Part of His Miracle

Handwritten on the front of the envelope it read, “Personal.” I looked at the left corner to see who it was from: BYU Women’s Conference … and I knew. That feeling filled my gut. I tore open the envelope and read that I’d been invited to be a presenter at the 2016 BYU Women’s Conference – and that my name had been recommended and prayed about.

Right away I began to wonder who recommended me for such an honor. Approximately 15,000 women from around the nation attend the two-day BYU Women’s Conference in April. It’s co-sponsored by the Relief Society for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It’s a big deal!

I later received a call from a member of the BYU Women’s Conference Committee, and I asked if she knew who recommended me … nope. She read the 20 names of committee members and I didn’t recognize any of them. But the mystery was solved at a training meeting for presenters hosted on BYU campus – and as my recommender was revealed, so was the hand of God.

Out of more than 30,000 BYU students, only one serves on the BYU Women’s Conference Committee. One. This year, the committee chair asked a professor who teaches one class each year if he had someone to recommend. He has one TA for his one class, and that’s who he recommended. Not coincidentally, that sweet TA had an opening in her schedule the very hour needed to meet with the committee each week during the Fall 2015 semester – and she said yes to the opportunity.

The committee meets weekly from August through December, praying about topic ideas and names of presenters. They aim to follow the Spirit’s small whisperings of ideas and names ….  And that’s what happened for Kristin, the TA. Before moving to Utah, she lived in our town (about 5 years ago). I served as her Young Women’s president. She said my name came to mind, and she suggested it … but she didn’t even know if I had received an invitation to speak until that night’s training meeting for presenters. (*Note: I didn’t recognize her name on the committee because I was unfamiliar with her married last name – she’s still a Young Woman in my mind!)

I can see Heavenly Father’s hand all over this opportunity! Kristin and I haven’t talked in quite a while – though we follow each other on Facebook. She had no idea the feelings in my heart, or the promptings and preparations that have been happening in my life. She followed her promptings by the Spirit, and became a delightful part of my miracle.

Now, I’m praying for the Spirit’s promptings so I might be part of the miracle for the women who attend BYU Women’s Conference. They will come seeking specific answers and solutions. They will come seeking His comfort and His words. I’m praying to know what to say, so that I can act as voice for Him who loves each of His children so very much.

“Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings” (Mosiah 8:18).

This experience has reiterated this fact to my heart: Heavenly Father knows us individually. He loves us individually. He works in our lives and daily acts individually. I am amazed at how He orchestrates the most complex and fluid puzzle pieces, and does so perfectly, in order to provide for us the answers and opportunities needed to bring us closer to Him.

He is the miracle and the miracle worker – and He invites us to be part of His miracle. As we follow His promptings, we can work might miracles for the benefit of our fellow beings.

Now, are you wondering what topic I’ve been asked to speak about?
Here it is:

 

NOT PERFECT, BUT GOOD AND GETTING BETTER Do we understand that the Atonement is for faithful men and women who are obedient, worthy, and conscientious and who are striving to become better and serve more faithfully? (Elder David A. Bednar). Weaknesses can hinder progress and cause discouragement, but as we are willing to repent and to become whole, Christ can make “weak things become strong” (Ether 12:27). In what ways can deepening our conversion protect us from the world’s moral decline? How does the Atonement help us find joy in being good and find help in becoming better?

Did specific stories, scriptures or ideas come to mind when reading the presentation abstract? If so, please share with me! I am in the research stage right now, and would love to hear from you – your thoughts could make a miracle happen! Also, to register to attend or to get more information about BYU Women’s Conference, visit this site: http://womensconference.ce.byu.edu/

Is anyone out there planning to attend!?