Deeper Still Conference

Beautiful Group of Ladies

and let me tell you.... they are every bit as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside. What a privilege to go with them to Atlanta this weekend. And what a wonderful Conference. When you put Kay Arthur, Beth Moore, and Pricilla Shirer together to teach us God's Word and to encourage us in our walk with Him...then you add Travis Cottrell and His Praise Team to lead us in WONDERFUL WORSHIP. (And don't forget Mandisa)...

Well all I can say right now is WOW!!!!

Now, I must tell you that on Saturday when we got there at 8:05 (doors were supposed to open at 8:00) and the only seats we could find for our group to sit together were in the NOSEBLEED section....well, I knew that I would not be 'DANCING IN THE SPIRIT" on that day. LOL. I was praying for some shackles on my feet ... so I could hold on. Thank you Jesus for a firm foundation (in my chair). I held on ALL DAY for dear life! And I did pray during the first session - Oh God - be my Jehovah Rapha and heal me from this swimming head. (I also had to pray hard to not covet the lower 10,000 seats.)

Seriously, WHAT A WEEKEND. Time away with some of the most precious ladies in the world. Sitting and soaking in the teaching of God's Word. Praise and Worship - corporately with 19,000 others. It just doesn't get much better than that! We are so blessed! Extremely tired... but very blessed!

Love and Blessing,
DeeDee

A Socrates Quote...

"The unexamined life is not worth living"

I am currently working on the Bible Study by Kelly Minter, NO OTHER GODS. Today (I am only on day 2) she is encouraging all of us to take some time for personal reflection and see what things hold power over us. Thus the quote above. Examine yourself.

Psalms 139:23-24 says it this way..."Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Examine me Oh Lord with your Light. Know my Heart. Know my thoughts. Reveal the offensive ways in me. Lead me in Your way.

And unexamined life leads to a LOT of self... a lot of worldly influences... a lot of waste... a lot of wrong priorities...

I am thinking on this one today...

I would love for us to have some interaction. If so, I will continue the discussion on Monday. (See tomorrow I am going to the Deeper Still Conference in Atlanta YEA!)

Let me know what you think...

Blessings,
DeeDee

Confessions of a PACK-O-HOLIC

So, I must confess. I really am a pack-a-holic!

I try hard not too. And since I know that this is a problem, I try to make a list ahead of time and STICK TO IT. But since the opportunity to go to the She Speaks Conference came quickly, and I did not even get to start packing until Thursday morning (while I was watching my precious 2 year old GRANDbaby)... the weakness took over.

I needed to pack for Friday and Saturday. I was not able to stay until Sunday. TWO DAYS.

So...

My make-up bag: (essential)

My suitcase: 2 pair of capris. 2 pair of pants. 2 skirts. 3 summer jackets. 8 (yes EIGHT) tops. 6 pair of shoes. 9 necklaces. 9 pair of earrings.

And let me note that right before I tried to zip the suitcase... I had already put 2 pair of shoes and 2 complete outfits back! So, it really could have been worse.

I also ALWAYS take a book bag with me: My Bible, my devotion book, my journal. Oh, but I also packed 7 other books to take with me. When in the world did I think that I would be able to read anything? I was driving. And the sessions were all day! When I did get back to my room... I collasped. I also had so much going through my mind, there is no way I could read anything else! LOL

The really bad part is having to take all that stuff in alone. Ridiculous! And everytime, I say that I will do better next time. And I really do try.

The Deeper Still Conference is this weekend. I am the one telling all of the Ladies from our church to PACK LIGHT LADIES. It is just one night and two days. Sure hope I can follow my directions. I promise I will try.

Confession is good for the soul...

Blessings,
DeeDee

She Speaks Conference

Oh my goodness!!!!

I was one of the ladies who did not register when I first heard about She Speaks. And it filled up within 3 weeks. So, I added my name to the waiting list.

On Monday of last week, I received an email that there was an opening but that I had to make the decision and register THAT DAY.

So, I did what a good wife should do.... I called my husband and just simply said, "Hal, I have the opportunity to go to this conference but I have to make the decision TODAY! So, will you pray and tell me if this is what God wants me to do?" He just laughed at me and told me that I SHOULD PRAY AND SEE WHAT GOD TOLD ME TO DO. He would support me either way. What a honey... So, I did the next thing. I quickly sent an email out to my "heart friends". What did they think? Would they PLEASE pray that I would have wisdom. There were many issues of the weekend that had to be dealt with - if I decided to up and leave. (I will spare you from the details) So, I prayed. And hoped for some input from someone. You know there is wisdom in Godly Counsel. One precious friend just responded and told me, "It seems like God has opened the door...go through it!"

