More good stuff ... Deeper Still

I would never have scheduled a women's event the same week we were to go to a conference. However, it worked out that way and as a result, I think a few women were so FULL by the time Sunday arrived, we couldn't hold it in.

We left for Deeper Still on Friday afternoon. We had such a good group going (27 women and even had two of our youth girls go - yay!).

The event has general seating which really shaped the entire weekend. Let me explain.

The doors open an hour and a half before the event starts and women run .... RUN ... to find the best seats. I haven't seen anything like it since I was a junior in high school and my friends and I ran to get a good seat to see Bon Jovi. That was worth every stride ... every.single.one ... but, I'm thankful for the redemption I have experienced and as a result, Friday I was running to hear the Word.

A big difference.

And, lest I sound too holy, please note that I would still to this day sprint to get a good seat for Bon Jovi.

Yes, I would.

Okay, moving on ...

Friday night, we had the privilege to hear Kay Arthur and let me tell you, I don't think I've ever heard anyone like her in my life. Ever. Midway through, I whispered to my Mother, "Do you realize every other sentence out of her mouth is scripture?" I'm not even exaggerating. It was truly unbelievable. (My friend, Pam and I tried it on Sunday during Sunday School. Every response we had to each other, we would try to see if we could come up with scripture to match it. When we could, we would burst out laughing and high five - "Deidre, how did you feel when you knew you were suppose to share your faith with someone and didn't?" ... "Well, Pam, I felt ashamed, but Romans 8:1 tells me there is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. :)

Yes, we had us some fun. But, seriously, wouldn't it be amazing to have that much scripture hidden in your heart?

Kay spoke on the entire book of Hebrews and talked about marrying the WORD with our faith and BELIEVING God for what He can do. I'll never forget it.

I think she was my favorite.

Oh, and I met up with some of my sweet blog friends (I loved seeing and chatting with you guys!) ...

Faith, Jennifer, me and Emilie

On the way to our hotel that night, we came up with a plan to get good seats the next day. I knew how difficult it would be to get all those women to the bus and at the coliseum early enough to get in line. So, I decided to take a cab at DARK THIRTY and get in line to save seats.

Two other women and myself got a cab at 6:30 and went straight to the coliseum armed with newspapers and beach towels to save seats.

Oh, the pressure.

When the gate opened at 7:30, we were FIRST in line, but we still had to sprint to get a floor seat. And, I do mean sprinting. It was remarkable. But, the three of us stuck with our plan and ran straight to the section we knew would take us to the floor.

And, we made it!

We were third row, just to the left of the speakers and praise team. CLOSE! I was so excited!

See how close....

Saturday morning, Priscilla Shirer spoke on Ephesians 3:20-21. The way she tells a story and explains scripture is a gift. I will never forget these verses and how BIG my God is.

I think she was my favorite.

After lunch, we were able to hear Beth speak (do I even need to type her last name?) She spoke on the Bread of the Presence and had a wonderful story to tell about God's providence.

It's just too much to sum up in a few sentences.

I think she was my favorite.

Honestly, I've never been to a conference like that before al though I have been to some major, well-known women's conferences. The difference in this one is your are intensely and deeply in the Word of God and I love every minute of that. I hope and pray I get to go again.

Oh, and let's not forget the praise team. The PRAISE TEAM!

They were SO good and we were blessed.

And, we were CLOSE.

Travis even walked right by us and stood right beside me several times. What did I do? Nothing! I didn't want to bother him because I am WEIRD like that. I also didn't want to come across as stalkerish. Because I could have, you know.

Here's how close we were to him while he was singing....


What's that, Travis? Are you looking at me?

A picture of a few of us ... look at the two on the right ... two of our youth girls ... love y'all! I'm proud of you for going!

Ok, let me share something funny with you. One of the ladies that went EARLY with me Saturday morning wanted to make sure we were close enough (not sure why). So, I turned around to find her ON STAGE. I whipped out my camera to take a quick picture. Look in the background.

I didn't know until I previewed the picture later that it said,"Pray for Deidre" in the background. So funny!

I'm almost positive that wouldn't happen at a Bon Jovi concert.