In the Strength of the Lord

On Wednesday, April 27, I flew up to Salt Lake City to go to Women's Conference with my daughters, Maria and Cheryl, and granddaughter, Courtney. What a wonderful opportunity to come and be with some of my loved ones as we were enriched spiritually and uplifted in our roles as women, wives, mothers and grandmothers. I came away renewed and determined to be a better person in all aspects of my place in this world.
There were so many ideas, stories and quotes that touched my heart, and gave me courage and determination to make a difference in the lives of those around me. A few of them are:

• Adversities are the means of gaining blessings that otherwise are not available.
• When you walk into a room you either add to the room or take away from the room.
• Grandparenting binds heartstrings for eternity.
• Grandchildren accept us as we are even when others do not.
• Be humbled and soften by affliction not hardened.
• Open your scriptures and read until the ache in your heart goes away.
• We must have faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, and his atonement. He knows and understands every pain, every hurt, every regret for sin, and every sorrow we may have.We need to allow the atonement to work in our lives. We have to allow this to happen through a broken heart which is an open heart; one that is ready to be healed through the atonement.
• Challenges are not removed from us but we are given the courage and comfort to go on as we trust in our Heavenly Father's care.
• How we respond to calamities, challenges, adversities is more important than what they are.
• Lesson learned from a dairy farmer's sign: "Every mother produces a superior daughter."
• We must guard against threats to the family. When things go wrong with the family, then society goes wrong and fails.
• Love is what we go through together.
• Our extended families are our instant support network.
• The way we treat other people is the best indicator if we are becoming Christ-like.
• Humor helps us find ourselves again.
• Find joy in the journey.
• You will not survive spiritually if you don't stand still and listen thus receiving personal revelation.
• We may have to give up good things to make time for essential things.
• Imperfect circumstances are no excuse for doing nothing.
  My life truly has been enriched by attending this conference, now comes the challenge of incorporating what I have been impressed with into my life.