Seconds are turning into minutes, minutes are turning into days... our days are flying by at warp speed it seems. I'm working around the clock to put the finishing touches on the web site. We can't wait until our launch. However, I was very fortunate to take a much needed break and have a faith renewal weekend in Louisville, KY along with roughly 14,000 other women. My mother, sister and I ventured up to Kentucky for
The Women of Joy Conference back on the 16th thru 18th. It was a weekend filled with motivational and spirit-filled speakers.
Friday night kicked off with former Alaskan Governor
Sarah Palin. Regardless of your political affiliation, her story was touching and showed how we are able to have faith even during times of great stress with even greater humility. She is on her Tea Party run, so her talk tend to trail into rally-mode a few times which did get applause. Overall, she was inspiring through sharing her journey with us. She could have gone blind though, when she walked out onto the stage with all the flashes going off. Security was very tight that night. So tight we couldn't bring in our umbrellas from the downpour that we just walked through. They told us that you could either a) take it back to your car (which means walking back through the soaking rain without it) OR b) leave it by the front door and hope for the best at the end of the night. Glad to report we got both of our umbrellas back after conference was over that night and Sarah Palin was unharmed by any potential golf umbrella impalements.
Saturday morning, began with
Becky Tirabassi and her energetic take on changing your life one day at a time.
She has a powerful testimony of redemption and her sense of humor was peppered in at just right spots. It was truly inspiring and motivational. I have started her journal regiment and can already see where prayers are being answered. She is a power ball of energy and wisdom. If you ever have the chance to hear her speak, please do - you will not be disappointed. She prayed with many of women after her talk including my mom. She makes you want to be a better edition of yourself. No wonder she is a certified Life Coach, and here I thought those were just a made-up Hollywood trend.
Saturday continued on with
Anita Renfroe and her songs, videos, and quick wit. She was a great break in the day. She gave levity to every women in the audience. Sometimes at women's conferences the speakers tend to speak to only one segment of their audience because they speak from their experiences. So, I tend to not reap what they are sowing in the older crowd. It doesn't help to have that Britney Spears tune playing in my head... "not a girl, not yet a woman." Yeah, I know it's cheesy, but I know I am a woman. Yet, I haven't been able to cross off a few of those life-changing events on my list... raising a family, owning a house or even a pet, going through menopause... there were a lot of those jokes. I can relate on the hormones level and the differences between my husband and I sometimes, but after that... all I can say is Go Fish! She was humorous though and had a great message through her jokes, even if I wasn't ready for some of them.
Then, Saturday night came and all the women were a howlin'. If you think for a moment that a Christian women's conference can't turn into a Poison concert back in the 80's, then think again. Just bring
Steven Curtis Chapman and
Michael W. Smith out on stage. There were the criers, there were the whoo-girls, there were the dancin' in the aisle ladies, and my favorite of all - the pulling out the lighters women. There were all kinds and all praising Jesus in one fashion or another, but everyone really enjoyed the vessels He chose to lead the worshipping that night.
I have to admit I haven't kept SCC or MWS on my iPod playlists in the recent years, but I was moved by their new songs and when they both talked with the crowd about their struggles and journey with God. Particularly SCC's journey after his adopted daughter died in that tragic incident. There wasn't a dry eye in that room, but what brought tears to my eyes was the agape love spilling out of him while he told of her and how they will soon be rejoined in Heaven. If you haven't heard his song "Cinderella," please listen to it.
Sunday morning was started with
Charles Billingsley leading the worship as he had done in the previous days, but he was able to talk this morning about the heart of worship from a different and amusing viewpoint as a worship leader. It was a wonderful way to start that session. The final speaker was
Liz Curtis Higgs. Let me say, she is "all that and a bag of chips", well that's what I would say if I was old my '92 self.
She walked out on stage and I immediately felt my eyes beginning to roll. I didn't know anything about her and judged her on her appearance. I know that is wrong, but I thought to myself - "Yep, here comes the sledgehammer! The one they save for Sunday and she appears to be older so, this is going to be so un-relateable." I have never been so happy to been proven wrong. She was excellent! She had another powerful testimony that she wove in while entertaining us with her very quick wit and vernacular. She sees the world in a different way - my kinda of gal. I had no back story on her, so I didn't know she was an acclaimed author and speaker. I'm very glad I didn't because I was able to receive her message in a whole different way. She is a true Bible teacher, but the kind that gets you to think and laugh while you are doing it.
Just her take on the Bible alone is refreshing. She has written about the Bad Girls of the Bible. I'm half way through it. Yes, Kassie I'm reading again - if you see this. Her laughter was infectious and her kindred spirit was just what I needed on that Sunday. The biggest lesson of the weekend for me - and isn't it always - learning again to put my faith in God and remembering that He loves me dearly and wants nothing, but the best for me. Though, I may think I know the way - He holds the map! I have to listen to His will and He will show me the way. It was an amazing conference and can't wait until next year's.
I have seen Paul McCartney three times. I have met two Beatles. I have one Ringo to go. Kris and I went to the Paul McCartney concert last Monday with two of my college friends Kevin and Allison Thompson. We got there early so I could star stalk Paul. We got there just a few minutes after he went in. Boo! We met a few of his stage truckers, press, and rabid fans until we decided to eat the sports grille formerly known as Eddie George's. We went in the back way and somehow ended up at a table that we thought was part of the bar, but got to remain there by the manager skipping the hour and half wait. We ate our hamburgers while jamming out to McCartney's greatest hits.
Setlist
15. Blackbird
31. Hey Jude
