Time Out for Women 2009
Denver, CO
Friday, March 6, 2009
6:30 - 9:30 PM
Saturday, March 7, 2009
9:00 AM - 3:45 PM
Expo Hall
451 E. 58th Street
Denver, CO 80216 US
Thank you for sharing this SWEET experience with us!
Your experiences:
I enjoyed the producer of the event, Laurel. She made us feel welcome and comfortable. I also wanted to say that I thought Friday's lineup was amazing. I felt the Spirit so strongly in each of the presenter's contributions. It was wonderful to learn about Mark, what a great guy! Michael really connected with the audience and provided laughter and food for thought. Sister Okazaki's talk really hit me hard and addressed some challenges that I've recently been having in parenting. Thanks so much! Sincerely, Alida
—Alida
As a woman who has been married for 6 years and is unable to have children, part of me was hesitant to go to this event for fear there would be content that would depress me. We are approved adoptive parents through LDS and are "actively waiting" for a birth mother to select us so we can have a family. I went Friday evening with a heart full of prayer for a sweet assurance that Heavenly Father had not forgotten me and that He still remembered our situation. Friday evening was wonderful, but as the evening drew to a close, I hadn't gotten my assurance. Michael McLean was singing some final songs, when seemingly, out of the blue, his last song was "From God's Arms, To My Arms, To Yours". As soon as he began to play and tell the story behind the song, I leaned over to my friend and clutched her arm and started sobbing. This was the sweet assurance I needed that Heavenly Father hadn't forgotten me, but right now, He was focusing on "my" birth mother because her challenge is harder than mine right now. She needs the sweet assurance that she is loved and forgiven and if I continue to be patient, He had a great work to work in her heart so that my husband and I can one day bring a child into our home. I love this young woman so much for what she will have to go through so that I can be a mommy. I don't know who she is, but I have the sweet assurance that Jesus Christ is walking beside her and guiding her and lifitn her up just as he lifts me up. Thank you Michael for listening to the spirit and bringing an answer to my prayer and the assurance I needed that I am not forgotten.
—Emily
Awesome!!! My only suggestion is to give or sell the "TOFW Emergency Kit"--Pen, Paper & Tissues!
I heard what I asked to hear in spoken & unspoken messages......Now I must implement them for me & my daughter. We both suffer from depression which makes life heavy & full of guilt of not being good enough. TOFW was a battery charge for my spirit & reminds me that I know life will work out because there is a plan & I am part of it (depression & all). Sweet Assurance has blessed my soul this weekend & will now bless my family's life for years to come. :) Thanks!! I look forward to next year!
—Emily
Fabulous spiritual treat! I laughed and cried. All the presenters were great.
I was especially touched by Michael McLean's music and the sincerity with which he sings his own songs. I wish he would record a CD with his OWN vocals, including some commentary in between.
Julie, Loveland
—Julie
Outstanding. Marvelous. Inspirational. Spiritual. These words only begin to express the inexpressible wonder and appreciation I have for this event and the experiences I had there. Friday evening with Sister Chieko Okazaki and Mark Mabry opened up my heart to the cleansing power of the Spirit. What they didn't achieve, the music, particularly Michael McLean's, finished. I went home lighter in spirit than I had been for some time. Saturday was icing on the cake. Wendy Ulrich's talk on weaknesses helped fill in some blanks in my knowledge on the atonement that I needed at this time. Thank you, thank you, thank you for this wonderful gift. And thanks to my Relief Society presidency who gave me the opportunity to attend. Jeanne St. Christian Longmont, Colorado
—Jeanne St.
My sisters and I attended TOFW in Denver. During the break on Friday night, we asked Michael McLean to take a picture with us, and he was very gracious enough to do that. As we walked away to let others have their opportunity to talk to him, I asked him if he would sing one of my favorite songs. After the break, not only did he sing the song, but he sang it to me after telling the rest of the audience that they could listen, but the song was for me. He even looked right at me in that huge crowd of people. I felt so many tender mercies and that I was important. I will never forget how Michael helped me to feel my Heavenly Father's love. Thank You Michael!
