Can you tell that I'm totally trying to catch up from how far behind I've gotten? I've made it to the end of April, so I'm not doing so badly! I'm hoping to be completely caught up by the end of the weekend. We'll see, though.
Probably back at the beginning of March or so Emily mentioned to me that she was going to be going to a Beth Moore conference in Atlanta at the end of April if I wanted to tag along. I was really excited and I really wanted to go, but I hadn't ever left Lorelai overnight before, so I was really kind
The conference was on a Saturday, but we were planning on leaving the Friday night before. Emily came and picked me up at my house after work and we were on our way! It was really awesome to get to talk to Emily on the way up there without constantly having to play "mommy" as well. I think it was a really good time for us to get to know each other on a deeper level, which is what I think we've been needing. I mean, a friendship can only survive on "superficial" stuff for so long. We stopped at the Tanger outlets on the way up so that Emily could shop at Coach and, of course, we did some baby shopping as well. :) She also got some Taco Bell and made me smell all of it's nastiness for the next hour or so. I am completely not a Taco Bell fan at all, but I survived! She dropped me off to stay with Laura and Gino and she went and stayed with a friend who also lives in Atlanta.
Our goal #1 when we got there was to find Kelly from Kelly's Korner. This is where Emily heard about the conference and we both read her blog, so it was really exciting to get to see her in person. We really didn't talk to her at all (there were a TON of people wanting to talk/take pictures with her!), so we just took a picture and continued on our way.
By the time Emily and I got tickets, the main sanctuary was already full, so we were in the "overflow" room. This overflow room was bigger than our sanctuary at Bethany! Beth was speaking in the other room, so we were watching her message on big screens in our room. She did come into our room for a little Q&A time after lunch, though. Super cool! Her message was all about insecurity.
I won't go into crazy detail, but here are the notes that I took about what a "secure woman" is:
S - Saved from herself.
Sometimes our biggest enemy is our own insecurity. Narcissism and insecurity go hand in hand. Security does not equal pride.
E - Entitled to truth.
We can still be saved and withdraw from God. Perfectionism is insecurity in an art form.
C - Clothed with intention.
A woman dresses on purpose. We should be clothed in strength and dignity. Insecurity takes our dignity away from us.
U - Upended by Grace.
Grace takes up the space in a secure woman (God's Redemption At Christ's Expense)
How much more likely would be to forgive others if we were secure?
R - Rebounded by love.
If your heart does not heal, it hardens. You can not out-sin God's forgiveness. Everything always comes back to love. Everyone has a need for significance.
E - Exceptional in life.
All of this was taken from scripture - Ephesians 4:1 - 5:2, but it mostly focused on Ephesians 4:17-21
After the conference was over, we drove to The Cheesecake Factory and met Zach's sister, Casey, and her boyfriend for dinner. I had never been before, and it was AWESOME! It is for-sure a place that I want to eat at again!
After dinner Emily dropped me back off at Laura and Gino's. I got to spend the rest of Saturday evening and Sunday until lunch (when Em and I headed back) with them. It was so nice to spend some time with Ben without Lorelai getting jealous! It was some good bonding time with my nephew and I am so thankful for it! it was also good to spend time with Laura and Gino. :) I thought it was great to be able to play "aunt" and then give Ben back for all the hard stuff (diaper changes, naps, feedings, etc.)
It was a GREAT trip, I learned that LL is okay without me, I had a fantastic time, and I'm so glad that I went!
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