I wasn't sure that I would attend the session that John Bytheway taught, but I am glad that I made the decision to go. I ran across campus and arrived in the Smith Field House before about 3300 other people. I realized that I probably didn't have to run like it did, but the building was expected to fill to capacity (3500 people).
The topic of this session was on Covenants. They posed three questions and then answered them.
1. How can we keep our covenants in sight every day?
- God is all about freedom
- Satan is all about bondage
- Put a picture of the temple in every room.
- Put reminders of your covenants everywhere - pictures of Christ on the wall, pictures of the temple, scriptures out in the open to be used frequently.
They told of a family member who often told her kids as they walked out the door "Remember who you are". One particular day their teenage son was leaving with his friends and his little sibling (can't remember if it was a boy or girl) yelled out the door "Don't forget your name!" :)
They said "If our children see a lesser version of ourselves Monday-Friday, we cannot expect them to be different"
We watched a video from the April 2003 General Conference. It was Elder Holland's talk entitled "A Prayer for the Children"
We were admonished to Keep the Covenants that our children know we have made. Do they know we have made covenants?
2. What activities move us closer to our coventants?
With whom have I made my covenants.?"I have not made a covenant with ESPN, TV, INTERNET, SIBLINGS, PARENTS, etc."
Any activity that brings us closer to our family is a covenant activity.
Pray for spiritual eyes to see those in need
3. How can we look to our covenants to find strength?
"No matter what, I will not leave him" They told a story of a young boy who had been having some trouble with behavior at school. The teacher, in response to his behavior, gave him a project that was due the next day. It was a lengthy project and it caused a lot of stress for the young boy. The parents were at their wits end. The mom sent all of the kids, and her husband away and she stayed with her son until the project was finished. When she ascended the stairs, her husband asked how she could possibly help him and she said "I don't know, I just said to myself - No matter what, I will not leave him."
The Lord is the same with us. He never leaves us no matter what.
They taught to use what they called the "vertical dimension" (prayer)
Pray in the morning for the Spirit. When temptations come, or when situations are trying -- pray again and really picture the Spirit of the Lord being right there.
Covenants are power!
At the end of the session, though they were out of time, they posed the question "How do we find strength from our covenants when our children are struggling?" They then recommended that we read "Our Moral Environment" by Elder Boyd K. Packer. I haven't done that yet, but I plan to.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Women's Conference - Day One, Morning Session
This week I had the opportunity to attend BYU's Women's Conference. I am grateful to my husband for making his time available so that I could attend this 'fill my cup' event. I always learn so much from Women's Conference. This year was no exception. Hopefully my notes will be helpful to some.
Sister Virginia H. Pearce (President Hinckley's daughter) spoke in the opening session. She is just as lovely as her parents were. She spoke of prayer and how it is essential in our lives. Prayer, she said is a basic religious ritual that spans throughout all time, and all religions. Prayer rests on the principle of faith and is an expression of our agency. We choose whether or not we pray.
She spoke of the trials that we all must face. She related the year that President Hinckley passed away. She said that they spent a long time going through her parent's stuff, and dividing it up among the family. They moved, and moved boxes. Her husband retired from being a physician that year and they moved more and more boxes. They planned to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints together and they arranged to rent their home, so they moved even more boxes into their rapidly filling basement. During this time her husband began having symptoms that were less than pleasant. He visited a doctor and tests were run. He was diagnosed with a fatal illness that took his life just a short year later. During that year she said they prayed. They spent precious time together, they laughed, and they prayed.
She spoke of the dark and rainy skies that all of us experience in our lives. she said "One must be washed off thoroughly before they can return to the presence of God. We need the dark and rainy skies to wash us clean." I loved that. What a truth!
She said she has a little note on her computer, a sticky note, that says "Keep it small, keep it simple, and give it time"Another treasure to live by.
She spoke of heartfelt prayers, and taught that Faith, coupled with pure charity makes a difference.
She reminded us to attend the temple often, and to humbly pray there.
In her final remarks she spoke of the Tender Mercies of God and that through them He teaches that "I am here, I approve of what you are doing. Everything will work out for your good. Trust Me."
