30 April 2013


Ah! This weekend was wonderful! I only have good things to say about Friday and Saturday, really!

Well, mostly, Haha.

Friday I was really very anxious because it was the first day of the Beth Moore conference (a thing where Beth Moore came and spoke publicly; she's in women's ministry) and I didn't know if MY Beth was going to go for sure or not. I texted her that morning asking, but she said she wouldn't know until 4 p.m. that afternoon. It felt like such a long afternoon!

I decided to take a walk to calm my nerves. Actually, I promised my cousin I'd go for a run, but the running didn't last long so I walked instead for the next hour. By then, it was only about 2:30. I don't remember what I did after that, but I do know that I had a lovely walk. It was nice and hot outside. I wore shorts and a tank top, even. Oh, yah! I took a shower after, haha! By the time I got out, Beth had texted me to say she'd be on her way and see me soon! I jumped for joy! I was so excited she was coming! I told her to text me when she got there so I'd know when to start looking for her. I knew approximately when to start looking. I watched T.V. and ate a snack. I left in a dash, all too excited to go!

My music has been working since Thursday (off and on)! I jammed on my way to the bus. I walked from the bus stop to the outside of the Arena and found someone I knew and talked with her until I could get a hold of my dear heart. I assumed she'd park in the garage, so I knew where to look for her. I did text to confirm that's where she was. I went to the top of the stairs outside where I knew she'd eventually appear and no more than five minutes had passed when out of the crowd there she was.

First and foremost, I got her attention, and then a hug. The long awaited hug since the last time I'd seen her in the beginning of April. Three weeks is simply too long. I noticed that she wore her "Sonflowers" t-shirt, the same as the one I wore save for the color. It was a beautiful moment. We soon went inside once we confirmed the location of the rest of the church ladies (Beth had driven herself and thus separated from the pack) and found a couple seats together.  I was all too pleased that I got to sit by her! Everything was going so well! I was really too happy about it all.

The event began with music worship which was alright. I wasn't crazy about the songs, but I didn't hate them and they were not too repeated like some services do. It was nice to sing together.

Beth Moore's message was odd at first glance: Time.  

Time? What does time have to do with anything? Well, it was actually pretty interesting. She put time into a different perspective: instead of time running out, time is building up. Since the creation of the world, time has been coming to us, not going from us. The Bible says "The time CAME..." all the time! ;D I learned so much more, but it's difficult to put it all into words here. I strongly recommend that if you have the opportunity to go see Beth Moore, drop everything else and GO! It will bless you greatly!  I love how she speaks and how sincere she is! God is really working with her, that's for certain.

I especially enjoyed all the God-moments that I got to share with Beth. I felt more connected with both him and her. It was really a unique thing. I really could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in that place which normally seems so absent (this is a very liberal college town). I loved the prayers, the ambiance, the music (they sang The Solid Rock-- My favorite!) and just the closeness. <3 Looove the closeness.

Judy assumed that Beth would take me back to my car, but I hadn't. Of course when Judy suggested it, I was excited and hopeful!
"Well, I would," said Beth, "but I don't want to try finding the motel from Kathleen's house. I have directions to it from here."
"I can tell you!! I know how to get there!! Honest! It's really easy from where I am!"
Sadly, my efforts were futile. I did end up having to wait and extra 30 minutes for the bus.

The next morning (Satuday) I got up early and got there before the doors opened. I found someone I know there while I waited. That was nice. She and I had ice cream one day. Once inside, I darted over to the correct section, hoping to snag two unmarked seats (since I wasn't signed up with my church group, I technically didn't have a secure seat with them, so I was hoping to grab two unmarked ones nearby so I could sit with Beth; this was planned the night before). To my dismay, some other group had saved ALL the seats for all these other people! D:I was disappointed. I went over one section and found plenty of seats there, but they seemed far away. As soon as my church arrived, I found Beth straight away and expressed my dismay. Judy was surprised that all the seats were taken, too. I told Beth that I did have seats saved, but you know. She was going to sit by me, except Judy said that I could sit with the group! Apparently one of the ladies, Pat, was able to sit in the handicap section (which was planned before) which left an empty seat with the rest of the group for me! God is so good! I was delighted to sit by Beth again!

