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We all know hindsight is 20/20. When you look back at your life you can see all the different ways the Lord has blessed you, answered your prayers in unexpected ways, lead you down paths you didn’t even know existed to bring you to where you are today, at this moment, where you need to be – where the Lord needs you to be.
Sometimes where we are is a trial we need to go through in order to grow and change a weakness into a strength that the Lord will use later for His purposes. Sometimes where we are is a position to help someone else, to be the Lord’s hands in answering a prayer. Sometimes where we are is a safe place to land for our family and friends. But always, where we are we influence.
I learned this, and so much more, listening to Sister Sheri Dew Wednesday afternoon. I’m sure she didn’t expect to do any teaching. After all the meeting was about blogging, more specifically about Deseret Book getting into the blogging world and how we (that were there) can be a part of that venture. I am excited to see where that leads. (This part of the meeting will be covered in another post)
The end of the meeting was opened up for questions we might have for Sister Dew – and they didn’t have to be about blogging (which she calls the new backyard fence for women). Some questions and answers I can’t share. We all promised we wouldn’t blog about it. 🙂
But here is more of what I did learn that I can share:
Women have more influence than they think they have. Think about any woman in your life. Whose lives has she touched just by daily interaction? Within her family? Her friends? At church? In the community? Can you see that circle of influence rippling out farther and farther? We can each be a voice that helps women understand they have an influence.
A good part of that influence deals with responsibility, carrying out what the Lord would have us do. We need to ask, “What do I have that I can bring to the alter to offer up to the Lord?” He will use what we offer, weak and broken as we are. The fundamental thing that allows the Lord to use us is knowing He can trust us. If we are serious about keeping the commandments, serious about the covenants we have made, serious about being obedient to His will, and serious about our testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ, then He can trust us and will use us to further His purposes.
This unexpected mid-week learning opportunity, coming on the tail end of a fabulous General Relief Society Meeting makes me look forward even more to this weekend (if that is possible!). General Conference is the opportunity we have as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to listen to our prophet, Thomas S. Monson, the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, and other church leaders – men and women- speak to us. We gather by the millions, in the Conference Center in Salt Lake, in our local meetinghouses, at home, all over the world to hear counsel and guidance. Curious as to what they will say? You can listen and watch live here.
Enjoy your weekend! I will be gathered with my own little family enjoying mine.
{I know, I know, the title is a bit cheesy but that is the hymn that kept running through my head as I sat and listened to Sister Dew.}
© 2007-2011 Chocolate on my Cranium, LLC all rights reserved
Okay…cheesy title, yeah.
But amazing opportunity? YES!
(And it couldn’t have happened to a more terrific person – truly.)
Wish we could hear more – I’m sure you will share what you can, as you can.
Happy Conference weekend from one of your fence neighbors. 😉
As I work with my little blog, I often wish I could be like the bigger ones that I love (like yours).
BUT, as you said above, we have our own influence and must work where we are directed. I feel like I push mine in a slightly different direction. BUT we can still colaborate on big things like the celebration. What a blessing that was!
I love that we are all prompted. I love that even though blogs are a little thing, we still have the Holy Ghost to prompt and guide us with them. What a blessing.
Sometimes I wish I lived closer to get to have to opportunity to get to know all of you amazing women I have gotten to know and admire…what a fun get together that would be!
Wow, this is amazing. What a neat experience. About a month ago, the Lord whispered to me that I needed to start blogging more. And I keep questioning myself, is this really what he wants me to do? But I keep getting the same answer. I’m not even sure what I am suppose to blog about. So I redesigned my blog and hopefully I will get some direction from the Lord. So thank you for posting about your meeting with Sister Dew and Deseret Book. Maybe I’m not crazy, and I did hear the Lord right! 😉
Erin
http://www.someoneinmind.blogspot.com
Maybe you should mentor me because I’m not sure what I am doing!
Wow! What a neat experience! I would have loved to have heard what Sister Dew shared with you guys, especially the parts you can’t blog about 😉 !!
What a cool experience for you! I can’t wait to see what cool things are in store.
Isn’t conference amazing so far?
Great thoughts, as usual. I wouldn’t call your family “little” though. 🙂 I have only three children and can not fathom how you homeschool them all on top of everything else you do. You’re amazing!
cjane facebooked a photo of this and I immediately thought that Montserrat next to cjane! I was right!! lol.
I recently heard sheri dew speak at Time out for women in sydney australia and it was wonderful. She was so great and so kind and signed my friends books. The TOFW team also flew up to Brisbane Australia to talk to just the YSA and youth and my sister said her talk there was great. I’ve read her books but not heard her talk in a long time so I was surprised when i saw alot of sheri’s talks on youtube (im not a youtuber 😉 I should go look some more up.
What an awesome opportunity for you!! And for others to get to know you and your wonderful blog.
I’m just sitting here thinking about sitting next to you and how lovely you are.
Truly. You are an incredible person.
Lovely to meet you. So glad to get to know you better!
Love ya!
Jackie