MUST READ!

I was able to go to Womens Conference at BYU with my mom and sisters in May. Julie Beck the General Relief Society president spoke in the first session on Thursday. When she finished her talk we all looked at each other and said "well, we can go home now!" We felt like everything we needed to hear was in THIS talk! She is an amazing leader who I love and admire! This is a talk that has changed my life and I hope that as I keep trying to follow her counsel and inspiration that I will keep changing. After hearing this talk I felt like I had so much more direction for my life. I really hope you do too. It is a long talk. Follow THIS LINK and print it. Read and re-read this talk!

Here are some highlights but honestly I hope you just read the talk! It is wonderful!!! Oh and I know it was given at womens conference but it is NOT just for women! :)

"I have felt every time I meet with the sisters of the Church—is an emergency meeting and a training meeting, a time for us to learn. I feel a great urgency for the daughters of God to do all they need to do to strengthen and lift not only themselves, their families, sisters who are in their wards, but also the world. I feel that the sisters in this Church who know and understand their covenants will be a significant force in helping this world, which seems to have lost its moral moorings.

Each of us is a daughter of heavenly parents, and as part of the house of Israel, we come from royal blood. When we choose our mission, we have power and influence in that royal house and in the Lord’s work. He is depending on us.

All priesthood power has order, boundaries, and limits to its use. In our personal lives, we are only limited by our faithfulness and desire to receive the Lord’s Spirit and to have it work in our lives. The Lord’s power can be powerful.

Education is wonderful, but being able to feel the Lord’s power and Spirit upon us is the highest education we can achieve. With that, we have power and influence. Without it, we will not be able to navigate in this life. The adversary will pick us off one by one, and we will be drawn off course by the many, many voices that are out there distracting us. With the Lord’s Spirit upon us, we are strong and solid and will be able to walk with Him.

Never at any time in the history of the world have we needed stronger families and stronger homes. It is out of those homes and families that the next generation comes. As each of us walks out of our own home every day, how strong is that home that we are leaving?

...women are like lionesses at the gate of the home. Whatever happens in that home and family happens because she cares about it and it matters to her. She guards that gate, and things matter to that family if they matter to her.

I was taught years ago that when our priorities are out of order, we lose power. If we need power and influence to carry out our mission, then our priorities have to be straight.

I have great faith and trust and confidence that Heavenly Father’s daughters will learn and recognize who they are, that they will know their mission on the earth and fulfill that. I leave my great love and testimony with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

Hunger Games...

Oh man, Zach took the kids for almost the whole day on Saturday and let me read the first book of The Hunger Games!! He took me on a three clue hunt for my book and when I found it there was a note inside saying enjoy an uninterrupted two hours with your reading! Now that is bliss!

I kept looking for, listening for and having the urge to check on the kids but they weren't even home! Instead of two hours of reading I got six! It was so nice!

Now what to do for him?! Any ideas?

Healthy indeed

Wednesday morning I was planning to run after I nursed our baby. I planned on the baby being my alarm clock. Naturally, he slept in!

Zach had to be to work so I didn't get to go.

That afternoon Zach came home from work early so I could get my run in before it got dark.

I had a fabulous run! On my way home I was thinking about how most moms, like myself have a hard time doing things for themselves. We don't want to be a burden or selfish.

I came home feeling refreshed and happy. Zach was glad I was able to go and really I loved him more for supporting me.

I concluded that unselfishly supporting each other in our interests is absolutely healthy for a marriage.

The apple for today is this: think about what interest or hobby is refreshing for you and your spouse. Ask them to help you to do this thing more often. AND ask them how you can support them in their interest as well.