The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone. – John 1:4 (NLT)
Archive for August, 2008
Adrift
It’s late afternoon. Our journey starts in the Charleston Harbor. It’s a beautiful day. Our passage awaits.
Jon and I settle into a comfortable spot. Introductions are made, and without further delay, The Pride, ready to burst from her moorings, is released. The riggings are pulled and sails are cast to fly off into the gentle breezes. The Pride stretches out to find the ancient rhythm of the sea.
Adrift in the salty waters of the harbor, we watch the shoreline slowly recede from our view. As the land starts to fade, the stress rolls away like the waters that pass beneath us. For I am here with my love. He sits beside me and smiles. We drift along the careless wind, easily, happily, in love. Our day on the sea is a birthday present for both of us.
My handsome husband assists the crew with the sails and I watch his strong arms tugging on the ropes. Knowing that he is loving every moment at sea as much as I.
We have visitors. The dolphins are here to play. They glide through the waters catching the last rays of light, frolicking and singing their songs to us. I wonder if they are as curious about us as we are about them. How I long to reach out and touch their silky smooth bodies and let them know they’ve made a friend.
The clanking of the riggings against the mask seems to have made time stand still, the gentle ringing has suspended time as if in a dream, a dream that we never want to wake from. For this drifting paradise that my love and I share is so timeless. So wonderful.
The sun starts to slink down into the city, out of view. Charleston’s skyline is center stage. The sky becomes an explosion of color as the blues fade to purple, magenta, orange, and then a fiery red. Nature at it’s best. The clouds try to capture it’s magnificent beauty, holding on to the moment, attempting to steal one more glance of God’s awesome work. But the sun waits for no one, and slips away.
The breeze blows across my face, smoothing the lines of stress until they fade away like the sun. My lungs fill with the salty fresh air and are reborn. The gentle knocking of the waters on the bow sing to my heart. He feels it too. I can see the lightness it brings to his soul. His eyes dance with the rhythm of the waves.
We watch as our boat makes a turn and we start heading back. How we long to stay here with our new friends, adrift in paradise. For the wind has learned our names, and the sails have captured our hearts.
(Charleston, SC trip April 2006)
Women of Faith Conference
What words can I use to describe such an experience! The Women of Faith Conference was the most awesome thing I’ve ever been to. My husband says I’m in the doghouse for saying that because it includes our wedding (oops!), but I don’t know that I can explain how incredible it really was.
Patti, Denise and Sonya
I was able to go to the conference in Tampa at the St Pete Forum Arena, with two friends, who I dearly love, on August 15-16, 2008 . The Pre-Conference on Friday, included Anita Renfroe, Patsy Clairmont, and Jan Silvious, along with the Women of Faith Worship Team. On Saturday, the packed arena hosted Sandi Patti, Sheila Walsh, Marilyn Meberg, Allison Allen, and Louise DuArt, as well as vocalists Natalie Grant and Nicole C. Mullen, who brought down the house. We also had a special guest, Steve Arterburn, the creator of Women of Faith.
They each brought their own unique talents and giftings to the spotlight. They shared humorous stories and heart-wrenching struggles, laying their hearts wide open. At times, our sides hurt from laughing so hard, and yet, our souls wept. We were drawn into the lives of these amazing women who taught us that God can bring you through anything. Learning about our emotions, the importance of wisdom, the power of prayer and how to focus our lives on God were life lessons to treasure.
Sheila Walsh
The praise and worship experience was beyond compare. Nicole C. Mullen and her group of teens that share the stage, rocked the rafters with joy. Natalie Grant’s powerful voice filled the room with a heavenly voice only God’s great skill could create. One of everyone’s favorite songs was “His Eye is On the Sparrow,” which Natalie did as an encore, without music and without a dry eye. Sandi Patti and Sheila Walsh not only shared their testimonies, but sang like beautiful angels.
And some men might be thinking – how can such a large group of women be in the same room and co-exist without conflict? The answer, of course is God. Never have I seen women come together so easily with grace and love. Though we were from different backgrounds, faiths and ideals, we shared a common ground as we worshiped together. The beauty of listening to 14,000 women lift their voices together in song was truly amazing. Tears streamed down my face as we all sang “How Great is Our God,” acappella (without music). It felt as though heaven opened up and God’s grace and love shown upon us like sunshine.
The experience was only made more sweet by sharing it with my two girlfriends. Our husbands couldn’t get a word in edge-wise when we got home, as we recounted our stories and laughter. I feel incredibly blessed to have been apart of such a magnificent weekend, and can’t wait to do it again. I encourage all women to find out more information about Women of Faith and become a part of it. It will change your life.
(Check out www.womenoffaith.com for more information.)
I'm SO glad that […]
3 years ago