That was the confirmation that I needed. I had the support of my husband. I knew I wanted to go. I had prayed just that morning that if God wanted me to go that only He could open the door. A precious Godly friend confirmed. I was on my way! I was SO EXCITED.

Now I must confess that on Thursday, as I was trying to finish packing...I was so discouraged. I even told a friend and prayer warrior that I wished I had not even registered. Once again, God used a friend to remind me that the attacks were probably even more confirmation that God had wonderful things in store and that the enemy wanted to discourage and/or even stop me from going. She said that I needed to go... and learn... and bring back what God had taught me. She said.... "GO AND GET FILLED UP!" Oh what a special blessing to have Godly friends.

And needless to say.... there is no doubt that God showed up. For me, personally. For the 560 others who were there. It was a God-filled, God-honoring conference. Thank you to the Proverbs 31 Ministry Ladies (and other conference leaders) for all that you did. You truly were vessels in our Lord's hands.

On Saturday afternoon, as I was waiting for my second "Speakers Evaluation Session" (that is a story in itself), I called my husband. He asked how it was going, and I just told him that I felt like my head was about to EXPLODE. Information overload. My head and my heart were overflowing with ideas, information, encouragement...not only for me personally but also for my ladies back at home.

So, today my prayer is that I will be able to process the information and to apply what needs to be applied. To my life. To my ministry.

Thanks to my wonderful Godly Husband (I LOVE YOU SO MUCH)
Special "kuddos" to my friends who were there for me - first to make the decision and then to be encouragement for me not to back out.
Blessings to Proverbs 31.

~DeeDee

Friends

A few weeks ago we had the opportunity to go and visit with some "long-time" friends. They are from our first "full-time" church out of Seminary. (We moved there in 1982.)

We had such a wonderful time.... It is amazing how real friendships last. It has been FOREVER since we were all together...and we just seemed to pick up where we were last. I love it.

Kindred Spirits. I think that is what Anne of Green Gables calls it.

Blessed. That was how I felt as we drove home on that Friday night. Blessed years ago to have them a part of our every day life. Blessed all these years to call them friends. Real friends. We do not see each other often...but I have no doubt that if I called any one of them with a need... they would be there in an instant. Same for us.

I love you guys... Our lives are richer because of you!

Word-filled Wednesday # 5

CHRISTMAS IN MAY

Luke 2:10-14

And the angel said to them,

"Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy

that will be for all the people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,

who is Christ the Lord.

And this will be a sign for you:

you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."

And suddenly there was with the angel

a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

(ESV)

How wonderful it was to celebrate Christmas (in May) with our son,

who is home from war.....I had to decorate a little bit!

(for more WFW's visit with 160AcreWoods)

Love and Blessings,

DeeDee

Wordless Wednesday # 15 REALLY HOME

Holding On

I am at "Holding On" Devotional Blog today...

Visit with me there.

Love and Blessings,
DeeDee

New Devotional Blog

Announcing a NEW BLOG!

"Holding On"
To the truth of God's Word

http://www.holdingontothetruth.blogspot.com

We are a group of ladies...blogging anway...so we decided to start a devotional blog together.

We want you to come and visit with us there. (add us to your list of favorite blogs :)

We will let you know on our own blogs when we have posted a devotion on the blog.

Tell us what you think!

We are excited about the opportunity and the possibilities.

Love and Blessings,
DeeDee

New Book

YOU GOTTA GO BUY THIS BOOK...................

"Crazy Love"
by Francis Chan

Hal recommended it on Sunday (for those who are at our church). And he has already told you that when we both want to read the same book.... we have to buy two because he does not like for me to write in his book (can you say OCD?)

Well... I read a little of his... and knew that I had much writing to do in this book... so we bought me one. OH MY!

Talk about challenge. Talk about stretching your thinking about life. Talk about LOVING our LORD!

Hal had an eye appointment yesterday (YEA! new glasses are on the way). I knew it would be a LONG appointment. And it was. How wonderful! I took my book with me.... and could not put it down. The magazines on the rack were not even a distraction.

I am a fast reader.. but many times found myself reading the page or paragraph over and over. Just to let it sink in. I did shed a few tears. I am challenged. I can hardly wait to find time to read again today. Could we just go back to the Eye Doctor again?

Anyway... I have tons to write about...
I have pictures to post...
I have much work to do at church today...

But I had to tell you.....................GO BUY THE BOOK!

And then discuss it with me.
I am sure I will be posting more about it later.

Love and Blessings,
DeeDee

New Design

Hey Friends...

Still "tweaking" on it ... and restoring my "widgets" - whatever they are :)

But tell me what you think?

More coming soon

Love and Blessings!
DeeDee