For seven straight years I have attended Women's Conference at BYU. Gonna have to face it, I'm addicted. Totally and completely. Really no choice about whether to go or not. And not once have I regretted the decision or sacrifice to go or had anything less than a fabulous time.
It would be hard to say what my favorite part of the conference is. It might be the amazing feeling of sitting in the same room with 20,000 other women who love the Lord as much as I do. Who face struggles with children, and laundry, and what to make for dinner every day. And yet arise each day with the resolve to try a little bit harder and be a little bit better. And when sometimes you forget this, attending this conference helps you to remember that resolve. I love the feeling of being one as we sing the songs of Zion, especially my favorite - How Firm a Foundation.
My favorite part might be spending time with my sisters. This year only two of them could make it, but we had a great time. Having this time with no husbands or children is kind of precious and something that is hard to put into words. There is something about a sister that is such a blessing in my life.
My favorite part might be the food. Whether it is the warm spiced almonds or the world famous mint brownie, I am just here for the food. The kettle corn is pretty awesome and this year I tried a fresh fruit parfait thingy in a waffle cone that was both healthy and delicious. Here is my brownie that I posted on facebook with the caption "The breakfast of champions." This picture is amazing with the way the light catches the frosting and makes it look like it was a soft as a pillow. The brownie was just the right amount of moist chewiness and the minty filing in the middle is just the best thing ever.
My favorite part might be the opportunity to give service at the group event that happens every Thursday night. It is unbelievable what 20,000 women can accomplish in just 2 hours. And I am proud to be part of the Lord's secret weapon army of sisters who serve. We helped assemble cold care kits that had socks, gloves, a hat, and a blanket, all in a nice little bag. We all know how much I hate to be cold, and the thought of giving the gift of warmth to those that are needing it, makes my heart warm inside.
My favorite part might be the chance to rub shoulders with members of the General Relief Society presidency. I was so excited when we ran into Sister Burton last year. I hurried and got my picture with her, but the wind was blowing and I felt like I smiled too big and for the past year I have been kicking myself that I didn't get my sisters into the picture. I pretty much lost my mind and figured I missed out on a once in a lifetime opportunity. Here is what last year's picture looked like: It is not bad and I do love the BYU car in the background. But still, regrets.
And so you can only imagine my exhilaration when I saw her walking around at the service. I went over to her and she embraced me in the biggest hug. I felt the Saviour's love in that hug, and it was one of the many tender mercies from the Lord that I felt that day. And so I was thrilled when I got a do over to get a picture with all three of us. It is much better, don't you think. Now my regret is that I didn't ask her for advice about being the 2nd counselor in the Relief Society. Well maybe next year.
My favorite part might be the concert that takes place after the service. Even though you are pretty tired by the time this happens, I am never sad that I attend this evening event. Mercy River performed a hilarious song about putting your kids to bed. And my favorite this year was listening to Sandra Turley who has performed on Broadway. She sang "For Good" from Wicked, as well as the most beautiful medley from Les Mis. It was so moving and I was changed for good for having been there that night.
My favorite part might be meeting up with BYU celebrities, such as the actors from Studio C. I adore that show and laugh out loud every time I watch it. I had seen a picture of these life size cut outs and knew I had to get my picture taken with them. They were not out in the lobby, but I persevered and asked around until I found someone who would let me get my picture with them. So funny. I think my favorite would be the one with Matt. He seems to be giving me an appropriately strange/ horrified look. So fun, and one more chance to be on the campus police watch list.
My favorite part might have been the photo booth and the chance to enter all of these pictures in a Women's Conference contest to try and win a free ticket to Women's Conference next year. I entered the most pictures, go figure. I am not too stressed about winning because let's face I will be attending whether I win or not. But it is fun to be in such contests and I think I should win most enthusiastic contestant.
My favorite thing might be posing with our matching tote bags that we only use for Women's Conference. It is fun to pull it out each year and see what goodies are left from the year before.
We had to take a picture to replace last year because it looks like my arm was amputated and that was just not good. This year is better with all of our limbs exposed.
And there you have it, just a few of the reasons that I will be going to Women's Conference for the rest of my life, even if they have to wheel me in on a gurney. Hard to pass up the opportunity to feast spiritually, emotionally, and physically. (I may or may not have gained quite a few pounds, but it was worth every calorie!)
