HOUSTON -- Don't let anyone or anything get the way of your relationship with God and Jesus Christ, Sister Chieko Okazaki told about 150 Mormon single adults at the newly-formed Richmond Texas Stake's first single adult conference.

Sister Okazaki, who was the keynote speaker at the conference Oct. 9-10, shared her experiences of joining the church at 15, the guidance her mother gave her in teaching her how to be a "kegasueku girl," which means "do things without being told," and how she met her late husband, Ed.

She also told us of her family's struggles when they moved to Salt Lake City and the prejudices directed at them because of World War II. All these experiences helped shaped her in becoming who she is today. Indeed, as she shared how she turned her rejections from the Saints in those early days, to acceptance, by reaching out to them with Christ-like love.



Sister Okazaki described her very real and personal relationship with Jesus and encouraged all to strive to develop a close relationship with the Savior in our lives.

Sister Okazaki has served in all the church auxiliaries, including as a member of the Primary General board and Young Women General board, in a Stake Young Women presidency, as a Ward Relief Society President, she served with her husband when he was called to open the Japan Okinawa Mission and also as the first counselor in the Relief Society General presidency.

Sister Okazaki, who has been a widow for 17 years, jokingly commented that she is also a single and traveled all the way from Salt Lake City.

At the Sunday evening fireside for the Richmond Texas Stake, Sister Okazaki used a pencil as an example of our lives to make our mark in the world, pointing out that the eraser is there to use when we make mistakes. Demonstrating two pencils perpendicular to each other, she said the resemblance of the cross can remind us of the sacrifice Jesus made for us and that we in turn need to make sacrifices in our lives for him.

The conference, which used the theme "Open The Door to Christ," included several different workshops on missionary work, job hunting, finding funding for further education, temples, patriarchal blessings and on agency and choice.

Many of the single adults gathered to tie two twin-size quilts for the service project activity, reminiscent of an old-fashion quilting bee. The quilts will be donated to the Star of Hope, a non-profit organization that serves the homeless in the Houston area.

Dances were held both Friday and Saturday evenings, with a variety of music being played. Local talent, including a harpist, cellist, guitarist and vocals, provided the entertainment following dinner Saturday.

When asked to summarize the workshops, one woman who attended said that she came away feeling Christ's love and wants her to come to him, and that he is very forgiving.