Western District Ladies Conference 2010 - a week with family and friends...

After returning home from our trip to Savoy and Denison, I got SICK! I was in the middle of preparing to go speak in California at the Western District Ladies Conference, and I was SICK! I couldn't believe it! Just when I needed to be focusing on what I was going to be speaking on, I didn't have TIME to be sick, but here I was, in the bed, stuffy head, nose, scratchy throat, achy, and no energy! Of course, I did all I could to prepare for the upcoming event. I finally got to feeling a little better, pulled myself and things together and packed for conference.

My husband was in the middle of board meetings, so Cynthia Koontz took me to the airport in Houston. We had a good visit on the way and actually found the terminal I was to fly out of. I was pretty proud of "US". :) I had "okay" flights. If you know me very well, I do not like flying! I would rather get in a car or motorhome and drive "cross-country" anyday! If I could never fly again I would be HAPPY! But, since so many times we need to be at a location that is a "several days journey" in a short amount of time, flying comes in handy. I was real thankful that I wasn't afraid to fly this time. Usually, I'm nervous, but I feel like God took that fear away, and I'm so glad!

Ronda met me at the airport in San Jose. It was so good seeing her! I miss having her and the family here in Texas, so anytime I get to be with her or Karla is a real treat! The next day we drove to Sacramento to the Western District Ladies Conference...I knew the Lord had given me what I was going to speak about, so when I got sick I wasn't too surprised. But, when I got to the hotel and ran into another situation and had to change rooms, I KNEW the devil was on his war path! I went to church that night, enjoyed the service, heard Sis. Cyvonne Davy from Florida - she was dynamite, got a bite to eat, then went to my room. I got ready for bed, got my notes, sat down in the bed, got comfortable, put my glasses on and started reviewing. When all of a sudden, the side of my nose was in PAIN! I couldn't believe it! I took my glasses off and trying to see what was happening I noticed the nose piece on my glasses was twisted and split! I couldn't figure out what it was doing. Finally, I got the nose piece turned back around where I could at least study, then called Ronda. I was in a TIZZY! I was to speak first thing in the morning, and I couldn't speak if I couldn't SEE! Then, I got mad! MAD AT THE DEVIL! I knew he was trying his best to distract me from what I was suppose to do the next day, so I told him he wasn't going to win this battle! I am telling this, not to glorify the "enemy", but to glorify GOD for giving me the VICTORY! For, it's through HIM that we can defeat the forces of hell that come against us! To GOD be the GLORY!!!! The next morning my dear friend Sharon Keyes took me to an optometrist to get my glasses fixed. The lady came out of the room after fixing them and said, "I have never seen anything like this before. This was twisted!" She didn't know what she was saying, but I knew.

It is hard for me to describe my feelings here on this post, because they run very deep. I don't know that I could even tell you the depth of my gratitude for the opportunity to speak in my "HOME DISTRICT" if I was talking to you personally. I have awesome, wonderful, "life memories" from growing up in California. Going "home" and speaking to ladies I have loved and respected through the years, ladies who gave of themselves and let me see what a true Christian is suppose to be, ladies who exampled JESUS to me, and told me God would use me if I would be willing to be used by him....these wonderful ladies were the ones I was going to be speaking in front of. It was so humbling to me, yet so VERY exciting! If you were at the conference you understand what I am saying, and why I am saying it. :)

Sis. Mullings and the ladies board did a wonderful job organizing the Ladies Conference. My sister, Ronda is the Ladies Ministry Secretary and she works beside Sis. Mullings and the ladies on the board putting this conference together. I wish I could stand and CHEER for a job well done!

Sis. Gwyn Oakes, our National Ladies Ministry President of the UPCI graced the conference. She is a beautiful, godly leader and I was thrilled to spend this time with her. She is a friend to all and is wonderful to be around!

Sis. Cyvonne Davy, was the night speaker. She was anointed and spoke with POWER! I enjoyed meeting her and having a few times to visit with her.

It was my honor to speak in the same service as Bro. Mullings preached in. At first, I couldn't believe that I was going to be speaking in front of HIM! I was a little nervous, to tell the truth, but very honored that he would be there supporting me. :)

The Gordon Sisters were the praise and worship leaders, and special singers. They blend together so beautifully. There's something about a "family of singers" that sounds so good!

The last day of the conference is a Luncheon for the ladies and we had so much fun! Before I spoke I had the privilege of publicly thanking my dear friend, Bobbie Shoemake for all she had meant to me through my life. Then, I said, "If I had the time...I would have Sis. Shoemake come sing." That's all I said, and the ladies clapped and clapped, and yelled until she came to the platform to sing!!! I'm so GLAD I got to hear her before returning home. She still has a velvet voice and is my favorite singer! When she started playing the piano and singing there was a blanket of God's presence that enveloped us. For a few minutes it felt like Heaven!

You don't have enough time, nor do I have enough room to write all about it. I just have to say that I was blessed beyond measure while I was there. Life long friends, new friends, the presence of God, and the unity of the ladies who attended the conference touched my heart very deeply.

Note: I didn't get to take a lot of pictures. The photographer will be sending me the pictures she took, so the few I took I put in a slide show for you to enjoy.

After the conference, and lunch with Bobbie and Nanci, I went home with Ronda and Danelle. Saturday Evening, Nathan told me he would like for me to speak at the Sunday Service. I immediately told him "NO"...(I was TIRED)...then I felt bad. I really couldn't imagine I would ever be the MAIN SPEAKER at my brother-in-laws church! I went to bed and went to sleep. When I woke up on Sunday morning I KNEW I was suppose to speak! God had given me something before leaving home, but I didn't know where I was going to share it. It didn't go with what I was speaking at the ladies conference. So, when I woke up the Lord brought to mind what He had impressed upon me at home. I told Nathan I would speak and he graciously accepted. :) I'm so glad GOD showed up...because "without HIM I could not have done it"! Again, I say "TO GOD BE THE GLORY"! Nathan and Ronda told me I did a good job....and that made me feel good. :)

They took me to eat in Monterey at the Chart House. It overlooks the ocean and it was a beautiful evening. We had a lot of family fun, and laughed until I was in extreme pain from laughing so hard! LOL! Ronda and I also got to see Bobbie and Nanci again and have lunch with them and Rachel, a "new friend" that I had only met through FB. We had a wonderful time just "being together". Bro. Shoemake had been sick, but I got to visit with him for a short time before returning home.

Then...Ronda took me back to the airport to fly back home to Texas. I hated leaving her in California, and leaving my family and friends, but I was ready to be home to my sweet husband! And...he was ready for me to be HOME!

To sum it all up....it was a wonderful week!

I got home and rested a few days...and we were back on the road to....

(check back in a few days and I will continue the story)