Until we meet again, BYU Women's Conference. Next year can't come fast enough.
This year was my eighth year at Women's Conference, and it was just as wonderful as always. I don't expect to ever miss a year until I die. This year was sad because my sister Amie had a baby and couldn't come and my mom didn't come this year, but as you can see my other two sisters and I still managed to have some fun.
The first speaker of the conference told us when we have hard days to think back and remember the feeling of sitting in the Marriott Center with so many other righteous women. It really is amazing. So often as a mother I feel that I am in hand to hand combat with Satan, and it is easy to feel overwhelmed and alone. To sit in a room full of others who share my convictions and goals to raise a righteous family is fortifying in a way that is hard to describe. This is one of the reasons I go to Women's Conference. That and the food.
After the first general session, my sisters and I headed up to the conference center where we listened to a wonderful class given by Chad and Michelle Lewis titled: Mormon's Warning: Arming your home and family. While we listened we made these bunnies. Their cuteness is somewhat questionable, but hopefully they will be given to children with nothing and that will make them look better. They are certainly better than nothing. That or blind children might enjoy them as well.
Brother Lewis shared a story about climbing Kilimanjaro last summer as part of the wounded warrior project. There was a soldier from Iraq with them who had lost his leg in an injury and had a metal leg. That soldier became too sick to go on and had to turn back, but the others told him that they would take his leg to the top even if he couldn't make it. As they climbed the air became thinner and thinner and the task became more and more difficult. Brother Lewis was helping carry the leg and was determined that he was strong enough to make it happen as a sign of respect for this soldier and his sacrifice. But it became very difficult for Brother Lewis and the guide with them finally said "Let me carry the leg. I am used to the elevation and the thin air, I climb this mountain all the time." And so Brother Lewis let him carry the leg and he compared this to how we try to carry our own burdens and the Savior is right there trying to help us if we will only let him. He is pleading with us to cast our burdens on him, for his yolk is easy and his burden is light. It was a wonderful class. And such a good lesson.
Jen poses with her cute blue bunny.
Look I made a purple one.
Of course there was the BYU mint brownie consumption. That is mandatory and a completely necessary part of the whole experience. Look I got a corner piece. Yummmy!
And of course there are the spiced almonds. I have to admit to purchasing 3 of these bad boys. One each day, and one to bring home. How do I love these almonds? Let me count the ways. And the fact that they are warm when you get them is not a bad thing for warming ones hands or face. Delectable and delicious delicacies.
Here is the group shot on day one. After all the learning and the sewing and the eating, we went to Brick Oven for dinner with our two sisters in law. Somehow we did not get photographic evidence of the eating going on there, but it happened, true story. After dinner we headed back to the Smith Fieldhouse for the evening of service.
As we were about to enter the Fieldhouse, who should come out but, Sandra Rogers. Now most of you will not know her, but she is the academic vice president of BYU. She has also been in charge of Women's Conference for the past 8 years. She gives wonderful talks and even better etiquette videos. I have snapped pictures of her from the stands for years, but I never dreamed I would get this close to her. I love this woman who is responsible for something I look forward to each year and has changed my life for good.
And then as if Sister Rogers was not enough who should come out next, but the entire new Relief Society General presidency. Now those of you who know me well, (and really who would be reading this, if they didn't know me well,) will know that I had a goal to get my picture taken with this dear, sweet lady, Sister Burton. Of course in my wildest dreams, I never really thought it would happen. But as I posted on Facebook, the stalking Gods smiled upon us and we were able to get this picture. Look she doesn't even seem that scared or anything.
A BYU Brownie and my picture with the new General Relief Society president, how could this day get any better?
But wait there's more.
We went into the Fieldhouse, where we helped with the finishing up of putting together 35,000 back pack kits for Title 1 schools in Utah county. Service really is one of my favorite parts of Women's Conference.
Then we went into the Sports Museum and I got my picture with all of the Jimmer memorabilia. That is pretty awesome, isn't it?
And then look we made our sister from Utah State pose with us and the cougar. She was a good sport about it and it is a pretty cute picture of all of us. I mean really who doesn't need a picture with a large bronze cougar?
