Summit

I had an incredible weekend. I attended a Young Single Adult Conference called Summit. All singles in the region were invited to come. It started Friday night with a Luau. They had several Polynesian groups perform. There was traditional dancing and music. This, of course, made me so excited!! Then there was a dance afterward. Saturday was full of workshops. They offered classes ranging from determining the guidance of the Spirit in choosing an eternal companion to finance. I attended two classes in the morning. One was called Holy Envy by Michael Wilcox, an Institute professor at the U. He spoke about being firmly planted in the gospel but finding the truth in other religions. He used the compass as an analogy. The compass (the ones you use in math... not the cordinal directions one) has two legs. One is firmly planted while the other can be extended. I have always been intrigued with religions of the world, and this just made me want to learn more. The next class I attended was a finance class. I was reminded of the promises listed in the scriptures of monetary blessings if we are obedient. The two classes in the afternoon that I attended were on setting goals and the last one was a speaker who had his wife, unborn child and two living children killed in a car accident leaving him with two sons. It was amazing to listen to his journey to forgiveness and healing. I really hope the Lord never asks me to sacrifice something of that nature, but I can see there is a purpose in all things. He is in control. Tonight I went to a fireside of a woman named Jane Clayson Johnson. She wasn't married until she was 36. She was an extremely successful business woman and journalist. She was on the Today show for awhile and the Early Morning show. She was an inspiration to me. This woman spent 18 years being a single adult and did so much good. It helped me to see there was a purpose to all things and the Lord was in charge. My time table is not His time table. Of this I am grateful. I have recently discovered a peaceful acceptance and quiet gratitude for still being single to learn certain lessons now and not later. There are times where I am lonely, but I recognize I am not the person I want to be yet when meeting someone. I have learned things recently that I would not want to learn before getting married. How grateful I am for an all knowing and loving Heavenly Father Who saw my needs being filled another way than what I thought I needed. I just hope to be patient and learn what He needs me to learn. I am so thankful for the perspective the Gospel gives me in my life. I heard a quote today I'd like to share. I don't remember who said it but it says, "The gospel of Jesus Christ is not insurance to prevent pain. It is a resource against (or to deal with) pain." I agree with this statement. What an incredible weekend this was for me and I see that the Lord directed others to teach me things He needed me to understand at this time.