"What Thinks Christ of Me?"

Dear Family and Loved Ones,

    We had a great week and especially loved this amazing conference weekend!

     Other than conference our week was pretty routine with the exception of Ben completing his last driving class and getting his official driver’s license. In California teenagers take an online driving class, take a written test at the DMV, get certified to practice by driving two hours with a professional driving teacher, practice for fifty hours with a parent and take two more two hour driving lessons with a professional driving instructor. Driver’s Ed at the local high school is much, much easier to say the least (and much less expensive too).

     Thursday Ben and I went to the DMV so he could take his driving test. We registered and then parked in a line of four cars to wait for his turn. We saw the various testers and decided they all looked pretty serious. One of the workers looked especially mean and I told Ben it was lucky that she was going with the driver in the car right in front of us. Unfortunately that driver hadn’t registered yet so she sent them on and told them to register first. Ben ended up with the scary, mean-looking tester. He took it all in stride and focused on his task of coming to a complete stop at the stop signs, looking both ways at the intersections, etc. He was mostly worried about hitting the curb which is an automatic fail of the test. The parents all wait on a bench near the spot where the test both begins and ends. If your student driver comes back too quickly you know they failed. I saw a few very disappointed drivers return quickly so I was happy when Ben was gone long enough to have completed his test. After Ben parked the tester got out of the car and simply said, “You passed”. She handed Ben his certificate to take inside the DMV so he could get his license. Ben is very excited to have his license even though he won’t be able to drive the mission van too much it still means a little more freedom.

     We enjoyed every session of conference and felt like there was a definite theme. Many of the speakers spoke on the importance of the family and how we can them. Here are a few of my favorite quotes:

     “When it comes to hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges, or wanting to cause harm -- please apply the following: stop it!" President Uchtdorf

     "No pain will last forever. It is not easy, but life was never meant to be either easy or fair.” President Packer (I loved all of his stories too)

     “My invitation is to act, without delay, on that prompting,” he admonished. “Talk to your friend or family member. Do it in a natural and normal way. Let them know of your love for them and for the Lord. … Watch as our Heavenly Father uses your willingness to act to bring about a miracle in your life and in the life of the person you care about.” Elder David Evans (A GREAT member missionary talk)

     "Whether you are not yet of our faith or were with us once and have not remained, there is nothing you have done that can't be undone.” Elder Holland (I loved how he said none of us have sunk so deep that we are too far away for the Savior to grasp)

     "This great cause in which we are engaged will continue to go forth, changing and blessing lives as it does so. No cause, no force in the entire world can stop the work of God."  President Monson

     Elder Perry’s talk was great too. We of course loved his stories about Scotty Zwick. Elder and Sister Zwick came to our first mission tour. They are incredible! Sister Zwick shared many Scotty stories with our missionaries about their special needs son. He is so pure and is a great example of child like faith. Scotty’s favorite phrase is “that’s nice.” We often repeat that simple statement and think of our wonderful mentors, the Zwicks.

     As far as I was concerned they saved the best for last. I loved Elder Anderson’s talk and thought it was the perfect way to end the conference. He referred to the questions the Savior asked during His mortal ministry, Jesus asked His disciples, "Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am?" (Matthew 16:13). He asked the Pharisees, "What think ye of Christ?" (Matthew 22:42).

     Elder Anderson then said we should each ask ourselves, "What thinks Christ of me?"

What a thought provoking question!

     Elder Anderson also taught, “It is a time of growing disbelief and disregard for Christ and His teachings. In this turbulent environment, we rejoice in being disciples of Jesus Christ. We see the Lord’s hand all around us. Our destination is beautifully set before us. … Being a disciple in these days of destiny will be a badge of honor throughout the eternities.”  

     I can’t wait to read and re-read all of the great conference messages. It’s amazing how many of the talks become even more meaningful with time. Some of the talks that originally seemed less important are often those we will need the most in the future. I’m grateful for living prophets and know that the Lord has spoken to us through them during this wonderful conference. Their messages are timely and will be a great help to our family in the coming days.

  We love each of you!

The Long Beach Buberts