Alright. So many acronyms, not enough typing strength. There is so much to blog about! I do not even know where to begin, but I will start at the logical beginning, Friday.
On Friday, it was the first ever Mother, Newborn, and Child Health Conference at BYU. It was a trial conference, and I personally think the department of Health did a terrific job putting it on. The speakers were incredible- the first two keynotes were from PAHO, and the final was a doctor in NYC. She was probably my favorite (and ironically enough, I ran into her at Temple Square the next day. She was attending General Conference with my professor, Len Novilla)... she spoke of women's issues specifically and how unless women are secure in their environment and on par with men they will never achieve good indicators of health. She showed a clip from the documentary "Dead Mums Don't Cry", about a maternity ward in Chad. It was wrenching to watch.... BBC does not mess around with its documentaries. After she delivered her presentation, it was time for an hour-long panel, then lunch. The food was less than desirable, but I sat and chatted with my fellow WomanStatser/women's health guru Charla, and my newly-acquired friend/future doctor extraordinaire Scott. Interesting conversation ensued.
The breakout speakers were good too, I went to one on cultural contexts on women's health and learned about some very strange practices. I had to head out early for WomanStats, but it was alright because I was getting pretty antsy at the conference.
Friday night was incredible-- I went to a performance up in SLC. It's called SOARS: Story of a Rape Survivor. It is a show conducted by the non-profit organization A Long Walk Home. It documents one young woman's path to healing from two incidences of rape in college through the eyes of her younger sister, who photographed the process. Through modern dance, monologue, and the visuals, her story as well as those of others really came alive. The performance was absolutely beautiful, but my favorite part of the evening was when the performers as well as the woman and her sister who created the show, held a question and answer discussion for over an hour. It was so enlightening.... and it really inspired me and called me to action. The more I learn about the horrors of sexual abuse, the more I want to rid the world of it. I start training as a rape crisis counselor and domestic violence shelter volunteer in a few weeks, and I am so anxious and eager to participate in the movement in helping women overcome these barriers to survival inflicted by men. Also, I organized an event for Thursday in which the Outreach Coordinator from the Center for Women and Children in Crisis is going to come and speak to Parity (and anyone else who wants to attend, 6 p.m. in 238 HRCB on the 10th). It is so necessary to raise awareness while wreaking a little havoc to invoke change here at BYU in regards to the attitude and/or knowledge about sexual assault and gender-based violence. And I'm quite happy to be in the role of subversive anti-violence feminist. I can't help but be incredibly passionate about these issues, because often they hit far too close to home for my own comfort. We cannot continue to ignore or devalue these women and their situations.
Which brings me to General Conference. Why, might you ask, does this topic being me to conference? Well, can I just say that Elder Richard G. Scott's talk on victims of sexual assault was by far my favorite. He said some powerful phrases that really struck a chord with me. He emphasized being healed through Christ, by accepting Him into our lives to facilitate the healing process. It's only through Him, with the help of professional counseling and therapy, that a person can truly be completely healed from such an experience. It was interesting to see the contrast from the SOARS performance, in which a woman used art and writing to heal herself. I wonder to myself how she could stand to benefit from the knowledge that Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, has experienced the pain she felt? He, as our elder brother, felt the pain of every sexual assault and every ounce of abuse. What a powerful message that we have as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! Also striking to me was the statement by Elder Scott that although a victim will continue to experience negative outcomes of the abuse, it does NOT define who they are, nor should they let it. If they do, that is simply Satan trying to belittle them as a son or daughter of a loving and caring Heavenly Father.
Of course, the other talks were incredible as well. I feel so blessed to be privy to the knowledge that those men (and woman) speaking to us are doing so through revelation from an involved God who cares for each and every one of us and knows exactly what we need to hear. I can't wait to get the Ensign next month to relive the past two days over and over!
As for the logistics: Saturday morning, I went over to Austin's and we ate yummy breakfast and watched the session in her living room. I thought it was so neat how we all stood up to sustain the new Prophet of the Church as groups according to our position within the Church. Although I know we all sorely miss President Hinckley, I know that President Monson is a prophet, seer, and revelator, and has been ordained by God to this position. He has big shoes to fill, but his humor and his testimony yesterday and today reassure me that he will do a marvelous job and is prepared to lead our Church. Saturday afternoon, I had the exciting privilege to attend the session in the Conference Center. It was fantastic, I can't believe how BIG it is! It was my first time, sad thinking that I have lived in Utah for three years now... but it was definitely worth the wait. After the session, I thought it might be a good idea to take the UTA bus home so I could make it to Becca's bridal shower since Austin was staying in SLC for a concert. Well.... something like 2 and a half hours later I arrived back in Provo, about an hour too late for the shower. I was so sad I missed it, because I was looking forward to it for forever, and I know Katy and Nieman worked really hard to plan the dinosaur-themed event. Luckily, most everyone was still there so I got to chat with everyone before they left, and I went through the loot that Becca received as gifts. Sorry Becca that I was late :( I know you probably already know that... but still.
Again on Sunday, it was up to SLC for me. Thrice in three days! Devin and I had tickets for the Sunday AM session, so we left at 7:30 to ensure we got there in enough time to get a decent seat (which we did). Of course, it was marvelous once again. Afterwards, we ate the lunch I packed just sitting on Temple Square, and then watched the last session in the Tabernacle. Though the seats were apparently very uncomfortable, it was neat to witness first-hand the transition from the early Church when it was built to what we are today in that immense Conference Center: a truly international, growing organization committed to preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ while building up its members to become something divine. Sitting in that historical building reminded me of the pioneers, first arrived in the valley, following a leader into the great unknown. I can only fathom the immense faith they must have had, and know that nothing I do will ever come close to their struggles and triumphs. They paved the way for the Church to become what it is today. After the session, Devin and I drove over to our Aunt Linda and Uncle Rand's home and chatted with them for a little over an hour. It was getting late, and Devin has a paper due tomorrow, so then we headed home. And here I sit, contemplating the full days that have passed, and the even fuller ones to come.
1 comment:
I'm glad that you liked conference. I thought it was great, too.
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