Thanks to a few generous people, I was able to attend both Sunday sessions of General Conference. It was such a blessing to be there to hear the words of the current apostles and our prophet. But this post is not about the sunshine and spiritual butterflies accompanying conference. This fun side story happened afterwards.
Zach and I were wandering around temple square as our roommate and his girlfriend were off taking pictures. (We were tired of looking like body guards, and our PDA tolerance quota was quickly approaching critical mass.) At one point an elderly couple asked if we could take their picture in front of the tabernacle. Afterwards the husband turned to us and asked:
"So when are you guys going to serve?"
For a brief second I wasn't sure what he was talking about, since I haven't been confused with a pre-mi since I was 22, but I caught on and replied:
"We already have... [blablabla] Russia ... [blablabla] New York"
Once he seemed to ascertain our correct ages (at least within the correct decade) he moved straight for the inevitable:
"So when are you guys getting married?"
Yeah, the conversation died quickly as we parted ways with my answer "Sometime in the future" and "I guess we'll find out".
As a soon to be graduate, the pressure seems to be mounting but it's not from family, close friends, or even from my priesthood leaders. No, those who know me the best apply pressure the least. They know the effort I put into finding a spouse, the importance I give to obtaining and following God's will, how much I respect and follow the counsel of priesthood leaders. They know me and advise accordingly. I have righteous parents. If they felt there was a problem, please rest assured knowing that they would not hesitate to help me.
So when you, stranger, say that I should "make finding a spouse my top priority" and "stop hanging out" please remember your place. Worry about your family. Counsel your family members. My support system is doing a great job, and there is no need to add you to their ranks, especially if all you have to offer are suggestions on what I need to change.
Now if you have an attractive and compatible granddaughter in her twenties, then we might be able to work out something mutually beneficial...
Zach and I were wandering around temple square as our roommate and his girlfriend were off taking pictures. (We were tired of looking like body guards, and our PDA tolerance quota was quickly approaching critical mass.) At one point an elderly couple asked if we could take their picture in front of the tabernacle. Afterwards the husband turned to us and asked:
"So when are you guys going to serve?"
For a brief second I wasn't sure what he was talking about, since I haven't been confused with a pre-mi since I was 22, but I caught on and replied:
"We already have... [blablabla] Russia ... [blablabla] New York"
Once he seemed to ascertain our correct ages (at least within the correct decade) he moved straight for the inevitable:
"So when are you guys getting married?"
Yeah, the conversation died quickly as we parted ways with my answer "Sometime in the future" and "I guess we'll find out".
As a soon to be graduate, the pressure seems to be mounting but it's not from family, close friends, or even from my priesthood leaders. No, those who know me the best apply pressure the least. They know the effort I put into finding a spouse, the importance I give to obtaining and following God's will, how much I respect and follow the counsel of priesthood leaders. They know me and advise accordingly. I have righteous parents. If they felt there was a problem, please rest assured knowing that they would not hesitate to help me.
So when you, stranger, say that I should "make finding a spouse my top priority" and "stop hanging out" please remember your place. Worry about your family. Counsel your family members. My support system is doing a great job, and there is no need to add you to their ranks, especially if all you have to offer are suggestions on what I need to change.
Now if you have an attractive and compatible granddaughter in her twenties, then we might be able to work out something mutually beneficial...