And then it was back to the Marriott Center for the evening concert hosted once again by Hilary Weeks. I got my picture with her last year, in case you forgot. This evening was a tribute to Relief Society complete with a visit from Eliza R Snow. It was very moving and I would have to say one of the best.
Here is a Youtube video of the last song. This video does not quit capture the magic of the moment, but you can get some idea. Click on the button that says skip to the best part.
That was Day One. Hard to believe that it all happened in just the span of twelve hours. Time to head home and sleep and rest up for Day Two.
I didn't really have any classes picked out for Friday, but I noticed that Blaine Fowler and his wife were teaching a class. He is a sportscaster and often calls BYU Football and Basketball games. I knew that I had to go to his class and see if I could get a picture with him. When I got there I asked the lady at the door if she thought I might get a picture. She said she wasn't sure because he wasn't there yet. I went and set up position in a seat on the front row in the preferred stalking section. It wasn't too long before the lady brought Blaine up to me and said "This is the lady that wants a picture with you." How nice was that of her to facilitate my stalking?
This is what I had to say about this picture on Facebook:" Here is today's installment of "See Pat stalk people at Women's
Conference and raise questions about her sanity or at the very least her
manners." This lucky/unlucky victim is Blaine Fowler. Most of you
will have no idea who he is, but he was a
quarterback at BYU when I was at school there. And he went on to be a
sports broadcaster. I have watched him call games on TV many times.
He was very kind and a bit shocked that I would want a picture with him.
Look how well he masked his inner terror in this picture? His wife
was also kind to share him for a minute as if she had a choice or
anything."
And next as I was walking back to the Marriott Center, who should I run into, but Sister Dibb, President Monson's daughter. She very
unsuspectingly asked me if I knew where the shuttle stop was. Of
course I did and was glad to tell her, but not before I snapped this
little gem. So nice of her to come to me, even.
And here is the group shot on day two. Don't tell but I may or may not have snapped this while a speaker was speaking, but it was necessary before we all split up to go to different classes.
And here is one more at the end of the day. Look at the crowd thinning out behind us. And look how cute we are with our matching bags. Too bad I missed the memo about bending my arm and hence ended up looking like my arm was amputated. For any of you concerned, I do in fact have a hand at the end of my arm.
And so another successful Women's Conference comes to an end. Sigh. It is hard to say which part is my favorite: the speakers, or the classes, or the spirit, or the General Authorities, or the General Auxiliary Presidencies, or the musical performances, or the food, or the stalking, or the service, or the time with sisters, or the shopping in the bookstore. Pretty much all of it is my favorite part and makes it two days of the year I can not do without.
And here is a shot of my beloved Y. I know all of you are sick to death of hearing me go on and on about BYU, but it is a place that is near and dear to my heart. I understand that not everyone feels the same way, and that is OK. I don't ask that you do. But for me, after growing up in the mission field and being alone a lot of the time, I loved going to BYU and being part of the majority. And each year I get to relive those golden college years for two days at Women's Conference. That is my other favorite part. So thanks for the memories. See you next year.
Someone up there must like me, because Diana came home from school the other day and told me that her play had been rescheduled. I scared her to death when I yelled "SHUT UP". Not the "be quiet" kind of shut up, the "Princess Diaries" kind of shut up. Or maybe I could have pushed her down and exclaimed an Elaine Benice "GET OUT". Either way it meant the same thing, I was now released from my motherly obligations. And hence I could go to Provo and attend Women's Conference. Woohoo!!!!
This is very unexpected and rather exciting. It would be little more exciting if I had not just spent 9 hours last Friday, driving to New Mexico and another 9 hours on Sunday driving back home. We went to a family baptism which was very fun, but still that is a lot of time in the car.
In any event I unpacked and repacked today. I have stocked the freezer with enough frozen food to feed an army, so hopefully no one will starve while I am gone.
I will not miss all the drama that seems to take place every morning in the process of waking, dressing, eating, and getting in the car to go to school.
It will not be my problem to figure out what people should eat. Glory be. Three whole days of being charge of only myself. How will I ever cope?
This will be my 6th Women's Conference and my fifth in a row. Doesn't it seem like just yesterday I was leaning over the railing to get my picture with sweet, cute Sister Beck? Good good times. I am a little disappointed that I don't have a bigger wish list for stalking this year. Hopefully I will get some good pictures that will be worth seeing next week.
