Big Blessings at WOF St Paul, MN 2009

Two days ago, I received an invitation via facebook from a customer I met in my
shop to go to Women of Faith. There was an extra ticket. I have not been able to go to the confrence since the year before I opened my shop (2003) since it always comes to our area in the fall and fall is usually my busy season.

As you would guess, the shop has slowed along with the economy over the past year. I have made adjustments in my inventory purchases, and advertising budget, etc. The Lord is graciously keeping things moving in a way that I can continue. I am grateful for that...and having a slower economy has a few plusses...like having the freedom to go to the confrence!

Kayla was able to work in the shop for me, so I joined Wendy and her daycare provider, Jen. I only know Wendy from her times in the shop, and I had never met Jen, so I was excited to spend time making new girlfriends!

I have to say that Friday night's highlight for me was...not a woman, but Steven Curtis Chapman!! With his beautiful testimony of God carrying them through their loss, he brought tears to my eyes with his songs...Cinderella, and the new one about Heaven... It will bless your heart.

Saturday morning, I picked up Jen, since she is on my way to Wendy's. When we arrived, we found out Wendy's baby was running a fever, and she wasn't going. So Jen and I set out on our own. As usual, God was up to merging the lives of His girls...it was delightful to get to know her.

God had two other blessings for me today. My neice entered Teen Challenge back in May. She is only allowed a few visitors on Saturday between 11-2pm. I have only been able to get away from the shop one day to visit. So imagine bumping in to her today. I was three rows down from the main level of the arena, and during break, went up to get a coffee...at the top of the steps, my heart leapt as I saw her! I called her name, and we hugged big!! What a wonderful, joyful surprise. To think that in an arena of over 12,000 women, I would see her there! ONLY GOD!!

Besides all the inspiration of the day with Nicole C. Mullen and her dancers, the WOF worship team, Sheila Walsh, Lisa Harper, Lisa Welchel, and Rita Renfroe, and Marilyn Meberg...I was able to see one of my all time favorites, Susie Larson at the local radio station booth. What a gracious woman of God. She looked up and recognized me (from facebook!) and ran out to embrace me! We chatted a bit about life, I shared a story about a friend of mine...she grabbed my hands and prayed with me for her. Check out her blog and get one of her books! Her heart if full of wisdom; you will feast on rich spiritual meat. My favorite so far is "The Uncommon Woman".

Woah God. He wowz me!

Set Apart

Well, He did it again, God blew my mind! Can you believe it? I know you can! My girlfriends and I and my mama went to our local woman's getaway @ Northwestern College in Roseville, MN. It used to be called "A Day Set Apart" and I guess since it is two days, they changed the name to "Set Apart".

What is so amazing about the confrence is that the refuelling of my spiritual life is so intense. The challenges, the inspiration, the encouragement all fuel the passion of walking with and serving Jesus. Truly there is no greater investment than saying "Yes" to God! Not surprising is that part of the inspiration was from our beloved bloggy sister, Lysa from Proverbs 31 ministries, who challenged us to "acknowledge Him in all our ways", and to do the first thing, the next thing, the most important thing and the last thing. To say "Yes to God", to lean in and listen and step out in faith and obedience.

For those who can't stand a mystery, I'll reveal what those "things" are...in my next post (first, next, most important, and last), I am having a "vintage moment" as my friends and I coined the phrase last Thursday when all of us (not the least being me...) were having moments of brain~blanks. Does anyone out there know what I mean???

Carol Kent was our other keynote speaker, if you are not familiar with her story, please go get a box of kleenex and watch it~her trust in God will inspire you, and her story tug at your heart at the deepest level. If the glory of God isn't resting on her when she speaks of Him with such joy in the midst of such heartache, I don't know where it is!

I cannot fail to menion another of my favorite speakers, Susie Larson. The first time I heard her speak, I thought to myself, "I want to have what she has." Actually, I also thought, "I want her to be my friend"! Since I knew that was probably not possible, I purchased several of her cd's to listen to, so I could "hang out with her" kinda like Elisha got a double portion of the spirit of Elijah from "hangin out with him". So now I am afraid she may think I am stalking her (lol) because I know so many of her stories, but the truth is~she loves Jesus and walks in confidence and I have grown alot from our times together. And Susie, if you ever happen to read this...pray for me, I am prone to "grab the twinkie" (only she and her other listeners will know what that means!) And I love you sister! I am currently reading through her book, "The Uncommon Woman" which you can check out on her site. I am loving it!!

There were five other workshops we went to, all of which built on the theme of the confrence which was "Restored"! Including topics like, contentment, beauty (inner & outer), resting in God's Presence and so on.

Finally, I have to share a highlight with you. Last June when I went to "She Speaks" I briefly met up with Lysa, and mentioned that she was coming to "my confrence" this March. She told me to be sure to come and chat with her. I also thought it significant that both our closest friends have the same name, so Lysa's friend Holly was at her book table, I introduced myself to her, and then told her about "my Holly"...Long story short:

Lysa, Holly, Me, Holly

May God grant us fruitful lives like these extraordinary women of God. And may I say a hearty "thank you" to them for serving Him with their gifts, so that the Body may be built up and grow in maturity!