Information Overload (for Me and my GPS)

Do you ever find yourself talking to your electronic devices? i.e. computer, tv, gps?

I do. It is as if I think they will straighten up and work correctly with my verbal prompting.

Today I share my latest ordeal.

After the She Speaks conference on Sunday, I had the opportunity to go to and visit with my daughter and son-in-love. They only live a couple of hours away from the conference site. They also were sharing about their recent trip to Ecuador on Sunday night at their church. It was good to visit with them and hear their story about their trip.



On Monday morning, I pulled out the loyal GPS. I went to "favorites" and programed HOME. Easy enough. Two items needed when this woman is traveling alone: my cell phone and my GPS.



But before officially beginning the 8 hour drive, Julia and I were going to eat breakfast. She went ahead to order our Chick-fil-A, and I stopped at Starbucks to get our latte's. This meant that I was ignoring my sweet GPS. I knew the way to Starbucks, I knew the way to Chick-fil-A, and then I would pay attention to her directions once I was officially on my way home. And just to be honest, I am somewhat amused at her insistence when I get off route. "When possible make a U-turn". "In 600 feet, if possible, make a U-turn." And if I get off route far enough, she will start the "recalculating...".

Evidently, my sweet GPS has stored our trips. Even the off-route portions.

Evidently.



I got back in the car from Starbucks and this is the message that I was given:

MEMORY FULL

FATAL ERROR

What?



So I did what I do when my computer starts mis-behaving.... Shut down.... Restart.

MEMORY FULL

FATAL ERROR

Now what? I have already had to buy a NEW SHINY RED Blackberry on this trip. (since mine died). I have already bought a new purse on this trip, since my handle broke. I ABSOLUTELY REFUSE to call Hal and tell him that I am stopping at Best Buy to get a new GPS before I come home.



So, the discussion with the GPS begins. Seriously.

"Ok, sweetheart, I completely understand. I am in information overload too. But here is the deal. We have to get home. And I need you. So, all I want you to do is just remember the route home. That is all. We will figure out what to do with all of this information that has you overloaded when we get there and can get some rest. Surely there is a way to sort through what needs to be stored on here and what can be deleted.

I am doing the same thing, so I completely understand. I have more information in this head of mine from this weekend than I know how to handle. My plan is to get home and begin sorting through... see what I need to keep....see what I need to file away for a later time....and see what I need to delete.

But today the simple goal is to just get home... and I need your help. So will you just co-operate? Please and thank you."

Then I turned off. Un-plugged. Restart. There she was. Once again telling me how to get home.

OHHHHHHHH thank you so much...

They (who ever "they" is) say that it is ok to talk to yourself as long as you do not answer back. I wonder what "they" would say about talking to your GPS. She does answer back sometimes.

Sweet Blessings my friends...sweet blessings..

Taking a Break...

For the next several weeks, I will be taking a break from the "Tuesdays Together."...

Several have let me know that this summer has been hard to participate. So, just try to keep up the reading (remember the plan is posted on the sidebar under the button). Then be ready to start back up on the first week of September...


My "mister Linky" has not been working correctly for several weeks now... I think I have found another linky... I will have it working for us all by then...

Maybe the much needed break will the remedy for my "writer's block". That, along with the trip to SHE SPEAKS... :)

This is not to say that I will not be blogging at all... just not the "Tuesdays Together" for these next weeks.

Sweet Blessings to you all!

She Speaks Conference 2009

I am excited about the opportunity to go back to the "She Speaks" Conference this year.

I am registered for the writing track this time.

I am battling the thoughts of 'WHAT IN THE WORLD WERE YOU THINKING?"

I am asking for your prayers. Our enemy loves to try to defeat us before we even get started.

And last but certainly not least...

I am going to try and not overpack this year...

"Yes" to God Bible Studies

I am currently leading our Ladies Bible Studies using Lisa TerKeurst's Book, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God? We have a Sunday night class, a Wednesday Lunch time class, and a Wednesday Evening Class.

This was part of the vision that God gave me for our Women's Ministry when I went to the SHE SPEAKS conference in June. We had a beautiful banquet to kick off our fall semester with this theme. Then we encouraged ALL of our women to study this book together.

We have approximately 80 of our women studying this together. Imagine the possibilities...

One verse from this week's chapter was, "This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit..." John 15:8

Just think... 80 Women bearing much fruit - to the Glory of God. WOW...

What happens when these women say "YES" to God...

Only Heaven Knows....

But I am so excited to be a part of it!

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