glimpse of Heaven

as i last posted, i attended the Women of Joy in the wonderful Pigeon Forge,TN this past weeekend. i wasn't sure what i was most happy about - being there or being off for 3 days. let's just say both were wonderful, to say the least ....

there's so much i could share from the weekend, but that would be the world's longest post! i promise! let me set the scene some - 43 women (a few who are teenagers so we had from a 13 yr old - two 70+ age ladies), a huge charter bus (which now i know i need to take a little something to help with motion sickness that apparently i have now) with a very sweet and funny bus driver, a very nice,cozy resort with an indoor water park, shopping outlets, and most of all precious time learnig,laughing,praising and worshipping our Lord, the creator of Heaven and Earth!

it hit me sunday morning as i headed to find some breakfast at the convention center, that we were getting a glimpse of Heaven. let me back up and explain ....

on friday, we headed up there. we settled in our rooms and got ready to find something to eat (you may notice that eating apparently wasn't in the schedule exactly) then headed up to the convention center for a wonderful time of praise and worship with the oh.so.talented Charles Billingsly. then we heard from an amazing lady of the Lord, Lori Salierno. her testimony of the night riped at my heart. it hit very close to home! there's only one way she could have stood up there, and she gave God all the credit for her being able to make it through. we got back in our rooms late late late,and we were all pretty sleepy (we had been up about 19 hours straight with a time change thrown in there). we passed on the group share time. my roomies for the weekend were ready to shower and sleep! i was right with them!

saturday, i woke up oh so early to straighten out my curly hair. got up to the convention center, got breakfast,did some shopping, and enjoyed more time with mr charles b, then we heard a hilarious christian comedian, anita renfroe. then it was time for kay arthor. this 76 year old, beautiful woman of God. i will admit i was exhausted and didn't know how i could hold my eyes open other than with my ink pen. so that 's what i did for a few minutes until i finally moved around enough and got woke up. she's very bold and brave. once i got fully awake, i was thankful to be able to be seated with 9,000 plus ladies who were hearing the message God had sent for us.

Saturday after the conference, this really annoying policeman wouldn't let us turn into our resort. so we had to turn on a little 2 lane road and drive, oh 45 minutes to only turn around and go back to the resort. finally we headed out to find lunch and the outlets. well, we got out of the conference an hour late, so everywhere was nice and filled up with long lines and 1 1/2 hours wait to eat. and that wasn't with all of our group. a good many stayed back for the water park. so, after finding out the waits we went to the outlets! woohoo! i remembered a little grill that was stuck inbetween some stores from last year's conference, thankfully. we had 2 hours at the outlets. really?! imagine - 20 something women and 2 hours at the outlets ... yeah, not a good idea! but we made do! my mom and i headed to the grill, and some followed us. mom and i only shopped for the babies : ) we just can't resist some things : )

saturday evening, i was tired! i took a cat nap and then decided i would indeed go to the concert with steven curtis chapman and michael w. smith. i had toyed with the idea i wouldn't go, but man am i glad i did! i stayed in for steven curtis chapman, but headed with one of my friends and rommies, kris, to go shopping. well, i was speechless when i walked in the ballroom! yes, me - speechless.




why was i speechless? i'll let you wonder for a bit ... lunch break is over ......

Because HE is faithful,
Britt