Women of Faith 2010

I had a wonderful weekend get-away to fabulous Las Vegas (I know, it's in my backyard.... but a world away at the same time....) at the end of April to attend the Women of Faith Conference with 100 women from my church and 5000 other random women!  I stayed with a couple of friends at the MGM (kindly comped by a client of one of my friends, YAY!) and got to have some "girl time" as well as some "God time"!  It was much needed and I have made some good changes in my life because of it!  Here are some of the highlights for me:

• A day off of work (friday) and a day off of chores (saturday) to go enjoy speakers, music, skits and of course, book shopping in between sessions!
• A night away from the responsibilities of being a mommy and wife to spend time with good friends, enjoying good food, good drinks, high heels (and the inevitable sore feet that Vegas brings), and some face time with Elvis impersonators, haha! Not to mention the laughter, time to relax, and a good old cab ride... too bad we didn't get to play Cash Cab; although I think that our ride topped that!

• One of my favorite speakers was Marcus Buckingham who has a book called Find Your Strongest Life.  He has an online test you can take here Find A Stronger Life which will show you how to focus on developing the strengths that God blessed you with so you can live the life He intends for you.  It was wonderful to hear him speak about not worrying about your weaknesses, but finding your talents and your passions and working into them!  I loved that he wasn't just about "to feel good; do your best, be perfect, blah, blah, blah..." but gave very practical advice on how to change.  I am really enjoying his book as well.  I took the test and am amazed at the results; it pinpointed my strengths exactly! I am a "Caretaker" first and an "Equalizer" second; which means I want everyone to be happy and I want everyone to do the right thing because its the right thing (oh, yeah... it also says I love organization and I might have a fondness for spreadsheets..... !)  Told ya, it was spot on! 
• There were many other wonderful speakers including Sheila Walsh, Lisa Harper, Karen James, Lucy Swindoll, drama by Nicole Johnson and an amazing performance by Mandisa of American Idol fame (she was dynamic & I don't think there was a dry eye in the place!). 
• Natalie Grant!!  I was so looking forward to seeing her perform, and she was unbelievable!  I loved her and hope I have the opportunity to see her sing again.  She ended with a gospel song "His eye is on the Sparrow" and it was so moving.... My favorite song that she performed is Held, I only wish she would have performed In Better Hands.  Next time, Natalie?! Still, I Will Not Be Moved!
• Rich Stearns!!  He is one of my favorite people right now and I was like a kid at Christmas ready to see Santa.... I don't think some of my friends quite got why I was so excited to see him speak, but his book changed my life.  You can read my blog about The Hole In Our Gospel for why I love him so.  It was an honor and privilege to see him speak.
• I am now the proud sponsor of a new World Vision child who shares my youngest daughter's birthday and lives in Indonesia.  I can't wait to get to know her....

All the above made for a great weekend for me;
but this is why it was amazing to see God in Sin City: 

• 462 Women committed their lives to Jesus!
• 787 Children have new sponsors through World Vision!

Countdown is on for next year....

Women of Faith Las Vegas April 29-30, 2011

April showers bring.... May.

It's May!  In fact, it's half way to June!  Here is a re-cap of our Spring Happenings...

• I ran a 1/2 Marathon with a great friend of mine the day before Easter.  We had a great time running a couple of long runs (oh, how I love the conversational twists and turns of those lactic acid delirium runs!).  I beat my time from the Rock-n-Roll run by 4 minutes... woo hoo!  Oh, the hills by Lake Mead were killer, but we powered through and I had a great time!

• The easter egg hunt after the race was a highlight for the kids.  They had a blast getting easter baskets filled with candy, stuffed animals and a crayon box with a sharpener built in!  So amazing that my teenage daughter was so thrilled by the crayon box that we had to get her a new coloring book so she could use them!  I love days like that.....

• Easter was especially important to our family this year, we watched The Passion of the Christ with Rose & Bella.  So amazing to see them realize what Jesus gave up for them.  I am so grateful to be able to share his love and sacrifice with the very gifts that he gave me.  

• On Easter our friends came over for lunch and another Easter Egg Hunt!  Easter services were wonderful, we always go to the Sunrise service that the youth puts on in the courtyard of our church.  It was so moving, the songs sung by sweet young voices always move me as the sun rises against the backdrop of the steel cross in the middle of the walkway.  After the service we went to McDonalds for breakfast and were joined by most of the youth!  They always make me laugh, how I love those kids....  We then went back to the first "traditional" service and the music, complete with choir (including my favorite opera singer and Bestie), orchestra, organ and of course, an amazing sermon by our Pastor.   He is moving on to be District Superintendent in July and it was bittersweet knowing this is probably the last holiday we will hear his wonderful words. 

I'm sure there are more highlights, I may post later (pun intended....)