SAV'S BACHELORETTE + GENERAL CONFERENCE WEEKEND

 It's always a good weekend when all your long lost best friends get together and it's always a good weekend when you get to hear so much wisdom from the LDS church leaders at General Conference.  

On Friday night I drove from Logan to Salt Lake City and met up with Sydney and Maddie then we picked up Lexi (who came in all the way from San Diego!!). 

We did some shopping and lots and lots of catching up 

 

 Saturday was General Conference! Hannah stopped in Salt Lake City on her way down from Idaho to take a few pictures in temple square before driving the rest of the way to Provo where the party was at. 

 

 Conference bit:

I love general conference so much. If you're unfamiliar with what it is, every 6 months the LDS prophet and general authorities speak to the entire church through broadcasting. A few lucky members also get to hear these inspired words from the Conference Center in Salt Lake City where it's all happening! Sydney was able to get her hands on some tickets for us last minute so we were able to attend. 

The talk that I loved the most was Elder Holland's called Songs Sung and Unsung (in case you missed it check here) for a couple of reasons. First being that Elder Holland will always hold a special place in my heart ever since I got to hear from him on prom night last year (stalk that post here). Second being that the topic he spoke on felt like it was made for me. That's one of the most incredible things about Conference- the speakers talk to thousands of people but at the same time it can feel like they are speaking directly to YOU! These truly are inspired men and women.

The reference to the song There is Sunshine in my Soul Today after several really tough winter months in Logan made the talk so personal. I haven't written much about it on this little blog but since January I've been pushed and stretched and had a lot of personal growth. Though I know it needed to happen, it's been a time when I, just as Holland puts into words, wanted to sing my song so much but couldn't. 

My other favorite theme of this conference was that it was said so many times that all things work together for good to those that do good. In Sabin, Choi, and many other's talks they mentioned something along those lines. Going to college is like starting your whole life from scratch, or at least that's how it was for me. What you did in high school put you where you're at for college, but it doesn't matter that much anymore. So you have to build a whole new life. That has caused a good amount of stress, crying, and fearing the future, thinking about how in the world I'm going to get from where I am to where I want to be. This conference was such a good reminder that I'm on the right track as long as I do the little things every day that keep me on the straight and narrow. We all are. Good things happen when you do good things.
Okay that was my conference schpiel.

Right after conference we headed down to Provo for the party!! It worked out so perfectly that Sydney got tickets at the last minute. 

 Han even dropped in clear from Idaho (that's like a million year drive). Squads all here!!

 We haven't all been together since winter break! Seriously it makes me so happy to have an excuse to all get together again. Blessed that through this year of changes we're all still here for each other and going strong.

DRAKE WEEKEND

 This weekend I flew back to Vegas (yet again lol) for Drake. This sweet little boy got baptized! If you want to read more about what that means and why it is important to our family go here!

we do a pretty good job looking out for this boy.

I love this sweet fam of mine so much. I love that when I come home it's an occasion, I can sleep in my mom's bed, have movie nights, and laugh my butt off at Gabrielle's silly self. I'm so grateful that I can always call them my home.

I also got to go to two of Drake's basketball games and he won them both! Drake weekend is lit.

dunkin' in the font and on the court!!

Drake from Madison Pritt 

DYLAN

Dylan came into my life in a time exactly when I needed him. Without going into too much detail, he was one of the biggest tender mercies I can think of. I know that right now spirits in Florida absolutely need him more than I do though. I'll never forget some of his last words to me when we said our little goodbye. I was talking about how my only regret was waiting so long to make sure that his feelings were genuine so that I could have had that much more time being with him. Then he told me "no Madi. The fact that you waited is one of the best things about you. Don't change." The significance of his kind words didn't occur me until my quiet drive home and in the end that's what got me in tears.
On the day that Dylan left (Tuesday, June 28th) his plane departed early in the morning. My dad happened to also have a trip that morning that he tried to get out of. He hates flying early and is usually able to avoid it but he couldn't get rid of it this one time. It turns out Heavenly Father knew all along that my dad needed to be in that place at that time though. He ran into Dylan and his family right as Dylan was about to go through security to the D gates. Hearing about it from my dad was honestly one of the sweetest tender mercies ever. Waking up from such a rough night to the text saying Dylan shouted "no flippin way!?," gave him a big hug right when he spotted him and was wearing my tie gave me so much comfort even though it was just a little thing. Heavenly Father is in even the smallest details of our lives. I re read one of my favorite conference talks from Elder Bednar this week called 'The Tender Mercies of the Lord' and one part stood out to me a lot: 

“We should not underestimate or overlook the power of the Lord's tender mercies. The simpleness, the sweetness, and the constancy of the tender mercies of the Lord will do much to fortify and protect us in the troubled times in which we do now and will get live. When words simply cannot provide the solace we need or express the joy we feel, when it is simply futile to attempt to explain that which is unexplainable, when logic and reason cannot yield adequate understanding about the injustices and inequities of life, when mortal experience and evaluation are insufficient to produce a desired outcome, and when it seems that perhaps we are so totally alone, truly we are blessed by the tender mercies of the Lord and made mighty even unto the power of deliverance.”

