I was in California celebrating my parents' 50th anniversary during last weekend's General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, yet I listened to conference sessions whenever I had signal. What I didn't get to listen to live, I downloaded once I had adequate internet bandwidth. We listened to some of the missed speakers during our long drive home.
One of the sessions I missed was the first women's session, in which the above challenge was issued. I successfully participated in two previous October conference challenges to read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year, once with my kids while they were still living at home. So I'm game and anxious to do it again, along with the rest of the challenge, which includes 10 days of avoiding social media such as this blog.
I prepared posts for my blog in advance of my vacation, as always, and I had no problem extending it a few more days, although I'm a bit behind most of my friends and family members who began their social media fasts on Sunday or Monday. I'm actually a little excited to be doing my 10 days independently, apart from most people I know, because it makes me giggle to think how they will react when they return and I'm not there... Ha ha ha! Yes, that provides enriched motivation!
What do I hope to gain from this? Aside from humor? I've been troubled since November 2016 by the escalating division between friends and family on both sides of the political fence, as well as in media, everywhere I look. It hurts me deeply that people can be so cruel to each other, and I intend to spend my fast and my temple time praying for healing and reconciliation. I intend to pray for peace, which, by the way, is not a new thing for me. I've been praying for it all along. Some might say that's proof no help is coming. I'm going to try anyway, and I will keep trying. I will never stop believing, and I will never stop hoping.
And yes, I do indeed do more than just pray. I try to make a difference in the world every chance I get.
In addition to planning a few more blog posts in advance, I wondered how I would send birthday wishes to a few people who are ONLY on Facebook... They don't email, and I don't text. Suddenly, the light went on in my head, and pow! Send old fashioned paper cards in the mail, silly; duh!!!
So, going computer silent for 10 days, but I'll be back! See ya live on October 20!
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