Weekend Renewal

It's always nice to get a little spiritual feast now & then. I always find that a little spiritual feasting results in a renewed mind and a determined spirit and a drive and determination to do better. This weekend was our stake conference, and I have been renewed. I usually really enjoy our stake conferences, and this time was no exception. I especially love the Saturday evening sessions because I can concentrate without having to "shush" my kids or try to keep one eye on them & one eye on the speaker at the same time. This past Saturday meeting was full of beautiful music and inspiring talks that made me want to improve & be a better person on so many different levels.

We heard from 3 members in our stake - 2 who were recent converts of less than a year & 1 who has been a member of the church for 18 years. They shared their stories of conversion & their love of our Savior & Heavenly Father. The man who had been a member for 18 years was from Angola, which was a war-torn country during his growing up years. He is very tall & ended up escaping to Portugal as a young man & playing professional basketball there. He met the missionaries while in Portugal & joined the church very quickly after meeting them. His story was so interesting, I could have listened to him all night. Another woman grew up in a Jewish family & Jewish community, but even as a child, had a testimony of Jesus Christ. She described numerous experiences throughout her life that laid a foundation to lead her to Christ and to the Church. She has been a member for just 5 months and is now a woman in her 40's (I'm guessing). I loved hearing these stories because they touched me in so many different ways.

Our Saturday session including wonderful music. A sister sang a song that I absolutely love. I love to play it on the piano and I love to listen to it. I think it is so very beautiful - you can have a listen here.

The closing hymn was one of my all-time favorites. I have loved this hymn since I was a child. What a comfort it is to know that our Savior lives & knows us & cares us about us. He shares our burdens and our pains - not only shares them, but carries them for us. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest - Matthew 11:28" I believe it is easy to forget this at times, and that we have to reflect daily on the blessings that are ours through Christ's atonement.

So - here are the words of one of my most favorite hymns -

I Know That My Redeemer Lives

I know that my Redeemer lives.
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead.
He lives, my ever-living Head.
He lives to bless me with his love.
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed.
He lives to bless in time of need.

He lives to grant me rich supply.
He lives to guide me with his eye.
He lives to comfort me when faint.
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.
He lives to silence all my fears.
He lives to wipe away my tears.
He lives to calm my troubled heart.
He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives, my kind, wise heav’nly Friend.
He lives and loves me to the end.
He lives, and while he lives, I’ll sing.
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
He lives and grants me daily breath.
He lives, and I shall conquer death.
He lives my mansion to prepare.
He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”
He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”