BYU Women's Conference

I tried to go back and figure out how long I've been attending this conference, and I think the first year I attended was 2003, so almost 10 years, minus one or two when I couldn't make it because of life, babies, money, or something else.  It's a great tradition I have with my Mother and her side of the family with my Aunts and Cousins and Grandma Shipley.  About 5 years ago we started staying in the dorms on campus, rather than with family that lives in the area.  Being on campus has made the experience richer, more memorable, and so much more fun.  It's like a slumber party, and it's great to be in the thick of things on campus at all times.

Here are a few photos and experiences from this year's conference:

Jenna, her mom Suzanne and I at the airport on our way from the desert to the mountains of Utah.  We were giddy with excitement!  :)

The beautiful campus of BYU, and my favorite, Tulips!

The classes I attended were fantastic.  I didn't take very many notes, I was listening while I worked on crocheting a baby blanket for my collection.  I also don't have the best memory so I'll try and share a few things I learned.

My favorite class was one I took called "Meaningful Prayer."  I don't know about you, but prayer is often difficult for me.  I'm not eloquent, I'm afraid I'm praying for the wrong things, I don't ever really hear or recognize the answers, and I've often wondered if anyone was even listening.  Sound familiar to anyone else?

In this class I learned that the Book of Mormon teaches us to pray with a sincere heart and real intent, and that those are two different things.  Being sincere is one thing, but real intent is the key... I intend to act upon the promptings and answers I receive, no matter what they are.  Maybe my prayers aren't answered in my timetable because I don't really intend on doing what I'm supposed to do in order to receive what the Lord wants me to receive.

I also learned that the Lord will teach me what to pray for, so I can get the right answers.  Now I just need to work on the sincerity and intent, and then figure out how the Lord speaks to me so I can hear the answers.  The speaker said once that she got nothing that she prayed for, but God gave her everything she needed.  Maybe the communication with our Father is more important than the questions and answers.

I also learned an important lesson as a mother raising children, you can't pray away someone's agency.  You can pray all you want for your kids to make certain choices, but the Lord can't make that happen... he gave them the gift of agency, it's precious, and he will never take it away.  As I approach the teenager years with my kids, that will be a good lesson for me to remember.

Back to a few photos:  my sister-in-law Jenna brought her mother Suzanne with us this year, and this trip is typically a tradition for the Shipley side of our family (my Mom's side).  My Grandma, Aunts, and Cousins welcomed her with open arms like she was one of us and I had such an enjoyable time getting to know Suzanne better, I am soooo glad she came!  I hope this becomes a tradition for her and her daughter now too!

Three generations of Shipley women.

 Jenna & Suzanne... aren't they adorable?

The other classes I attended were entitled "Trust in the Lord's Timetable", "The Atonement: Our Greatest Hope", "I Can Do Hard Things", and "Lay Aside the Things of the World and Seek for the Things of a Better."  All good topics, right?  And I wrote maybe one or two sentences in my notebook.

I did learn that sadness and dissatisfaction brings the loss of the spirit.  I am often sad and depressed, and I often feel that the spirit doesn't speak to me or abide with me.  It's frustrating because the sadness is frequently not my fault, it's a symptom of a disease.  That was frustrating to hear, but at the same time necessary for me to understand.  I need to make an extra effort, above and beyond those who just need to cheer up a little, if I want the spirit in my life.  The same instructor also counseled us not to refuse to be comforted.  I do that too.  The Lord's timing is perfect, I just need to seek his guidance, accept his counsel, and allow the spirit to comfort me in the process.  Such necessary and vital information for my current circumstances.

One class talked about the stones we carry around in our hearts, stones of anger, sorrow, or resentment.  Sometimes those stones have a specific person's name written on them.  I am currently carrying around two stones with two people's names on them that are filled with bitterness, anger and resentment.  I can't be uplifted or healed until I throw away those stones, and finally forgive.  Those stones, the circumstances that created them, aren't hurting anyone but me.  This is going to be difficult, but I'm willing to try... baby steps.  But the Savior judges perfectly, he knows our hearts (including the hearts of the offenders) and I need to let the Atonement work for me, and for them.

Almost every single teacher in every class, no matter the topic, counseled us to be grateful.  Being thankful of my blessings and opportunities is a gateway to spiritual experiences that I desire to have, and it applies to almost every subject matter and situation.

My Mom

One of the primary reasons I attend this conference every year is to be able to spend 3 days with my Mom. She is my hero, she sets an example for me and I want to be just like her when I grow up.  Her testimony and faith sustain me when mine is weak.  Her love and service lift me up, often times when I feel like no one else in the world cares about my struggles and weaknesses.  Sharing such powerful spiritual experiences with someone that I love so much provides such tender and precious memories that are difficult to share, because there aren't adequate words.  I love you Mom... thanks for talking me into that first conference experiences almost 10 years ago!

While in Provo we had the chance to drive past the old Provo Tabernacle that was destroyed by a fire, and is now being rebuilt as a Temple.  The progress is coming along, and some of the original structure was able to be saved to be a part of the new building.  I thought I'd throw in a couple pictures of that as well.

So that's was Women's Conference this year!  A couple fun highlights, I ran into my husband's Aunt Joy and four of her daughters, some of the funnest cousins that Austin has, I really admire these girls.  I also ran into my sister-in-law Sarah's oldest sister Lisa (say that five times fast!), Carla Meyers an old friend from Junior High, Linda Crandall my Stake YW President when I was growing up, and I got to meet one of my personal heroes, Kris Belcher.  She spoke at the Time Out For Women in Phoenix last year, and I bought her book after that conference.  She is blind so I had to approach her carefully so as not to startle her, but I got to talk with her for a few minutes and tell her what an impact she's had on my life and how I admire her humor, courage, and faith.  That can be checked off my bucket list!  It's fun to leave town and THEN run into people you know from home, especially at such an incredible event as this conference.

I can't wait until next year so we can do this all over again!!!

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