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.

Four years ago, yesterday, I went through the Mt. Timpanogos temple for my first time.  I'm so grateful that I decided to go through the temple.  It has been such a blessing to me!


I had been shopping for some young women things at the distribution center, and overheard a bunch of missionaries showing each other the pictures of the temples that they received their endowments in.  While I was observing this, I was like, "I want to do that."  The thought had come when I was younger, I wanted to be able to be there when Collin got married, but it just didn't seem right.  However, in that distribution center, I knew it was time.  I went to the church that night to drop some stuff off for one of my primary kids, and just stopped into the bishop's office to see what I needed to do to get ready to go to the temple.  Fifteen minutes later, I had a temple recommend and was told the next temple prep. class wasn't going to start for a while, and he thought I should just go.  So, three weeks later I went through this temple.  It was a great experience!  It was wonderful to have so many of my family and friends there.


I've seen so many blessings in my life, and in the lives of those I know and love, because of the temple.

(I hope that Steven and Seja don't mind me posting this)

This little girl's parents found out while they were expecting her, that she had a heart defect.  Their names were put on the temple prayer rolls in many temples, and one day as I was walking out of the temple, I got a text from Seja saying that they had just met with the specialist, and that she was totally fine.  She's a happy, healthy wonderful little girl! 

The power of the temple and the power of prayer are such amazing gifts!

Blessings... :)

I am so grateful for the many blessings my Heavenly Father has given me!  It's amazing to see the power and love of God daily!  As many of you know this summer has been a huge struggle!
 Here's just a few examples of the Mighty miracles that have taken place in my life...

• First of all, my family doctor had suggested that I have a gallbladder ultrasound in May '09.  I didn't, because he said I should wait until I have insurance, which I never got.  I know this doesn't sound like a miracle, because obviously he had a concern.  However, the blessing in this is that, because I didn't have that ultrasound at Tanner Clinic, I didn't have to be treated for this at Davis Hospital.  (Davis Hospital is so scary!!!)  So, because of my lack of insurance, I didn't have to suffer through being there.
• My surgeon, Dr. Varela, is really young (and cute :)).  The procedure (T-TUBE) has not been done for decades.  The fact that he knew this from so long ago, and was able to make it work IS a miracle.  Every injury or sickness I have ever had is always worse on me then it is on whoever gave me the sickness, so I just planned on that.  Overall recovery was easy!
• The many priesthood blessings I received.  The wednesday after my surgery, my liver numbers were still extremely high.  I called Collin for a blessing, and the next morning, my numbers were near normal.
• I have never felt better in my life!  I never realized how sick I actually was until the past two weeks where I have felt amazing! 
• I've had a sinus infection for the last five weeks.  Instacare had said it was a virus, and wouldn't give me any antibiotics.  So, I went to the aforementioned family doctor, and because Collin and his son played on the same comp. soccer teams, and he's known me, he gave me a free doctors appt, and prescribed me some antibiotics, that are working quite well!  Thanks Collin and Krystal for your help here!
• My business has been quite slow, and piano lessons have been at a minimum with people moving and going on vacation during the summer.  So, it's been a financial struggle, not to mention my hospital bills and no insurance (more on this later!).  Had business been good, there is no way I could've done it during the last few months with me being so sick, having surgery, and the six week recovery.  However, within the last week, I've had four design contacts and new piano students referred to me.  I start work on a house next week and new piano kids in two weeks! 
• My hospital bills were over $34,000.  My surgeon was about $2500.  The anesthesiologist was about $2500, as well.  There is no possible way that I could do this on my own.  I'm extremely grateful for the kindness of those that are close to me that have helped with this situation.  The hospital has financial assistance and they've been amazing.  Up until today, they were taking care of 80% of my surgeon's fees, and about 89% of some of the hospital bills, and no word on the largest part.  So, I've been able to pay the doctor, except for $25 that will be taken care of soon.  Today I got a bill in the mail saying that I owed $24,862 that was due in full on August 10.  I was having a total meltdown, so I called the number on the bill to really hear my balance.  After hearing it, I was pretty certain it was mistaken or not all inclusive.  So, when I got home, I got online to check.  All of it was there except the anesthesiologist.  My total balance is just over $300!

I am completely humbled and so extremely thankful for all I've been given!  I know that the Lord's hand has been in all of this.  It's His plan, and I am in awe!