post Women's Conference

Jan. 30, 2010
Dear Elder Alex,
I'm sitting here typing you, a little on the tired side, but it's a good tired. Yesterday was our Stake Women's Conference and everything went well, better than well. It's amazing how calm I was about the whole thing all week. So many people who saw me during the week asked if I was going crazy with little details or last minute things, but really I felt peaceful all week. I had great faith in all the women who I delegated things to. The only part of the equation I wasn't sure of was the numbers of women who would actually attend. At most stake things we were told to expect about 375 women. There were over 500 yesterday. We offered classes and different sessions and every class was jam-packed. We were constantly setting up more and more chairs in every room and there were even women sitting on the floor in some of the classes. It was an amazing sight. The best class I went to was one on internet safety. The teacher was fantastic and told us about so many things that I didn't know about. Besides all the practical information I gained, she had one quote that really struck home with me. It was from Pres. Packer about the evil side of the internet and how it's become like a plague spreading across the earth. I can really see how this is a modern day plague and had never really thought of it that way.
Anyway, I have heard such great feedback yesterday and today. People have called and left messages, have stopped me in the halls at church and are saying how great the conference was. There is definitely a need for this type of thing here in our stake and we will be doing another similar conference next year. I'm not sure if a conference like this has ever been done in our stake, at least not since I've lived here. One woman asked us if we were going to do this again next year and we told her most likely yes. She said, "Well you better be prepared for twice as many women because we are going to tell everyone about it and invite our neighbors." I'll send you a booklet of what we gave out to the sisters at the meeting. So many women and men(they set up for us and cleaned up afterwards, it was so helpful!) came together to help put this on. What an amazing stake.

Today was my 7th and 8th ward conferences this year. I can't believe how fast it's going by. We went to the Eagle 2nd and Eagle 1st wards.

Cameron's update-in his letter this week he talks about his surgery, not a great experience but hopefully he'll heal okay. He said he didn't even want to send a picture post-surgery because it would be too alarming for his mom. Still the funny guy through the trial.

How's your challenge of finding new investigators coming along? I am so hopeful and even prayerful about Jessica's husband Josh. I know it may take him a while, but especially after I read her talk, I want her to feel the strength that comes from having a marriage where both of them are working together and experiencing the strength of a temple marriage.

Sis. Yorgason was here for the weekend and went to the women's conference. We get Dallas's letters and they get yours, so we talked for a while to catch up on things. She didn't know that Tyler and Sean were both Middle Eastern Studies majors and that they were both in the same Arabic class. Tyler wants to go on to medical school. That's amazing that he wants to also add to his load all the pre-med classes that are necessary. I know he's very bright and motivated, so I'm sure he'll handle it all in stride.

This past week #9 BYU played #4SDSU in Provo and BYU won! Fredette scored a record breaking 42 points. ESPN went crazy with him, his story, etc. Then yesterday they played New Mexico at lost! What? I think they got too caught up in the hype. But because of their big win over San Diego, tickets are now at a premium and we were planning a trip to Utah this week and asked Steve to get us tickets for the UNLV game on Saturday. After the SDSU game, Steve called me and said it may be next to impossible now to get tickets. His friend Brian said tons of people from ESPN and other sports networks had called him asking for tickets, as well as alumni. So I went online and bought a bunch of $5 nosebleed tickets just in case. We'll see what happens. We're planning on leaving this Thursday and coming back Sunday evening. Since Grandma and Grandpa Thompson didn't make it up here during Christmas we promised them we'd come to them, so that's why we're going.

The Goodwins say Jaime is loving the MTC(not the food though) and he leaves for Nashville on the 7th of February. So watch for him if you can. I talked with Krystal Gilman today and she said Josh is waiting for his call and it should come this week. I was really happy to hear that. I'll let you know hopefully next week where he's going.

I got Kristina signed up for EFY last week. She'll be rooming with Mallory Moss going to BYU Provo the last week of June. They are very excited to say the least.

I think both Leah and Nikki are going to play lacrosse this year. We'll see how that goes. Nikki lost her hundreth tooth last night. It seems like it never ends and the poor tooth fairy is getting very absent minded with all these lost tooth episodes.

I was wondering what your typical day is like? When you have study time, what do you study? Have you taken any pictures of the front of your apartment? Just curious to see where you live, etc.

I want you to remember that you are never alone in anything you are doing, (I might even be so bold to say that I am probably your biggest fan and I think of you so often each day. Many prayers for you each day) even though there may be times when you feel all alone. Your mission is like a microcosm of life and there will be ups and downs, highs and lows, times during the day that may seem like what you do is just mundane and times during the day that feel like Christ is literally giving you power and strength to say and do things you never thought you'd be able to do, and best of all times where you feel immense gratitude for everything around you. Never leave your apartment without the full armor of God around you. You will be led and taught by the spirit as you live the laws of exact obedience-that's a promise.

Can't wait to hear your stories of the week. Thank you for working hard and being a man of great faith. It shows in your words and actions.


love you much,
mom
OOXX