Which reminds minds me, my memory card is full. Imagine the horror of having to choose between deleting treasured family pictures so I could get a shot of Dallin H. Oaks walking into the Marriot Center? Of course it wouldn't be that hard of a choice, but it would be better to download the pictures off the memory card instead of losing them forever.
Don't worry I will eat a brownie for all of you. You can thank me later.
I posted this last year, but with Women's Conference just over a week away, I thought some of you might need to read it again.
It is one of my favorite times of the year-Women's Conference at BYU. I have attended faithfully for the past five years. Over the years I have gained a wealth of information on how to make those two days really count. And I will now share this treasure trove with all of you. This is a must read for anyone attending for the first time.
DON'T be late to the Thursday morning opening meeting. Every year Mary Ellen Edmunds and Sandra Rodgers put together the most hee-hee-larious videos on the etiquette rules of the conference. It is definitely MUST SEE TV. And as far as I know, you have to be there to see it. It doesn't seem to be rebroadcast anywhere.
DO take the time to get some spiced roasted almonds. They are to die for and taste as good as they smell. Don't pass by thinking you'll get some next time, for they may be gone. Trust me, you won't be sorry.
DO go and listen to classes at the conference center. It is just behind the Marriot Center to the east. They have service station rooms set up where you can work while you listen. It is very fun to edge a baby quilt or color ABC kits. Plus it is not that far to walk.
DO bring lots of spending money. As much as Women's Conference is about soaking up the spirit and eating lots of yummy food, it is about the shopping. Be prepared to shop til you drop with all of the "deals" every where you turn. Check out the tent just outside of the Marriot Center if you don't want to go all the way to the bookstore. From books, music, artwork, to tote bags, good deals are everywhere.
DO plan on standing in lots of lines. You could use this time to read one of the books you just bought, or better yet make a new friend with the person standing next to you. It will help the time pass and nothing says bonding like waiting to empty your bladder with 30 other women.
DON'T forget your camera. This is a prime time for stalking and you want photographic evidence. I like to think of it as Disneyland and the General Authorities as the princesses. Someday I hope to have pictures of all of them.
Don't be afraid to go up and get your picture with any of the teachers. Over the years, I have had my picture taken with Julie Beck, Elaine Dalton, John Bytheway, and Susan Tanner. Besides that I have snapped pictures of Boyd K Packer, Jeffery R Holland, Thomas S Monson, and all of the general auxiliary presidencies.
Try it, it is super dee duper fun. *Portal Q is the best place to sit for stalking opportunities. This is right next to the opening where the leaders enter and leave. It is prime real estate for photo ops.
DO wear your most comfortable shoes. This is not time for making a fashion statement. You will be walking and standing a lot. Don't be foolish, choose comfort over style.
DON'T plan on getting any rest. If you are exhausted and are hoping this vacation will restore your sleep debt the size of the deficit, well you will be sorely disappointed. You can sleep anytime, this is the time for visiting with friends and family and soaking in the whole experience. Thursday activities will go from 9 am to 11 pm. And then Friday will start back up before you know it. Try to come as rested as you can.
DO be prepared for a spiritual feast the likes you don't get every day. Wear your spiritual eating pants, if you know what I mean. Any physical exhaustion you will experience will be somewhat compensated by the spiritual rejuvenation you will feel.
DO eat as many mint brownies as possible. They are manna from Heaven and remember calories don't count at Women's Conference. It is part of the magic. Not to mention the spiced Almonds. Equally delightful.
So there you have it, my insider tips. Now go and enjoy the benefits of my experiences.
I am going to try and finally get my notes from Women's Conference on here. It has only taken a few weeks, so I must doing well.
The theme this year was "The Strength of the Lord". Sis Rogers gave a wonderful talk about how the purpose of life is to become like God and so we must have agency and there must be opposition. Satan's goal is to make us miserable, thwart God's plan, and get us to give up our agency.
To survive these challenges we need more than our own strength, we need the Strength of the Lord.
She quotes Dallin H. Oaks when she said, "Adversity can be the means of obtaining blessings otherwise unattainable."
