What a weekend!
October 6, 2008 | family, ministry life
I’m tired, people. But I had a great weekend. It was my first experience to speak at MOPS Intl. I hope it’s not my last. They really care about the 5,000 women who arrived in Dallas, TX, ministering to them spiritually and also practically as a parent, but also as a person. But the conference isn’t the whole ministry. They minister to 100,000+ women all over the U.S. through small groups in churches, communities, in prisons, the military, and to teens moms as well.
I loved speaking, but also listening. Julie Barnhill keynoted, sharing how motherhood is a lot like the rides you see at the fair. She had the house rolling in laughter. A young mom spoke, sharing her dreams of being a mom one day only to lose it when her young husband was shot in Wedgewood Baptist church a few years ago, but how God was faithful during the hardest years of her life.
From laughter to tears.
Jaci Valesquez and her husband Nic Gonzalez ministered in music. She’s super tiny, and fun. She and her husband bantered on stage. She introduced her young son, pulling the little guy with the pacifier on stage for the first time in his life. He tried to grab the mike the whole time. Another singer in the family? Hmm. Who knows. : )
Erwin McManus spurred the women to run after their passions. Avalon, Kim Hill, and others led them in to worship. Lynn Spears, mom of Brittney, shared the love of a mom and how difficult it can be when your children are in the spotlight. Elisa Morgan, who led MOPS for 20 years encouraged the women that being a mom changes the world one child at a time. There were other great speakers, and each one brought something unique to the women.
I spoke to a beautiful group of twenty and thirty-something women about identity, something we’ll talk about in other posts this week. It was a new presentation and 90 minutes seemed like an eternity before I stood to speak, but in the end I needed more time. The women had great questions and they were attentive. We laughed a lot and then we cried.
Have I mentioned how much I love to connect with women on issues like this? I wish when I was in my 20’s I had attended conferences like MOPS Intl. or others. I just didn’t know that resources like this were available.
Once the event ended, I started a new part of my weekend. I had a wonderful time with Leslie and Stephen. Their home is in a neighborhood filled with cottage type Tudor homes with neat little lawns and big, old oak trees. Leslie wants to garden, so I gave some advice (which is funny in itself — I know HOW to garden, but that doesn’t mean I’ve ever put it to use).
We went to the Texas State Fair. Four people at the following:
- three ears of roasted corn
- fruit cup
- caramel apple
- cotton candy
- turkey leg
- pineapple whip
- three waffle balls
- three chocolate covered strawberries
- cherry limeade and several bottles of water (it was toasty outside)
- two corn dogs
We rode one ride. The Ferris Wheel. I wanted to ride more, but see the list above. It wouldn’t have been wise.
Yesterday we went to Canton, TX to the world’s largest flea market. I was in vintage jewelry heaven, but I was wise and spent no dollars.
Four people ate the following:
- one loaded giant baked potato
- Pita
- Twisted tornado potatos
- Hamburger
- Pulled pork sandwich
- Two caramel laced soft-serve icecream cones
- mini-donuts w/cinnamon sugar
- bottled water and lemonade
- lots of samples of salsa and dips
If you know me well, you know which of these items from the two lists I actually ate, and which Richard consumed. In fact, the winner will receive a prize!
I’ll end this. All total I have probably walked 30 or more miles this weekend. My calves are sore, but the rest of me is happy. It’s been a great weekend and I’m home for three weeks before hitting the road again. I have a lot of work to do, but for today I will take a Sabbath and unwind and thank God for such a special time.
See you on Wednesday!
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I loved your menu! Made me hungry!
October 7th, 2008 at 7:34 pmHere goes my guess… LoL
• fruit cup
• cherry limeade and several bottles of water
• Pita
• bottled water and lemonade
• lots of samples of salsa and dips
This is my assumption because it’s clear to be in such great shape you must be eating pretty nutritiously!
I’m really enjoying reading your blog!!! And your book!
October 14th, 2008 at 12:42 amFunny, funny, but you hit it on the head, except for the Pita and lemonade. That was my daughter’s. I also had the a baked potato and one grilled corn. Now this was over two days. I naturally like the good stuff, and my husband naturally likes the deep fried stuff. : )
October 14th, 2008 at 9:45 am