"You will have significant experiences. I hope that you will write them down and keep a record of them, that you will read them from time to time and refresh your memory of those meaningful and significant things. Some may be funny. Some may be significant only to you. Some of them may be sacred and quietly beautiful. Some may build one upon another until they represent a lifetime of special experience." Gordon B. Hinckley, 2006

Saturday, September 29, 2007

Charity Never Faileth

Lots of people have been posting about their word for the year. The word that I've chosen for this year is "charity." (I found these necklaces on Mique's blog. I'm ordering one for myself that says "charity." I thought they were so cute! I enjoyed the relief society broadcast so much last night. I was so disappointed yesterday when I thought I wasn't going to be able to make it. Brian was at a dental conference all Friday and Saturday, and it started snowing. I was worried about him trying to hurry home for me and getting in an accident. I sent him a text message telling him not to worry about it, I'd just watch the rebroadcast later. He sent me back a text saying he was just leaving (he left his meeting an hour early for me.) He's such a great, supportive husband, and I was so grateful to go to the meeting. It was so awesome.

Sister Beck is so great. She exudes love and spirit when she speaks. I really look up to her. She quoted President Hinckley several different times during her talk, saying that as a relief society of over 5 million, if we are united, our "strength will be incalcuable." She urged us to be strong and immoveable in faith, in family, and in relief. Her message really helped me feel the desire to recommit to prioritizing and making sure the good doesn't replace the essential. One thing that stuck out to me was when she said that "focusing on relief will always yield sociality, while sociality will not always bring relief." It reminded me of a RS training meeting I attended a while back. We talked about how the purpose of Enrichment is to 1) bring sisters closer to Christ, and 2) strengthen families. The focus of Enrichment should be on "relief" instead of "society." A good thought for me to remember.

I already knew I loved Sister Beck, but I'd never heard her 2 counselors before. They are so great! Sister Silvia Allred is about the cutest thing ever! I love her little Costa Rican accent. I really liked her talk about how as disciples of Christ, we need to feed His sheep. She had such cute stories, and her message was so positive.

Sister Barbara Thompson also gave a great talk on families. It made me really want to treasure every minute I have with them, care for them, love them, hug them, read to them, study the scriptures with them, pray with/for them. One thing that I gleaned from this talk is that good parents don't just tell their children how to do something, they show them how it is done, help them, and do it with them. I need to be better about teaching my children in that fashion.

President Monson is always a delight and an uplift to listen to. He urged us to 1) study diligently, 2) pray earnestly and 3) serve willingly. Charity never faileth. We are surrounded by opportunities. Service comes from a heart filled with love.

I left this meeting with an increased desire to serve, and fill my heart with charity. I love these meetings for the sisters. Being a mom is sometimes a difficult challenge, so it's so nice to hear messages that put everything back in perspective and reaffirm why we do what we do.

11 comments:

Unknown said...

You take great notes~! Don't you love meetings like that???

And I can't wait to check out those necklaces. I love WORDS... I have plaques, phrases, quotes etc ALL OVER MY HOUSE... Why not wear 'em too??!

Cara @ Gardenview Cottage said...

I love Kristi's idea of getting a different one each year! I might just have to order me one too! I missed the broadcast since Tom was playing golf darn! Thanks for the recap.

Supercool Mom said...

I loved women's conference too! I got to go with my mom and 1 sis., always the best part!

Mique (as in Mickey) said...

Great recap- I was there taking notes as well (usually at church I am too busy chasing my kids that I can never take notes but thought this was the perfect chance to take it all in and write my thoughts down).
I LOVE the quote Pres. Monson said- put it on my blog.
I walked away feeling refreshed and happy. And then got to have dinner with my friends- can't beat that.
That Brian is so sweet too! :)

crystal said...

Thanks for your thoughts & notes; I haven't watched it yet. Wish I could've gone with you:( I can't wait to get one of these necklaces too! I've been planning to ever since I saw them on Mique's blog. They're so cute

Megan said...

I really enjoyed the broadcast. Your post is a great recap of the whole meeting. It was so uplifting. I feel so blessed to have the gospel in my life and to feel so inspired by these meetings.

Heather S. said...

Thanks for taking such good notes. I didn't get to go I was at a wedding reception. Sounds like I missed a good one.

Those necklaces are so cute aren't they?!

Karri said...

YOu said all that perfect! It's so great to hear words of wisdowm every so often. That broadcast was excellent and I left feeling very uplifted!

Robyn said...

You actually got to go the Conference center??? That is so cool to live in Utah! We all assembled together to watch the live broadcast in our church building. We still had the sisterhood and felt the spirit. I agree with everything you said about the talks. I felt so spiritually fed. I am grateful to be a member of a church where I can be a part of a huge sister organization. Hope that made sense. It's late and I need to go nigh nigh.

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

I'm glad that you found so much uplifting in the conference... I felt a little overwhelmed about trying to be better in all those areas. I felt inadequate when Sis. Beck said things like "as women of this church we should be the best at ..." I really enjoyed Pres. Monson's words and I enjoyed Sis. Thompson's remarks as well.
It was a nice evening, we had a dinner served by the bishopric and high priests then went to the chapel to watch the conference. As I sat there listening, (I must admit) I wondered if any of my blog friends might be there in attendance.... This is the first women's conference I have ever attended/watched. I normally haven't got sitters and babysitting is usually not provided, plus it is printed in the conference Ensign, so I just never went. I am glad that I went, though.

kasi said...

Thank you for sharing your beautiful thoughts. You are setting such a good example for your kids by going.