She shared with us that the hymn "Now Let Us Rejoice" was written right after all the persecution the saints went through in Missouri. It was written by W.W. Phelps in the cold winter while the Saints were struggling to survive in make shift tents. When put in that perspective, I am very impressed with his ability to look on the bright side. Surely it was a time when it seemed there was little to rejoice about. So she told us that in the strength of the Lord all things can be faced with joy.
Next I went to a class about finances called "Do we put our wages in a bag of holes?" Maybe that explains my financial difficulties, why didn't someone tell me sooner about not using a bag with holes? This was a good class and reminded us of all the things we know we should be doing. If you want to look at a good website to help you with finances, the BYU Finance department has developed a site at www.personalfinance.byu.edu. It has some really great resources and lessons you can do to improve your knowledge. Another website they mentioned is www.helpwithmycredit.org. One thing the teacher said was "You can pay now, or pay later, but you can't get around the law of the harvest."
Here's a shot of my sisters with their matching tote bags.
Next I went to a class titled "The Infinite Power of Hope." This was taught by Sis Tanner's husband and daughter. It was so fun to get a picture with her, but the class was really good, and we all know how much I could use a good dose of hope.
Her daughter started by showing us a picture of her hope chest. Then she shared what her mother always told her daughters which is "Every girl needs a chest, because without a chest you have no hope!" Pretty funny, huh.
Also she quoted Anne of Green Gables when she would say "My life is a perfect graveyard of buried hopes." And then Marilla would respond "To despair is to turn your back on God."
She said that we learn to hope, the way we learn to walk, one step at a time. And we need to cultivate companion virtues of hope: charity, gratitude, eternal perspective, and testimony.
Brother Tanner then spoke of how we have to hang on to the hope of Promises Afar Off. He quoted Hebrews 11:13
"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."
I know there are times when we can not face today and so we must live for tomorrow.
He pointed out that we can "have clear faith in the ultimate outcomes." There is no way out but through.
He said Faith and Hope are twins but not identical. I thought that was very profound. The opposite of Faith is Doubt, and the opposite of Hope is Despair.
Also he said "You can live without love, but not without hope." He urged us to look for heroes of hope and embrace promises far off by expanding the horizon of hope.
He compared us to kids on a car trip when we go through trials, always asking how long will this take? That analogy made me smile.
We must embrace hope in Christ by clinging to our covenants.
We know we can trust and have faith because it has been written in blood.
Overall, we must hold fast to our promises how ever far off they may seem.
Next I went to a marriage class. The speaker there said that the Lord does not require hard and difficult things of us, just diligence in simple things.
By day two, my brain and body were starting to shut down. During one of the breaks my sister and I just hung out at the Marriot Center because we were to tired to walk anywhere else. I found a bench to lay out on for a minute of rest. This is my IhavebeenstayinguptolateandsittinglisteningtolongandIneedanap face.
Then during the second half of the last class, I even managed to fall completely asleep. My sister snapped this shot of me. I do have skills when it comes to sleeping anywhere.
Before I fell asleep, I was listening to a great talk about seeking still waters and seeking living waters to help us face turbulent times.
She said that discouragement is a sign of spiritual dehydration. Also she told a story about one of her teenage sons. She said this particular son made her think that they should change their family motto from "Return with Honor" to "Don't be Stupid." So true.
Finally, L Tom Perry spoke to us about our responsibility to step up and help the image of the church. He quoted Will Rogers by saying "It's not what he doesn't know that bothers me, it is what he is sure about that just ain't so."
That is the problem for the church, so many people are sure of things about us that are not true. It was a very interesting talk and very different from any I have heard from General Authorities at Women's Conference. He did encourage us to use technology such as our blogs to help in this endeavor.
So as usual, it was simply wonderful and uplifting and practically perfect in every way. Any of you on the fence about going, should take the plunge next year.
I had to snap a shot of this display cabinet at Brick Oven. So wonderfully BYUish. I don't know why I don't have this BYU Barbie in my collection. Something to dream about, I suppose.
And last but certainly not least, I had to pose with my guys. I know it will be difficult to pick me out among the other players, but just try, K.
And so this brings our delightful documentation of Women's Conference to a close. Good news, peeps, next year is just 350 days away.
Here are some more fun pictures from Women's Conference.
