W.O.F. II

I could run down a list of things I did this past week to explain why I have not written additional posts as promised regarding the Women of Faith conference, but I'll spare you!

Unfortunately, due to this delay, I'm going to have to resort to bullet points about the event as my mind these days resembles 'Dear Henry's' bucket. (come on, you remember the song from when you were a kid, right?!)

So here are some of the highlights of the conference for me.:

* The award for coolest chick to wear (and pull off) a bright orange leather jacket (and a black and silver jacket, and a shimmery silver jacket....) goes to Patsy Clairmont! This petite little powerhouse is just the most with-it 'mature' sister-in-Christ I've ever come across. She is just sooo cool!! Look at her!! I'm not that hip now in my 30's - I can't even imagine being so stylin' at her age!! I must add, not only did she rock her edgy jackets, she also wore sky high bright red shoes!! You go girl!!!!

* Sticking with my girl Patsy here for a moment, she also gets my award for the message that has stayed with me the strongest! I'm not going to go on and on explaining her story that she tells so beautifully, with such emotion and of course, humor when you can simply watch it here. Do yourself a favor, watch this!!!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HpRO8g9Qds

* The funniest moment of the conference goes to Anita Renfroe! Anita was part of the pre-conference ticket and I wouldn't have missed her for anything!! This gal is such a hoot!!! You may be familiar with her from her YouTube hit, The Mom Song, or from her appearances on Good Morning America. She had me and the rest of The Garden in stitches from the moment she came on until she began singing her closing song (which wins an award further down). She did a great bit where she shared a new outlet for all of us ladies when men scratch their heads and start thinking..'oh, it's THAT time!' She taught us to now blame everything on our thyroid. Another great moment was when she sang 'Maybe Next Time I'll Think Before I Eat'. (check it out!)

* After receiving a rousing standing ovation, Natalie Grant took to the stage for an encore. This encore gets my vote for Best Musical Moment! This beautiful young mother of twin girls got up and sang His Eye Is On The Sparrow with out music. It was so incredibly beautiful!! We all just stood amazed as she ministered to us with her beautiful voice. By the end, people were yelling 'sing it girlfriend', 'amen sister' and I do believe I heard a 'bring it home baby'! Yes she could hit the high notes and did a great job with those big notes that are so popular these days. But what really got me was her lower register. So rich and beautiful. (Boy, you'd think I know something about singing... but I don't - other than that I can't. You're welcome!) Tears streamed down my face at the beauty of her voice singing the very true words of the old familiar hymn. Please please record this Natalie!!!!

* Most heart tugging moment goes to Anita Renfroe. I never would have thought that this vote would go to the winner of the 'funniest moment'.. but it's true. After laughing for what seemed like hours at Anita's message, she finished it up with a song. Before singing this song (Which I have to refer to as 'this song' because I have no idea of the name.) she spoke of people in our lives who have come along and made us better people, who made such and impression and who are partially responsible for who we are today. This song was dedicated to those people. My mother died (I still can't even type those words without crying.) 4 1/2 months prior to the W.O.F. event and she was of course the person that this song was about for me. I'm not very comfortable grieving in front of people. I find just talking about my mum seems to make people uncomfortable. So I had to bite my lip and dig my nails into my hand in order to prevent myself from balling out loud. I looked down and tried to hide my reaction, but was found out by a few of the lovely ladies around me. I sat there thinking, 'Please don't try to hug me, please! I can keep it together if you just don't try to hug me!' As great as the song was, I was so happy it didn't go on one more line for I knew I would have had to run for the ladies room. So thanks Anita for making me cry and feel awkward ;) And also, for reminding me just how much my mother's memory will always mean to me!!!!!!!!!!

* Best thing about the return home.... Getting out of my friend Deb's car to find one of my boys plastered to the window and the other running out of the house to greet me!!!! The trip to Heidi's for ice cream with the gals on the way home would have to be a close second though ;)