I was part of almost 1500 LDS women who met at the Aotea Centre in Auckland on Saturday, 30th July from 9am - 4pm. I hadn't originally intended to go but count my lucky stars that I did.
The theme for the day was to "Choose to Become", ultimately taken from Mark 9:23 where is says "all things are possible to Him that believeth"
I can not put into words how much I enjoyed the day or mesaure the impact of what I heard, as my 'becoming' has not yet been realised - but I can report that I am on my way.
The conference came at the end of some life-changing decisions that I
have made and the timing can only be described as a 'divine intervention'. It was one day - but the lessons I learnt will last forever.
LESSON ONE - I am worth it.
The first speaker's name was Laurel Christensen who has is my new most favourite person. She spoke of some trials and challenges that she has overcome and some goals that she set and achieved which on their own would have been inspiring, however what she taught me is that I am worth it. I am good enough to ask Heavenly Father in faith for the things that I need and want. So often we ask for things or desire things for everyone else but ourselves - but Laurel reminded me that I need to ask for things for myself and to take care of me.
LESSON TWO - Don't be the one person standing in your way
One of the best quotes for the day had to be "don't be the one person standing in your way" which was such great advice to myself. We often put barriers in our own way, by either thinking we can't do something, or being scared to try something new .... The life changes I have made , have opened up the doors for me to take charge of my life, and I am scared about what the future holds, but I am going to be okay because I am determined NOT to be the person standing in my own way to "becoming" anything I want to be.
LESSON THREE - Back to the Basics
The next speaker was Virginia Pearce who spoke about mothers. If you are a regular of mine - you know what I could have done while this topic was being taught - but I was okay. In fact, something that she said about doing the basics - like praying and reading our scriptures - reminded me about my mother as this was her favourite saying... and looks like she wasn't the only one who owned it ;-)
LESSON FOUR - Aligning our lives to Lord's vision of us
Virginia also taught that we should align our lives to the Lord's vision for ourselves. Since that day, I have thought about this often and after 40+ years it is something that I am prepared to do. Don't get me wrong - I have planned my life and asked for guidance before - its just that I have been more of an independant person. The difference this time is that I am going to pray over some options that I have sorted and am going to leave the direction that my life and the lives of my children will take, at the bottom of a prayer. I am unsure of what will happen, but I am ready - watch this space.
LESSON FIVE
"There were so many more lessons that I could have chosen but I have to end with quite possibly the most profound statements made that were so relevant to what I am going through - I actually felt that the speakers could have been sitting across from me in a one on one interview.... QUOTE ONE "if it was right when you prayed about it and trusted it and lived for it, it is right now. Don't give up when the pressure mounts. Certinaly don't give in to that being who is bent on the destruction of your happiness. Face your doubts. Master your fears. Cast not away therefore your confidence. Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold for you". Jeffrey R. Holland and from Eleanor Roosevelt QUOTE TWO "you gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along'. You must do the thing you think you cannot do..."
So I came away with so much more than I had taken in and with my new sense of determination and motivation - I believe that I am at the start of a wonderful journey.
Yours in friendship,
Mxox
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