Terri tagged me for the 10 Things meme and suggested I list ten things I learned at the Women of Faith conference this weekend. I thought it was a great idea but wasn’t sure I could narrow it down to just 10 things. So I broke it down by speakers.
1. Marilyn Meberg: Taught me not to hide or repress painful experiences. “If you can feel it you can heal it”.
2. Luci Swindoll: The words “show up, shut up, and let go” spoke volumes to me as someone who likes to be in control of what is happening in my life.
3. Anita Renfroe: A comedianne who taught about the 4 “purse”-onalities that women have and also how being the mom of young children is a lot like the movie Ground Hog Day (click here to see her perform all the things a mom says in one day in under 2 minutes). Another thing I learned was that it is possible to laugh until you cry at another persons recap of their recent mammogram. I will NEVER look at a waffle iron the same way EVER again!!!
4. Nicole C. Mullen: I learned she can sing way more than those 2 slow songs they play on the radio. This sister rocked the house!!! “Baby Girl” and “Witness” will be on my iPod soon. Oh, and she also inspired me to continue working out, what with her perfect and completely fat free body after 4 (yes FOUR) children!
5. Denise Jackson: Wife of my all time favorite country music singer, Alan Jackson, taught how forgiving someone else is really more about freeing yourself than excusing their behavior. Check out her new book, It’s All About Him. It will be on my Christmas list this year for sure!
6. Nicole Johnson: Got me to thinking…how many times have I missed a perfect moment because I was working so hard trying to “create” it myself??? Hmmmm…Martha, Martha, Martha!
7. Travis Cottrell: I had never heard of him until Friday. I learned that I really liked him.
8. Sheila Walsh and Patsy Clairmont: Two women who have beat incredible odds in their life. Overcoming their past and becoming walking testimonies of God’s healing hand. Inspirational to say the least.
9. Carol Kent: Challenged the thought of what a “normal” life looks like. If something tragic and unexpected happens, let go of the shock and despair, and create a new kind of normal.
10. Beth Moore: Her topic was “The God of Comfort”. Things and people will never bring us the comfort we are looking for, only God can truly provide it. The best way for Him to show us what an amazing comforter He can be is for Him to allow others to fail us. Allow yourself to feel the pain that comes from being uncomfortable. Our passion and purpose usually come out of that pain. And finally, be a comfort to others. Use our personal hardships as a tool for comforting them. It’s okay to let them know you are not perfect.
7 Comments
There are so many I could comment on, but I have to give it to Travis Cottrell! I can’t believe this weekend was your first time hearing of him. Is he not incredible? Besides the fact that he has an awesome voice, he is an incredible worship leader! A perfect fit with Beth Moore, for sure! You’ll have to add him to the ipod too. He’s on mine!
Jodi, that was awesome! You did such a great job summarizing the weekend.
Super recap. You brought up a thought or two that was fading for me already. Thanks for bringing them back!!!
Great post! That conference sounds like it was amazing!
God bless :)
There you go–rubbing it in again!!!!
Sounds like an amazing weekend. I love Alan Jackson- how awesome to know his wife is a christian!!
Oooh! So glad you listed them. What a wonderful weekend. SO happy you shared all of this!