Our Stake had a Relief Society Conference yesterday. There were 9 classes to choose from and we could only pick 3 to attend. I wish that I could have attended at least 6 of them, but the 3 I chose were Parenting Teens, The Lord Looks on the Heart, and Building Strong Boys.
I noticed a few sisters in the Parenting Teens class that don't even have teens yet. After that class, they were probably wishing they didn't attend it. I think the teacher and the discussions probably made them have nightmares last night. I think back to my teen years, and I thought they were hard. I can honestly say that I don't think what I faced then was anything compared to what these teens are facing now. I think of myself as a very controlling person but I have come to realize that unfortunately, it is not God's plan for me to control my children. We have each been given our free agency and we must use it. How grateful I am to have taught my teens correct principles. Now it is time for them to govern themselves. Of course, Mario and I are responsible for setting up rules and guidelines, especially when it comes to things they do in our own home. Our home is a haven, we will not allow the filth of the world to enter. If they want to find filth, they will have to go out into the world to find it. I'm grateful for the class on teens. It reminded me that I think I am on the right path. Love my children unconditionally, teach them the gospel, and pray a lot for them.
The second class I attended was taught by one of my best friends here, Lucretia Hall. It was about not judging others. She was the perfect person to teach this class. She didn't tell the story in the class, but she has told me the story about how her husband's first wife and her are very good friends. Joe, her husband, was married to a woman for a few years and they had two young boys. The wife just left him one day with the boys. He then married Lucretia and she has raised the boys ever since. But Lucretia befriended Joe's first wife right away because she knew that would be best for those boys. She has even invited her to stay at their home on Christmas Eve so she would be there for the boys on Christmas morning. I just can't think of a more Christlike person. She told some stories in the class that helped shape how she is today. I have found more than once, that when I have judged someone for something, me or my family member has ended up doing the exact same thing that I once judged them for. So I am more careful about judging others now for that very reason. Heavenly Father has a way of humbling us. Another thing I have noticed is that occasionally I have judged someone poorly and then ended up very good friends with them afterwards.
The third class was on Building Strong Boys. This class was taught by a husband and a wife and was very good. The wife said that several years ago she attended a RS parenting class and the teacher was talking about the joy of motherhood. She was not feeling the joy and she wondered why. Instead of trying to change her kids so she could find joy, she had to change herself. She asked herself, what am I doing wrong that I am not feeling the joy. She talked about how she felt her kids were sometimes interfering with her hobbies, work, etc. She decided right then that she had to put her whole heart and soul into raising her children. It is our season to be a mother and we need to focus on being the best mom we can be. Our time with our young children is short, take advantage and submit ourselves fully to motherhood. She talked about how are children are a reflection of us, if we gossip, etc, don't be surprised when our children do the same. Mario and I have noticed that we have been too critical of some of the leaders and programs, especially in Tucson. Now we here the same criticisms coming out of Eric's mouth occasionally. It is a humbling experience to sit down with a child and explain that what we did was wrong and we had to repent.
This class talked about the war on boys. To often tv shows and movies portray men as weak. Is that the message we want sent to our sons? One person in the class thought that the church has spiritual programs in place for the Young Women, but not enough for the boys. The teachers and I didn't agree with that statement. I think that Scouts helps our young boys turn into men. It makes them self-reliant, strong leaders. I have seen the benefits of Eric doing his Eagle Project. I feel the Lord puts in strong male leaders with strong testimonies for these young men. They have devotionals by the campfires. They have the Duty to God program. How thankful I am for these leaders and these programs in raising my boys (and daughter.)
I am grateful for Relief Society leaders and for all the efforts they make to help us as sisters endure to the end.
