A historic day

Last weekend was very special for the members of our Stake (the Liberty area members of our church). We had an apostle visit us! Elder Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Wendy, spoke at an adult session of Stake Conference on Saturday evening, and then again to all the local families on Sunday morning. It was so wonderful! It might sound funny that I was so excited, considering I grew up in Utah, but events like this are very rare here. Also, I have never had a chance to personally meet an apostle of the Lord. It has actually become quite a joke between me and Ryan. When we lived in Utah, he met so many apostles! One time we were eating dinner at Brick Oven and while I went to the bathroom, Ryan met and shook hands with an apostle. The next year we attended the wedding of a friend in the Salt Lake Temple. As we were walking down the inside stairs after the ceremony, I was walking ahead of Ryan with another girl. After I exited the doors of the temple, I had to wait quite a few minutes for Ryan. When he finally came out, I asked him what had taken so long. He told me he had literally "bumped into Elder Ballard on the stairs" and had to physically catch him from falling. After making sure Elder Ballard was OK, Ryan shook hands with him and spoke for a minute. I was very disappointed when I found out I had missed yet another chance to meet an apostle! It has always been a goal of mine.

Anyway, Ryan and I attended the adult session on Saturday night, followed by dinner with Brenda, Brad, Kim and Bishop Thorne. It was a very fun and enjoyable evening, besides the fact that I was disappointed I didn't have a chance to meet Elder Nelson after the meeting. Stake Conference on Sunday was held in the auditorium of a local college, and Ryan left at 6:30 in the morning to help set up thousands of chairs. I told him to save our family some seats up front, since he would be there so early. Even without his help getting kids ready, we were all there over an hour early. What a miracle! The meeting was so wonderful and I felt the Spirit so strongly many times. The new Stake Presidency was announced, followed by Elder Nelson and his wife speaking at the end. Logan was being difficult during much of Elder Nelson's talk, so I had to stand over on the side and hold him. I wish I had been able to write down what Elder Nelson said, because it was such a great talk. He spoke about the most important things to teach our children. The one thing that stood out to me was building our children's relationship with Jesus Christ. He said that we should read Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and 3rd Nephi with our children. After they develop a testimony and knowledge of their Savior, we can read the rest of the scriptures with them. I thought that was interesting, especially because one of my goals for 2010 is going to be to strengthen my relationship with Christ, because I feel like I often get caught up in "church" and forget to focus on the "gospel." With such a busy calling, church has become very administrative for me, so I need to find more time in my life during the week to focus on the really important things.

Anyway . . .back to the story. Ryan was able to serve as one of Elder Nelson's security guards, so after the meeting was over I just wandered over near Ryan (with Logan in my arms). If there was even a small chance of being able to meet Elder Nelson, I wanted to be there! Elder and Sister Nelson started shaking hands with the leadership of our Stake, then walked down to where I was standing. Sister Nelson looked at Ryan, so he said, "Hi! Do you remember Alan Springer? I'm married to his daughter. She's right here." My Dad knows Wendy (Watson) Nelson from their work together in the BYU Marriage and Family Therapy Department. Wendy turned to me and said, "Oh yes, I remember! Your Father is a wonderful man!" She was holding onto Elder Nelson's arm, so he turned to me. I shook his hand and told him I have always wanted to shake an apostle's hand, and that it was a true honor to meet him. He smiled and told me, "Well, then this is a historic day for you, isn't it?" He then turned to Ryan and thanked him for guarding him. I guess there had been a couple threats against him that day, so he needed extra security. After that, he walked down the line a bit and shook Brevan's hand a couple times. Elder Nelson looked him right in the eyes and told him what a great young man he is. Brevan told him he enjoyed his talk and was honored to meet him. I think it was a highlight in Brevan's life, and I hope he always remembers that experience. Brevan had really been hoping to have the chance to meet Elder Nelson, but I'd been telling him for days that it probably wouldn't happen. Brevan even wanted Elder Nelson to write his name inside Brevan's scriptures, but then when the moment came, Brevan forgot. I told him a handshake and smile is much better than a signature!

So I've now met an apostle! It was such a spiritual moment, and I've been on Cloud 9 ever since!