Conference Ramblings!

Greetings!

Before I begin rambling, I wanted to say HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope 2009 is a blessed year for everyone!

Now onto the other ramblings...

I returned from the conference today, and want to share a bit from it. I realize that what I'm sharing is limited, I mean, it's hard to put into words what has happened in the past 4 days for me. And honestly, unless you were there, this won't mean much to you. But, if you're reading my blog, you're reading it because what matters to me, matters to you. Otherwise you wouldn't be here. So, I hope you enjoy the following ramblings...

I have gone to the conference each year the past 7 years, and I am always amazed at how each year is different. You would think that I would say, "I've been there, and done that!" after seven years, but God never does things the same thing twice!

I have shared several times about my favorite worship leader, Misty Edwards. She led worship during several sessions, and it was AMAZING. She even led us into 2009, which was a highlight for me. She also preached one morning, and I have to say it was one of the best sermons I've ever heard. I bought 4 copies of the sermon to give out to friends. I don't typically do that, but I thought it was a very timely message for us in this time of our history as a nation. Amazing stuff.

Matt Gillman led two sets, and he is an AMAZING worship leader! Misty and Matt were my favorite worship leaders during the conference. Matt is able to go high-energy but also able to do slow and intimate sets too! And it's always been a dream of mine to be in a worship set and have the crowd keep a song going after the worship team stopped. And, it finally happened! Tuesday night after Matt had led an intimate worship set, we went into "Let it Rain" (I believe it's a Michael W. Smith Chorus) and Matt and the team dropped out, and we kept going. In fact, we kept going so long that the leaders of the conference came out to end the set because they needed to make some announcements before the evening ended. I remember standing there, singing, and looking up at the leaders as they debated as to what to do. I could tell they debated, let us keep going or go ahead with the schedule. They let us sing for a while before ending it, but it was POWERFUL and a night I'll never forget.

Every year at the conference, I get stopped at least once for people to pray for my leg. For those of you new to my blog, I walk with a limp due to the fact I was born with Cerebral Palsy. It doesn't keep me from anything, but people think it's something to be cured. While I don't believe that, I always let people pray for me because I believe it builds everyone's faith to pray for someone that they don't even know.

So, a college kid named Kyle stopped me Tuesday morning as I was walking into the conference area and asked if he could pray for my foot. (his words) I said yes. He prayed, and he and his friends went on. I continued to walk at my normal slow pace, and as I entered the arena he was waiting for me and asked me if I wanted to sit with them. I said, "sure". Afterall, I had gone to the conference alone and the Lord had already told me on the walk to the conference that I would meet some good friends that day. As we walked, we talked. I picked up my pace to keep up with him (Which I decided was harder than walking alone at my own pace, but that's just a minor sidenote.) and as we kept walking closer and closer to the stage, I said, "Do you have seats saved?" And he said yes.

I should stop here and state that front section seats are HARD to get. I guess they're not too hard if you can run the moment the doors open, but for a gal like me, it's impossible. I had been sitting in the middle section because that's the first available section I can get to as everyone else has hit the front section and has saved every seat available.

So when Kyle walked to the very front section and we went around to their seats, I was ecstatic. I suspected that there wouldn't be a seat for me, as they didn't know God was going to have me meet Kyle, and I was right. BUT God is always faithful to give us even the smallest wishes in our hearts.

As I was walking back to the middle section a gal stopped me and said, "Do you need a seat?" I said, "yes, but just one." And she said she had an extra one. AND IT WAS ON THE SIXTH ROW! In all my years of going to conferences, I had never been that close to the action. I just stood there and smiled. I asked her her name. Ling Yun is her name, and I just stood there and thanked God for her. All day I attended all sessions on the 6th row, which was a gift. I didn't expect a repeat of it yesterday, I really didn't. So I got there at 8am yesterday (everyday really) and walked up to the front section. I figured if it happened once, maybe God would bless me again. I saw Ling Yun and she said, "I saved you a seat on the front row." I stood there, once again, and thanked God. Sure enough, all day yesterday I was able to attend all sessions on the front row! I have been to MANY conferences at IHOP, and have never been that close. It's a small thing, it really is, in the big grand scheme of things. I mean, you can meet God whether you're in the front row, or the back row. But, I know that God knew that I have always wanted to be in the middle of all the action for years. As we entered into worship last night, with Misty leading, I was ecstatic. I entered in 2009 up close!

Finally, after the sermon last night, they had an altar call. They had people come forward who were struggling and on the brink of walking away from God. Not many people went forward, but there were enough to fill the prayer line area. Then they asked anyone who felt led to pray for those in the lines to go ahead and pray. I knew who I was supposed to pray for. I didn't know the guy, but I knew I was to pray for him. Typically, I go up and pray silently. I am not one to pray outloud in situations like that. However, I found myself praying as I never had before. I felt the desperation in this man's heart. I prayed as if he was a member of my own family. He was pretty tall too, and had to lean down to hear me pray. I prayed and spoke into His life in a way I've never done before. I wasn't the only one there praying for him, I was the only one praying outloud. So, as I stopped, a guy walked up and I knew it was his turn to pray, so I went back to my seat on the front row. I didn't know if he knew who I was, and I didn't care. I knew God had touched him through my words and prayer. So, after the prayer time, he came over and hugged me. I stood there and gave him a scripture that the Lord had given me for him. He walked away with tears in his eyes. And, honestly, that was probably my favorite moment of the conference. As he walked away, I heard God say, "Small but mighty is who you are."

That, is worth four days with the Lord. I'm now sore in my legs, and tired as can be.

Small but mighty...yep, that's me!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!