Tender mercies

I received some "tender mercies" of the Lord this morning during conference. The first, being that we got to watch conference at all!

We cancelled our DishNetwork in the Spring because we were tired of the monthly payment. We didn't watch enough TV to justify it. We've spent over $100 buying two different digital antenna's and an amplifier to try to get digital channels on our TV. When it works, the picture is crystal clear...but we never know if we will have a signal or not. Todd spent two hours this morning (in the rain) fiddling with our antenna, and cables, trying to get KSL to come in on our TV. I found that I could stream it on the Internet without too much pausing, but I didn't want to sit in my computer chair to watch conference...I really wanted to curl up on the couch and watch it on TV.

Ten minutes before conference started, we were pulling in 9 analog channels, but no digital channels. The channel we needed was too fuzzy to hear. I called my mom to clarify what show was on to make sure I had the right channel, and when I got back downstairs, it came in PERFECTLY.
All of a sudden, five minutes before conference started, we had 18 digital channels (we've never gotten more than 11). It is a small thing, but it meant so much to me today. There is nothing else I wanted to do, but watch conference.

I started to cry, when the choir sang "Do What is Right" because that is a song that helped my mother through a difficult time following her miscarriage at 17 weeks. The third verse reads:

"Do what is right; be faithful and fearless. Onward, press onward, the goal is in sight. Eyes that are wet now ere long will be tearless. Blessings await you in doing what's right!"

I also particularly enjoyed L. Tom Perry's talk on a Simple Life, and President Uchtdorf's talk on Hope. Here are some of his words:

The things we hope in, sustain us during our daily walk. They uphold us through trials, temptations, and sorrow. Everyone has experienced discouragement and difficulty. Indeed there are times when the darkness may seem unbearable. It is in these times, that the divine principles of the restored gospel we hope in, can uphold us and carry us until once again, we walk in the light. We hope in Jesus Christ, in the goodness of God, in the manifestations of the Holy Spirit, in the knowledge that prayers are heard and answered.

I well remember the days in my childhood encompassed by the horrors and despair of a world war; the lack of educational opportunities; life threatening health issues during youth; and the challenging and discouraging economic experiences
as a refugee.

The example of our Mother, even in the worst of times, to move forward and to put faith and hope into action, not just worrying or wishful thinking, sustained our family and me, and gave confidence that present circumstances would give way to future blessings.