The AUDA Convention was held February 19 at the Salt Palace and Marriott Hotel in conjunction with the UDA Convention. Melanie Roundy did a wonderful job at organizing this event. There was a great class held that morning entitled "The Power of Effective Communication" by Gary and Joy Lundberg. We had a delicious luncheon at the Marriott Hotel. The service project was for the Christmas Box House. Items were collected for the Christmas Box House and fleece blankets were made. Author Richard Paul Evans was the guest speaker. Jane Binns, the District 9 Trustee, was our national visitor and installed next year's board. We also had a great table about the Alliance by the exhibit hall. Many many purses were donated to Women Helping Women. Those who donated were given a delicious cookie. We found out that people didn't know who we were. We were thought to be just a service organization and not the spouses of dentists.
Richard Paul Evans gave a wonderful talk. He spoke of things he wished he had known when he was in high school and they still apply to us. Mr. Evans said that there were 5 things that he had wished he known they were:
1) There is a reason you are here - you are divine and you have a destiny. Finding out the reason you are here is part of that destiny. Listen to that voice that is within you.
2) To achieve that goal/destiny you have to let go of any chains that bind you: You do that with forgiveness. Ask yourself who you need to forgive. Don't forget to forgive yourself.
3) Now do something. Take chances. Start living your life. Don't worry about a failure; that's part of life. If you don't ask, the answer will always be "no". Don't let fear stop you from taking chances.
4) Now that you're taking chances, you will have adversity. We succeed because of our trials. Mr. Evans told us of how he found out at age 40 that he had Tourette's syndrome and how that has affected his life and the things he does to overcome and live with that challenge.
5) Learn to love. We love those whom we serve.
{review by Margaret Tribe, Past President of the AUDA}
