In The End There Was Joy.

But first we had a great plan. We were to meet for dinner. My mom, my grandma, my aunt, my cousin, my sisters and sisters in law, aka:sisters. So we did. We met at Mimi's Cafe, for which only one sister had a camera and hasn't yet sent copies....Ahem Emilie!! It was so nice. Yummy. Then some had to bail to take care of kids or hubbies or whatever. Most of us went back to my mom's for dessert and then to watch the LDS Women's Conference rebroadcast at 8pm. That was the plan. And according to the plan, we had yummy dessert. Then some more bailed for the aforementioned reasons. We turned the TV on and....and....and....No rebroadcast. Say what?! It wasn't there. So the rest of us bailed.

I was so disappointed. Several of our Stakes, including mine, had tickets to go to the broadcast and so weren't showing the original in the Stake Centers. We decided to bail on getting tickets because there are a couple of really little babies who need mommies. Actually, only one little tiny baby needed his mommy. We chose the rebroadcast so we could all be together and enjoy it. But the rebroadcast, which has never failed me in all my married years, failed me. Drat.

On Sunday I helped the Sunbeam teacher with her little beams of light and asked her how the conference was. She suggested listening to President Uchtdorf's talk asap. I was already disappointed, but just knowing I missed President Uchtdorf?? Well. I was pretty bummed.

So after church I pulled the laptop into my room and began to watch the conference on LDS. org. Oh amazing. The RS General presidency spoke and did fantastic wonders with words. Then he spoke. President Uchtdorf, who is the second councilor to President Monson, spoke. And I saw the purpose in the plan being shifted the night before. I cried. He was speaking to me personally and when that happens, well, I feel it.

He spoke about the little forget me not flowers. He used the 5 petals the flower has to teach. Each petal represents something we should forget not...
1. Forget not to be patient with yourself. We are not expected to be perfect. Needed that.
2. Forget not the difference between good and foolish sacrifices. There is always something much better. Duh moment.
3. Forget not to be happy now! Now! Don't wait for the golden ticket, enjoy the chocolate now.
4. Forget not the "why" of the gospel. It is God's plan and we have such a great part in it.
5. Forget not that the Lord loves you. He loves me.

Go here to watch.

Now each of those spoke to me on a personal level. Things I need to be working on or that made me remember and be better. But the one I loved so much was number 3. Be happy Now! For gosh sakes. He shared the story of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and how so many lived just to get the golden tickets. That elusive goal of the golden ticket can keep us from enjoying what is right in front of us. Enjoy the Chocolate Now! I love that. And it reminded me of something very important. Joy. My Joy. I haven't done a Joy post in a while. And I am surrounded by it. The problem is, the golden ticket seems to cloud my vision. So I got myself some chocolate and enjoyed it. And now I am going to enjoy each moment of Joy in my life.

So be ready.

At the end of his talk, President Uchtdorf said this..."I do know now I was never forgotten. And I know something else and as an apostle of our master Jesus Christ, I proclaim with all the certainty and conviction of my heart and soul, neither are you. You are not forgotten! Sisters, wherever you are, whatever the circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you with an infinite love. Just think of it! You are known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful and glorious Being in the universe. You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time. He who created and knows the stars knows you and your name. You are the daughters of His kingdom!"

I cannot even express how these simple words hit my heart. Because I have felt forgotten. Alone. And these are the words I will remember when I feel I may have been forgotten by God again. He knows me. He knows my name. And I am a daughter of His kingdom.

Joy.