Living Proof weekend recap!

Me with "the mama's" (aka: Sophie and Melanie). Love these gals! And that Gulley (not pictured) is a cutie, too!


Fellow LifeWay authors, (Margaret Kennedy, Simone Monroe, and Pat Layton). Love 'em! (Note to self: New Banana Republic top looks like maternity blouse! Mercy!)


I showed up to my reserved seat to see that my mentor, Ada, was two seats down from me! (She is worthy of an entire blog post to come...)


Lisa McKay (aka "the preacher's wife"). Love this gal!


Winding down at the Siesta Fiesta w/ one of my best buds. She attended w/ a couple of our church ladies. Barbara is also a mentor to my daughter, Paige. My friend, Pat, was on the right, but she made me cut her out because her eyes were closed... Vanity, I tell ya.


This may be hard to believe, but I was counting up the years and prior to this past weekend, I have not been to a women's event (unless my memory is failing me, here) for NINE YEARS! What in the world? I am fairly certain that is a sin. I have mentioned before that sometimes those of us who do the speaking look out at the precious groups of women who come to our events and wish for a moment that we could hang with you and your pals (or as Beth might say, "peeps") for the weekend. Not that we're not grateful for our assignment, but sometimes, in a weird sort of way, it can be very lonely. Not to mention, it's a tad easier on the heart to sit in the stadium seats or church pew than take that first step up onto the platform.

The event was fabulous and Beth brought the exact Word that God assigned her to deliver. Seeing the sea of women come forward was proof that many gladly received the Word. Praise God for His mighty work. Travis and crew where amazing and ushered us all before the throne. I like that imagery of a worship leader being like an usher showing you to your seat at an event (or in this case, throne!). A sincere worship leader (those who worship in Spirit and Truth, John 4:23-24) does just that. There is nothing that can bring on the goosebumps more than a collective surrendering of hearts bowed down before His throne.

I loved meeting so many of my blog buddies, but I only wish there had been more time to get to know each one. And I am so mad at myself for not taking more pictures. Half the time, I was digging for my camera in the never-ending abyss of my tote bag and unsuccessfully, at that. Maybe I need to attach it to a lanyard around my neck next time...

But alas, all good things must come to an end. This morning, was the first day of school for my youngest (10th grade) who also happens to be my last and final child in the home. Last night, I asked him what time we needed to leave for school and he informed me that a friend was picking him up (a precious girl who is also a friend of my daughter's and that I gladly count among my own). I looked at Hayden and said, "Now look buddy, I only have three "first days of school" left where I can do the drop-off." His response? "Actually Mom, I'll be driving by next year, so you really don't have any." Ouch. Of course, the sweet thing gave me a hug and we laughed it off. Or at least I pretended to...