Queenies Little Kingdom

I was right where I was supposed to be this weekend. Deeper Still was just what the Lord ordered (for me and 7999 other women). I’d not had plans to go, matter of fact….I hadn’t even looked up the conference schedule to know they’d be near me. But God in His OhSoCool ways was at work on my behalf without me knowing.

{Thank you God}

Last week my MIL called my hubby and told him to let me know LPM had tickets available on the blog for the Deeper Still conference in Louisville. I sighed and said, “Those tickets are long gone and besides where would I stay and Who would I go with?”. To which hubby replied, “Yea, maybe so. But it’s worth a shot!”. So, I called and left a message then forgot about it.

Later that day…..Kimberly called from Texas and told me there was a ticket for me (if I needed it). I hesitated then agreed, I need it. After I hung up I worried that I’d just taken a ticket that I couldn’t really use. I told my husband that I was excited but sad that none of my besties could go with me. A trip like this is super fun with your favorite friends/sisters. I decided not to fret and worry. God had a plan for me and it would all work out.

I noticed on the LPM blog many others leaving messages about going to the conference. Some of them with groups and a few alone. I left a comment too and next thing I know…..I hear from another person going alone. She was coming from Nashville and was sure that God wanted her there too. We agreed to meet up at FREEDOM HALL before the event began and the rest is history!

Meet Kristen.

Seriously, what a great way to spend the weekend. Making a new friend and worshipping with 8000 other people. Sitting at the feet of great Bible teachers like Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer and Kay Arthur were the ultimate bonus. Each speaker had something JUST FOR ME! It was refreshing!

Some things that boosted my heart this weekend–

+ Learning (once again) that God has sweet blessings for me if I’ll just let Him work.
+ Finding a sweet friend in Kristen.
+ To clean out and get rid of “stuff”.
+ Focus on what is MOST important and relish the interruptions.
+ REST.
+ Never question if God loves me. Seriously, who does that?
+ To love my generational position and to honor the others.
+ That I need to get back to the nitty-gritty of my ministry. Period!

I was in love with the hair of the lady sitting “innocently” in front of me (top left photo). Notice the sweet cut? I just wish you could see the gorgeous color of red that it was. Unreal. Girlfriend is beautiful!

*Thank you MIL for the ticket tip! I’ve had a wonderful weekend.
**Thank you Kristen for sharing your hotel & toothpaste with me. But most of all your sweet friendship this weekend. I had a great time talking and sharing the conference with you. I feel blessed!

I know I’m not so good at hiding how I feel. I’m an open book, dangit! When it comes to my kids I really go overboard with my “protecting” them. Like, I have some sort of super powers (which I don’t!) and can keep bad things from happening to them. Ok, I’m a worrywart!

Tonight is a big night for Ally. She opted out of having a huge graduation party for something a little more sophisticated. She wanted to go to dinner in Indy with her BFF gang WITHOUT ANY PARENTS!! Huh? Whaaaa? Well, that’s what I said anyway. 😉 She loves the flashy city lights and the pushy hub-bub of action going on downtown…..and PF Changs! I can’t blame her, so do I.

My issue isn’t that she’s some sort of baby still….it’s the crazy FRIDAY TRAFFIC. It’s not something that she’s used to and everyone knows how amped up Friday’s are, right? People are hurrying and rushing to get wherever it is they want to go. Not only does she have to maneuver busy interstate changes but she has to go pick up another friend in an unfamiliar area of Indianapolis! Gee whiz, the stress!

I’m seriously worried. {Remember, I’m leaving at the same time she is and heading in the opposite direction to Louisville, KY for Deeper Still}

So, tell me…will I ever get used to this sort of thing? Did my own mother suffer with this worry? If she did, I’m sorry Mom! Really.

Signed,
Mom letting go

Oh and last night she came into hug me after her dad went over the directions with her…..and said I could trust her. I said, “I don’t trust you…but I trust Jesus!”. So, as we part ways today I’ll be reminding my heart that God has this. And that’s how I like it anyway.

