"'Our family’s faith is in Jesus Christ and is not dependent on outcomes.' ...We do all that we can for the healing of a loved one, and then we trust in the Lord for the outcome."
- Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Women's conference

Sorry, this might be kind of long... I have a lot going through my head...
I don't really have any pictures to post, and actually that is my favorite part of other's blogs. But, I just have to comment about today's women's conference. If anyone went, I would love to hear your thoughts.
You know how sometimes it feels like you go, not really sure what to expect, but then you realize there is something that feels like it was meant for you? Well, that was my experience today.
A musical power point presentation introduced the theme for the conference. It was so good. A quote from President Benson was in the middle and I had to search the Internet to find it. He said, "Men and women who turn their lives over to God will find out that he can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life to God will find he has eternal life."
Eleven blessings are promised if we turn our lives over to Heavenly Father. Eleven. All eleven are blessings that I desperately need as a mother, a wife, a friend-- a person. Today I have a new-found resolve to try harder to do those things, to make those changes, to live my life in such a way that I am turning to God. It seems like it should be simple, but somehow I get caught up in the everyday.
Almost two years ago, I was called to teach the Sunday School lessons in our ward. I was SO scared to teach the adults. I couldn't figure out how they would move me from the nursery, where I was teaching two-year-olds, to Sunday School for the adults. It ended up being a huge blessing for me. I am not sure how it worked out for those who had to hear my lessons every other week, but it was a blessing for me. I have since been called back into the primary, but today during the women's conference I remembered preparing for one of my Sunday School lessons. A Kenneth Cope song I had just become familiar with weighed heavily on my mind throughout that week, and I decided to share it with my lesson. The words to the song have been revolving in my mind ever since the quote from President Benson sunk into my emotions. I won't share all of the lyrics, because I guess this is getting long, but I will share the verses that I feel especially appropriate:
"Weak and wounded sinner, lost and left to die. Oh, raise your head for love is passing by. Come to Jesus, come to Jesus, come to Jesus and live! Sometimes the way is lonely, and steep and filled with pain. So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then cry to Jesus, cry to Jesus, cry to Jesus and live!"

8 comments:

Mike, Sha, Kenna, Kate, & Garrett said...

I am so glad you invited me to go with because I wouldn't have gone myself and I think every word was for me. I am was absolutely amazed and emotional and just so touched. So, thanks for asking!

Grammy said...

It is interesting how the Holy Ghost helps us understand and hear what our FAther in Heaven wants us to hear and know. President Benson has been gone for several years now, and the Holy Ghost continues to testify to us that he IS a PRophet. The presentation touched me too. I wish we could have the spiritual boosts every week, but.....we can in Family Home Evenings and through temple attendance and prayer!!! HE DOES hear us, HE DOES answer us..(Benson is proof just recently of that too) Thanks for going and sitting by me, I love you sis!! Thanks for living your life worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost so he could speak to you yesterday!love, mom (Grammy)

Kristin said...

I wish I would have gone. Thank you for sharing your experience. It has given me a lot to think about.

Candy said...

Thank you for sharing that sweet experience. The words to that song are great. I love when I have those moments of, "aaahhh" and I figure something out, or life seems a little bit easier to bear. How is your little Benson doing?

Briana said...

Thanks for sharing! That was awesome and I love that quote! You are such an amazing person and I miss you.

melissa t. said...

thank you for sharing! I know that on those rainy days of life when you only feel like crying, crying to our Maker makes the clouds go away and brings back His light. Wish I could have been there, sounds like it was wonderful.

The Merkleys said...

Kristin,
Hi, I got your blog link off of Tari Hardings page. It is so cute! I read what you wrote about womens conference. I felt the same way! I really didn't want to go. I am only in town for a little while and my mom was going and I didn't want her to go alone, so what the heck. I loved it! Do you remember the scripture in Isaiah exactly. It is my new favorite one. We are at www.merkleyslovinlife.blogger.com
Thanks
Ashlie used to be Goodrich!

Kristi said...

I am so glad you posted about the women's conference!! I wasn't able to go because we were moving, and I really wanted too! That quote from President Benson is amazing, I am going to have to write it down, or put it on my own blog..... I know I said this before, but thank you so much for posting about this!!! I really am going to write that quote down and put it on my mirror!