I had the most amazing experience to be able to meet up with some of my very best friends in this entire world and receive such spiritual feeding and strengthening. Women's Conference takes place the end of April at BYU... my former stomping grounds. I would encourage all women to make efforts to attend because we, as women, as mothers, as wives, sisters, daughters, friends... we are constantly nurturing and caring for others. Oft times neglecting our own needs, our own mental health and spiritual well-being. I have decided that I owe it to myself and my family to receive this spiritual boost every year... thanks to an incredible husband who supported me and helped with the kids so that I could get away for a few days.
The majority of my spiritual uplift came from reuniting with beautiful friends that know me inside and out and I know them in the same raw way. Real discussions were had, speaking from the heart, a wide range of emotions was experienced. It was a joyful reunion to see former roomies and friends: Jenni (came from California), Alisa (came from Yakima, Washington and she and Jenni are sisters), and Dawna (came from Jackson Hole, Wyoming). This was Day One shortly after our tearful reunion. In this particular meeting as soon as the first hymn was sung, i peeked over at Dawna... standing there in such humble spirit with tears streaming down her cheeks. It was as if every word spoken and every hymn sung was meant for us as individuals. It felt wonderful to FEEL again, to REMEMBER why faith matters and most importantly it helped encourage me to make the EFFORT to STRENGTHEN my testimony of what I know to be true and be a better example to my children and family as a whole. I was touched, I was changed, and I have lots of work to do!
After attending all of our various classes we met up and gorged ourselves at "Los Hermanos"... YUM. I worked there as a server in college and became hooked on their chips and salsa. I mean to the point that I pass the exit on the freeway and I begin to salivate. Luckily, all the ladies were fans and we ate fabulously that night.
Here we are Day Two... another meeting of uplift and encouragement. Actually I think this was after our closing meeting. I was too busy being edified to take pictures, though I regret I didn't take more. It was a wide range of emotions being back on campus... I can't believe how much walking I did back in the day. My booty must have been in fine shape as a BYU student. I have a feeling it was. Heh heh.
Our adorable friend, Amy met up with us for the evening from Ogden. She lived with the girls freshman year, I was their neighbor and lived with them sophomore year... but cute Amy had then decided to be an R.A. so though I've never shacked up with Amy I still consider her a dear, dear friend. She radiates joy, beauty and all that is pure and good in this world. We had a mediocre yet affordable meal at Hogi Yogi / Teriyaki Stix... afterall, that's what we lived on in college. We had to re-live those days. We then went shopping. That's what we do best. I had a blast helping Amy find some cute stuff... she won a bet with her husband so she had money to burn. She was such a good sport, she was my little model and I went to town as her self-appointed personal shopper. It was so fun!
I cannot express how much each of these women mean to me. They have touched my life in ways that I am positive we were angel buddies in heaven. I am grateful that I was able to experience the uplift that attending Women's Conference was for me, and can't thank my Greg and my mom enough for taking such wonderful care of our precious little ones. Until next year, Ladies... for another spiritual boost! Love to you.
