Celebration - Part 2

I'm going to wrap up my weekend as quickly as possible. I think I was too wordy yesterday. It's just so hard to recap such an amazing weekend without wanting to explain it all in detail.

When the event started Friday night, I loved how casual and intimate it all felt. Beth, Melissa and Amanda got on stage to welcome everyone.

Then, we were led in worship by none other than Travis. Again, I could barely make it through. Just so much emotion. The weight of the moment was heavy. And it doesn't get much better than Travis Cottrell.

Note: my pictures are horrible. It could be my camera, but mostly likely it's just me :)

Anyway, Beth taught on Psalm 119. 176 verses. It was a good word. One that I needed greatly.

I met more Siestas in the lobby on the way out - too many to list, but it was so neat to put names with faces. As I was standing in line with my new friends, several women would pass by me, look at my nametag and stop to hug me. I won't ever get over that and the lesson it taught me. I don't think I've done a very good job of loving others like that, but that is a true picture of the Body of Christ. He's the difference.

I should have taken more pictures at this point, but I was so overwhelmed by the moment.

While standing in line, I saw Emmy from Georgia. Emmy is someone I really wanted to meet because she had sent me the sweetest prayer back in November that touched me so much. You look great, Emmy! I'm not sure you wanted me to take this picture, but thanks for being a good sport!

Okay ... moving on to Saturday.

Saturday morning came way too fast. We arrived at the church bright and early to have breakfast in the lobby. I spent a few minutes catching up with new friends and still meeting more.

Then, Beth and her girls arrived. I think this picture is when Melissa was calling Beth a chicken nugget :)

I really couldn't wait for the message to begin because although everything had been so wonderful, I still came expecting to hear a direct word from the Lord and quite honestly, was praying so hard I was open to what He had for me. This was not the time to be silent, Lord!

Beth continued her message in Psalm 119 and said so much I needed to hear. This is the part I am still processing and taking very seriously the things I heard the Lord tell me. I was so thankful for His attention and I need to make sure I apply everything He had for me.

We took a break mid-morning and all 500 women headed to the hallway or courtyard to recite our memory verses to each other. This was another favorite for me. Looking across that courtyard and hearing all those women quote Scripture gave me butterflies. Just beautiful.


Here we are after we finished. Yay, we did it! We each said all 24 verses! (If I look like a wreck, it's because I was. I don't know why I even bothered with make-up.)

I will say this .... when Beth spoke about the last verses of Psalm 119 (vs. 169-176),

Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD:
give me understanding according to thy word.
Let my supplication come before thee:
deliver me according to thy word.
My lips shall utter praise,
when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
My tongue shall speak of thy word:
for all thy commandments are righteousness.
Let thine hand help me;
for I have chosen thy precepts.
I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD;
and thy law is my delight.
Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee;
and let thy judgments help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep;
seek thy servant;
for I do not forget thy commandments

she said these words ... "If you teach Sunday School or maybe lead a bible study and you have found yourself in deep despair and can't find a way up, ask God to "Come find me!".

I've wondered since if I heard that right, but I'm telling you when that was said, I almost dropped to the floor. That 'wrap up' made the rest of the Psalm make perfect sense to me and I was again in awe of a God that is so purposeful in every direction He leads me.

Did I need to go to Houston to hear that? My answer is 'yes'! Not many people would understand that statement, but this weekend wasn't about relying on anyone else or finding support through close friends. I'm sure I would have missed Him even if my best friend had been beside me. All distractions were gone. It was just me and Him ... on a plane, on a bus or sitting under His teaching. And I am forever thankful for the time to sit at His feet and find healing.

He didn't stop there, though.

On the way out the door, we saw Amanda and Melissa and chatted a second.


Amanda, your hair looked great!! I was so glad to meet you!

Tracy, Heather and I went to lunch and at the last minute, 'cliff-note" Laurie from Georgia tagged along :) I'm so glad she did! She gave us a part of her testimony and I sat in awe once more of the appointment God had for me. She never knew, but things she said spoke to other circumstances I am facing and I hung on every word (even jotted notes down in the car).

After lunch, Heather and I left for the airport. When we arrived at our gate, I met 2 more Siestas who were flying back to Charlotte as well ... Melissa and Denise.

Heather made me take a picture because at this point, I wasn't thinking straight. I was completely exhausted (I look it, too!) and I was also stressed out because we were having to walk OUTSIDE to board our SMALL plane.

And this is where I broke up with Eric again.

He knows I hate small planes. I also realized how very 'out of it' I was on the flight to Houston because Heather told me it was the same size plane we flew on the day before. I had no idea.

The flight turned out to be fine and I made up with Eric as soon as I saw him and my sweet girls running towards me at the airport.

I wanted to cry. Again. I am so very blessed!

Eric, I will never be able to put into words what this gift has meant to me. You knew me better than I knew myself and loved me so much, you knew I had to go. I love you!