Note to self: Don't go to stake conference...

So let me set this story up before I get into the good stuff. Our stake is huge! It has a little over 4,000 people. (I think that is huge at least??) The people out here are so good and I think most of the people were at stake conference. When we usually go to stake conference (in our old stake) there were not a TON of people there. It was always easy to find a decent parking spot and a comfy seat to sit on inside. Well, this stake is much different. Brady and I arrived a couple minutes before it started and had to park on the street just west of the temple about half way down. It was PACKED! Even the upstairs was filled! We went in and luckily found two seats. They were on the last row of the front section in the tabernacle. We sat down and stake conference was going really well. Great speakers that really had the spirit filling the room. The first hour passed and then the stake president got up to announce the remainder of the meeting. He starts talking about a couple that is newly married in the temple that is living in our stake. Brady and I were thinking it was a girl and guy that had been married last week. BUT, we were dead wrong! All of a sudden our stake president says, The Hess family, sitting right over there (and pointed at us). Let me tell you, if your heart could drop out of place, mine did! I looked over at Brady and had a shocked look on my face. I knew that he asked us to come up and bear our testimonies but I couldn't even remember what else he said. He asked us to walk up and sit on the stage. I think that is one of the worst and longest walks I have ever done. So, we got up there and I had to ask Brady what he wanted us to bear our testimonies about. He wanted it about Temple Marriage. I honestly could not think of anything but how scared I was. I had heat rash intstantly and I don't think I have ever sweat that much. I said a prayer begging Heavenly Father to at least let me calm down so I could think clearly. Then, I started begging Brady for ideas on what to say. Hahaha he said "just bear your testimony on temple marriage!" and I said back "Brady I can't even think let alone think of what my testimony is!" . Then, the speaker was done and I was up! I slowly walked up to the pulpit and started talking. The next part is a blurr for me. I don't have a clue what I said but I hope that it was okay! After I was up, Brady went up. He of course did a great job because he is such a spiritual person and is very calm. He did wonderful, except one part that I am still laughing about right now. He was telling the story of our first date and how Brady Mock was telling him about me. He told Brady that I was a blonde and that I was really tan because I was a lifeguard at that time. Well, Brady obviously was at least a LITTLE nervous because he said that I was a BODY GUARD instead of a life guard. I couldn't help but laugh because he didn't even have a clue. When he got done we headed back to our seats for the rest of the meeting. I told him about what he said and was lauging so hard. (He really did do SUCH a great job though)

So, what did I learn from this? No, like the title I didn't learn that I shouldn't go to stake conference. I learned that I need to get a little more practice with bearing my testimony. I had been feeling like I should get up and bear my testimony the last couple fast and testimony meetings and I think that Heavenly Father was giving me a little boost out of my seat via the stake president. So, I am very grateful for this opportunity that we had. I seriously have not stood up to bear my testimony since 9th grade seminary testimony meeting when I made a fool of myslef (I don't even remember why but I do remember it wasn't good). So, it was a great experience and I am so greatful for a stake president that is so spiritual. We have such great leaders in the area we live. We feel very blessed. I just hope that my little primary children saw me up there and maybe they will get up in a couple weeks to do it too.

Anyways, I hope you got a little laugh out of this post because we were laughing about it all day and my family couldn't quit laughing when we told them. But, it REALLY was an awesome experience that I will NEVER forget! (I am still shaking while I am writing this post because I feel nervous) :)

P.S. If you need a body guard, let me know, I can get you the hookup! ;)