Karen Davis from Life Tabernacle in Selmer, Tennessee, invited me to speak at their annual ladies conference. We had a great time and Sis. Davis posted these comments on facebook afterwards: "Ladies Conference 2010. WOW WOW WOW Anyone who knows me, knows that I am seldom speechless; but, this is one of those times. Last night was great; but, today exceeding ANYTHING that I ever imagined. Truly, TRULY, fantastic." When God shows up among the people of God, it's just one dynamic happening, and I was thrilled to be there with my sister, Sandy, too.
On the way home, I just about killed myself taking two of my kids to Kings Island for a last summer's hoorah. Yes...I rode this roller coaster and lots more before finishing the ride home to Michigan. I know it's crazy, but I do have my limits. I refuse to ride those old wooden ones that beat you up and make you feel like you need to go to the chiropractor...
The following Saturday I spoke at a "Growing in Intimacy" Prayer Conference in Troy, Michigan, sponsored by Front Line Ministries For Christ, and then, can you believe it...ran away with the girls for a quick trip to Kentucky once again to visit the Creation Museum. It was a wonderful trip all around and a rare opportunity to connect with a friend, Debbie Summers, who had been on the mission field for two years in Cyprus. However, I did, as you can see in the picture here, almost get eaten by a dinosaur. =D
Among the adventures, we were told a slave house was somewhere on the back of the old Victorian home we stayed in; however, the grounds were completely overgrown with brambles, brush and such. I was very interested in seeing it because I have studied a lot on slavery and the Underground Railroad: 1) for the published book, A Patchwork of Freedom, and 2) for the not-yet-published book, a historical Christian romance called The Rose of Sharon. I assure you, I am not Miss Woodlady of the World, but I really wanted to see it, so we tried twice--getting pricked with prickers, limbs caught in our hair, burrs buried in all our clothes...and the second day we found it.
Because of the date the main house appeared to be built, and the structure of the delapidated building we found out past the swamp, I'm not sure what we saw was a slave house, although it could have been. Some of the structure was definitely older than a back portion that appeared to be an addition. But it was an adventure I won't forget...especially since my cohorts shared one pair of boots so they could each have a "lead foot" as they walked through the dense growth.
To top the whole thing off with something better than a cherry...we met up with some more old friends, Diana and Janice Reed, at the Grand Finale for a phenomenol dinner. It was delicious and so great to see these wonderful people again who have meant so much to me as my previous pastor's wife and mother.
This last picture was taken as we prepared to part ways. We laughed. We cried. We talked. We prayed. We ate. We explored...every moment, word and experience lived in the presence of our wonderful God...the One Who brought us all together and made us part of His precious family. I just love my Jesus! Yes, I do!
And now, I prepare to leave next week for Jefferson City, Tennesse, and the Tri-Cities ladies conference...followed by General Conference in Houston...then ladies events in Hastings, Michigan; Bridgeport, Michigan; and Newport News, Virginia. I hope to see some of you in my travels...and I truly appreciate your prayers and support.
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