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 25 albums and soundtracks, including The Forgotten Carols and 25, a collection of his most beloved songs over the past 25 years
Some famous entertainers are known by one name or one song. Michael McLean isn't just "some famous entertainer." He's known for dozens of songs. Michael is a master songwriter whom we've accused of reading women's journals ... his songs say, sometimes almost perfectly, what all of us have felt. Chances are he's written one for you.
Former counselor in the general Relief Society presidency; author, Lighten Up and Being Enough
"Teach them correct principles and they govern themselves." A clearer understanding of this amazing truth provides a certainty for life that is hard to match. What are "correct principles"? How are they best taught? What impact do these principles have on us? Chieko has 82 years of experience learning and living correct principles, and she has much to share to help you implement this powerful concept in your life and the lives of those you love.
Professional photographer; attended, Brooks Institute of Photography; creator of Reflections of Christ
What started as a simple offer to create a photo experience for the Mesa Temple Easter pageant turned into a personal journey of faith and testimony. Mark Mabry is a photographer with a story. As he embarked on a quest to capture, for the first time, the story of the life of Jesus Christ through photographs, he learned some powerful lessons. The images his camera captured were not just about the life of the Savior but rather about how our lives can be reflections of His.
Saturday
Former director of training, Missionary Training Center; former faculty, College of Nursing, Brigham Young University; author, Love Is a Verb, Peculiar In a Good Way, and MEE Speaks: But Does She Have Anything to Say?
Mary Ellen is sharing her new "Life Assurance Policy" and it's included as part of your weekend registration! There is nothing to buy, no premiums to pay...and wait until you see the benefits. The policy doesn't end at death and you'll be happy to know there is no physical exam required. Not ever! You just need to participate in some regular "self-checks" of the heart and soul. And with Mary Ellen's refreshing approach to life, you'll welcome the opportunity to sign up.
Ph.D., University of Colorado; institute instructor; recipient, Orton Literary Award; author, House of Glory and When Your Prayers Seem Unanswered
"Let us draw near..." is an invitation not just to gather together, but to gather to Him. As we come to know who Jesus Christ is, our ability and our desire to draw near to Him increase. Throughout scripture there is example after example of the personality of the Savior-a personality full of acceptance, assistance, sensitivity, and sustaining love. From the Old Testament to modern revelation, Michael helps introduce us to the Jesus we need to know.
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
Does anyone think that when you die you will be asked if your kids mastered ballet, played Little League sports, or memorized every hymn on the piano? No? Then why are we sometimes living as if we will? It's time to break out of the hectic, overscheduled, underconnected way of life that has become the norm for too many of us. DeAnne's invitation to get back to the basics just might be the breath of fresh air your family needs. (And you will likely find it takes less time.)
Ph.D.; founder, Sixteen Stones Center for Growth, LLC; former president, Association of Mormon Counselors and Psychotherapists; author, Forgiving Ourselves: Getting Back Up When We Let Ourselves Down.
Are our weaknesses the means to foster our progression or the reasons we feel stuck? The truth is, understanding the source of weaknesses and learning to distinguish them from sins just might change your perspective on life. Wendy will help you put energy into developing your virtues and strengths so your weaknesses can take a back seat and go along for the ride instead of driving the car...and your life.
* 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.