One morning, a few months ago, I stood next to my husband, Dustin, in front of the mirror in our bathroom. I think we were both brushing our teeth. My thoughts for the previous several days had dwelt on men and women, their roles, their differences. You see, I had just read a book that was set in a different time when men had to be warriors. A time when they had to protect and defend their wives, families and country. Dustin and I were both bare shouldered because it was morning and we weren’t dressed yet. As we were standing next to each other in front of the mirror, I couldn’t help but observe the differences between him and me, a man and a woman. His shoulders are broad, well-muscled and strong. While I am a fairly strong woman, I relished the study of his shoulder versus mine. I looked so small next to him. So delicate. So… feminine.

A friend of ours recently passed away, leaving behind a wife and two small children. As we went to the viewing and hugged each of his family members who attended his body, his newly-widowed wife hugged me fiercely and, through her sobs, conveyed to me that this just isn’t fair! She didn’t want this! This wasn’t supposed to happen! They were supposed to grow old together! She isn’t supposed to be a widow at 28 years old! Her feelings of confusion, anger, heartache and sorrow washed over me. All I could do was sob and tell her, “I’m sorry.”

If tragedy were to strike my family as it did our friends’, I know I could take care of myself and that I could provide for my children if the need arose. I’ve always known that and I have confidence in myself and my capabilities. That being said, the events of the last few weeks made me realize that I cherish being taken care of. It is a joy, a privilege, and a blessing. I treasure that my husband’s main desire is to provide for his wife and his children. I honor the fact that he is a man who wants to be the breadwinner. I relish my role of being a feminine woman who knows she can take care of herself, but allows her husband the honor of doing it for her.

And, for me in my life, the complete awareness of my own capabilities coupled with the choice to be dependent on my husband, despite what I can do or be, is a choice I make willingly and gratefully.  A choice that has born the sweet fruit of joy and mutual respect between him and me, a husband and a wife.

Clancy grew up right in the middle of her family of seven… mom, dad, sister, brother, Clancy, sister, brother.  She is now the happily married mother of three and a half children ages 9, 7, 4 and a baby due in March.  Her interests include (but are not limited to) writing, singing, being with her family and playing Ultimate Frisbee.  Having been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints her whole life, she is currently enjoying the fulfillment of her calling as Ward Choir Director.

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You can find nearly three hundred talks from past Education Week events (in various formats, including audio, video, and some transcripts) here at byutv.org.

See some summary stories from this week’s gathering linked below:

Valuing Gender Differences — Read some great thoughts from Carrie Wrigley on the importance of understanding and appreciating the differences between men and women.

How are we saved?— Ted M. Bair discussed different beliefs about grace and salvation, including the Mormon view of grace and works.

Another presentation on grace was given by Eric D. Huntsman.

“Discovering great truths and people from around the world” — While the previous two presentations addressed some of the ways the LDS faith may differ from some other religions, S. Michael Wilcox shared thoughts on similar threads of truth found in various religions, and how we can benefit from learning from others’ beliefs.

Psychologist Dr. Rick D. Hawks spoke about the challenge of addiction, addressing three stages of addiction and the importance of getting past just the stage of abstinence. “”We can get your body off [addictive substances] in two or three days. That’s easy….But [that alone isn’t a cure], because the spirit and mind become addicted, too.”

Nephi, Mary, and Sacred Tree Symbols: Daniel C. Peterson, a professor of Islamic studies and Arabic, discussed the ancient diety figure Asherah, as it relates to the symbolism of the tree of life as found in the Book of Mormon.

The post Links We Like: Variety of Topics Discussed at BYU Education Week appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.