Sister Virginia H. Pearce (President Hinckley's daughter) spoke in the opening session. She is just as lovely as her parents were. She spoke of prayer and how it is essential in our lives. Prayer, she said is a basic religious ritual that spans throughout all time, and all religions. Prayer rests on the principle of faith and is an expression of our agency. We choose whether or not we pray.
She spoke of the trials that we all must face. She related the year that President Hinckley passed away. She said that they spent a long time going through her parent's stuff, and dividing it up among the family. They moved, and moved boxes. Her husband retired from being a physician that year and they moved more and more boxes. They planned to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints together and they arranged to rent their home, so they moved even more boxes into their rapidly filling basement. During this time her husband began having symptoms that were less than pleasant. He visited a doctor and tests were run. He was diagnosed with a fatal illness that took his life just a short year later. During that year she said they prayed. They spent precious time together, they laughed, and they prayed.
She spoke of the dark and rainy skies that all of us experience in our lives. she said "One must be washed off thoroughly before they can return to the presence of God. We need the dark and rainy skies to wash us clean." I loved that. What a truth!
She said she has a little note on her computer, a sticky note, that says "Keep it small, keep it simple, and give it time"Another treasure to live by.
She spoke of heartfelt prayers, and taught that Faith, coupled with pure charity makes a difference.
She reminded us to attend the temple often, and to humbly pray there.
In her final remarks she spoke of the Tender Mercies of God and that through them He teaches that "I am here, I approve of what you are doing. Everything will work out for your good. Trust Me."
Monday, April 04, 2011
The Day I Played Slave Driver
Yesterday before conference I asked the kids to give me 20 minutes of their time to help tidy up the house before we watched the first session. I didn't want to have to look at the clutter while trying to feel the spirit of the meeting.
In true Ryan-like fashion, Ryan began to stall. "Twenty minutes, that's all I want," I said. He continued to do a small task and then get sidetracked on a story, or the art of just standing there watching me. I finally said "Ryan, you can get out of cleaning better than anyone I know." To which he responded "I'm not as good as Tom Sawyer. He convinced people to do things for him."
In true Ryan-like fashion, Ryan began to stall. "Twenty minutes, that's all I want," I said. He continued to do a small task and then get sidetracked on a story, or the art of just standing there watching me. I finally said "Ryan, you can get out of cleaning better than anyone I know." To which he responded "I'm not as good as Tom Sawyer. He convinced people to do things for him."
Friday, April 01, 2011
Like Father...
He gets his style from his dad. He couldn't figure out why I wanted to take a picture of him. Uhhh, check out the feet. It's all in the feet.
April Fool's
Ryan and Sydney LOVE April Fool's Day. They both went to bed last night thinking of all of the things they could do to each other this morning.
I went to the church at 6 to exercise and Ryan called at 7 sharp. He said he switched the cereal. Funny as Brett did that to him last year. Sydney didn't fall for it. She's smarter than he gives her credit for.
I thought it would be fun to have dinner tonight with a special menu. On the docket:
Oinkers wearing pants (Pork Chops)
Pill Bugs (Twice Baked Potatoes)
a Basket of Grandma's Breakfast (Salad) - If would have been thinking I would have named that "On Second Thought Make My Potatoes a Salad. I wasn't thinking quick enough though.
and Peas and Carrots for dessert.
I think they enjoyed dinner. Ryan was afraid that I had done something bad to the meal and he was hesitant to come.
A Special Thanks to "Emperor's New Groove" (A favorite movie) and Our Best Bites for the inspiration.
I went to the church at 6 to exercise and Ryan called at 7 sharp. He said he switched the cereal. Funny as Brett did that to him last year. Sydney didn't fall for it. She's smarter than he gives her credit for.
I thought it would be fun to have dinner tonight with a special menu. On the docket:
Oinkers wearing pants (Pork Chops)
Pill Bugs (Twice Baked Potatoes)
and Peas and Carrots for dessert.
I think they enjoyed dinner. Ryan was afraid that I had done something bad to the meal and he was hesitant to come.
A Special Thanks to "Emperor's New Groove" (A favorite movie) and Our Best Bites for the inspiration.
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