I went to this fireside on dating about a month ago.  It was really funny, well, I thought it was funny!  It was all about the approach and ways for men to handle rejection, and still look like they have confidence, and for women to make sure they touch a guy they're interested in, in a certain way, no patting, you need to brush their arm with your palm, not just fingertips... stuff like that.  I was laughing at most of it!  It was really funny to see how these dumb things she was suggesting would actually work.  The whole reason I went, was because she had written an article that someone sent to me once about why he wasn't dating, and I wanted to see her in person.  Anyways, during the meeting people were acting like this information was life or death to them.  There were moments of awkwardness, when she said things not to do, that I know I've done, and that I'd even said some of these things, that I shouldn't have, according to her, and I'd said them to someone that was sitting pretty close in proximity to me.  I actually did reject someone the way she suggested to, once, and he was there, and wouldn't even look at me.  Can we say AWKWARD!?  After the fireside, while eating refreshments, people were practicing on each other.  It was hilarious!  She did say "to practice on your B list, not your A list," and people were taking advantage of the opportunity :)

Anyways, since then I've thought about some of the things she said, and I have to say I agree with her on some of the things.  She talked about how the girl needs to feel safe.  I hadn't ever really thought about that, probably dumb of me, but it never even crossed my mind that I hadn't felt safe with people.  I know I'm pretty shy, and I don't talk much when I first meet someone, but I just thought that was because I was shy.  (The funny thing is that whenever I'm in front of a crowd, like doing my midsingles things, I may get nervous, but it's my responsibility to lead, so I lead and talk and do whatever else is required of me.)  Well, I can tell you the day I realized I felt safe in this friendship/relationship and I understood what she meant.  I also realized that I don't open up very quickly, because I don't feel safe to.  An example is that I can plan some huge activity for the midsingles and feel confidant people will come.  However, if I think of planning a game night with friends, I sit and worry that no one would come.  Sometimes it takes me a long time to build up the courage to text someone, what is that about?!  It's a text!  Another weird side to this is that I can call up anyone and ask them to do a fireside or present at a conference, but if I have to call someone I know to do one of those things, it takes me ten years to decide I can actually do it!  So backwards!  Anyways, that's my venting for the day, now that that's off my shoulders, I can stop feeling like a dork for a dumb text tonight :)

My conference is over and now my young women leadership meeting is over, so now I can think again.  I have to say that my brain struggled changing from being MidSingles oriented to being Young Women oriented.  I actually was wondering what in the world was wrong with me, and kept praying for direction on what I should do for the leadership meeting, and it didn't come until yesterday.  I guess that's the way it works.  I procrastinate, but eventually it works out.

I don't remember what I posted prior to the conference, about the conference, so I hope I don't bore you with stuff I've already said.

There were moments in the planning of the conference that I questioned what I was doing and why; whether I was being directed in the right direction or if it was just me.  You all know those doubts that creep up.  It was so inspiring and amazing to see how everything pulled together, and be able to see that we really were being guided in what we had planned. 

The friday night activity was going to be night games, but the weather didn't cooperate, it was way too cold.  We ended up doing games inside, though, and it was way fun!  Not all people participated, but it was fun for the ones that did. 

Saturday was full of workshops, service projects, games, a keynote speaker in the morning, food, a Greg Simpson Band concert and a dance with karaoke, video games and a photobooth.  It was awesome!  Elder Fluhman of the Seventy was our keynote speaker.  When I had told Cyd about him, she said that I needed to have his wife speak, as well, because she is a great lady.  I didn't know about doing that, since I hadn't had any contact with him, but I thought it was a great idea.  Well, that morning he walked in, was introduced to me, and said, "Now, Pyper, my wife is here, and I think you need to have her share something."  It was so cool!  She said she'd be fine just listening, but ended up sharing some stuff.  It was great!

The workshops that I got to attend were amazing, and exactly what I felt they should be, when I asked these people to do it.  My stake is great!  I may have mentioned this before, and maybe I'm biased, but we had Louise Sill and Pres. Downs come and present, and I heard comments all day about how their messages had inspired people.  My favorite quote from Louise was that the scriptures always say, "And it came to pass..." they don't say, "And it came to stay..."  It's so true!  All of our trials and struggles come, but they pass, unless we dwell on them.  Then, they won't pass as quickly as they may have.  Our lunch was provided by a guy in our stake, and then the deejay was from our stake.  I sure hope that the stake isn't tired of helping me out, because I already have people in mind for the next time :)

On Sunday night, S. Michael Wilcox did our fireside.  It was amazing!  I have always loved the story of Jesus walking on the water, and coming to save the apostles in the fourth watch of the night.  (http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/mark/6?lang=eng).  That's how He is, He could save us at the beginning of our trials, but he doesn't.  He comes in when we feel we can no longer handle it.  Bro. Wilcox said we have a fourth watch God, and we're a first watch kind of people.  It's so true!  At the beginning of the fireside, we had the choir sing Precious Savior, Dear Redeemer, arranged to the melody of Homeward Bound.  I have always loved Homeward Bound, however, I have not loved the hymn book arrangement of Precious Savior, Dear Redeemer.  Oh, my word, it was beautiful!  The choir number was a stress for us for quite sometime, but then it just worked out, and I'm so thankful for those that were able to pull it together.  Bro. Wilcox said that there are many songs that remind him of his wife, but there are three specific songs that make him feel her, everytime he hears one of them; and it just so happened that that was one of the songs.  People were close to the spirit when they picked that out.

On friday night, I was so tired, I was laughing uncontrollably.  It was so funny!  I don't think many of the midsingles, if any, have ever seen me like that.  Then, on Sunday during the closing song at the fireside, I just started bawling.  It was so funny, too!  I felt this huge weight lift off of my shoulders, that I hadn't even realized I was feeling. 

There were so many great experiences, even down to having lost my keys, and had many people looking for them.  Then, someone suggested we pray, and within 8 seconds (and I'm not even exaggerating) my keys were found, right where we'd already looked for them.  The turn out wasn't as huge as I was hoping for, hopefully, it will be better next time.  I do know without any doubt that all of those things were meant for someone, if not more than one, and that makes it all worth it!  I'm so grateful for all of the people that helped with everything.  I can't even put into words how grateful I am.  It was such a neat experience, and very educational.