Awesome Weekend!

So, I have had a life long dream of attending General Conference in person.  I have wanted to be in the same room as the prophet and feel the spirit so strongly.  Well, the opportunity came up and I snatched it.  We were on Fall Break from school and I was able to get us tickets to go - so I took time off from work and away we went. It was great too cause we were able to spend some time with Cortnie and that was nice.  I really have missed her too.  The only thing that could have made it better was to have had all my children there to experience it together - but Boyd knew we were going and encouraged us to go. I had told him I did not want to go without him but he wanted us to go.  It would have been great to have him by my side.  I have really missed him the past week or so and I think it was in part due to the trip. 

Anyway, we took a fast trip to Utah which was only four days.  I hate to drive up and back that fast, but I would gladly do it again.  It was so great to relax for a couple of days and just hang out.  Saturday morning we listened to conference on TV then headed out during the last speaker - the downfall of going to conference.  Tina and Ashlyn went with us too.  We got there with lots of time to enjoy the music and the spirit in the room.  Soon enough, everyone was standing....the prophet was coming.  My breath was taken away as President Monson entered the room. We were way up high so could not see his face clearly, but I knew it was him. You could just feel the spirit so strongly in the room.  I actually almost started to cry.  I really would have loved to have shaken his hand....but being there was great.  The talks for that  session were wonderful as always and Cortnie got her dream of listening to Elder Holland in person.  I have to say his talk was my favorite. I cried during that one as he told of the time President Monson rode home on an airplane in his slippers as he had given his shoes, his extra suit and shirts and coat to someone who needed it.  Talk about Christlike.  That is what I want to be like.  I was so touched that I could not sing the song and did not want to leave.  It was awesome!! I promised  Boyd we would take him when he gets home and I can hardly wait.  It was somewhat comforting to know though that he was at least watching conference at the exact same time as us - so in a sense we were doing it together. 

I did have one of those special tender mercies though the next day.  Like I said, I had been missing my son quite a bit and I long so bad to feel his arms around me and have a big hug.  I was allowed that to happen to me as I slept early Monday morning.  I had the most vivid dream of him giving me the biggest hug.  I could feel his arms around me as he hugged me really tight.  I knew that the hug would not last and that I would have to let him go....and as soon as I did, he was gone.  I then woke up.  I felt so warm and fuzzy as I woke up and so wished I could close my eyes and feel him again.  I know that it was my Heavenly Father's way of letting me know that Boyd was okay and that he was happy.  He was trying to give me that peace that I needed. Then yesterday I got a picture from Boyd of Winnie the Pooh and Eyor telling me that even if we are apart, "I'll always be with you."  I had actually sent that to Boyd and he drew it from that picture and sent it back to me.  It hit really hard too - I cried for quite a while and sobbed when I went to bed.  I know that my son is where he is supposed to be, but I  miss him so much.  I keep waiting for the time to start going by quickly but it is not - it is dragging on.  I miss him and wish he could be my little boy again.  However, I want other families to be eternal too and I know that he will find those families and make it happen.  Somedays it is just so hard.......

I will forever be grateful for wonderful weekend topped off with a most powerful dream....tender mercies indeed.