Can I get a, "Craziest Conference Weekend ever," holla'? That had to have been the best General Conference in my 20 years of existence. I've never felt so uplifted after such an occasion. I'll give a few highlights and updates of this week..
For starters, Friday, we helped Cristian move. He told us repeatedly that he was moving a block away from where he was currently living. Due to a last minute, money saving change, he chose another apartment to rent... outside of our area. We were thoroughly distraught. Fortunately, the Church is true, no matter where you live. It looks like the final touches will be left up to the sister missionaries.
The real surprise of the week came from a 17 kid named Sergio. We first met him on Tuesday and talked to him twice this week. We invited him to Conference and said we'd come by and go in bus together. For those of you that have served missions, you will understand that it is rather difficult to find someone in the middle of the week and then expect them to go to a Church that they've never been to before, on Sunday. But, true to his word, Sergio came. He loved the Saturday Afternoon session so much, that he gladly accepted the invitation to stay for the Priesthood session. He was particularly touched by Elder M. Russell Ballard's talk on the honeybees, and the talk by Elder Gary E. Stevenson (the one about peer pressure and marijuana). Even better, he made friends with a couple of the guys from our Branch. Other highlights of our visitors was a man named Silvio. Silvio is a leader in another church. He liked it a lot and said he's got lots of questions for us now.
This week (month) appears to be celebrating women's rights. In all of Downtown, the were huge signs that read, "Bienvenidas Compañeras." There were easily more than a thousand women participating in the event. In between sessions, we walked around handing out invitations for the next session(s). We received just as many invitations for the "movement" that they were about to have, as we handed out. I think the highlight of it all was when we left the Priesthood session just after 11pm local time. Shortly after we had boarded our bus, a large group of these women boarded, as well (tattoos, backpacking backpacks, you know -- the usual hippie style). Guitar in hand, they began to sing. Though the bus was particularly packed, "Hit Me Baby One More Time," was heard loud and clear. Though it was very entertaining, I give them props for how well they sang an English song.
Another indicator of the women's rights week (month) theory, is the Centro del Conocimiento. I'm emailing you from here, in the Center. They have a very large exhibit on Women's Rights. Very educational, I might add.
So... 18 and 19 are the new magic numbers, huh? Who has already started their mission papers? I want to know who is already getting affected by it. We truly have a living prophet that receives revelation from God. Oh and thank you Nathan, for your "Exodus" comment.
From what I got out of Conference was that we must prepare ourselves to be better disciples of Christ. We must do that by serving and loving those that are around us. We must stand up and be proud of what we have. I have a new desire and determination to help others. Elder Holland's talk was particularly powerful. We can learn a lot from his relating of the original Twelve apostles. As the Savior said to Peter, "Peter, do ye love me more than all this?" Do you? Christ needs disciples. He needs someone that will serve Him. He needs someone to love Him. Are you up for the challenge? I sure am. Don't forget his scripture that he used at the very end. (Luke 9: 62 .. look it up!)
"We can't take one single day for granted." (Pres. Uchtdorf)
Love you all,
Elder McMurray
ps Mom, could you send me another "Dear Missionary" pillow case? There's an elder from Chile that is dying to have one.
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