Time Out for Women

There is something so inspiring about being in a room filled with almost 2000 women.Women gathered together from all around Australia for the same reason. The purpose and desire 'To become'. I doubt I was alone in feeling the power and significance of this day and the influence that would leave that room.

I especially loved being there with my mum and a few of my sisters. I know I say this often, but I really love being in a family full of sisters. I loved sharing this experience with them and discussing the things that resonated with each of us, and talking about the new ways in which we each hope to 'become'. 

A few of my favourite things #1

Laurel Christenson your story was for me!

Laurel shared with us her journey that began about a year ago when she started preparing to run a half marathon. She told us about a "treading class" she was in, where she was doing high intensity interval training on a treadmill. While she told her story in a really funny way, the message was actually about not holding ourselves back with all the excuses we make about why we can't do things. It was a message about not stopping ourselves from achieving things with self doubt.  

At the point when Laurel was about to quit running and get off the treadmill, her trainer realised what was happening and came over to her and said (think Jillian style trainer from biggest looser ;)....

"Don't you dare stop. You can do this".

Laurel insisted that she couldn't and said she had to stop.


The trainer then jumped up on the front of the treadmill and said;

"Don't you dare be the one thing standing in your way"!!!!



I don't know how these words could not have impacted every woman in that room. As I heard them, It was like I was watching my own 'self set limitations' flash before my eyes in slow motion.

With the encouragement of her trainer and her own self will, Laurel went on to finish her interval training that day and 6 months later (or so ;) ran her first half marathon. 


In Laurels own words she said;

"When I stepped off that treadmill, I had the "ah ha” moment of my life.
I realized I simply was not who I thought I was.
I walked into that class with limits on my abilities and ideas about what my life was supposed to be........I walked out of that class knowing I could never be the same again".

"I became the girl who does the thing I thought I could not do.
And that is who I am now".

As I later re-told this story to Rylan, I had another 'ah ha' moment myself. I realised the importance of the trainer in her story. It's not just about believing in our selves and not standing in our own way. It's about listening to and believing the trainer when he says "you can do it - I will help you". It's about recognising that the ultimate 'trainer' is our Savior. Our biggest advocate and the one who never gives up on us even when we threaten to give up ourselves.


I came away from Time Out For Women feeling lifted and inspired to not just DO more but to {try} and BE more!


You can read Laurel's full story here and I absolutely recommend it!! 


More favorite things to come tomorrow. maybe :)

The holder of the bow

 "Children take their flight into the future with our thrust and with our aim". 

"Even as we anxiously watch that arrow in flight and know all that can deflect its course.......we take courage in remembering that the most important factor in determining that arrow's destination will be the stability, strength, and unwavering certainty of the holder of the bow".

Jeffrey R. Holland

"Created for Greater Things"

Easter Preparation

Evidence that my favourite time of year is upon us.....

Once a month traditions

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At the beginning of last year after making a list of things we could do to make Sundays more meaningful (and not just a day we go to church and don't watch TV) we started having family testimony meetings. I know we are encouraged to bear spontaneous testimony with our children, but as we looked over our list of things we could do, It felt right that something more 'consistent' should be a part of our day. A prompting and an answer to a prayer.
 
Since that time, on the first Sunday of every month we gather together as a family of 6 and share our thoughts and feelings with each other. Feelings about life, each other, all things spiritual and what we know is true.

It has become one of my most looked forward to moments in the month.

We spend about 20 minutes or so 'sharing' and sometimes we finish with Rylan playing a song on the piano while we sing along (something else I completely ADORE :).

Who would've guessed that something so simple would end up being one of my MOST favourite things we do together.

I love to hear the thoughts of our little ones and love to hear them express their love for our family and their simple love for our Savior. I love to hear them try and make sense of what they learn and articulate how they feel. (I especially love hearing the kids help Lily....it always includes how grateful she is for "milky" and how much she loves it....hahahahaha). I love that I get to share in words the things that mean more to me than anything else.  


I love that it is an opportunity to look deeply into each others hearts and understand each other a little more.  To see each other in a different light and be strengthened and uplifted by the things that are said.

I hope that as we share these sacred thoughts with each other it will deepen our relationships. Both spiritually and as a family.

I am SO grateful for Men such as THIS, that counsel us and give direction on how we can be "More diligent and Concerned at Home".


ps) I'd love to hear what things you do with your family on Sundays........
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Day 14 - Sunday night

'Testimony sharing' by the fire with family.......

One of my favourite things to do.

What have I done for someone today????

We are excited to have joined (undoubtedly half the mormon population) in creating our own "warm and fuzzy" jar. Inspired by our wonderful Prophet, President Thomas S Monson.

We loved his TALK from general conference and are excited to make it an official part of our dinner time ritual.



So we now have 2 'official' questions that everyone is asked while we dine. 1. What was your favourite part of the day (helping everyone to recognise the good things in life) and question #2. What did you do for someone else today.



We love hearing the things the boys 'class' as service for others. And they love putting the little 'warm and fuzzy' balls in the jar. We hope this helps them develop a deep desire to do good things for others!



to read or listen to the prophets talk click here and everything will become clear :)