Time Out

One of the things I've been looking forward to all year was Time Out For Women. It's a two-day women's retreat. Two days of laughing, tears, meeting new people and just plain inspiring fun. I bought tickets for me and my mom, back in December, I think, the day they went on sale. I knew that I wanted her to come, so I bought the tickets early to seal the deal.

About 2 weeks after buying the tickets, I got an email from Deseret Book, Time Out For Women staff. It was a form email asking questions about me, who I am, what I do, how I would spread the word about TOFW. I filled in the blanks and sent the reply. Another week after that email popped up, I got a phone call from Mish Hendricksen, the TOFW Richmond team leader, asking if I would like to be on the TOFW team. Team members are volunteer women who help at the event, handing out programs, seating people, etc. I said ABSOLUTELY, and can my Mom help? Yes, yes, yes!

My mom hit the roof when I told her we'd be helping out at the event. She was SO excited. She's never been to TOFW, much less done anything like this before. So, plans were made, plane tickets purchased, and we were ready! (all part of my evil plan to get my mom out here on vacation, ha ha.)

But, then we had to wait. TOFW was scheduled for Richmond, VA on October 21-22. Our plans were made in March! Forward to the first week of April...

April 7, David left for a 5 month South American Humanitarian cruise on the USNS Comfort hospital ship.

April 9, I got released as Young Women's President and called as RELIEF SOCIETY president. (YES, two days after David left.)

April 13, I got the beginnings of strep throat.

April 14, phone call from Mish, TOFW team leader. "Sheila, I have a TOFW captain who will not be able to be a captain anymore for the event in October. Would you be interested in being a team captain?" Me: with pained throat and a bit of emotion, "YES!"

So, now, I was on the books to be a team captain. I had to keep track of the team, make sure everyone was getting their fliers out and spreading the word. It was pretty easy and so stinkin fun.

Fast forward to October. Two weeks before the event, I had 3 team members have to drop out. So, I added some sisters from my ward area. Either way, my team was going to be great!

Mom and Bill flew in to Baltimore to stay with Melissa and then we met them in Washington, D.C. for a few days. We returned on Wednesday evening and turned around and went to Richmond for TOFW on Friday!

Time Out For Women was FANTASTIC. We came on Friday and got our assignments and met our teams. We got everything organized and had a great time meeting new people and meeting my team with the names that I've been looking at all summer!

Friday night was filled with music from Jenny Oaks Baker and even her three little angel daughters. Also we heard from Virginia Hinckley Pearce. I love her!

Saturday morning we geared up for a busy day. Handing out the TOFW totes and programs, and getting the Possibility Packs organized! (Hygiene kits for women's shelters in the area) By noon on Saturday we had assembled 215 kits and had more than 3 full boxes of extra donations to be taken to the local women's shelters. Amazing!

Saturday was awesome, too. My mom was put with my good friend Jolyn on Door Greeters. I was in the lobby and got to watch her smile and hand out programs and totes to all the women coming in. She was so happy and having so much fun. It was a blast just to watch her enjoy herself so much. The speakers and music were all wonderful and being with my mom and new friends was icing on the cake.

I'm so grateful for this experience. I think TOFW is a blessing to so many, and being part of the team was just a tiny thing, but meant so much to me and my mom. What a great October this was! So thankful!



A video of the event posted by TOFW staff.