Looking Forward

So, first of all, let me just share the exciting news our family has! we have set a time and date to go to the TEMPLE!!!!! We'll be taking out our Endowments the morning of Nov 11th, and Nov 12th at noon we'll be sealed as a family in the Mesa Arizona Temple!!!!!! Super Exciting!!!!! we are REALLY looking forward to it! i know it will be the happiest day of our lives!

The next thing i have to say, is that i completely enjoyed General Conference this last weekend. there were so many amazing talks! so many, that i can't even list all of my favorites, i will instead just list the things that i realized from them. I have decided i really must to a whole makeover on my lifestyle...
1st thing... i really must begin doing my visiting teaching. i really have no excuse for not doing it, and by not doing it, i'm just denying myself of blessings, and failing to do my part in relief society.
2nd thing.... i need to learn to use my time more wisely. i have made a long list of things that i should do with my spare time instead of wasting time on facebook...or watching shows on hulu. instead i should be cultivating talents, or spending my time trying to help those around me, or make memories with my family. theres also many other things i could/should do that would be benefiting me so much more than sitting idly.
3rd.... i need to begin teaching my son good habits at an early age. for example...we usually never do FHE because Connor is so young that it doesn't seem to matter, but thats not the way we should be doing it. Our family is our priority, and we need to make sure that shows in every action, regardless of how silly it seems to read scriptures with a crying five month old, or how frustrating it might be to wake up early to say prayers together each day. i must do the right thing at the right time without delay.
4th...my scripture study really needs to be improved. studying is more than just quickly reading another chapter in the B of M. i need to remember to search, ponder, and pray and seek inspiration from them, and to each day have heartfelt prayers. i need to everyday find time for it no matter what.
5th... i need to remember to give myself i break when i fail in some small way and am left feeling inadequate. its easy to feel hopeless and stressed and depressed when you have a long list of things you need to be doing to better yourself, and it seems like you'll never accomplish it all. its human to feel like its impossible to reach goals when you see where you should be in life, and how very far away from it you are. but, thats where the Lord steps in and will help if we remember to let Him. and thats something i need to make sure i never ever forget!

Let me just end by saying, i LOVE the opportunity i have to listen to conference twice every year, and to hear the inspired words of the Prophet and Apostles! it always seems to me like new years whenever everyone is making a big goal for the year, and its my time to reevaluate where i am in life, and make goals to better myself. i love knowing that things that are said are truly from Heavenly Father, and that they are said specifically to us to help lead and guide us in our lives. i was able to take notes of each talk, and it has been wonderful to be able to review it all and keep it fresh in my mind. i hope that i will be able to make improvements in the areas of my life that are lacking... i'm looking forward to trying!