Time Out For Women - Pheonix 2010

If you are like me, you've never even heard of Time Out For Women.  I was lucky enough to have a group of ladies in my ward who were going (some had been before) and let me in on the awesomeness!  :)  It's a conference just for women, put together by the LDS Church.  ...And it was AMAZING!  We got to hear from the most amazing people and musical guests... 2 days of laughing my butt off and crying my eyes out!  haha.  The theme this year was "INFINITE HOPE...We Hope All Things".  I felt like everything they said or sang or taught was for me!  It was something I needed so badly... and I was not disappointed!  I'm so glad I got to go! 

Favorite Funny Quote:
Amanda Dickson -
"Women only know two sizes of boobs, too big or too small!"

The Ladies: (l to r) Me, Brooke, Kerri, Tara, Karen... 

And Donna.  :)  Thanks Donna for the pictures!

There were 2600 women in this room!  It was crazy!  :)  Mercy River is performing.

Oh, everyone gets this super cute FREE tote too!  I use "Free" loosely, we did have to pay to get in!  ;)  (Karen is modeling it nicely.)

If you want more info click here - Time Out For Women.

So the rest of this post is really for me, because I might not always have my notebook with the 8 pages of notes on it.  :)  And there are things I NEED to remember!  The things that touched my heart and made me... Hopeful!  :) 

The true measure of Success:

1. Commitment

2. Progress

3. Improvement

4. Confirmation from the Spirit - what I am doing is enough.

Our missions are uniquely ours! 

*Get out of the business of comparison.

- Virginia Hinckley Pearce

He knows who we are

He knows where we are

He knows what we need

He knows what our mission is

He will help us accomplish it

Stay absolutely FIXED on the finish line (my mission)!

-Sheri Dew

Drawing on Good Patterns.

Where there is Hope - there is Christ

D&C 52:14

And again, I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived; for Satan is abroad in the land, and he goeth forth deceiving the nations-

The patterns the Lord provides for our families are there for a reason.  And they can protect our families from the influence of the world.

-scriptures, prayer, FHE, meal times, Sundays-

Perfect Patterns don't = Perfect outcomes.  Kids still have their agency.  But with the Lord's patterns as our foundation - the Hope can become Reality. 

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the pattern.

Where there is Christ - there is Hope.

- Deanne Flynn

It's by Grace that we are saved.

2 Nephi 25:23

For we know that it is by grace, that we are saved, after all we can do.

"We" is not you and me - it is me and Him - together.

There are no parts - His part, my part - to the atonement.  We do it together.  Nothing doesn't mean worthless, it means powerless - we are nothing without God.  But with him, all things are possible.

Jesus doesn't make up the difference - Jesus makes all the difference.

He isn't just saving us, he is transforming us.

PIANO LESSONS:

A mother pays the piano teacher... and then pesters the child to PRACTICE, practice, practice.  Not as payment - that's been taken care of.  Not as punishment.  But because she knows what the child can become. 

He has paid the price - what he requires of us is practice.  FAITH, COVENANTS, REPENTANCE, ENDURANCE.

Practice is not for punishment or pain or payment - its purpose is to CHANGE.

Use the Atonement - not only to be cleansed, but to be CHANGED.

We are not earning Heaven, we're practicing (preparing) for it.

Heaven will not be Heaven for those who are not Heavenly (repentant).

He doesn't love us because we are good, He loves us because He is good.

Emanuel means "God with us" - GRACE

-Brad Wilcox

The Lord has a purpose for our lives.

Serve - Read - Study - Listen - Follow

BELIEVE

When there is Life - there is HOPE.

- Mariama Kallon

Get Your HOPES Up

CHANGE:

-Not risking doesn't protect us from change.  Change is inevitable.

-The best thing that can happen - just might happen.

-What's the worst that can happen?  ...You might not hate the worst thing.

"If you never change your mind - why have one?"

Am I capable of change?  It starts with attitude.

What is the spirit (attittude) you bring to everything you do? 

Just do YOUR best!

-Amanda Dickson

Your Powerful CHOICE

1- My attitude.

    D&C 68:6

    Be of good cheer...

2- Hope in God

    Why this? Why now? Why me?

    Everything He does is motivated by Love. 

3- Trust in Him

    He will answer our prayers

4- Be faithful to Him

    No matter what!  (Abraham)

5- Accept Suffering

    Learn, Grow, CHANGE

6- Be Grateful

    Gratitude can transform us. Soften our hearts.

7- Let Him bare the burden

    He wants to be there for you.

-Merrilee Boyack

My Hope FOR List:

together Forever

redemption

my baby girl

my little boy

my big boy

Patience

improvement

the love of my life/my biggest boy

having his love forever

growing old together

finding my mission

fulfilling my mission

success

exaltation

My Hope IN List:

the power of prayer

prayers being heard

the Savior

His redeeming grace

salvation

And to end, what might be my longest post ever, I want to say that I know that Jesus is the Christ!  Our Savior. That He is everything He claims to be.  I know that through Him all things are possible.  Our prayers are heard and answered.  I know that we all have a divine mission, while it may not always be what we expect or want, it is ours for a reason.  We have a Father in Heaven, we are his children.  And He does not make mistakes. There is always a reason.  I also know that the reason may never be as important as the knowing there is one.  I know that He helps us and carries us and comforts us... because He LOVES us!  Unconditionally!  I have no doubt.  We are truly never alone.  I am so grateful for Him, for His example and for His sacrifice.  And I am grateful for His faith in me!