On Sept. 18 and 19 I got the opportunity to go to Time Out for Women with Jan Peterson (it is our third time going together in the last few years) in Logan, Utah. We had an excellent time. Even though our first hotel room's air conditioner started to catch on fire. We ended up getting a new room so all was good.
The main thing that I took away from the weekend was that we should never judge ourselves harshly or compare ourselves to others. That we should not fear and that we should let virture garnish our thoughts (there is nothing virtuous about thinking how you are not good enough, don't do enough, etc.). Heavenly Father knows you are doing the best that you can. And heck, I know my best is not as good as someone elses best, but it is my best!
Another thing I learned was that children are like fruit and fruit takes a long time to ripen. And that instead of judging my self worth by how my children turn out, focus on what I have learned as a mother and how raising children has made me a better person. Being a mother is truly the hardest thing I have ever done. But I know that Heavenly Father makes up for my mistakes and short comings as long as I keep him close and ask for his help. He loves my children even more than I do and only wants the best for them. That doesn't mean that they will be perfect, act perfect, or never make mistakes. It is when we sin, make mistakes or are in need that we truly come to know who our Heavenly Father is. My prayer for them is that when the rain comes (and it will) that they will know who to turn to for guidance and solace. It has taken me a few years to learn that myself.This is a picture of the venue, during a break.
This is a picture of our program and our free tote bag. (You get bored during some of the breaks!)
Out hotel and our Time out For Women cute bags.
Out hotel and our Time out For Women cute bags.
Jan and I trying to take pictures of ourselves with both our cameras at the same time.
Us eating our chocolate! You absolutely cannot have a time out without Cafe Rio and chocolate!
Michael McLean! He is awesome!
While I was gone, I really missed my family. They really are wonderful people. I had the camera out and just thought I would take a few pics of my boys getting ready for church.
Jake was NOT cooperating!
My handsome Kaden getting a little help from Dad!
Only one more week of the cast.
And this picture is just delightful. Tator Pop was wanting to type on the keyboard and Tank was in her way, so she just used him for a chair. So Cute!
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3 comments:
what great advice, we sometimes forget. sounded like a blast, I love michael mclean I have seen hime a ton in concert, you don't get much better than him. I love coming home from things like that and wanting to be a better person.
heard about brit and possibly moving in Jan. I have cried everyday since I saw her at Walmart!
You do such good work. Back such a short time and blogged. Thanks for going. You are the best.
You do have handsome boys. I can only imagine Kaden will be happy to get that cast off.
I think I need to read this part of your blog every day...no every HOUR!!! I think I would have been on a week long guilt trip after listening to that. So glad you can share it. As of now we are an empty nest. The youngest decided she didn't want curfews and she knows more about life than anyone else so she is on her own. Paying $510 a month for freedom and working 70+ hours a week to afford it...oh well. I am in no running for Mother of the Year that is for sure! Seriously I will read your blog daily for a while just to reassure myself that I am not a failure!
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