BYU Women's Conference 2012

I just returned from another wonderful two days at BYU Women's Conference. In 2007 I attended my first conference alone (my choice) then for the next few years my Mother and I attended together. Last year our group increased in size and this year there were ten of us including my mom and my sister, two sisters-in-law and their sisters. We enjoyed attending classes, going to dinners, a wonderful concert on Thursday night, lots of laughter and even a few tears. Elder Neil L. Andersen was our speaker at the concluding session and I had the opportunity to shake his hand. Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the classes that I attended:

"We are all in this 'til the conflict is over." Neil L. Andersen

"The future is as bright as your faith." Thomas S. Monson

"Conversion requires daily nourishment and renewel."

"There is need of much discipline in marriage; not of ones companion, but of oneself." Gordon B. Hinckley

"To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved." David O. McKay

"Information leads to inspiration."

"We are by nature... divine."

"Perfection is not a commandment... it is a promise."

"Our lives are the most powerful sermons we will ever preach."

"This life is not living the dream, it's meant to prepare for the dream."

"Prayer unlocks the power of heaven in our behalf."

"Go home and be stronger."

"Choose joy!!"

"Scatter sunshine all along your way."

TDBC Day 4: A Favorite Recipe

This is probably not the kind of recipe you would expect, but there is another recipe post later in the 30 day challenge, so I'm going to share this "favorite recipe" today.

Last week at BYU Women's Conference Elder and Sister Bednar spoke at the concluding session. I had never heard Sister Bednar speak before and I really enjoyed listening to her. She shared an experience she had when Elder Bednar was in school and she had a toddler and a baby to care for. Having a husband in school, a toddler to chase, and a baby to keep her up at night was a bit stressful. She asked her husband for a blessing one day and in the blessing he counseled her to do this:

Exercise
Get plenty of rest
Eat right
Study the scriptures daily
Pray daily

I have been thinking about this counsel since I got home from BYU, and then a couple of days ago while sitting in the drive-thru at the bank I thought about this recipe post and it came to me... this counsel is a recipe!

I was reminded that when you take these five "ingredients" and you "mix" them all together on a regular basis, it will "yield" physical, emotional, and spiritual health. I know that when I'm "partaking" on a regular basis I feel so much happier and more fit. I also know that when I'm not, I feel just the opposite.

So what do you do when you find a recipe you love and just can't live without!?! You share it with those you love, because we want to "feed" them good things. So serve it up!! There is no "fat" or "calories"!!! You can have as many "servings" as you'd like!!

BYU Women's Conference 2011

I just returned from two wonderful days at BYU Women's Conference. The theme this year came from Alma 37:6-7, "By small and simple things are great things brought to pass". I attended opening and closing sessions on both days, and several concurrent sessions each day. Here are some of my favorite quotes from the presenters I listened too:

"The only person I need to be better than... is the person I was yesterday."

"A virtual (too much technology) woman, or a virtuous woman?"

"What comes next for willing hands to do?"

"No one owes me anything, I owe everything to the Lord."

"Charity is living as Christ lived."

"Our families need to feel the spirit when they enter our homes."

"A soft answer turneth away wrath."

"Let us seek the guidance of Heavenly Father, in how we can accomplish His work, in His way."

"Appropriate self love equips us to love others."

"Lifting others, lifts us."

This year several of us attended Women's Conference together. My sister Lilian and sister-in-law Marivic attended for their first time. I was also excited to meet Marivic's sisters Marle and Maries for the very first time, and Marivic's mama (I met 18 years ago) also came. Of course my Mother and Margie (BYUWC veterans) were there as well, but I was most excited that my daughter Caitlin came to Women's Conference with me, it was so wonderful for both of us to share that experience together... we're planning on it being a new tradition.



FYI: starting tomorrow I'm doing a 30 day blog challenge... I know, crazy huh!?!

BYU Women's Conference 2009

I just returned from a wonderful two days at BYU Women's Conference. I had the opportunity to attend several uplifting and motivating classes as well as opening and closing sessions each day. I attended classes about finances, going back to college, self worth, fearing God and not man, faith and sacrifice...

A big highlight for me was attending a class presented by Lynne Sybrowsky who is the wife of Jeremy's mission president. I made sure that I got there early so that I could speak to her before the class started. It was a double bonus when I saw that Elder Sybrowsky (of the seventy) was there as well. We had the opportunity to visit before the class began. There was a mother of another missionary there as well as a sister missionary from Jeremy's mission (she told me that Jeremy had been her Zone Leader). The other mother invited me to sit with her group and we quickly became acquainted. Sister Sybrowsky was an amazing teacher. After the class we visited some more and took some pictures with the Sybrowky's. This was the final class before the closing session on Friday. As I walked alone to the Marriott Center I was overcome with emotion as I felt the spirit of all that had occurred during the two days that I was there. The opportunity to spend those moments with the Sybrowsky's were the icing on the cake, and as I called Jeremy to report I again was overcome with emotion wishing that he had had that experience instead of me.

It is an amazing experience to spend two days at a conference such as this and to feel the spirit which is there constantly. Here are just a few of my favorite quotes throughout the conference:

From my class titled: Man Looketh On the Outward Appearance, but the Lord Looketh On the Heart

"We're all perfectly imperfect human beings"

"Only speak well of yourself"

From Sister Dibb's class: You've Seen Our Sacrifice; Come After Us

"A pioneer is one who goes before, showing others the way to follow." President Monson

From the Friday morning general session where Sister Beck spoke:

In reference to those who say that they have family night on Sunday, Sister Beck said this..."why wouldn't we want Monday in addition to Sunday for family night."

A mother said to her daughter before her wedding day..."it's okay to cook for your husband."

From my class titled: "Fret Not Thyself Because of Evildoers": Fearing God, Not Man

When in conversation with someone who is criticizing or doesn't understand our beliefs..."address the 'light of Christ' in another person."

"We are given the gift of the Holy Ghost to travel 1st class everyday"

"It is a 'joyful burden' to stand as witnesses"

It truly was an incredible two days. I'm grateful to Mike and Caitlin for taking care of things on the homefront so that I could attend, to my Mother for going with me, being able to spend time with Margie and Melissa and some of Margie's family, for wonderful classes, beautiful music, smiling faces, and so much more....

Starting at the right; Phyllis, Suzie, Margie, Melissa, Bea (my mom), Me, and Karen

BYU Women's Conference

Last week my Mother and I spent a wonderful two days at BYU Women's Conference. Some of the highlights of my two days were daily opening and closing sessions where we heard speakers such as Sheri Dew, Julie B. Beck and President Thomas S. Monson (closing session of the conference). I was also able to attend several classes that uplifted, motivated and encouraged me. I was able to give service and enjoyed entertainment by popular LDS performers including Michael McClean who's music brought me peace and comfort years ago during a difficult time in my life. Walking across campus and hearing the bell tower chime the tunes of "Come, Come Ye Saints" and "We Thank Thee O God For A Prophet" brought joy to my heart and tears to my eyes. A sister who came to my aid with a tide stick (she just gave it to me) when I slipped on the wet grass and stained my pant knees, inspired me to be prepared next year with something "extra" to share with someone in need. And being in the presence of a Prophet of God and then singing my favorite hymn "Redeemer Of Israel" with thousands of women (and a few men) at the close of his remarks was a spiritual highlight. I'm looking forward to continuing the tradtion (this was my second year so I think it now qualifies as tradtion) by attending next years conference on April 30 and May 1, 2009.