Wowee. It was a good time.
There is something amazing about walking with thousands of other women (over 20,000!) into the LDS Conference Center. There is an air of anticipatory cheer and women in all ages, shapes and sizes. I really enjoyed looking at shoes =O)....Some really cute shoes walked around.
When we found parking (a free lot!) and walked into our seats -- we were in the balcony on the far left side. With my terrible left eye...and my right eye not too good...=O( I wasn't really able to even see the screen. But the middle section had plenty of seats and right before it began, an usher came and said we could move. So we moved one section over and it was just perfect. President Monson still looked like he was 3" tall...but on the screen he appeared larger!
There is something thrilling that gives me chills -- when President Monson walks in....before women gabbing...loud....enjoying the moment....to a sudden and complete silence while he walks to his seat. The atmosphere changes and it is palpable.
Julie Beck spoke first. She introduced the new Relief Society History manual. (We got them on Sunday!) She talked about the purpose and traditions of Relief Society and what she hoped her granddaughters learned. (She doesn't look old enough to have granddaughters.) Anyway....I loved the photographs and the stories she told.
Then Sister Allred who has a wonderful spirit. I like listening to her on KBYU with cc on...because she is a little difficult for me to follow. I missed a lot of the spirit of the talk trying to keep up with the interpretation.
Then Barbara Thompson. I like her. She is so down to earth, humorous...and she told stories about her Grandmother who worked in the Temple. I would have loved her Grandma. She showed a photo of her and she looked like a very fun Grandma.
The highlight of the evening was President Uchtdorf's talk about the Forget-Me-Not Flower and how as a boy he wondered if he would ever be forgotten.
His talk outlined 5 points to Forget Not. I typed them up and taped them into my scriptures. It was so good.
1. Forget not to be patient with yourself.
2. Forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice.
3. Forget not to be happy now.
4. Forget not the "why" of the Gospel.
5. Forget not that the Lord loves you.
I loved the analogy of "The Golden Ticket" from Charlie and The Chocolate Factory compared to the story of the woman who would be happy only when she married and had children. Instead of enjoying life and the blessings she had, she ended up bitter and alone. I think we make our own Golden Ticket. We shouldn't wait for someone to hand it to us. (My 5 cents!)
It is a very small world in the Church - even with 14 million members. One can find friends everywhere. After the meeting, the woman next to Dianne asked her if she went to Temple View Elementary in Idaho Falls. Dianne said yes...and this woman remembered her from grade school! It had been 40 years and they were chatting like best friends. (Of course, how could anyone not still love Dianne?)
On the walk back to the car we shared some funny stories about going to the doctor. I told Dianne that I had this stabbing pain in my left (unmentionable=O) and finally went to the doctor. It was a clogged milk duct. Quite painful. While Dr. Matthews was examining me....I looked him right in the eye and said, "It's amazing I'm paying YOU to do this =O)" We both laughed a bit after that. (The Doctor and I) then Dianne and I.
Dianne took me to DQ for icecream on the way home. It was a much needed treat...especially since I don't have treats very often anymore.
It was a nice evening with a good friend....and uplifting things to think about.
I am so grateful I had the opportunity to go.
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