This is the talkthat I have been waiting for - it was the first address given at BYU Women's Conference. When I heard this talk, I immediately texted Paul and said that I had been filled with the Spirit and that I could come home - it was all I needed (but, of course, I stayed for more talks, good food, visiting with my sisters and mom, and shopping).
I encourage all of you to read and study this talk - both members and people not of my faith. I would love to hear your feelings.
This talk put everything back in perspective for me - especially when she gave guidelines for prioritizing of the essential things, the necessary things, and the nice-to-do things. I realized that much of my time and energy was spent in doing the nice-to-do things when some of the other two more important categories were failing.
I love how she talks about the mother being the lioness at the gate - that gave me a new perspective on motherhood and my regular household responsibilities.
I appreciate her sharing her feelings about Rebekah from the Old Testament. I continually ask myself, "What is my mission?" I love Julie Beck's words that give me assurance of who I am and my role here on earth.
She says, "I feel a great urgency for the daughters of God to do all they need to do to strengthen and lift not only themselves, their families, sisters who are in their wards, but also the world. I feel that the sisters in this Church who know and understand their covenants will be a significant force in helping this world, which seems to have lost its moral moorings.
This is a time when we need an increase of faith and personal righteousness. Never at any time in the world have we needed more faith from the women of God."
I hope you take the time to read her talk and ask yourself, "What is my mission?"
I have been checking for these every couple days. Finally, the 2010 Virtual Sharing Stations from BYU Women's Conference are now available online at this link. Notice that this link pulls up the links for the sharing stations for each year dating back to 2005 - five years of resources!
This was the Bag Lady booth. I like this station because it was all about being thrifty and taking something used and making it look new or put it to a new use. Take a look at their handouts with pictures (just re-size the document down to 50% so the pictures aren't pixelated).
This next station, Got Grandkids, really caught my eye because I loved the concept of grandparenting through the mail. They had tons of great, creative ideas to keep the relationships alive and intact.
My mom!
Here are a couple pictures of the booth.
Take a look at the 57 sharing stations - these could keep you busy for several months!
I keep checking their website to see when the information will be available on line. I am tired of waiting so I called them on the phone. I learned that the virtual sharing stations will be online by the end of the month and that the transcripts for the talks will be the middle of the summer! Oh, it's so frustrating waiting so long. I come home pumped up and then I want the information immediately!
The good news is that portions of this year’s BYU Women’s Conference will be broadcast on BYUTV and on byubroadcasting.org on May 13 and 14, 2010. I found that you can view the past years talks at that same website, here is the direct link.
This was the simple service project that we did, sewing hearts that they give out to patients at a hospital.
Look at all the ladies in the Marriot Center (there were 15, 000+ attending).
My favorite talk of all was given by Julie Beck, titled Hearts Bound Together. She spoke about the great urgency to strengthen and lift those around us, but also the greater need to strengthen and lift the world. She reminded us that covenant sisters know what they are supposed to do. She asked us, "What does it mean to serve the Lord?... How do we walk with the Lord?" She spoke about the role that Rebekah (from the Bible) played as the most pivotal person, without her the House of Israel would not be brought forth. She likened us to Rebekah and said that we are each pivotal and that there are millions of us.
I loved her talk, during the middle of it I texted Paul and said that already I had been filled (by just this one talk). It was so powerful and full of the spirit. She continued by giving us guidance in how we can walk with the Lord and how we can put our priorities in line. She wisely said, "when our priorities are out of order, we lose power." Then she taught us a system to judge our priorities; things that are essential, things that are necessary and things that are nice to do (but won't save us). From her counsel, I cut out one nice to do thing from my life. I let go of my Stampin' Up! demonstratorship, something that I have been a part of for 12+years! It was hard to let go, but knew it wasn't an essential item in my life.
I could go on and on about her talk, I will come back to it when the transcripts are available.
Besides the open and closing sessions in the Marriot Center, I had the opportunity to attend various classes.
I attended the session: Lessons of Faith and Courage from Emma Smith. This was presented by Katherine Nelson (actress that played Emma Smith) and Jane Dudley (youngest daughter of Pres. and Sister Hinckley). This was a wonderful session, my spirit was touched and I think everyone had tearful eyes.
Mormon Movies | MySpace Video This short video is comprised of small clips from the full length movie, "Joseph Smith, Prophet of the Restoration" shown at Legacy Theatre and around the world in visitor centers, click here for more info. I have seen it at least four times, my last time was in Hawaii (last year) with Tara and Aunt Marilyn. I love this movie, it touches me deeply every time. I watch it every chance I can.
Another wonderful session that I attended (along with the rest of my family) was titled "Honorable Hold a Name and Standing" in the Holy Temple" taught by Aunt LaDawn and Sister Conlee.
This was the most special session because we got to listen to our very own aunt! Through her experience of serving in Russia by the side of her husband, a member of the 2nd quorum of the seventy, she had many things to share with us. The effects of communism are still present in Russia today, especially the darkness in the eyes of the people. I went away learning that I have so much light to share with others, and that my light can be brighter as I attend the temple and keep my eyes focused on the things of eternity. The picture below on the computer screen is the temple in Kiev, which is still under construction. It took nine years from the time of announcement to ground breaking!
Me with three of my sisters, Tisha, Tara and Tami along with my Aunt LaDawn and mother.
Temple in Kiev
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- I wish I could share all the sessions with you! Another thing I enjoyed were the virtual sharing stations (which will be on-line soon). They had many booths that were decorated so cute, each teaching a different topic, like the one below, "Grandparenting Through the Mail."
I will let you know when the information for these booths are online.
Beautiful flowers, even though it was cold and snowing or raining!
We were thankful for this delicious meal of chicken, salmon, salad and cheesecake!
This is lunch at Cafe Rio up at Park City! Saturday we spend the day shopping and having a great time. Wow, I definitely went home tired and worn out! We had a great weekend. We were lucky to have April and Aunt LaDawn join us for this outing.
I might get in trouble for this picture because I didn't ask for permission! This is the only picture I captured of Uncle Larry just as he was greeting their home teachers and as we were sneaking out the door! Earlier as Aunt LaDawn and Mom were picking up Uncle Larry from downtown SLC, Tisha and I raided their kitchen and made pancakes and ebelskivers topped with strawberries, syrup and cool whip. We had a great time and felt right at home.
"[W]omen are like lionesses at the gate of the home. Whatever happens in that home and family happens because she cares about it and it matters to her. She guards that gate, and things matter to that family if they matter to her." (Julie Beck, 2010 BYU Women's Conference Talk)
This is the talk that I have been waiting for - it was the first address given at BYU Women's Conference. When I heard this talk, I immediately texted Paul and said that I had been filled with the Spirit and that I could come home - it was all I needed (but, of course, I stayed for more talks, good food, visiting with my sisters and mom, and shopping).
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