Finding 'Infinite Hope' in Logan as thousands attend Time Out for Women

Time Out for Women's 2010 tour made a stop in Logan, Utah on Sept. 10-11, bringing a message of "Infinite Hope" to a sold-out crowd of 2,100 Mormon women. 

"I don't know if you noticed, but we don't have a lot of men here," quipped Laurel Christensen, Time Out for Women director, "Sisters, this entire weekend's for you!"

"Our invitation to you," Christensen told attendees, "is to start a list of everything in your life you have hope for. Let yourself go on a journey this weekend. Perhaps you might discover something new."

Since 2005, TOFW's Logan venue at Utah State University has become a tradition for Latter-day Saint women from throughout northern Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and beyond. Kaylynn Todd flew in from New Hampshire. "This is the fifth Time Out for Women I've had the opportunity to attend," she said, "and it's always inspirational. I love the music, and it's fun to come with a group of friends and make a weekend out of it."

Laid off from her job 18 months ago, Todd has gone back to school to study business, and she appreciates Time Out for Women's message of hope. "With today's economy and what's going on in the world," she said, "Hope is what we really need."

Todd's friend, Nancy Stettler of Clinton, Utah, agrees. "I love how they inspire you," she said. "It reminds me of President Hinckley's quote to try a little harder to be a little better. You come to Time Out for Women with nothing, but your cup is filled and you leave with it overflowing."

Time Out for Women's 2010 lineup includes LDS speakers and musicians from around the country whose messages are designed to reinforce the 13th Article of Faith, "We hope all things..."

"We want the sisters who attend Time Out for Women to go home feeling like life is worth the struggle," said presenter Kris Belcher. "In my own life, when I've had it, the reason I have to keep going is my faith in Jesus Christ. When I don't think I can do it, I can turn to Christ, and He makes me enough."

Belcher, who lost her sight to cancer seven years ago, approaches her challenges with unique perspective.

"When you are blind and Christ is the only light you have in your life," she said, "He becomes a lot more real. That's why I keep struggling forward, so I can get to that place at the right hand of God where I don't have to struggle anymore."

Presenter Sheri Dew, president and CEO of the Deseret Book Company, shared a similar conviction of hope in the midst of heartbreak.