In Which It's a Small World

On Tuesday President Monson spoke at the BYU devotional, so, of course, I took the morning and part of the afternoon off work to drive down there and hear. I was going to meet Carli down on campus since she was still teaching at the time. Carli and I have made this a sort of tradition where we'll go to devotional together and then out to lunch. Considering we live 5 mintues from each other, it makes me laugh that I have to drive an hour to see her. I got there about 30 minutes earlier than I meant to be, so I was the one leaving the area when everyone else was pouring in (because I wanted to go meet Carli).


Utah can be so gorgeous. I sort of missed Provo, but then I remembered I didn't like the drive any more, so I took a picture and got over it. Clearly it is take from inside my car because I am not confident enough to randomly be standing in the middle of the parking lot taking pictures while people are swirling around me in flurries of activity. I finally met up with Carli (who I didn't take a picture of!) and we headed back to the devotional together.

Carli and I sat in the front next to my favorite recently returned mission president's, Heidi. She just got back from the London England South mission and is now working in MamaLynne's office, so we have some bonding opportunities. She's so much fun.


After the devotional, which was really good, I ran into my favorite former mission companion from Provo, MaryAnne. Of course, we were sitting on the same row, so I saw her for a second before hand. We also attracted an elder from our mission who saw us and came to talk. Plus a few other random people who paused to say hi. Melanie was making fun of me for knowing so many people at a school I don't even go to.


I also got to meet one of my favorite 100 Hour Board reading friends who goes by Paperback Writer. She recognized me by my camera! Not that I was hard to spot as I was wearing a very sparkly orange skirt that Carli claimed distracted her every time I moved.

For those who listened, President Monson talked about the Prophets he'd known in a very personal, friendly manner. He mostly told a story and then mentioned their favorite food, scripture and advice. He didn't mention his, of course (as it should be for the nature of the talk), so as soon as I got home I asked about it and decided to share to make it easier for everyone else who wondered.

Favorite food: Turkey dinner, white meat only, no cranberry sauce.
Favorite hymn: Hark All Ye Nations.
A favorite scripture: Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him. Rev. 3:20 OR I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end. Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory. D&C 76:5,6 OR Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Prov. 3:5,6
Advice: Go out and find someone who is hurting or in need and help them.

I didn't really need to ask on the scripture one as Prov 3:5,6 is the one I can most clearly remember him repeating to me (and quite often!). And he certainly lives by his own advice. I have never met anyone who is so quick to befriend others and make them feel welcome and loved. He's just an amazing, kind, loving person.

Anyway, the devotional was great. President Monson ad-libbed a few very funny things, but overall, the talk was just all-around good. I think it may be my favorite of his (along with the one he did at the last CES Fireside).

Then Carli and I went out to lunch and I eventually made my way back to work and it was a perfect day!