Saturday, August 15, 2009

Women of Faith

I just got home from Women of Faith. In case you don't know, WOF is a two-day women's conference, held in different cities every weekend. It is fabulous, wonderful, exciting, I can't think of enough words. There is something special about when women get together – and this conference has LOTS of women. We sing, we worship, we laugh, and of course, an arena full of women, we cry! This is my third year; I didn't go last year because it was too close to school starting. It is a great time of bonding with friends, having your spirit renewed and being reminded of the vast, endless love of God. There is a worship team, speakers and special guests. You can check out the website here: http://www.womenoffaith.com/

The speakers get to sit in a special part of the arena called "The Porch." I'd like to get to sit on the porch during one of these conferences. (BTW, I feel I need to explain this:
I have a list of "dying wishes" – the things I'd like to get to do if I were to find out I were dying. I guess it's technically a "bucket list" but I don't know how to go about accomplishing these things. Sitting on the porch is one, as well as having Barry Manilow sing "Sandi" instead of "Mandy." The third is to get to be the guitar tuner for Steven Curtis Chapman - but that's another story!)

Patsy Clairmont is always a hoot and has people nearly rolling in the aisles. This year she pulled as hard at my heart as she did my funny bone. Sheila Walsh is such a marvelous speaker that I tend to forget what a fabulous singer she is, and then she just blows me away. Marilyn Meberg always gets me unexpectedly and I can't always explain why. I love how she can be perfectly serious one second and laughing the next. We got to hear Lisa Whelchel, (yes, Blair from the TV show "The Facts of Life.") We met a new Porch Pal, Lisa Harper, who taught the Bible, as I've never heard before. Sandi Patty sang for us on Friday, and we had Mandisa sing for us, as well. I would LOVE to hear Sandi Patty and Mandisa sing together, as they both have voices that just fill up the whole place, but I don't know if we could stand it. I admit freely that I have NEVER watched an entire episode of American Idol, but honestly, what is wrong with people??? Why didn't Mandisa win? She has been gifted with a fabulous voice and boy, can she dance! I think God has much bigger plans for her than American Idol, which I know that some diehard fans of the show can't even imagine. This year Luci Swindoll wasn't at our conference, and that would be the only thing that made this year's conference perfect. I love her and I think we could seriously hang out sometime. . .

Our special guest was Steven Curtis Chapman who I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. He is a gifted songwriter and performer; I mean the man has like 51 Dove Awards, for goodness sakes! I've seen him in concert multiple times and NEVER left wishing I hadn't gone. Last year, he had a concert in Lakeland and there was a website where you could request a song, and he actually sang some of them. He chose my song and sang my request. He had a song years ago called "With Hope." Part of the song goes "We can cry with hope, we can say goodbye with hope, 'cause we know our goodbye is not the end." When my mother died, I wanted that song. It comforted me and helped me grieve. If I thought I'd never get to see her again, I'd be devastated, but like he said - I know my goodbye to her was not the end." The Chapman family has had a rough year, but they made it through – with hope. He told us his wife said something like "We have been to the bottom, and found out that the foundation is solid." Oh, to have faith like that! I admit, I need to be reminded that the foundation of my faith is solid, that "on Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand." I always wonder when I see someone in a concert, if what we see is just a show or the real deal. He proved to us that he is the real deal and that the songs he writes and sings, he means. I don't think there was a dry eye in the house when he sang "Cinderella." What a testimony! What a gift! What a God!

(During concerts, he has to have his guitar(s) retuned between songs and I think that would be the coolest job ever - to be his guitar tuner during a concert. Of course, I don't know how to tune a guitar, but I'd learn. See, that's why it's on my list! )

I can't explain exactly what it is about Women of Faith I love so much. This year's theme was "A Grand New Day" which is perfect for this time in my life. It's a new school year; I've just ended one chapter of my life and am ready to go on to another. There is fabulous music, great speakers and most of all; constant reminding that God loves us! I love being with my friends from church, and spending uninterrupted time with them. I think we all get so busy that at home, we never have time to just focus on each other. We have time and opportunity to re connect with some of our dearest friends and meet some new ones. We had some serious conversations – and some not so serious ones. We laughed really hard, sang loudly, and then cried really hard. I don't know where else we can get that. It's good for your soul.


 

Monday, August 10, 2009

I admit it, I’m a hoarder. . .

I like to watch Animal Planet. I like those animal cop shows about people who work for the ASPCA and the Humane Society. I also LOVE Whale Wars, but that's a topic for another day. Sometimes on those animal cop shows they find people who they call "hoarders" people who end up with 20 or 30 (or MORE) cats or dogs in their house and in their yard. I can't imagine what 37 cats smell like but that's just me. I love my one cat, but he's enough for me. However, I have found some similarities between those people and myself. I am a hoarder . . . of books and other "stuff." I'm probably worse about books than anything else, but I'm not sure. I have been trying to get my house cleaned up all summer, since graduate school is all done. Last summer, while I was in London, my friend and her husband (who we affectionately call Hazel the Housekeeper) came and cleaned my house. They got rid of lots of stuff that I just hold onto for whatever reason. They did promise not to throw away any books, but she made my sisters promise not to buy me anymore "stuff" for Christmas or birthdays or anything. I've decided I have (and it pains me to say this) TOO MANY BOOKS!I don't know why I keep them. I know why I keep some, but honestly, as much as I love Frindle, do I really need 4 copies? Don't think so. . . I guess being a crazy book lady is not as bad as being known as the crazy cat lady, but still, I've got to do something about this. So here is my latest plan. I think I have enough books that I can weed my own stacks (see what I learned- I'm using Library-ese) and give a book to every student who comes to Orientation at my school next week. Doesn't that sound like a great plan?? I just have to decide where to start. . .

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Mixed Feelings

I woke up today with very mixed feelings. I am very glad the work from my Master's degree is DONE! I'm excited that I won't have to spend hours and hours working online anymore. I loved graduation yesterday and felt all "verklempt" for a lot of the day. I was glad that my family got to be there, and that they seem to have had a good time. I was a little worried about them being bored. We had a lot of fun together, which we haven't had time for in quite a while. It was lovely to see all my friends and spend time with them. We ate some really good food and had a really good time, but part is me is still a little sad.

I'm sad because I know that I will not have time with some of my new friends like we've had for the last 2 ½ years ever again. I'm especially afraid that I'll lose contact with some people. I don't want to, but I'm just afraid that life will get in the way. It's going to take lots of effort to keep in touch.

I'm also a LOT sad that after all of our training and all the things we've learned; out of the 30 Project LEADers, only five (I think) have media specialist jobs. I know that I had classes with fabulous media specialists to be. I think there are many good things waiting to come from us. I'm afraid I'm going to forget all the things I've learned. If I think about the fact that I'm not starting the year as a media specialist too much I get really angry, so it's best not to dwell on it. I have loved my job, although I didn't enjoy last year at all, but I was just really ready for something different. I know that things will all work out for the best, but I really wanted a job.

I'm also afraid and a little apprehensive. Our professors, Dr. D and Dr. E are both so accomplished and are expecting great things from us. What if I can't do anything impressive? Maybe they made a mistake when they chose me and I don't have it in me to be a leader and never get a job as a media specialist? What if I do get a job and end up being a stinky media specialist? What if, what if, what if???