When we're in our most fragile emotional states I think is the time that we are most likely to notice the little things the Lord does for us. I have felt such an outpouring of love from our Heavenly Father since Dylan has left and I know it’s because I’ve worked hard to keep my covenants and stay worthy of the spirit’s influence in my life. As you are in tune and notice the small things instead of focusing on a grand gesture that most likely won’t occur, your pile of good things grows and you realize how mercifully Heavenly Father truly loves each of his children. I know with my whole heart that He loves me and is mindful of every one of my struggles. 

The weird thing about sending off a missionary (at least for me) is that it doesn't even feel real. I kept waiting all day for the moment it would hit me that I'm not going to see Dylan for 2 years and that moment never came. I don't think it's going to hit me until later on when something funny happens and I subconsciously think I should tell Dylan then realize he's unreachable or something like that. I absolutely can't wait to get his emails and find out about the sweet miracles he is preforming in Florida.
The church is so true. 
www.mormon.org

MEETING ELAINE S. DALTON

Since I turned 12 and went into my church's young women's organization, I have looked up to Sister Elaine S. Dalton. Her talks in general conference touched my heart year after year and many of the words she spoke evolved into the foundation of my testimony (one of my favorites can be read/listened to here). A few years ago, she was released as the General Young Women's President of the Restored Church & World. Though I sustained and knew that the woman filling her (red) shoes was inspired, I knew I would always miss hearing her during conference. Little did I know I would have the pleasure of hearing her speak directly to me in an intimate setting.

This weekend, the women of my church in Las Vegas gathered to hear the keynote speaker, Sister Dalton. Her talk was incredible- I wish that I could play it over and over in my head so that I could eloquently write the words on this little post. A few of the best parts of my notes said this:

-in these last days, both opposition and opportunity is great

-we need women who are able to make things happen to raise a sin resistant generation, everything depends on this

-we made covenants in our pre mortal experience as well as Earthly life

-when we meet someone on Earth we may only be renewing our acquaintanceship with them. Many people we are now associating with are familiar spirits

-we will be endowed with power and accompanied by angels on high if we honor and keep our covenants

-the absolute power we have lies in our testimony and power to bring spirits into the world (we partner with God and the Priesthood to do so)

-pray for the gift of discernment

-your path is beautifully outlined for you

-there is no greater compliment somebody can say about you than "she was a covenant keeper"

-remaining virtuous will allow us to have a member of the godhead with us at all times

After her talk to all of the women (at least 75+) she announced that for the next half of the meeting, she wanted to speak to the 16 & 17 year olds personally. About 10 of us gathered in a room in anticipation and when she entered the room, it was like an angel had just come in. We were able to ask her questions and have a discussion with her. The question I asked her, something I've been struggling a ton with these past few weeks, was how to know that our next steps in life (college, mission, marriage) are right and what Heavenly Father wants for us. The answer she gave me was almost exactly what I needed to hear in that moment. That in order to receive revelation, we must always be moving forward. The spirit will not come to us when we are idle. When we make a tentative decision, the Lord will be very clear about if it is right or not. There will be hurdles in our path that will prevent us from moving forward if it isn't what He wants for us. She also counseled us to memorize our patriarchal blessings, and to remember that there is no limit on the amount of prayers you can say in one day- to remember that just because you are lonely, doesn’t mean you are making the wrong decision, it might just mean that you are transitioning. Life will become bright as you stay on the straight and narrow. Be mindful that faith comes before the miracle.  
The last thing she told us all to do was pray every day, read the Book of Mormon every day, obey our parents, and smile. If we do those 4 things her personal promise to the few of us is that we will be blessed. At the end of our discussion, she gave each of us girls a hug and gave us unique compliments.

I am so grateful for this opportunity and I know that it strengthened my testimony in incomparable ways. I hope that I was able to do her divine wisdom justice in this little blog post.

you can learn more about what she testified of here>
you can watch a little vlog about that day here>

GIFTED

In the words of President Uchdorf during the latest Christmas devotional, "Christmas is that rarest of seasons when we see others with new eyes,  when we open our hearts a little more to the beauty around us, and reach out to others with a little more kindness and compassion. The thought that someone is doing something special for us and our excitement that we are planning to do something for them warms our hearts and fills us with love and anticipation. Add to this the glimmering lights, the delightful decorations, the sublime scenes of Christ and it's no wonder Christmas is such a wonderful time of the year." I could not have put it more perfectly- that is exactly how the holiday season feels. Everything about life is sugar coated when you have traditions and plans so wonderful to look forward to. Something about this particular Christmas time sets it apart from others for me. Perhaps it is because I have earned my own money and have my own car so I can properly purchase and surprise my loved ones with gifts. Or maybe it's because this is my last Christmas before everything changes. It's my last in high school with the friends I cherish so dearly, my last going ice skating and out for hot chocolate dates with Jacob before he leaves on his mission, my last getting to spend the week before winter break dressed up in pajamas and ridiculous ugly sweaters for spirit week, and my last before I have to come home to see my family and celebrate it. All of these factors combine to tug so hard on the sentimental part of me. The other day I had my last musical seminary morning side and it made me so sad to think I won't get to hear my classmate's talented voices sing beautiful Christmas hymns at 6:30 am ever again (that sounds so pathetic in words but its true). I'm going to miss it. At the same time, this season of my life is so exciting. All of my friends and I are anxiously awaiting our college acceptance letters and enjoying the last Christmas together all with the hustle and bustle of winter spirit week and shopping for gifts and going on dates around us. I think a lot of holiday seasons that are yet to come will go down in the books- my first Christmas being married and my first Christmas being a mother (in the very distant future hah!) but I honestly have a feeling that this Christmas will be up high on the list along with those. I'm trying my absolute hardest to soak it all in and cherish it while it's here.

