Welcome, autumn.

Over the weekend, fall came. It crept in and we went from having 2 90-degree-days at the beginning of last week, to high temperatures in the 60s this week. We've even been enjoying some rain the past 4 consecutive days (not today though). We've closed most of the windows (mainly to keep the rain out, rather than the heat in) and my walk home from school at 7:00 will soon be totally dark.

I can't wait to carve some jack-o-lanterns! I also wish I could go to Apple Hill. (Funny how things like my family's fall trips to Apple Hill don't really seem to be "traditions" until times change and you can't easily enjoy them anymore!)

Speaking of pumpkins...Thomas can't wait to make more pumpkin pudding/pancakes to celebrate the season. He also debuted two new blogs: Random Thoughts (self-explanatory) and SocioPoliCom (social and political commentary for a school assignment but for further use as well, co-authored by Thomas' former roommate). Feel free to copiously comment on these along with the current blog and the Bradshaw Bistro (recently added: Breaded Baked Chicken Breasts)!

This past weekend, we had the opportunity to watch the semiannual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The party I had with friends the weekend before (where we watched the Relief Society Broadcast) was a prelude to the General Conference. We heard counsel from church leaders on topics ranging from our responsibility to follow the living prophet (this one was talked about several times, and this talk was referenced twice!!) to the need during busy times to focus on what really matters: our relationship with God, with our families, with others, and with ourselves.

We got to watch Conference at home via internet streaming. This is Elder Per G. Malm. "Rest unto Your Souls"

In the last post, I mentioned President Thomas S. Monson's talk. If you get a chance to read or watch it, or to listen to it, please do! He spoke on the motto of the Relief Socity, "CHARITY NEVER FAILETH." Here are some of the highlights of his talk:

• "Appearances can be so deceiving, such a poor measure of a person. Admonished the Savior, 'Judge not according to the appearance.'"
• "My dear sisters, each of you is unique. You are different from each other in many ways. There are those of you who are married. Some of you stay at home with your children, while others of you work outside your homes. Some of you are empty nesters. There are those of you who are married but do not have children. There are those who are divorced, those who are widowed. Many of you are single women. Some of you have college degrees; some of you do not. There are those who can afford the latest fashions and those who are lucky to have one appropriate Sunday outfit. Such differences are almost endless. Do these differences tempt us to judge one another?"
• "I consider charity—or 'the pure love of Christ'—to be the opposite of criticism and judging. In speaking of charity, I do not at this moment have in mind the relief of the suffering through the giving of our substance. That, of course, is necessary and proper. Tonight, however, I have in mind the charity that manifests itself when we are tolerant of others and lenient toward their actions, the kind of charity that forgives, the kind of charity that is patient.I have in mind the charity that impels us to be sympathetic, compassionate, and merciful, not only in times of sickness and affliction and distress but also in times of weakness or error on the part of others. There is a serious need for the charity that gives attention to those who are unnoticed, hope to those who are discouraged, aid to those who are afflicted. True charity is love in action. The need for charity is everywhere."

 oxox