WOMEN'S CONFERENCE 2009
Last year it was my sister Jenna, cousin Leslie, & myself and we had a great time at Women's Conference, but we wanted to share the fun with others so we invited all our family, sorry we only invited girls, at a family party we had back in January so this year we doubled our numbers by adding my Mom, Aunt Darla, & Jami-my sister-in-law flew in from Colorado. Maybe next year we will have two more to fill the rooms up we had. We had a blast and here are some of the pictures to prove it!! Jenna picked Jami up at the airport and the rest of us met them down at the hotel in Provo on Wed night and yes we were not surprised to see that Jami brought shoes for all of us, too bad none of us could wear them, they are way to cute and not comfortable at all. Good thing Jami is used to the cute fun shoes, she didn't even complain about her feet hurting. I love ya Jami. We got snacks that night and stayed up till late talking, but yes I was the first to fall asleep, I tried so hard to remain in on the conversation, but my eyes couldn't stay open any longer and I don't even know what the conversation was when I finally gave in. The next morning we woke up and headed to BYU for opening session and the three classes we could choose from for the day and then the closing session, they don't leave much time for eating, so I ate an apple and snacks on the run between classes. We went out to eat that night with Jami's sister and cute niece at a Mexican place it was very good, I think the waitress thought we would eat all the Salsa as I think she didn't stop getting things for us the entire time we were there, she was definitely glad when we left, but she got a good tip for the good service. That night I headed off to the concert since everyone else was to tired to go and it was awesome, my favorite was Eclipse and Hillary Weeks, but really all that performed and entertained were awesome. I got home late, so it was another late night this old lady isn't used too! Friday was another day of awesome speakers and uplifting messages. Elder L. Tom Perry was the concluding speaker and his sweet wife spoke as well. You can imagine the traffic after an event at the Marriott center, well it was horrible so since we didn't want Mom to have to take the long walk down the stair since we parked forever away we took a shuttle and the poor worker driving the shuttle I am sure wishes he had the window like you do in limo's so he could have shut us out. We were in a 15 passenger van and we were just cracking ourselves up at all kinds girl talk. Mom asked him if he could accept a tip for putting up with us, he couldn't darn it!! We said "Sorry for having to put up with us" He said "Well it will prepare me marriage some day!" We of course we were hungry, but but not hungry enough to stop to eat before we lost any shopping time at IKEA. I always find fun treasures there and sure did again this year, we were some of the last out before they closed. The kids benefited as well as I got them a swing and swinging pars to hang off the deck. Here is a picture, they have spent every moment they can on the it.
Well ok to get along with the spiritual part of our fun trip, sorry this is such a long one. Here are a few of the things that stood out to me as I listened. I went this year with this attitude of what can I do to better me. I love self improvement books and just finished listening to The Peacegiver the day we left and loved it, good starter before the uplifting amazing two days. Awesome book you should read if you haven't already.
OK so here are some of my thoughts:
*No matter what I think I know, I don't know more then the Lord! RELY ON HIM!
*YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
*LOOK UP!
*Give it to the Lord & Believe.
*"Now let us Rejoice!"-that song has a new meaning to me now!! WOW
*You choose to be happy! (That goes along with a good quote I like I think I heard from Dr. Laura-"No one is responsible for my Happiness but BE!")
*Don't wait for another person to repent so you can forgive. Forgive and move on!
*You can gain the most strength from your adversity-learn from it and grow!
*TIME-live in the present not the past or future
*Stop focusing on failures. Don't undermine your ability because of the abilities of someone else!
*Allow yourself and others to SPILL MILK!
*Look for the beauty in yourself and the people around you!
*Studies show dinner time and evenings are the best time to connect with your children.
*Do your Homework-on the things your children like.
*Be Quick to show compassion and slow to Judge-Show Love to
*Demonstrate Patience & respect to your children
*Don't offer advise unless asked
*Listen-Just Listen
*Rarely does someone change because of your criticism.
*You did not come to earth to earn your worth, you brought it with you!
*Strengthen your Body & Spirit
*I can do hard things, but I can do all things in the strength of the Lord.
*Forgive-its the right thing to do!
Bart Hopkins former co-worker when I worked for DHS he and his wife did one of the talks on Marriage Thursday afternoon and these are some of their thoughts:
*Didn't marry for money, but married for worth!
*Lots of NOT YETS!!
*Laugh, Cry, & Find the strengths as we go as hard as it may be.
*Keep it simple
*Look at what matters and Achieve it
*Together you are stronger
*Teamwork=is a lot of people doing what I say! That is not how a marriage should work. (No wonder I have been doing it all wrong-sorry Jason I will quit telling you what to do! hee hee j/k)
*Work together-get over our selfishness, sacrifice, & share together, Be equal!
*The ones we love the most can make us the most angry.
*Don't put love on the back burner.
*Attitude is more important then the Activity. (Sometimes we gotta do something the other wants to do-Does that mean I have to watch a ball game with Jason-ok occasionally!)
Elder L. Tom Perry some of the things he talked about in conclusion were:
"In the strength of the Lord"
*Who are we? What do we believe? Members make the image of the church!
Listen
Know the Doctrine
Live the Standards
Be a good Citizen
Be a good Neighbor
Invitations
Use Technology to share the gospel
Be Bold, but not Overbearing
The closing song it was amazing what one person did to make a difference and be bold in what she believed. We were singing "The Lord is the Light" and two ladies stood up as we were singing then eventually everyone over 18,000 people in the Marriott center stood, it was amazing the strong spirit as we showed honor to our Heavenly Father and older Brother Jesus Christ as we gave them a standing allvation at the end of this amazing Women's Conference 2009!! Until next year, I will be there, will you?!?
