Saturday, June 28, 2008

She Speaks (Part 2)..again !!

Ok--so much for my blogging skills!!! I lost the other part of my post! I need to blog in the morning, not at night when I can barely keep my eyes open!

I'll try to remember what I said!!!

More new friends! A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. I opened it to see a beautiful and exhausted girl standing there. I hugged Lee and suddenly a face peeked around her. It was Wendy...from dinner!!! They were roomies! How cool of that was God to put those two in the same room? Well, we kicked off our shoes, put our feet up and chilled out. It was as if we had known each other forever..not just hours! Throughout the weekend, that was the feeling that was woven throughout the attendees--like the threads woven within a soft, comfy quilt. We were sisters in Christ, royal daughters to our awesome God! The relationship that we felt was real and beautiful. The P31 gals demonstrated it; the Worship Leader, Lindsey Kane, demonstrated it. We were filled to overflowing with His love and grace, and we extended it to our new friends. Y'all, I have never seen so many prayer warriors in one hotel! Wow!

Now that I'm home and things are back to "normal", how will I respond to Him? I will choose to find joy in my chores---laundry, dishes, and carpool. I will choose to depend on Him for my joy...not on family or friends. I will choose to serve Him the way that He wants...not what's easier or better for me. I will choose "...the joy of the Lord [as my] strength." Nehemiah 8:10

Blessings!

Friday, June 27, 2008

She Speaks...One Week Later



Last Friday, as I drove to NC, I had some time to ponder about my upcoming weekend. The week had been quite busy--the norm around our house! It was nice to be able to relax, listen to the radio station/CD of my choice, and chat with God. I was on my way to the She Speaks conference hosted by Proverbs 31 Ministries. I had been receiving their daily devotional for several years, and now I had the opportunity to see what this ministry was truly about.

Now, y'all, I knew absolutely no one attending this three day event. Over 500 women from 40 states and 4 countries had signed up to attend! A friend called while I was zipping through Charlotte and was quite surprised that I was going by myself. There was a little hint of concern in her voice as this was way out of my comfort zone. I assured her that I was fine, had several girls that I had been in touch with through email that were attending, and I was quite comfy with the situation. As a matter of fact, I was more concerned about a girl named Joy. I had stumbled upon Joy's blog by "accident" the night before we left for the conference. Traveling on planes was a fear that she had. And ...she was coming in from Canada!! Joy had been on my heart since Thursday. I even posted on her blog that I would pray fervently for her. I don't think that it was an accident that I discovered her blog. http://www.princessjoyful.blogspot.com/

Reaching the hotel was a relief! I gathered my things from the car and headed into the lobby. There were women swarming all over the place! I saw some of the cutest shoes and outfits!! Oh, my! I turned around while standing in the line to get my room key. I saw this darling girl sitting on a bench that looked familiar. I had recently seen a picture of her. Y'all....it was Joy!





Well, I walked over to her and introduced myself and just gave her a big hug! She was precious! She had arrived with out any trouble. God is SOO good. The Lord was already there at that conference working on hearts and minds. His presence was huge! I think He just had a "big time" last weekend with all of us!!

"I will never fail you. I will never abandon you." So we can say with confidence,"The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?" Heb. 13:5-6

Blessings!