Before the event began, we decided to walk around the concourse to looky-loo. I stayed attached at all times. What if she got lost? (She wasn't going to get lost; I'm being silly.) Soon we returned to our seats and the event started up. More music; it was pretty good. Then, more message! I felt that the second day was more interactive. She had us repeat things back more and stuff. "Can I get an Amen?" "Amen!"

Right before a break was the alter call. 13 people gave their lives to Christ! That was neat. Judy was crying a lot. She was really touched and blessed, I'm sure.

Beth mentioned that their friend, Audina was there (she's a hair dresser, and I'm sure she's the one Beth often goes to on Tuesdays that I would like to visit on). They found her and Audina came up to say hello to everyone. What got me was that when Audina came and Beth noticed, she put her arm around me in a side hug (sort of as if to show me off/introduce me, but I've already met Audina...). I liked that. Usually I give the hugs, so this was a nice change.

Once the break was over, as people were coming back to their seats, we all started to read off scriptures on the screens together. I really like those things because it was always neat to me to hear everyone say the same thing at the same time like that. It was a good part.

Beth acted as my pillow for the majority of the time. That's something I appreciate about her. She tolerates my using her as a pillow very well. We'll sit on the floor in her living room for over an hour and she will be my pillow for pretty much the whole thing and she never says a word about it. She just takes it like a man, haha. Nice for me. X3 Anyway, she's great.

We finished the list of points for the message and all of it was wonderful. Beth Moore had us all partner up and face each other to repeat after her. This was probably one of my most favorite parts. Of course, Beth was my partner. "Dear sister," it began.. I wish I could remember the rest... "It is YOUR Time!" After our faithful repetitions, we were to give our partner a hug and my oh my! What a hug Beth gave me! <3  The ending songs were nice, and I didn't even mind the ending advertizements for sponsoring a child or supporting Samaritan's Purse (our church already actively participates in Operation Christmas Child.. and if you don't know what that is, FIND OUT! It's amazing!). These ads kept Beth by me for just that much more TIME. I appreciated it muchlies.

As we left the building, having said our good byes to the rest of our group, I asked Beth "Are you going to get me out of here?"
"I'm going to get you out of here," she responded. This made me happy! I like getting rides from her. I have lots of good memories of the two of us taking trips in her car. It would be nice to see Harry, the stuffed banana who lives in the cup holder, again. Haha, we're so silly.

I had a lovely time talking to her as we waited to get through traffic. I told her we needed to go on a road trip together and at one point, she sang "Gloom! Despair! Agony on Whitney!" to me. X3
"You haven't heard that in a while, have you?" She asked smiling.
"No! You haven't even texted it to me!" I responded enthusiastically. I rather like it when she sings that. She does it all goofy and such, but regardless, I like the idea that she sings to me. It's quite a poetic thought if it weren't for the fact that singing the song is actually making fun of me.

I directed her to my car and instructed her how to get back to the freeway for there (same way I'll be going this Friday). I was sad to have to let her go, but I got probably two hugs out of the deal.

It was bittersweet. I told her to let me know when she made it home and she was okay with that. She was so good! She even texted me when she made a stop somewhere! That,  I wasn't expecting. I had anticipated her return arrival to be around 3ish, but by then, I was taking a nap. I didn't get much sleep the night before. (She and I were both yawning during the event. Interstingly, she yawned more than me!) She did text me that she made it home, so I was glad to see that when I woke up. <3 I was in a bliss for the rest of the weekend and even today, I'm still really happy.

I'm sleepy, now! God Bless and goodnight!