Time Out ...For Me

Time Out for Women held so many tender mercies for me that when I came home, I was doubtful my feet touched the floor. I didn't want to watch TV or listen to the radio, or even get on the computer. Just wanted this feeling to last as long as possible. I loved it!

My friends, Nan and Kelly picked me up, with Marilyn S. a gal in our ward that until this weekend, I didn't know very well at all. I'm so glad she came. Her personality complemented all of ours and it was fun to bring someone new into our little circle.

We headed up to Denver, ate at Costa Vida along the way, and arrived in plenty of time for the conference at the Denver Merchandise Mart. We even got reasonably good seats thanks to sisters in our ward that must've gotten there an hour earlier and saved a bunch for the rest of us.

When we arrived, I whispered to Kelly that there was one sister I was keen on meeting up with:Sister Shirley Carlson. She was my Laurel Advisor when I joined the Church at 16 years old. It was she who gave me clothing out of her closet--some with tags still on them--when my own parents forced me to choose, and I left their home with the clothes on my back. My love for her is total, and I knew that though she is 80 years old, she would be there if possible.
So I said a little prayer in my heart and started looking around the room of 1800 women, for a little white-haired lady with twinkly eyes and a loving face. We weren't there but a few minutes, maybe 10--and lo, I saw her across the aisle! I made my way to her, greeted and hugged her--feeling 16 years old all over again--and we "caught up" with our lives right there for a couple of minutes. Tender Mercy #1.
A few minutes later, I was looking at the displays of books, cds, and other offerings on tables, when I looked up and saw a strikingly beautiful woman--a little voice said, "That's Sr. Watterson." I looked again, trying to be careful not to stare, and thought, "are you sure? I haven't seen her in 30 years." "Yes, it's her. Go tell her." So I walked gingerly over to this woman and tapped her, "I'm sorry to bother you, but you look familiar. Are you Sister Watterson?" "Yes, I am.", she replied with her kind smile. I continued, "You probably don't remember me, but I joined the Church in your ward when I was 16 years old. Then I went into Relief Society, and you were the first Relief Society teacher I ever had. You said something that day that I had never heard before, and to this day have never forgotten. "Mother is the Heart of the Home." I just want you to know that your words left an impression on my life as I am the mother of seven children-- I have tried to be worthy of that place." Well she teared up, and said she did remember me. Gave me a hug and we chatted for a few more minutes. Tender Mercy #2.


When I got back to our seats, I told Kelly about it--then she said, Oh, that's DJ's mission president's wife! Where is she?" So again, I scoured the audience and found her again--only Kelly had wondered off to visit with other sisters she recognized. We caught up with Sister Watterson the next morning.

The Presenters at the conference were: Michael McLean, Kenneth Cope, Mark Mabry (The slideshow creator of "Reflections of Christ" above), Mary Ellen Edmunds, Delynn or Deanne somebody (she was a scream!), Bro. Willcox, and Wendy Ulrich, the author of Forgiving Ourselves--the book I've been sharing on here, and she is also my son's former Mission President's Wife/mission mom.
I got to visit with her during a break. She is wonderful, and what a blessing to meet her and express my appreciation to her for her service for my son while he was in the Canada Montreal Mission! I loved it! Tender Mercy #3.

I have to say, Kenneth Cope has been around a long time. I'd never seen him in person before this weekend though. At the close of the conference, I took the opportunity to express appreciation for his testimony and tell him that all these years I've enjoyed and been uplifted by his songs, and now seeing him in person, I realize that he is more than a singer/songwriter--he is a witness. And thanked him for coming.

And then in the last minutes before the entire conference was over, I also got to meet and visit with Pres. Ulrich himself. SO neat!

And on and on it goes. The messages were for me. The music was for me. The prayers, for me also. I felt layers of life's grunge wash away, feeling anew in my purpose and abilities as a wife and mother and as a child of God. What a sweet experience!
At the beginning of the conference, the moderator, Laurel, said that she suspected that each of us may have come to this conference with particular questions in our hearts, and if we would be diligent in listening with our hearts, we would find the answers to those questions. So as the different presenters took their turns speaking to us, I found that each of them had a nugget or two that applied to me, so that by the end of the last speaker, the last song, the last prayer, I had received answers to my hearts' complaints and found inspiration to help myself be a better self. I thought about each of my children, individually, wondering how I can be a better parent for them--and came away with specific tasks I can do to encourage and love them in the ways they need; as well as my husband. I also felt inspired concerning my role as an older sister in my ward and realm of influence. I can do more. All of this, because I was reminded of who I am and my Heavenly Father's love for me. That's where it started. That's where it always starts, isn't it?

I must also note that my generous friend, Nan, bought all of us matching pj's! And we stayed up way too late talking about every thing from our childhoods to our conversions (all of us are converts!), to our children, callings, and hot flashes! It felt like I had been gone a week instead of just one day. I loved every minute of it.