Women's Conference

Don't we girls just need to get away with our girlfriends every once in a while? To buoy each other up, encourage each other on each of our own paths and to take a little time out to assess where we're at and figure out how to be a little bit better?

Women's Conference was just the shot in the arm I needed. Let me get my geeky part of the post out of the way. If you asked Casey who I get the most "star-struck" about, no, it wouldn't be Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, or Oprah Winfrey. I am a little embarrassed to admit, only because I know she's just a regular person like you and me, who just happens to be pretty extraordinary...

Seriously. I love listening to Sheri Dew. I've been fortunate enough to meet her several times as my grandfather married her dear friend, and I'm just as star-struck every time. She has such a gift of telling it like it is, but still convincing me that the task at hand is do-able and I'm so very capable and able to take on anything. She was the opening speaker and gave a great message. I loved it! Oh, but I'm not done.

I got to sit next to her at the next session and we got to just talk about this and that, she even suggested Sheri be thrown into the pot of possible baby names. I haven't told Case that I've added it to the list! I came home and told Casey how I got to sit next to her, and he just sort of shook his head and laughed a little at my groupie-like glow on my face. Seriously--I am a major nerd! Honestly, I just admire her immensely and enjoy how she always makes me want to be a better person after hearing each of her speeches. Moving right along...


Two of my aunts presented WONDERFUL talks on Drawing Nearer to the Savior by focusing on what really matters and the other spoke about how good music can influence our homes in so many positive ways. Aside from being a really proud niece, I went away with so many ideas and ways to tweak my every day life.

My mother came from a home of 9 sisters and 1 brother who all have great musical talents. It seemed there were always events or occasions where we got to hear them all singing together--farewells, wedding breakfasts, each year at our extended family reunion. It seems like those opportunities have been far and few between as the years have gone on, so I was really honored when they asked me to accompany them at each of my aunts presentations.

I realize I'm a full grown adult now, but listening to them sing together brings back great comforting feelings from my childhood--second only to the influences of my mom's or grandmother's (and even grandma's "mock") lullabies. Some people consider homemade macaroni and cheese their comfort food--mine would hands down be listening to them sing. Over and over again as we practiced and then finally got to perform, I was reminded of how blessed I am to have these magnificent women as such great examples, cheerleaders, and anchors.