You be you, she'll be Sister Dew

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Two wonderful things happened this evening, and I'm not sure which event I'm more excited about!

First, I received my first email from a reader who would like me to send her a copy of The Book of Mormon!  I am overjoyed to share my favorite book with her!

Second, which to many of you might actually be your first on the list:  I was honored to participate in a meeting with Sheri Dew, Emily Watts (also of Deseret Book) and a dozen of my very favorite bloggers.  

Among other things, we discussed the significance and power of blogging. (Sister Dew called it the new "backyard fence" where ideas are exchanged and things happen as a result!).  

We also heard about the new books that they have coming out including what sounds like a pretty amazing companion study for President Monson's biography called "The Teachings of President Monson".  You can read more about it here and order it here.

If you loved "To the Rescue", which I did, you are going to love this one even more.  It has a very useful index of key doctrinal teachings by President Monson listed alphabetically in the back of the book, making it easy to incorporate his teachings in church lessons, at home, or on your blog.

The meeting took place in Utah, and of course, I was at home in Pennsylvania at the time.  Isn't technology wonderful?

One other thought that Sister Dew shared, that I wanted to pass on to you this evening, is that "The Lord needs all of us."  She suggests that women by and large underestimate the power of their influence.   She said that she is "evidence that God will use anybody," despite short-comings.  

Sister Dew added, "I find myself in many situations where there is no model for what I am doing.  No one has done it before." Each of us is unique, but we each have something to offer.  We should ask ourselves what we have that we can place on the alter for God to use.  Then it is up to each of us to work hard to demonstrate to the Lord that we can be trusted.  Then when he knows that he can trust us, he will use us to do great things, in our homes, in our jobs, with our neighbors and friends, and online.

It was so great to participate in such a candid conversation with such a wise woman/group of women!  Thanks to everyone involved in organizing this meeting for inviting me!

Ok, that's all of the excitement that I have to share with you "over the backyard fence" tonight!  Two wonderful, beautiful experiences!  I will be back tomorrow with some of the best posts from our General Conference link-up and the giveaway winner!