, financial struggles. LOVE HIM!!

Sister Allred: How to be a better missionary.

Neil L. Anderson: Faith is a decision. We need to have faith as little children, "except ye become as little children, ye can in no wise enter into the kingdon of God."

Marcus Aidaikuis: Book of Mormon - read it, pray about it, follow the direction that our loving Father in Heaven gave us freely.

Elder Oaks: Sunday and Sacrament; Sacrament is our part of commemorating the Sacrifice and atonement of the Lord. LOVING THIS TALK!!! Very specific on how we should act, dress, and treat Sacrament meeting. Spoke directly to the Priesthood holders who officiate over the sacrament about worthiness and preparedness.

Elder Uchtdorf: HOPE!! He is so full of love and understanding. A gentleness that I wasn't aware of in him until RS broadcast last week. Hope is like a beam of Sunlight. With hope comes joy and happiness, with hope we can bear our afflictions. Hope is critical to both Faith and Charity. Hope is the basics!!! "The greater our hope, the stronger our Faith. The more pure our Faith, the stronger our Charity."

Was a fantastic Session!