October Relief Society Meeting

Tonight was a great success!!!  Thank you Samantha for all of your hard work and inspiration.  We had over 45 women attend our Provident Living Freezer/100 Meal Challenge Meeting.  Several Sisters prepared crockpot meals for us all to sample.  What better way than to try these great meals, before actually fixing them for your family.  We were well fed, and inspired to make use of what we have and being prepared.  Being the genius that I am, I didn't take any pictures, so sorry I can't share that.  I recently heard that if you are taking a lot of pictures, your missing what is going on around you, so that is probably why I don't!  They said that the people taking pictures cannot tell you what was going on as well as those who enjoy the moment.  I did enjoy the moment.  Each of the Sister's who made their crockpot meal was treated to a frozen meal prepared by Samantha.  We have such great talent in the ward, it is so fun to get together and learn from each other!  Thanks to all who came, you make it fun for those who go to great lengths to prepare.  Love you!!!

Love, Love, Love

This is a precious photo of my little Layla.  She just came from the Bibitty Bobitty Boutique, where she was transformed into a princess.  I snapped this as she was dancing and talking to herself in the mirror.  To me she is always a Princess, but being made perfect with costume, hair, makeup and of course pixie dust, Layla was perfect in her eyes.  Just like in Layla's Grandma's eyes, you my friends are perfect all the time.  Nothing is more beautiful than a mother with spit up on her shoulder, hair frazzled, and tired to the core, or a experienced Woman just trying to keep going when her bones are weary.   More importantly is how our Father in Heaven views us, now that is the kind of love I want to have for my friends and family, a more unconditional love.  We all are not perfect, but we deserve to be loved.  So I encourage you to keep your chin up and hang in there.  We can only do our best!!! I seriously do  Love each of you and I am so glad to be home!

Nightmare Before Christmas

As I get ready to take a week vacation with Shannon and her family, I am thinking of all the things I need to get done before Christmas.  Thus, I am creating my own Nightmare Before Christmas.  I need to make a pile of minkee  quilts, and have decided I need to make all of the Primary Children a travel pillow for the Ward Christmas Party.  The only way I will be able to get all this done, is to dedicate some days to focus on this.  I know that there aren't any Sister's that bury their lives like I do, but in case you feel a little overwhelmed with projects I'd like to offer a "Work on it Wednesday" get together for a few weeks in the latter part of October, November and possibly into December.  If you are interested in this, please email or call me and let me know.  The minkee quilts are bulky, so the church is the perfect place to do this project.  I will schedule the building and offer it to those who would like to get projects done.  Anyone who would like to come and heckle us or visit with us, would be welcome.  If we have enough interest, we can do it!!!  I also would like to ask for any donations of the travel size pillow at Walmart, for the Primary project.  I have ordered fabric for the pillow cases.  I also would like to dedicate one of these Wednesdays to assemble the pillowcases.  If you would like to help, that would be fabulous!  Please come, and participate in my "Nightmare", you won't be disappointed.

Saturday Sessions

My favorite talk today!!!  Whenever I'm put on the spot to defend my religion, I go blank.  Neil L. Anderson's talked about need to defend Joseph Smith as a Prophet.   I was put in the exact situation of needing to stand up for what I believe, yet not alienate my friend.  I am going to pass along his talk as an answer to the doubt presented to me.  I am so grateful that I have a knowledge of the divinity of God, and not need to be shown.  I know a lot of times those who leave the Church go on to a life completely contrary to what they have been taught.  I am so sorry that evil is perceived as good and good evil at this time.  I encourage all of you, my dearest friends, to always seek to build your testimony.  I am so grateful for those examples in my life, that showed me the true happiness that is found in living the Gospel.  As a sister, who has lived on both sides of the fence, I could never be happier than I am now.  Ramble, ramble, ramble.  Love you, Connee

It's General Conference Time!!!

We live in a world of demands and schedules.  When we think of taking time out to sit and watch TV, we quickly convince ourselves we just don't have time.  Because we are so blessed to have Conference twice a year, we tend to take it for granted.  When talking to some of my friends of different religions, they are very intrigued with the fact we have living Prophets here today.  I have often been asked if I just live to hear what they have to say.  Sadly, I probably don't like I should.  There is so much turmoil in the world today and it is a breathe of fresh air to be able to hear words of comfort and encouragement.  I understand that we do have places we need to be, without a choice, it's simply out of our control.  I am so grateful for the technology we have today.  We can record it and watch it later and we can pull out our computer and watch if from there.  I am also grateful for the Women who caused a scene over the Priesthood.  I did enjoy watching the Priesthood meeting at home last Conference.  We can listen again and again, then in November have it in written form to read and study.  I want to hear as soon as I can, so I am scheduling my weekend around Conference,  not Conference around conflicts.  I am looking forward to my Sunday PJ day, it's my favorite way to attend!!!  Because of all of the controversial issues facing us today, I am excited to hear what the Prophet's feel important to share with us.  From the Women's Meeting I predict, we will hear a lot about the Temple.  It will be fun to see.  I encourage each of my Sista's to take time, slow down and listen to a Prophets Voice!  Love you, Connee

Women's Meeting

I sure hope everyone got a chance to watch or listen to the Women's Meeting Broadcast.  I was on my way to Arizona, but was able to listen as we traveled.  It is just amazing that we can listen from about anywhere.  We tuned into BYU Radio, and voila, there it was.  Because it was on the radio, I was not able to view the beautiful video they presented.  I look forward to taking a look at it this weekend, now that I am home.  I love Sister Wixsom.  We met her in New Mexico last year, when Aaron was invited to attend Philmont.  She took a special interest in Cole, who we had taken along with us.  He was so lucky to be able to attend Primary put on by the General Primary President.  I could see a change occur in him, as he felt the love from the outstanding leaders that attended.  I hope it will always be a memory, that will influence his life.  I sure missed eveyone this week in Relief Society, but I did get to see my Carree's little family in Phoenix.  I have to say, I enjoyed a really relaxing time in a beautiful resort.  Now back to real life.  I am excited to hear the messages that will be presented this weekend in General Conference.  Just a reminder, the town will be experiencing the Marathon Invasion.  My advice to all is "Stay Home"!!!  Be sure to get your shopping done, and then you'll have no reason to go out in the mess.  Glad to be home!!  Connee