So, I have this ticket. It was a gift and I’m really excited! Sadly, I don’t have a group of friends to enjoy it with. But that’s not going to stop me.

I’m going anyway.

Where, you ask? (Oh…you didn’t ask? Sorry, I’m blabbing anyway!)

It’s only the FINAL Deeper Still Conference and it just so happens to be in The Ville (Louisville KY) which is an hour away from my front door, people! Weeeeeehaaaaaw! I’m trying to keep it together here and NOT FLIP RICK!! But, geewhiz….I’m so excited!

I love Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer & Kay Arthur and cannot believe the blessing of this weekend under their teaching. Freedom Hall will be filled with women (plenty of friends) anxious for the blessing of a Word from God. So cool!

I can’t wait to hear what God has for me this weekend. I know He wants me there or else I wouldn’t be going, right? Right. Let me know if you’ll be there and maybe we can meet up. Wouldn’t that be fun? 😉

Thank you LPM for the Siesta Scholarship and the tireless work you do to bless through this amazing ministry!

It’s time for me to fess up. Everything I’ve been feeling all weekend has come to a head. Sister is about to blow. Who can blame me? Too much change for one weekend.

Life. Be still. Please.

I had no idea how much emotion would sneak in on what should have been a wonderful weekend of celebrating. It all started with my oldest turning 21. Don’t get me wrong, I’m cool with getting older…but my baby? Ouch, stinging…please stop! He’s a great young man get over it already. Trying. He inspires me to stay focused on what is most important. For him…that involves loving life and enjoying every minute. Again, trying.

Not only did he celebrate a birthday…..but he packed for another trip. This time all the way to Greenlake Wisconsin for the entire summer. I’ve actually had him home for a total of 11 days and more than 3 of them were spent somewhere else with someone other than me. Boo! He’s grown now. I’m intelligent enough to understand this. I miss having him around. But, I’m proud of who he is and what he’s doing.

On Friday night, we went out to party as a family at Key West Shrimp House in Madison. It was our chance to have fun with Ally & Gavin before they scooted off to do their own thing. After we came home (very late) Ally and I decided we wanted to bake a graduation cake and decorate it ourselves. It turned out so cute. Ally followed a picture off the internet and voila! Came up with the cutest pink rosey cake ever. She’s an artist in everyway.

I fell into bed after 1am Saturday and had to be up by 7am to get the graduate up and rolling. I whipped up some pasta dishes and other goodies for lunch before racing up to the hot gym. It is not air-conditioned in our HS gym and everyone and anyone attends graduation. Sweet! Seating is a first-come first-serve sort of thing (DON’T GET ME STARTED HERE!!!) which means people who aren’t PARENTS sit where they can see and parents end up in the rafters up top. Brilliant, eh? You’d think someone would come up with “reserved” seating for parents, huh? Naaaah! It’s always been this way! Bitter, yes! 🙁

I cheered ran downstairs so I could see to take her picture. Missed it. But I did get this one as she was returning to her chair.

I sat down on the steps (right beside her) and snapped this one too. Isn’t she beautiful?

I didn’t have time to get emotional….so I didn’t. That all came later. Way later.

By this time, we are so sweaty and miserable….smiling was all we could do.

I’m trying to be adult about the whole thing. But the tears seem to fall so easily. This is what I’ve been preparing my children to do. Grow up and leave. Why is it so tough to do? My heart feels like it’s being twisted like a washrag. Then…this on top of it all—–>

Grandparents leave. We loved having them here to visit (even with our busy lives) and miss them already. More change.

Will I ever get used to all these changes? I think I will. Right now, the emotions are too raw to see that far ahead. Pray for me. I know I’m not the only mom to face this. It’s just my turn.

Congraduations, Ally! I’m so proud of you! Class of 2011!