Three GAs in one day...it's not even October yet!

What a wonderful day! Regional conference + fireside = Beck, Scott, Holland AND Packer all in one day. Sheesh. Spoiled.

If I could write every inspired word said, the world would be a better place, and this blog would serve a greater purpose. Instead, it only houses my meager thoughts...

Sister Beck: "You're doing better than you think you are." "We can do better than we're doing."

Elder Holland: "The forces of righteousness will ALWAYS prevail." "This is the work of God and requires the best we have to give."

Elder Packer: "From now on, its going to be different AND harder." "We learn in the temple that the adversary has his limits. He can only do what we allow him to do."

Elder Scott's feelings about his wife and sweet children beyond the veil: too tender to repeat. The rest of his marriage advice: HILARIOUS.

With the Spirit so strong today, I was led to an entry in my journal exactly six months ago. While the kids sitting next to me stared at the crazy lady with tears running down her cheeks, I most certainly needed reminding...

"Yesterday, I opened the letter that said, 'You have been admitted into the PhD program at Brigham Young University.' Oh the emotions. I mean, I guess I knew this, but oh my... This is so real now. It is Heavenly Father lovingly urging me down this path, a path I would never ever had chosen myself. There is such peace in remembering/knowing that He knows all. This is His doing...I am simply the instrument. Oh how humbling... he must help me. He must. I'm so inadequate. So trivial. But with Him, I guess I am to make a difference...only with Him.

I shook with mixed emotions for about an hour last night. Excitement. Nervousness. Overwhelmedness. Humility. Fright. Jubilation. Exhaustion. Worry. Anticipation. I know I am supposed to do it. I have for a long time. But now, it really must be done...

"Press on, Diligent Karen, press on." Remember the many lessons and miracles you have been privy to thus far. Remember how much more meaningful your life is when you truly allow the Savior to pilot it. To quote President Baker, "Blessed are the hard core." Take it and make a life of it. Shoulder the goal with energy. Keep going, keep trudging...on the way to being Ph.inisheD. with what the Lord has put before you.

Me"

...........................Amen.