Thoughts from Women's Conference...and life.

These guys right here are what it's all really about. Aren't they great?!

Of course now that it has been a few weeks since Women's Conference I don't have as much to say about it as I would have. Perhaps that is a good thing. I had a great time and definitely came away feeling energized and like I had things that I could really improve.

Many times I get bogged down by all the things I "should" be doing with/for my family. There are so many good activities, traditions, projects, etc. I start to get overwhelmed with the time and energy it takes to actually put many of these things into action. The biggest blessing to me about the conference this year was that I felt like I came away with just one main thing to work on.

After attending many great classes and getting good ideas, it struck me that there was a common thread throughout most of them. Many speakers talked about how having the spirit in your home is so important. It made me think about how true that is. If I can try with everything I'm doing, to create an atmosphere where the spirit can dwell, then that is the best thing I can be doing at that moment. I firmly believe that most people don't remember details of how things were put together, decorated, planned and executed. I think most people just remember how they felt. I'm hoping to make my home a place where the spirit is felt often.

In doing this I am also hoping that I can help my kids recognize that spirit so that they can take it with them when they are at school, playing, and other activities, and use it to help them make good choices. I also believe that if I can have the spirit present more often in my life then I will be guided to which of the activities, projects, and traditions are important for MY family. I can't do it all, all the time. The Lord knows what my family needs and I believe He will guide me to those things that are of most worth.

It was seriously so liberating to come to this realization. Yes, it would be great to have perfectly planned and executed Family Home Evenings every week. Yes it would be great to have coordinated family scripture study every morning together. Yes it would be great to have everything planned out just so EVERY DAY. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work out that way. Now I know that IT'S OK!!! Instead of having a million things I want our family to work on I now just have one. BRING THE SPIRIT INTO OUR HOME AND LIVES.

I have been so much better at slowing down and listening to the kids. I have been enjoying them and our daily lives so much more. I have realized that no one wins in the rat race of life. I am drawn again and again to two of my favorite books that teach just that. Gift From The Sea, and Mitten Strings For God. I know you regular readers of this blog are sick of hearing about them, but they really speak to me. I highly recommend them.

I now have this sudden urge to purge everything in my life that isn't important. I'm not just talking about activities, but also about THINGS! I would love to go through every drawer and closet and seriously clean out. I want to live simply and not in excess. I want to have less. Things clutter our lives and we get too caught up in them. I am determined to scale back on what I own, buy, and store. I truly think that will help bring me closer to the spirit and what the Lord has in mind for me.

I had one of the most precious moments so far in my calling in the Primary today. We have a handful of children with special needs. Some more severe than others. There is one girl in particular who has captured my heart. She has Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome and is 10 years old. She does not speak with words, but her spirit is very strong. She loves music and has been my buddy ever since one activity where I let her be in charge of starting and stopping the music for musical chairs.

She has never been able to give a talk, scripture, or prayer in primary because of her disabilities. Today that all changed. She has been using a new computer that allows her to choose words from a screen and communicate. She gave the closing prayer in Primary today and the whole room was filled with the spirit. She got up with her mom who stood next to her with the computer and she touched the screen choosing exactly what to say. I was overwhelmed with the spirit from the beginning, but lost all composure when she said in the prayer TWICE that she was grateful for singing time. There was no doubt to anyone at that time that SHE was giving that prayer. It may not have been her voice, but it was her words. I am so grateful that my kids along with the other children in primary are able to interact with such a choice spirit. It allows them to learn compassion and service. We are so blessed.

Thanks for letting me get my thoughts out in this forum. It was a little disjointed, but putting my thoughts down often solidifies my feelings and determination. I am so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ that teaches the principles of happiness. I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father that gives us guidance through others. I know that even though the church is run by men/women that aren't perfect, that the gospel is. I have to remind myself that we are all human and things aren't' always done/said/presented perfectly in the church. Like I said, we are human beings on the road to becoming better. I'm grateful for those who forgive my imperfections and don't negatively judge my beliefs because of some of my faults. Most of all I am grateful for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who loves all of us and sacrificed for all.