This year rather than individually buying gifts for everyone, my little friend group decided to have a gift swap where we could focus all our gift giving energy (and funds) on one grand gesture. It was so much fun to get together and have a little pajama girls night, something that hasn't happened in a long time, to exchange all of our presents. I love my girls and am seriously so blessed to have them. 

 Even though this year my little circle of friends decided to do a gift swap I still wanted to write a little note to all of them on the Kate Spade stationary which was a splurge but worth is because this is our last Christmas together. 

MISTLETOE IS @ TRADER JOE'S PEOPLE I SUGGEST HURRYING OVER THERE TO INVEST IN SOME

WELCOME HOME ELDER HART

It was such a joy to be able to film this missionary come home to his sweet family. Honestly missionary homecomings are my absolute favorite. The spirit is so strong and the happiness is so genuine. It's hard to feel that sort of joy any other time. Even without knowing the missionaries personally I can still feel the spirit they possess, the love for the people that they dedicated the past 2 years to serving, and the love their families have for them. With that said I present to you Elder Hart's homecoming video!

Welcome Home Elder Hart from Madison Pritt

read more about what Elder Hart was doing in Guatemala here>>

GENERAL CONFERENCE

One of the absolute best parts about fall is the chance to hear from the prophets and apostles in General Conference. It is so great to spend a weekend just snuggled up in bed getting refined and inspired by these incredible men. I thought I'd share a few bits from my notes & my favorite parts from this session.

SATURDAY MORNING-

Dieter F. Uchdorf: 

-Satan uses our weaknesses against us to discourage us

-if we look only through our eyes we may not seem good enough but the Savior sees all that we can become

M. Russel Ballard:

-we make a mistake to only see the natural man in people rather than God's divine creation

Richard J. Maynes:

-the center of our lives must be Jesus Christ so that he can mold us into what we need to be to return to live with him

Larry R. Lawrence:

-we must be willing to act if we receive an answer from the spirit

-the holy ghost will give customized counsel when we ask "how can  improve myself?"

-the spirit works at our own speed

-examine yourself when you take the sacrament

-"what is keeping ME from progressing?"

-be persistent but never discouraged

SUNDAY MORNING-

Thomas S. Monson:

-speak to others with patience and respect

-it is our opportunity to bring hope to the hopeless as Christ did

-as we emulate his example, we will bless lives, including our own

-read, study, and ponder the scriptures to increase your faith

-"search diligently, pray always, and be believing and all things will work out for your good"

-purity will qualify us for the Savior's promises

-the Lord is the strength of my life. Of whom should I be afraid?"

Dale G. Renlund:

-the Lord hasn't called you for what you have done but for what you will do through Him

-to correctly serve others we must see them through Heavenly Father's eyes

Henry B. Eyering:

-the spirit makes what is right seem more appealing

-"this promise alone should make us want to live in a way to qualify"

-the spirit will send you more impressions as you obey

-obey with confidence and Heavenly Father will send the spirit to help you

-"ALWAYS remember him and keep his commandments that they may ALWAYS have the spirit to be with them" is a divine promise

SUNDAY AFTERNOON-

Allen D. Haynie:

-do not decieve yourself about what it takes to be clean for Heavenly Father

-Heavenly Father understands it all perfectly and will never deem us too far gone

-things of eternal significance are rarely easy

Kim B. Clark:

-"we do not need to be perfect but we do need to be good and getting better"

Elder Bednar:

-adversity, if handled correctly, can be a blessing

-the older I get, the more I realize family is the center of happiness 

To read/learn/listen to more >>

To read last October session's notes >>

ZION'S YOUTH CONCERT

 For as long as I can remember, it has been one of my favorite traditions to attend the semi-annual Zion's Youth concert at the Smith Center. It is so wonderful to be able to hear all of the participant's testimonies through such beautiful and meticulously practiced songs. And of course it made it 1,000x better that this year I got to go with some of the greatest people on this planet :) 

 #hobbyforever

 these pictures were taken in the exact same moment.

Zion's Youth was a 10/10 (so was Jacob's hair)

 They made fun of me and said I would post the foot picture Hannah took. So here it is.

this night was absolutely unforgettable. 

read more about Zion's Youth & what we are testifying of here >>