What a wonderful Friday and Saturday Karen, Christie and I had attending Time Out for Women. It was very encouraging and motivating. The speakers all had a talent to talk and entertain but still have a spiritual message. The concert on Friday evening was Kenneth Cope, Kim Nelson (a therapist) and Michael McClean. The songs were so good and we left feeling so good as we walked back to our hotel which was just 5 mnutes away.
The next morning we had to be back about 8:00 to start the rest of the conference. We were given a free bag with the logo of Time Out for women on it. I, of course, needed a new bag.
One of the things they kept stressing the whole time was that we are daughters of our Heavenly Father and that he loves us so much.
Mary Ellen Edmunds gave a great talk and it washumorous. She told us that Satan convinces us that there are no U turns in our lives. Once we have done something, he convinces us that it's too bad, there's no turning back. God tells us we can come back, turn around, repent and He will welcome us back.
Camille Fronk-Olsen said that only God and Jesus Christ can support us in our trials. They are really the only constants in our lives.
Another speaker was Sister Boyack (don't know her). She talked about service and challenged us to do 5-10 seconds of service a day. By giving compliments to people and doing nice things like letting people in front of you in the store or on the highway. I accepted that challenge and in a snap of your fingers, you can give a 1 second compliment to someone that may make their day.
Sister Sharon Larson (the author of the Chocolate Chip story) was the final speaker. She had three suggestions to finding joy: Forgiving others, Trust in the Lord with all our heart and Keep our covenants.
After lunch and before the speakers started again, there was a segment where people had sent in nominations for people who showed joy in their lives even though they had trials. They started reading off several names and where they were from. They read my name -- I admit I jumped. They had us stand up and I leaned over and gave Christie a nudge and gave her a thank you look. I guess she and Debbie had nominated me and written a beautiful letter to submit. I really don't think there were any winners or any big prizes, but it was special to me just to be nominated by my daughters. Thank you again.
There is so much more that was said. I took notes and if any would like a copy, let me know. If any of you get the chance to go to any of these conferences, you will enjoy it so much. You will be very spiritually fed and feel that women ROCK!!!!! (as the kids would say)
I am grateful to be a mother, and a servant of my Heavenly Father so I can serve others and be strengthened throughout my life.
This summer we had landscaping put around it. It looks so nice.
We also planted a garden this year. I had to rely on Karen and Christie to help plant because I had foot surgery in May and I am still not totally healed. I did help weed it and we are sharing it this year with the Haymores. They needed some gardening area that was in the sun and our garden was perfect. We have had so much rain and so the garden is really doing well.
I can't believe we are already in the middle of November. It seems like the time has just flown by. I was looking at the Montero blog talking about all the things they are thankful for. I too am thankful for so much. 
It is my sweet Mike's birthday this month. I am so grateful that we were able to spend 33 very wonderful years together. As you all know, he had a sense of humor that could get us through almost anything that came along. I miss that as the stressful situations come and go in my life. I am grateful that we are sealed as a couple and a family forever. I am grateful that Mike accepted the gospel and was able to serve in his many callings. I am grateful for all of my daughters, my sons-in-law and my special grandchildren. What joy you all give me. I am also grateful for the gospel in my life and the spiritual strength I gain from following the teachings of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for His sacrifice for us so we can be forgiven and able to have eternal life. I am grateful for His birth and the knowledge I have of His life. I have many nativity sets that we have set up in our house for Christmas that remind us of the true meaning of this season.
We are having the most beautiful fall weather and colors. As we drive around, we see the beautiful vibrant trees. The colors seem to be especially bright this year. Since the weather has been in 
the 60's and 70's, it has made it even a better fall than we have had in the past. We are having our Harvest Dinner this weekend at church. We are preparing the turkey and some other things. 
Fall in this part of the country is absolutely gorgeous!
We stopped in Johnstown/Gloversville where Karen was born. We took a picture of our house there. Sharon was only 1 year old when we moved in and when she was 2, Karen was born. It is still a nice looking house. I guess they didn't like the tree we planted in the front because it looks like it is gone but they replaced it with another one.
We also took a picture of Beech Nut in Canajahorie where your Dad/Grandpa worked. He worked at the baby food side of the plant. They also made gum and mints. (Micaela would like that). Someone told me they don't make baby food there any more. It was fun to see the area. I remember that your Dad traveled to Albany two times a week to go to school to get his masters. It seemed far away years ago but we traveled the distance to Albany and it seemed like only about an hour.
What a wonderful Friday and Saturday Karen, Christie and I had attending Time Out for Women. It was very encouraging and motivating. The speakers all had a talent to talk and entertain but still have a spiritual message. The concert on Friday evening was Kenneth Cope, Kim Nelson (a therapist) and Michael McClean. The songs were so good and we left feeling so good as we walked back to our hotel which was just 5 mnutes away.
Another speaker was Sister Boyack (don't know her). She talked about service and challenged us to do 5-10 seconds of service a day. By giving compliments to people and doing nice things like letting people in front of you in the store or on the highway. I accepted that challenge and in a snap of your fingers, you can give a 1 second compliment to someone that may make their day. 
Well, it really wasn't a week of school. We started back to school on Thursday (9-4) and worked again on Friday. It was like starting a whole new job. I am in the room next to my regular room where I worked for 3 years. This new room was definitely like starting over except that I am in the same school. I am learning about the students and what they can do and should do and what their limitations are and how to deal with any behaviors. I am also in with a new group of teaching assistants except for my friend Deb who was with me the last 3 years in the other room. Oh, well we all can benefit from a change now and then. I know it will get better and we will adjust and have a great year.
