Grandma Joan Welch

Today marks the third year since the death of Tim's mom, Joan Evans Welch. She was a very devoted mother and she loved playing the organ in their ward for many years. This picture reminds me of the happier early years of their family where having six rambunctious boys crowded into a small two-bedroom home must have been quite a task. I think of her whenever I make bread or peach pies and I feel grateful for the many years she gathered us at her home every Sunday.

Easy Days Are Behind Us, Difficult Days Ahead (Or maybe I wish I was pulling a handcart....)

We spent a great conference weekend at the cabin with Ben's family, Adam's family, and Aaron's new family which consists now of he and Steph :) It was such an uplifting a informative conference. It was joyful to take turns holding darling babies and entertaining grandkids in between sessions. Before I comment about general conference, here are some words from our regional conference:

President Packer:

He said that the pioneers had it easier; now things are going to be different and much harder. It's a tough world we live in now.

It used to be that every stake president shook the hands of an apostle during the year at some point....now things are much different.

He said that 6 words changed his life: (when he was teaching and impatient with a struggling student)

"What if it was your boy?"

He talked about how angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost. That there are angels of the adversary that follow us around...they try to use the same channels that the angels and Holy Ghost use. But the devil can't MAKE us do anything. As a son or daughter of God we have sovereignty. The adversary can only do what we let him do. We are in charge of our own minds. How do we change if we are struggling?

1) First, you have to want to change (desire)

2) Second you have to know HOW (knowledge)

YOU are in charge.

He ended his talk by invoking a blessing on us to be able to discern the spirit all the days of our lives. I thought it was a powerful meeting. I am so grateful for living prophets and apostles.