Women of Joy

I am so excited I can hardly stand it! Because at 1:00 pm today, my mom will be picking me up, and we will head to Springfield. There we will pick my my sister, Sonja, and then we will proceed to Branson to spend the weekend together at the Women of Joy Conference! {Insert a giddy, childlike squeal!}













The reason for my excitement consists of a few things.

First, I will get the chance to see some of my favorite musicians. We will hear Big Daddy Weave (who sing Audience of One) along with Chris and Conrad (who sing Lead Me To The Cross) on Friday night and Sunday morning. I am even MORE thrilled to hear Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith on Saturday...I will probably cry! How could I even pick just one song to share along side of their names? Michael W. Smith is often credited with shaping the entire Contemporary Christian music genre - but I think my favorite is Above All - you know, if I have to pick one! And Steven Curtis Chapman was also formative early in the industry. Josh and I had a friend sing one of his songs at our wedding, I Will Be Here. I would bawl at that one, and quite possibly bawl if he sings Cinderella. Shoot, I'm bawling just looking them up to post on this entry. If you've never heard Cinderella or seen the video, you will want to click on it.

The speakers are incredible individuals who have been uplifting and insightful to women of the Christian faith for many years. Candace Cameron Bure will share her testimony Friday evening - DJ from Full House! Saturday morning, we will hear from Anita Renfroe and Bible teacher Kay Arthur will share from the Word. Sunday morning will feature the first Women of Joy appearance for Donna Gaines, wife of Dr. Steve Gaines who is the Senior Pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee.

Besides all that good stuff, I am in desperate need of some down time - away from my house, away from my husband, away from my children. To some, this may sound horrible. To others, it sounds familiar. I need a recharge. I need rest. But most of all...above all...I need to be in a place with other Christian women and seek the Lord. I want to worship Him, shutting out everything else, and figure out what on earth I need to be doing to glorify Him in my everyday life.

And I couldn't write about this weekend without mentioning how much I'm looking forward to spending time with my mom and sis. I honestly can't wait until Sarah is old enough to do something like this with us, too. That gives me tears just thinking about it.

Thank you, Josh, for your willingness to stay home for TWO ENTIRE DAYS without me. I know our kiddos are very safe in your care, even if there's no telling what they'll look like at church on Sunday!

One more thing. Will you pray for me? I know that God can speak to us at any time, any place, and in any circumstance. But I have actually felt very distant from Him lately, something I haven't really shared on here. And I am praying that being removed from my daily routine and daily distractions will give me the opportunity to hear Him more clearly. Something I need more than anything right now.

While I'm waiting, I will serve You.