I was so lucky, this year, to have TWO Time Out for Women experiences! In 2 different cities.
First, I took a solo trip to Virginia to go with my amazing and wonderful friend, Dion! I don't think when I told her I was coming several months ago that she even believed that I was serious! I don't know that I thought I was serious when the thought first came about! But we had some points so I could get an airline ticket for $12, and I stayed with her, so the trip was pretty cheap! Virginia is beautiful this time of year, and my visit was so fun! We ran together, stayed up way too late, enjoyed good food, and just laughed. It is so fun to be around somebody that you know you can be yourself around and that they are going to do the same. I miss having her close. We went with some girls from her new ward, and though it wasn't quite like the old days of all of us Southern Utah girls going, it was a fun experience. My visit was WAY too short and I truly wish I would have had at least a couple more days, but I was so grateful that I got to go, and so grateful to my husband and mom and sister, who took care of the kids. Funny though, that it took 3 of them to do my job! Ha ha! Just kidding, you guys are amazing! Thanks for being willing to take on my crew!
My TOFW stalker picture for this time was Brad Wilcox. I love how this guy can bring the scriptures to life and make you feel the love that the Savior has for each of us individually! He has a wit and a charm about him that I love.
My favorite thing he talked about was about the word sacrifice. He said that in Latin the word sacrifice means to make sacred. We have to be willing to take the extra steps to become closer to Christ by doing. It is a choice whether we sit back and let live go by, or do something to make our life reflect what Christ expects and sees in us. When we are not willing to make a change for the better, we are denying the redeeming qualities of the Savior! I loved this!
I also loved a talk that Merrilee Boyack gave. She gave a talk on "Becoming U". She outlined how to do this, and I thought it was great advice.
B-Be bold. We are all leaders in our own ways. With God by our side we can do anything that we are commanded to do.
E- Eternally minded. The decision to stay true and faithful can affect generations to come.
C- Creative. Each of us can create great things in our own special way.
O-Outward focused. Seek for those around us that are in need of help. As we seek for this, we will be guided by the Lord to be able to find and help those in need.
M- Meek. We can reject pride by being meek and humble. We came here to learn to love our Lord, our neighbors, ourselves. We need to focus on accomplishing that instead of meaningless things.
E-Enlightened. Ask the Lord what He needs us to do today and He will guide us!
U-Unique. We all have a unique purpose here on this Earth. We need to seek to find it and do the very best we can to live our or Heavenly Father's individual destiny for each of us.
So many times we try so hard to be what other people are, and yet we are never supposed to be somebody else. I am so grateful for the gifts and talents that my Heavenly Father has given me and so grateful for His guidance on how I am supposed to refine them. I came home so grateful for my family! They make me so happy and so crazy all at the same time! I am always so excited to have a minute away, but once I am away from them I miss them like crazy! They are my world, and I am so happy that I get to live in the Eternities with them.
A month later, I got to do it all again...with different friends! Mandy and Jess came from up North and we got to say in Jess's In-Law's amazing house. Wow! We could have stayed there for a week and never got bored! Again, we ate good food, stayed up way to late, and had lots a great girl time! I am so grateful to have so many amazing examples and great friend to look up to and turn to.
Jason Wright gave a great talk about having your eyes open for opportunities to serve others, there by serving the Lord. We all have our eyes wide open now!!!
My stalker picture this time was Hilary Weeks! We had to wait in line twice to get a picture with her, but it was worth the wait! Hilary is my favorite part of TOFW. She is just as much a presenter as all the rest and I feel like I always get just as much, if not more, from her as the others. I love that she is so down to earth and always brings the Spirit through her music. She makes all of us better moms and wives with her words. She also did this experiment with a hand counter, that was awesome. Each time she had a bad thought she would click her little hand counter and see how many bad thoughts she had in a day. She did this for a week and then did it the other way, clicking her good thoughts... I think I need to try this. It would probably be embarrassing how many negative thoughts I have in a day!
Thank you girls for a fun weekend! Can't wait until next year! Vegas, baby!!
