The Manna Plan

 There is so much brilliant symbolism in the account of the children of Israel being provided for with manna from heaven.  I learned even more about manna in my own life at Time Out for Women this past weekend.

Almost six years ago, one of my very best friends in the whole wide world asked me if I wanted to go to Time Out for Women together.  I was all for a girls weekend away and for spending time with her so we started planning.  We were both a little skeptical of what it was going to be like.  I mean, who pays to sit in church all weekend, right?  We had secret plans to check in at the conference and then slip out early to do something really fun instead.  But within the first 15 minutes we were hooked.  We have been Time Out groupies ever since.  We go to Time Out every year.

This year we were even on the brochure!  Yessss.

So since I am Time Out for Women #1 Fan, I volunteered to help out with the event in Richfield this year.  My sisters met me there for our first Sisters Only Weekend ever.  It was even more fun than I expected.

We loved hearing from new presenters Tamu Smith and Zandra Vranes.  They were totally honest, a little improv, and made us all wish that we were Black too.

 Jeff's mom and sister were there too.  It was great to see so many friends and family members and enjoy the weekend together.  When you are in a room with thousands of other women there is an automatic sense of unity - we really are all the same in so many important ways.

 Justin Cash demoed some mad guitar skills.

 And I got to help with the service project! Yay!

 It can be overwhelming when there is so much need all around us.  It can also be inspiring to see how much can be accomplished when everyone does just a little bit.  Our united efforts as women, whether it is a box of mac & cheese or something much, much more, can make a real difference in our world.

 I was lucky enough to grow up with just sisters.  Just us three girls.  We are all so very different.  Most people say we don't even look like sisters.  We have different interests, hobbies, and talents.  We have different pet peeves, habits, and vices.  We have always been close, and have become even closer as adults.  It was so much fun to spend the weekend together.  We laughed and we cried and everything in between.  These two are always there for me, and I have such peace in the reassurance that, because of the promises of eternity, they always will be.

 And we got to meet John Bytheway, which is just plain cool when you're a Mormon.  (and his lesson on the Prodigal was phenomenal.)

 Chris Williams was there!  I first heard his story in a Stake Conference years ago. (watch the Mormon Message video here) and have never forgotten it.  His book is titled Let It Go and his message is for every single one of us.  All of us have the need to forgive, to be forgiven, and to utilize the miracle of the Atonement in our lives.  I was so glad we got to hear from him, and meet him.

 I haven't heard from Merrilee Boyack in years, so I was excited that she was presenting in Richfield.

 I always learn something new when I go to Time Out.  I gain new perspective and new understanding.  But taken overall, most of what is said is not new.  The ideas, interpretations, quotes, and scriptures are, for the most part, ones I have heard before.  For me, this doesn't make them any less effective.  Emily Watts (I think?) talked about living on the "manna plan."  She explained that God gives when we need in proportion to what we need.  No more, no less.  I loved this concept, and as I've been reading a book by Emily Freeman (another favorite presenter) I have thought more about how, in order to survive this life, we need manna every single day.  Although I have experienced sincere prayer before, in order to be who I need to be today, I need that experience today.  Although I have read the Book of Mormon before, that nourishment cannot sustain me unless I gather what is required today.  After this weekend, I am even more thankful for the cyclical nature of this life, and the repetitions that serve as manna for me.  I need the nourishment again and again.


I went to Time Out not knowing that I needed the time with my sisters or the messages that were presented.  But I did.  I needed to nurture those invaluable sibling relationships, and I needed to be reminded of the innumerable miracles that grace my life.

Here's looking forward to November.

One on One

 I keep thinking I am going to get back to normal, but normal seems very evasive.  Three months ago my life was crazy busy, but it was very predictable.  I would wake up, exercise, study, get the kids ready for school, and then head up to work on the house.  The kids would walk to the house after school and we would head back to the apartment where we would do homework, dinner, and the whole night time routine.

Now I set my clothes out at night planning to exercise each morning which sometimes happens and sometimes does not.  The move, compounded by me being absent for a month caused a disruption in Titus' sleep routine from which he has not recovered, meaning I am often up at night with him.  It is not unusual for one of the kids to need me for a drink, a hug, a nightmare, or a blankie at 5:00 in the morning as I have my running shoes laced up and I'm preparing to walk out the door.  This throws my study schedule off which leaves me praying in the shower (not all bad, but not ideal.)  I have big plans each day to organize, unpack, clean, and serve.  But then Titus wakes up and all my plans get postponed.  So I'm trying to be ok with unpredictable.  I'm learning (slowly) to adjust my expectations and still get something accomplished.

 Lately we've been accomplishing a lot of cookies.  Isaac loves to cook and is always by my side in the kitchen.  When Titus naps each afternoon, he wants to bake.  Here's the math: missing morning workout + making cookies each afternoon = chubby mama.

 Levi loved basketball this year.  He was really aggressive on the court and sad that it was already over. (Daisy played again this year too, but missed her last game due to a sprained foot, so I don't have a cute pic of her with her jersey and medal.)

 Thanks to the city recreation department and BYU we got to enjoy a Men's game with our cousins.  We love cheering for the Cougs and being together.  I could go to every game and not get sick of it.

 These brothers rarely miss their morning pajama wrestling match after the big kids leave for school.

 Isaac returned to his dance class for the first time since his hospitalization.  He was soooo excited to go back, and his little friends were so happy to see him. 

 Levi taught our family home evening lesson about missionary work, and then we all wrote letters or drew pictures for the missionaries.  I had to snap a picture of Levi's letter before I mailed it. 

 Levi and I got to go on a date to the Hale Theater and see "Big River."  Before we left, Jeff was giving Levi tips on how you should treat girls on a date.  Levi kept me smiling all night long.  He picked Chili's for dinner, and we avoided the wait by sitting at the bar.  He realized about halfway through the meal that he was the only kid around. 

 We both loved the production, and Levi asked some really introspective questions about race, slavery, and discrimination on the way home and for the next several days.  Levi was so excited to get his picture taken with "professional actors!"

Spending time with each of my children one-on-one became even more of a priority after Isaac's hospitalization.  Being with  him and just him helped me recognize how important it is to really get to know each of my children on an individual basis.  I understand that there is something sacred and essential to investing in and establishing that very personal relationship.

 When we are not making cookies, Isaac and I like to play games.  Sometimes he gets going on a puzzle and I sneak off to do the laundry.  Sometimes I give him my phone and sneak off for a nap.  Sometimes we play rounds and rounds of Uno while the laundry and the bills and the dishes all wait.

The warmer weather has beckoned the kids outside to play and left me missing the fields where we lived before we moved here.  I remain hopeful that the renewal of Spring will be a renewal for me.  I am ready to bid this winter goodbye.