Friday, November 5, 2010

Time Out For Women 2010: Friday Night

I had the great opportunity to be a volunteer at Time Out for Women (thanks for the hook up, Danette!) which meant I got to go for free, but that I also had some great experiences. I was really inspired as well as entertained and I just have to share.
  
The first presenter was Ardeth G. Kapp. She was the General Young Women's President during all my years as a young woman. She talked about how the Lord has given each of us an individualized plan for our lives and how we can have hope because of the plan of salvation. Whether it's death of a loved one, childlessness (both of which she knows about first-hand) or whatever other struggles we have, there is hope for happiness. She said that when she was young and people asked her if she had any children she would say, "Not yet." And now in her eighties(?) when people asks her if she has any children she still says, "Not yet." She also said, "I have a photographic memory, just not same day delivery." I didn't realize she was so witty! When I was 13 or 14 Sis. Kapp came to Las Vegas and did a regional young women's fireside. After her remarks she let any who wanted to come up to where she was on the stand so she could meet the young women. I went up and shook her hand; she asked my name and then gave me a hug. I still remember how wonderful I felt that night. So at TOFW I got my picture with her and mentioned that event and she correctly guessed that I must have been about a Beehive age back then. And did you know that the Young Women Values were introduced 25 years ago this month? I think Sis. Kapp looks the same as she did back then and she is still inspiring me.
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The next presenter was John Bytheway. I met him when I was at BYU on a couple of occasions. Once was when he took out my roommate so he came to our apartment. (He did not remember that particular incident.) So I have followed his career throughout the years and have found him to be inspiring at different times in my life. I read What I Wish I Knew When I Was Single, when I was in the midst of my single years, and What I Wish I Knew When I was a Newlywed right after I got married. So there I was at Time Out For Women and he talked about What I Have Learned from Time Out for Women. John Bytheway is certainly funny and entertaining but there's no denying that he knows and loves the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that is what I like about him most.