"Yielding our hearts..."

This weekend was one of the best I've had in a very long time for myself. Yes, I missed Joey and he and I have a wonderful time every time we're together and I missed Addi-Boo and her company. However, occasionally everyone owes themselves some much needed "me" time and this one was mine. I was with some of the best friends imaginable and we were all gathered together with a common cause and with common interests -- every one of us. Friday my sister, Tiawanna, our dear friends, Katie and Kristi and I left out around 5:30 for Myrtle Beach for an LDS Single Adult Conference. To be honest after I'd committed to going I wasn't very excited about it but WOW was I so wrong! We had such an awesome time! Katie is just a riot to be with and she kept us laughing. Kristy was our driver and what a luxury that was and Tiawanna kept us happy, too, making sure we had plenty of drink and snack stops--gotta love those Peanut M & M's!!! Our condo we stayed in at Plantation Resort was fabulous! We checked in Friday night and socialized some then headed out on the town a little. It was fun. Then Saturday was the most awesome day from beginning to end. The seminars were wonderful. The theme of the conference was "Yielding Their Hearts unto God" and the classes centered around this theme. The first class was "Yeilding YOUR Heart unto God" taught by another dear friend of mine, Joyce Fields. We learned some interesting facts about the human heart (even had a quiz!) and then we compared these to our spiritual and emotional heart. It was great and we even made homemade Valentine hearts! The next class was "Joy in the Journey" by Marsha Jensen and it was just as good. We were given a handout with 25 examples of everyday things which bring joy -- many that we take for granted. Some included were: I really laughed this week about something, I can think of 5 things that I use and enjoy that weren't invented 60 years ago, I am looking forward to something, Jesus Christ is my saviou, my reedeemer, my advocate with the Father. There were lots more but it really made you think about the things that truly bring joy, not just temporary happiness. At the end of class she gave out Almond Joys relating it the scripture, "All men are that they might have joy..." The last class was "Yielding our heart through making and honoring sacred covenants" and it was very informative as well. Following the classes we had lunch and then gathered in the chapel to watch the funeral services of President Hinckley which was broadcast live via satellite from The Conference Center in Salt Lake City. What a beautiful service and oh, how our dear prophet will be missed yet I'm so happy that he is reunited with his sweet wife whom he has greatly missed since her passing. We were so thankful to have attended this service. Afterwards we went back to the resort to get ready for the evening festivities. There was a dinner and a dance which turned out to be really fun. Kristy met a really nice guy and we all just had a great time line dancing and just laughing and having fun together. The Charleston group there who are good friends of Telene are so much fun! I don't think I've danced that much in a very long time! Today we attended church and enjoyed the testimony meeting, had a HUGE brunch and headed back home. The weather was ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS making it tough to leave the beach, but it was nice to back at home with Addison and also Chloe. (though I don't think either of them missed me very much - Addi enjoyed her little bit of independence this weekend!) This conference and get-away was the greatest uplift I've had in a while and it was great to do some thinking about life and to have my testimony strengthened of not only the gospel but also my love of my savior. During the dinner/dance I got a call from Erika and could immediately tell something was very wrong. I think my heart stopped for a moment as I heard and felt the fear in her voice and tears. She'd been in an accident just moments before. They've had blizzards in Idaho lately with lots of snow and ice. She was on her way from work only about a mile from her home when she must've hit a patch of ice and her car slid across the road hitting an oncoming Chevy Tahoe. Luckily she escaped with just the impact of the airbag and I'm sure that today she is very, very sore. Nothing is worse than having your child, your firstborn child I may add, very far away and in pain, sobbing with tears and not being there to hold her and comfort her. My heart that I'd been learning so much about all day was aching and I've never wanted to be someplace else so bad in all my life. However, her dear sweet mother-in-law, Joanne was there with her and my love for Joanne grew a million times. She is an angel and I am so thankful for her taking care of my daughter when I couldn't be there. I know she loves Erika and that means the world to me. Erika and Jack are now without a car at all but last night when I spoke to her before going to bed she said they had a ride lined up for church this morning. Their Honda is probably totalled but she is safe and that's what matters. After the call from her I went into a classroom there at the church and knelt and said my prayers before calling Ethan. Ethan then called his sister to check on her and to help console her -- they have a special bond. Erika said Jack had run by foot to get to her when she called him - he is such a wonderful husband to her. As was told in a talk I heard recently, "Trials are tailor made for our needs...Our Heavenly Father will not take away the trial but will make our sorrows and pain easier to bear when we yield our hearts to Him..." There are so many trials we face and sometimes it seems it's those who try and struggle the hardest that are faced with some of the toughest. We have been promised in the scriptures that we will not be given more than we can stand and it is through tests and trials that we build our strength and our testimonies grow. Erika Lindsay, I love you, I love you more that I can ever express in words. You are an amazing young woman and you are doing such good things. Always stand strong and immovable in your faith no matter the trials and you will be so blessed. I am so very thankful that you are okay...vehicles can be replaced -- things can always be replaced -- you are what is important. I love you and I know you'll be sore, but just get some rest and remember to say your prayers. And to Kristy, Tiawanna, and Katie-- I LOVE YOU ALL so much and thanks for one of the best weekends ..... we have to do it again soon!

P.S. I loved these prints hanging our room at the resort!