This is a picture of Melvin Hammond and his wife Bonnie. He is a first cousin to my father in law. He is an emeritus seventy. I had met him one other time when he came and spoke at our Stake Conference in Vegas about 6 or 7 years ago. I was in the stake RS presidency and got to serve him dinner on the Saturday night of Stake Conference. He and his wife both spoke. One of the best parts was when he sang and his wife accompanied him. He has a beautiful singing voice. It was fun to meet him and get a picture with them as well.
Here I am with two of my sisters and we spent this class working on putting a blanket stitch on the edge of these fleece blankets. Jen sorry your eyes are closed. Wake up. No sleeping on the job. That comes later. This was a fun project and it was good to be part of all the service that goes on during the Conference.
On Thursday night we went to check out all the sharing stations. There were so many great ideas, it was hard to take it all in.
If any of you wanted to check out some great ideas, there are handouts online from the past 6 years. Go here to see details. It really is amazing all the work that goes into these presentations.
Here is one I took myself of me and my two sisters.
I still want to post some of the notes that I took. Maybe I will have some free time this week. We truly did have a fabulous time together.
Ok peeps hold onto your horses, hats, or hosiery, because do I have some amazing beyond belief news of a shocking, well actually stalking nature.
Today I attended Women's Conference at BYU. In past years I have been content to just take pictures of my favorite General Relief Society and Young Women leaders. I have listened to these sisters talk and laughed and cried at the messages they have shared. And almost like blogging friends, I have come to feel that I really know them.
And so today when I went to a class about Hope taught by Sister Susan Tanner's husband and daughter, and I noticed her sitting in the front row, well I unabashedly went up and asked if she would take a picture with me. She suggested that perhaps we should not do it right at the very front, but could move over to the side out of the lime light. I suppose she didn't want to start a stampede of others wanting to follow in my ways.
And so here I am with my new BFF Susan W Tanner. She is just the cutest thing ever and I just adore her and her testimony. I told her how much I loved the talk she had given 7 years ago. After I had sufficiently scared her, I let her go back to her seat and watch her husband and daughter give wonderful talks.
After the afternoon session, I went way down to the very bottom of the stairs right next to where all the important people walk out. And after many shots of the back of Sister Beck and Sister Dalton I managed to flag them down and call them over to where I was nonchalantly hanging over the railing.
So look how cute I am with Sis Dalton. She can make anyone look cute. Now I am BFFs with her also. I had the nicest conversation with her, where I told her that I loved the story she told about running over her daughter with the car. Her daughter was in Kindergarten and it was very snowy and so her daughter was not even hurt, but she did have a tire mark on the back of her snow suit. We laughed about how life as a mother is just kind of crazy like that.
And then the cherry on top of the Sunday, Me and Sister Beck. How cute is she. What to do with so many new BFFs. We also shared a nice conversation about how much we love Relief Society. I love these woman of faith and have been so blessed by their testimonies.
And finally because my heart was racing from the excitement of meeting and picturing with my idols that I needed to see the EMT guys. I felt kind of light headed and rather faint. They were very kind to pose for a blog picture and even offered to do CPR on me for the good of the blog. How cute is the one with his mouth open in excitement from meeting me.
It was an amazing day and I have way more blog fodder that will have to wait for another day. I need to get to bed so I can get up early and get a good place in line for tomorrow.
If any of you wanted to check out some great ideas, there are handouts online from the past 6 years. Go 
And so here I am with my new BFF Susan W Tanner. She is just the cutest thing ever and I just adore her and her testimony. I told her how much I loved the talk she had given 7 years ago. After I had sufficiently scared her, I let her go back to her seat and watch her husband and daughter give wonderful talks.
So look how cute I am with Sis Dalton. She can make anyone look cute. Now I am BFFs with her also. I had the nicest conversation with her, where I told her that I loved the story she told about running over her daughter with the car. Her daughter was in Kindergarten and it was very snowy and so her daughter was not even hurt, but she did have a tire mark on the back of her snow suit. We laughed about how life as a mother is just kind of crazy like that.
And then the cherry on top of the Sunday, Me and Sister Beck. How cute is she. What to do with so many new BFFs. We also shared a nice conversation about how much we love Relief Society. I love these woman of faith and have been so blessed by their testimonies.
