TOFW 2012

Let's look past the fact that I COMPLETELY forgot about St. Patrick's Day this year.  

That is, until dinner that night when Ben pinched us all, except William, who proudly revealed his GREEN boxer briefs.  Lucky stink.

Some years are like that, I guess.

However, I did do something absolutely fantastic on Saturday.  My mom and I went to Time Out for Women (click TOFW).  This year's theme was "Seek the Good."

I learned so so much, especially the fact that throwing in a manual breast pump without reminding myself how to use it was quite a painful mistake.  Believe me, I had two wet circles on my shirt to prove it.  Ouch.  (I had my mom take this picture BEFORE my unfortunate discovery.  Don't I look like I'm in for a BIG SURPRISE?)

Besides the pump issue, there were a few things I was reminded of, or learned anew, that I hope to never forget.  Here's a little stream of consciousness flow of ideas I loved:

Goodness is a choice.

"Withhold not the good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it" (Proverbs 3:27).

A list of fantastic ideas for mother's everywhere:

1. If you want to be happy as a woman, develop a thick skin.

2. Do your children the honor of expecting HARD THINGS from them.

3. Give your children the stability of a FEW WELL-CHOSEN traditions.

4. Remember to think of yourself as a person.

5. Catch children doing good.

Supporting #5 above, was the powerful example that even Heavenly Father introduced his son to others as "My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."  Boy, I thought about that a lot, how I present my children to others.

"Greatness is best measured by how well an individual responds to the happenings in life that appear to be totally unfair, unreasonable, and undeserved."  Marvin J. Ashton.

You must see the good in yourself before you can go out and seek the good in others.

CPR = Caring + RESPONSE.  We can care about someone/something 'til we're blue in the face, but if we fail to respond to those inclinations our caring is in vain.  We must ACT.  (This was a shot in the arm to me.  I have been so prayerful since hearing this remark to ACT, and already the Lord has given me 4 amazing opportunities to be an instrument in his hands.  It's amazing to me.)

"For the Lord thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the Lord thy God hath been with thee; thou hast LACKED NOTHING" (Deuteronomy 2:7).

Most of the Savior's ministering was INCIDENTAL, while he was going along his way.  Follow this pattern.

It was a wonderfully uplifting sort of day.  Gathering with such a large group of faithful women was thrilling.  I could feel an awesome energy in that auditorium.  

I was so grateful to be there.  I was so grateful for a husband who lugged our children everywhere that day, coaching a basketball game for me, and taking the kids to a wrestling match (where Lincoln placed 3rd!).  I couldn't have done it without him.  Props to that sweet man of mine.