Put me in Time OUT Please!

This year for Christmas

my mom, Marianne, Danielle and myself were given the gift of going to

TIME OUT FOR WOMEN! 

Oh, I love those 2 days so much and it was fun to go with 3 of my favorite lady friends. 

We went to Layton and stayed over because unless you get a hotel and sleepover it's not a true get-away.

The theme was "Seek the Good" and boy was it a fantastic line-up of speakers and music.

A personal favorite was D. Kelly Ogden who was my teacher when I went to Israel's Study Abroad over 20 years ago. (Holy Moly!)   He is so smart and so funny.  He even told a story that I had heard before in one of his classes and it made me giggle just remembering that great time in my life.

Hanging out in our hotel.

Eating out without any children!

Since this was the first Time Out for Women of the whole entire year we were the first to get the bags.   

Spoiler Alert:  if you don't want to see what they look like yet, skip the next 2 pictures.

With all the TOFW's I have been to and all the boy's bathrooms I have been in during that time I have never seen the urinals decorated so feminine and cute as I have this one.  There were a few ladies screaming with laughter when they saw these.  It was hilarious and I bet no place on earth have there been so many pictures taken of urinals.

So, I have many pages of notes that I took of this awesome time.  I learned so much and was reminded of many things.  Here are a few highlights from each of the speakers:

*T.C. Christensen (lds movie maker--"17 Miracles")  showed clips of the movie and commented on some of the miracles.   Could have heard him for a LONG time.

*James Ferrell-We all have holes in our boats.  No one is better off.  Don't point out other people's holes.  We've all got them.  Worry about YOUR holes.  The magic way of living is to keep your holes in proper perspective.  Think on the good not on the fact that you have holes.  Think on the fact that we all need the savior equally and fully.

*Chris Williams (his pregnant wife and 2 children were killed in a car accident hit by a drunk driver right before Christmas a few years ago.)  When he had 2 roads that he could go down he wanted mercy rather than misery.  Before he even got in the ambulance he thought the words, "let it go.  Do you believe in me?"  Satan wants us to be miserable like he is.  When we are hurt we are vulnerable that if left unchecked we grow angry, critical, bitter, resentful as we withhold love.   Chris is amazing.  He loved and let that young man into his life who killed his family and ended up changing his life for the good.  What burden can you lay at the Lord's feet TODAY so he can work miracles in you?!

*Mercy River- God can do miracles with a broken heart.  A cry out to Him is music to his ears.  He wants to take over if you will let him. 

*Sara Wells/Kate Jones (authors of "our best bites" recipe book.)  What would your obituary say if you wrote it right now?  It's the mundane things that the kids will treasure and remember.  It's TIME spent with the kids everyday that build memories.

*Kelly Ogden- Summum Bonum, meaning, the highest good.  He told many scriptural stories of people who had great hardships but they chose the highest good.  Greatness is best measured by the life's happenings that seem to be unfair, unreasonable and undeserved.  There is no end to what can be accomplished if we don't care who gets the credit.  Elder Hales said, "unless you are living the Gospel with your whole heart you can not generate enough light to push back the darkness."  Overcoming weakness and adversity, perservering in daily diligence, trying to be faithful in all things are SUMMUM BONUM. 

*Julie de Azevedo- we don't have to be happy all the time.  Feeings are not moral issues, they are only information on our authentic self.  Taking care of ourself is NOT selfish.  We need to make us be our best selves so we can have more to offer others.  The things that bring us joy gives us information about what our mission is in life.  Write a list of 100 things you are good at.  Instead of making a list of "to do's" make a list of "ta daaaaaahs!" (the good things you are already doing that won't ever make it to your lists.

*Emily Watts-  What can I do to be a catalyst for good?  Good doesn't always reside within your comfort zone.  What good might be hidden in this trial?  Good takes patience.  How can I bless someone's life with good today?  We learn to play games and do things from watching others.  Who is learning to play the game of life from watching you?

My favorite thought is from Kelly Ogden.  "Heavenly FAther is the most intelligent, most loving, kindest, most honest, greatest in the universe and YOU are His daughter.  We are good.  It's our heritage and that is more than awesome."

Sad at having it end but it was so worth it and super fun and our brains were stuffed full of good thoughts to ponder.  I could definitely relate to something that each of the speakers said.

Amen!