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Oh .Melanie, just reading Psalm 16: 5-6 again right now caused me to start bawlin again!
Oh what a foretaste!

Amen, Sister.

Amen.

I too, have never been to one before this year, and since Feb, I’ve been to three (JXV, ATL, and now SA).

They’ve changed my outlook on a lot of things.

and for the very first time EVER, after this weekend, I’m looking differently at my boundary lines. Not so much anymore the occassional, ‘why did I have to go through that’ or ‘why aren’t my parents like their parents’…. I’m appreciative now of the boundary lines that have made me who I am in Christ.

Melanie,

I did not get the opportunity to really meet you or hug your neck. However, my friend, Lora Osburn, did and I am so glad for her.

I was not a women’s ministry kind of girl just 5 or so years ago… Had no clue what a women’s ministry looked like and then all of a sudden I was leading one.

I stood around for a whole year asking, “How did that happen?”

Anyway… In 2004 I organized and led my first trip to a women’s conference. It was Women of Faith National Conference in San Antonio! Picture the Alamodome filled to capacity with women waving white hankies in the air while Babby Mason is delivering a Soul-Filled Holy Spirit Moment… and that was us to be sure - the Word was powerful, the fellowship encouraging and the experience fulfilling in every way - hard to believe. We had such a great time we attended the Lifeway Women’s Conference in San Antonio again that fall and I heard Beth bring a message live and in person for the first time along with Mary Kassian and Jennifer Rothschild. Jennifer brought a word about having our ducks in a row and then God allowing for target practice on our “perfectly ordered” lives… Powerful stuff. Anyway.. all this rambling to say that this event though smaller in number was greater in meaning because of all the bloggy friends along the way. It has indeed been a beautiful blessing to me and many others as I am reading now.

Love to you guys and thanks for keeping it real.

I was there, and you are right, you just had to be there! It was amazing!

Blessings Michelle

I made plans to go to SA in the middle of the summer. But as school began I changed my tune and wondered what I was thinking. My priorities shifted back to “the schedule”. I spent the few days before the event almost mad at myself for getting myself into this. I had hotel reservations, plane ticket and event pass, so I didn’t try to get out of it, but I was blessed and thank God for putting me there despite myself. I thank Him for all of you who work to make it nice, too!

I titled my post this afternoon…the after the pictures only post…and named it “Break it down now!” It’s alot to absorb and soak in. My motto after all these events is…

“Change me Lord. Change me.”

Praying that for you too sweet Melanie! Hugs, Fran

“I think I was always held back by the thought of the crowds, the bathroom lines, and just the time commitment involved.” Same here! Last year I missed out seeing Casting Crowns and Leeland because of that. But, this year, I’ve been to see Joel Osteen and the LP simulcast and then San Antonio last weekend. So so so worth it!

I am SOOO bummed that I couldn’t be there. I am soo glad that so many of you could see and meet face to face. What a tremendous blessing. Hope I will be there next time!

Blessings Sister Lynn

I enjoy conferences where I’m really going to get something out of it. I have even gone alone before. It’s the women’s ministry stuff at our church that I don’t get into. I’m not quite sure why.

I’m right with you on the “not a conference person” thing, but I just realized that Deeper Still is coming here to Vegas next weekend, and I am starting to wonder if I should go. It’s kind of hard to pass up the opportunity when they come to your own town, after all. I just don’t have anyone to go with, and that is what’s keeping me from registering. I’m not sure if it’d be quite as “connecting” to go alone.

I suppose there’s no chance you or Sophie will be coming out to Vegas, is there?? (Because of course, I know the two of YOU, even if you don’t know ME)! (And I mean that in a totally non-stalker blog-lurker kind of way)!

I am so sad to have missed this amazing opportunity. I did have the blessing of being in Louisville live for the simulcast & it was amazing. It was my first (of hopefully many more to come) women’s conference. Being in worship with that many other women is incredible. Not to even begin to mention how much I love Beth! :) Hopefully, a similar opportunity will arise again….

I have a real fear of women’s conferences. i’ve been to a few and have left feeling overwhelmed by estrogen and completely manipulated. But since a bunch of funny, smart women I “know” all say it ain’t half bad any more, I just may have to give it a try again some day. I know that it emotional manipulation is never the heart of the people who organize those things, I just hate to be put in situations where I KNOW I’m going to cry. Maybe it’s a pride thing. I will work on that and maybe try next year… But I can appreciate your honesty about “not doing conferences.” And yes, I hate the bathroom line, too.

Glad you’ve crossed over. :)

Oh my word, Melanie. I could have written this post. For most of my life, women have annoyed the heck out of me. Most of my friends in college were guys. I didn’t want to join any kind of thing that involved girls sitting around and giggling or whatever it is girls do.

Anyway. Over the past couple years, God has changed my heart. I still get a teensy bit squeamish at stuff (She Speaks, LPL Louisville), but God has given me a real heart for the women He keeps bringing into my life.

He works in crazy ways.