Women's Conference

I had the opportunity to attend a Women's Conference at BYU. It was cool to go back to my old college and see the changes. I felt that same strong spirit there that I did when I attended. It made me really wish and hope that my own kids will have the same amazing opportunity to attend there. It is really unlike any other college. A few of the messages that really stuck out to me were these: First...get back to the basics. We are told over and over by our Church leaders to pray daily, study the scriptures daily, have FAMILY prayer and scripture study together daily, and hold a Family Home Evening once a week. They seem like simple tasks. And they are simple, but just because they are simple doesn't mean they're always easy. It takes prioritizing. But I've decided they are easier than the alternative. I attended one class about effectual and fervent prayer. They described "effectual" as powerful and pointed out that the way to have effectual prayer us to express deep gratitude. Looking back, I can see great blessings poured on our family because of our expression of gratitude to the Lord, even during hard times, for the blessings we had. Since becoming a mother, I have struggled with having a quiet moment to communicate through prayer... oftentimes, my prayers are a quick check-in with my Heavenly Father, and while I realize that we have different seasons in our lives, I think that it's not about just having a quiet moment, but making one. I'm still trying. It's a work in progress. I got doinked when they brought up scripture study there because I have gotten in a good habit of daily scripture reading (even if it is in bed when I wake up, on my ipod touch.) But I realize that that is not enough to gain the protection and instruction I need for my day. I started feeling the need to improve after hearing a great talk in church by my friend, Wendy. She talked about how she felt like she was studying her scriptures rather than just reading, when she had something to write down her thoughts and insights, and a manual of some sort to supplement the reading. I got the best gift from my sister-in-law that is a great study guide and I bought myself a new cute little notebook to record my thoughts in.
In addition to all the amazing uplifting classes I went to, I was surrounded by great company. We ate...Shopped our hearts out...
And pampered ourselves...This is how we traveled around town....the car was a little full. Thanks goodness for some good Ford Flex trunk space :)We were almost all related one way or another--most were my in-laws' in-laws. But we are all family just the same and it was so enjoyable to chat with these amazing ladies that I truly love. Here's to hoping the hubby will be willing to send me off again next year!