—Tammy
I was determined to attend TOFW. It has been a very rough couple of years with some major challenges that have weakened my hope and faith. Not enough that I have abandoned the church, but that I have not been able to function well. Depression and sadness have overtaken my life. I prayed fervently for many weeks before TOFW that my needs for renewed hope and faith would be found at TOFW. I prayed that the speakers would speak to me and help me get out of the hole I've been in for too long.
From the instant the program began Friday night, I felt the uplifiting power of the gospel helping me out of my hole. The music, and the speakers throughout the whole conference each gave me a 'rung on a ladder' to climb out of my hole.
I have felt peace to my soul. I have felt renewed strength. I have felt joy. It's been a long time since I've felt those things. A long time.
Thank you to ALL the presenters and musicians. You were all an answer to prayer. My prayers.
And so to answer the question we were each asked to contemplate, "What do I know, no matter what.", I can joyously say, I know my Heavenly Father loves me and hears and answers my prayers! THANK YOU!
—Kathi
I had a wonderful time with 22 of my Ward sisters, we heard wonderful uplifting speakers with a message of how important women are in today's society, family, and personal advancement. I enjoyed the experience so much that I encouraged my sister-in-law and daughter to go with me to Kansas City in October...
—Paulette
Friday
Songwriter, entertainer, creator of more than 30 albums and soundtracks, including 25, The Forgotten Carols and his latest, Mission To Be Happy
Some famous entertainers are known by one name or one song. But Michael McLean is known for literally dozens of songs. And his songs say, sometimes almost perfectly, what all of us have felt. Because of that, chances are he’s written one just for you.
Former counselor in the general Relief Society presidency; author, Lighten Up and Being Enough
Chieko has a treasure box, and in her eighty-plus years she also has unique treasures of knowledge and experience. She shares her box and her wisdom in this inspiring message reminding us of the treasures life holds for all who embrace it fully.
Professional photographer; attended, Brooks Institute of Photography; creator, Reflections of Christ and Another Testament
What happens when you try to re-create the scene of the Savior appearing to the people in the Americas? As Mark spent the last year working on his latest photography project, what he saw and felt changed his life. We believe his message about this experience will help change yours.
Saturday
Former director of training, Missionary Training Center; former faculty, College of Nursing, BYU; author of Peculiar In a Good Way and MEE Speaks: But Does She Have Anything to Say?
We know some of you know that song—you know, the one about the ant? Really? You don’t? Well, then, you are in for a treat. MEE has been learning about resilience: how to get it, how to keep it, and what to do with it. And she’s sharing life lessons from her own personal journey.
Ph.D., University of Colorado; former institute instructor; recipient, Orton Literary Award; author, House of Glory, When Your Prayers Seem Unanswered, and What the Scriptures Teach Us about Raising a Child
Though some may believe hope is a gift we either have or don’t have, Michael believes hope is something we create consciously. And he has the scripture stories to back that up. You’ll discover that hope becomes the natural emotional consequence of living key gospel principles.
Singer; songwriter; producer; composer; multiple Pearl Award winner; albums include Women at the Well, Face to Face, and All About You
There's just something about his voice. We love it! And we also love and appreciate his rock-solid testimony of and passion for the gospel of Jesus Christ. He's a complete family guy but loves being with TOFW and we love having his spirit and heart with us.
B.A., Broadcast Journalism, BYU; award-winning journalist; mother of seven; author, The Time-Starved Family
Leave your sewing tools at home. This mother of seven is not talking about those kinds of patterns. Are you hoping to raise good kids? While there might be headaches and heartaches along the way, with the Lord’s patterns as our foundation, that hope can turn into reality.
Ph.D.; founder, Sixteen Stones Center for Growth, LLC; former president, Association of Mormon Counselors and Psychotherapists; author, Forgiving Ourselves and Weakness Is Not Sin
Research says that 40% of our happiness is within our power to control. And much of what we learn from research coincides with what we learn from the scriptures about how to cultivate habits of happiness and hope. Learn seven proven happiness enhancers and start building your own happiness plan.
* These listed presenters are committed to attending this event; however, Time Out for Women cannot guarantee that illness or other emergencies will not interfere with this schedule. No refunds or exchanges. We appreciate your understanding.