Stake Conference Twitter Notes

Here are my twitter notes from our Stake Conference held November 9, 2014. Sunday included a broadcast from SLC.

God be with you till we meet again. #LDSConf #OCStake #Oregon

— Troy G. Parker (@LDSTroy) November 9, 2014

We love the Prophet! #PresMonson #LDSConf #OCStake #Oregon

— Troy G. Parker (@LDSTroy) November 9, 2014

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A Christmas to Remember

NOTE: The following true story was written by my father, Giles Parker. His father, Alvin, was part of the “Greatest Generation”. It is a wonderful Christmas story that I wanted to share with others. Enjoy and Merry Christmas.

A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER
By Giles Parker

I

As Christmas 1945 approached, there was an excitement throughout the country far beyond the normal holiday spirit. THE WAR WAS OVER! It seemed there truly was peace on earth. In the papers, on the radio, and over back fences the topic was the same—“the boys will be home for Christmas.” Even though I was only five years old and didn’t understand exactly what was going on, I remember the feelings. In my family the story of that Christmas has been told and retold over the years, so perhaps some of my memories come from the telling. But I have very clear memories of how it felt and of the emotions and excitement playing out around me. I think that’s the way it is; our strongest memories are related to feelings and emotions.

To understand the intense emotions of that Christmas season, we need to look at what people had been through during the previous four years. Individual experiences influenced millions of families and those influences came together that holiday season to magnify and focus emotions beyond what most of us today can imagine. It was the collective experiences of those war years that made December 25, 1945, a Christmas to remember.

Age adjustments, phone calls and answered prayers

Anyone who follows me on Twitter (@LDSTroy) or my blog knows that I love to tweet during General Conference (#LDSConf). I admit, with some nerdy embarrassment, that I have been a part of the #TwitterStake since its beginning. Not only is it a way for me to take notes but I get to see everyone else’s notes. There are more “notes” than anyone could ever read but at the very least, it keeps me awake and alert through all of conference.

So when Conference started and President Thomas S. Monson offered his opening remarks, I was listening and tweeting – for a few seconds. When his comments switched to missionary work and the age adjustment for both young men (18) and young women (19), I was stunned.

No really. Change IS good.

One of the buildings where I teach seminary.

Ok, I’m back. I know, I know. “Where the heck have you been?”

It has been an eventful several months and the common theme has been “change.” The Parkers have truly entered into a new chapter of life. As I have mentioned before, change is  part of life. And frankly, it aint for sissies!

Christian, our oldest is off to BYU-I. Josh, our youngest is loving his freshman year of high school. I have started teaching, full-time, for Seminaries & Institutes and am still adjusting to my new calling. Jill’s father (and boss) has retired and Jill has started working for her brother Steve. Jill’s father has just finished his second round of chemo therapy and Bronco Mendenhall crushed my over-the-top confidence in the BYU coaching staff with his ludicrous play call at Boise State. Indeed, life is changing.

But with new experiences comes new fodder for blog posts. I have struggled with my new schedule. Finding time to do everything I need to do, let alone things I want to do, is very difficult. You all know the feeling.

But, I’m going to give it a try. So bookmark the page, stay tuned and forgive for brief spurts of silence. Know that I’m probably trying to deal with the newest life change or that Bronco just decided to go for two.

A Year Ago Today – Galilee

March 30, 2011

Mt. of Beattitudes

Jill sitting on the traditional site of the Sermon on the Mount

Close to the height of His popularity, Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, which included the Beatitudes.  It is perhaps the most read of Jesus’ teachings and introducing something more than what the Law of Moses had become.  It moved the focus from things we do – our behavior, to the feelings and motives we have.  If we have correct motives, if we develop the attributes of Christ, our Christian acts will follow – a by-product of who we have become.

A year ago today. A photo essay about the Holy Lands.

A year ago this and next week, Jill and I, along with her parents, experienced the trip of a life time. A number of my posts have recounted the experiences we had in the Holy Lands. In fact, one was even published in the Church News and expressed the sentiment that you don’t have to go to the Holy Lands to experience deep spiritual feelings. One can walk where Jesus walked right here in holy temples. One can come to know Jesus is the son of God right where one stands.

Come Listen to Living Prophets