The Gulf Coast Women’s Celebration this year was more special than ever for some reason.¬† Last weekend, February 5 – 7, I dove in with a sheer expectancy that I was going to come home changed.¬† The speakers were spectacular & anointed.¬† Susanne Cox & Jenny Collum, two Kingwood A/G gals – sparked the services with the bold word of God.¬† I loved it.¬† The guest singers were amazing; Paula White (a black girl from Ashford) brought the house down with “Because of Who You Are, I Give You Glory.”¬† One special guest that touched my heart was a worship artist Aaron Hunt, who painted a 6 ft canvas of the face of Jesus during worship.¬† There is such an amazing element of worship with the arts -¬† its like we become close to the heart of the creator.

On Monday – before my trip I started feeling this lull, like I wasn’t sure I wanted to go.¬† Later that night I started praying about it and the Lord showed me that I was feeling the heart of the women, and he was calling me to intercede for them.¬† The next day I had the opportunity to speak to one of the speakers named Jenny, & she was so fired up, the word was just pouring out of her.¬† The five minute phone call was just the spark I needed to bring me through the week!¬† I began to tell every lady that I talked to that this weekend was going to be a weekend of miracles, to expect something BIG!!!

Since we’ve been in Montgomery I was able to help Mrs. Cyndi prepare a few things for the event.¬† This is my specialty!¬† And of course, I love working with her and helping organize ministry events like this.¬† And I really enjoyed having a new purpose…since I felt like I was getting a bit board at home everyday, just waiting on our next assignment.¬† It was tons of fun getting back into doing a few designs and helping her organize the arrival of the speakers and the service schedules.¬† She asked me to have a sort of portfolio or display ready for her to present at the conference, to show case my giftings as a business.¬† I did not pull it together, maybe just feeling like I wasn’t ready yet – I’m not sure.¬† Also, I told her that I did not want to take away from any of the services by her announcing or promoting me.¬† I did not even get a business card!!!¬† The #1 rule of business – and I did not develop one.¬† yikes!¬† I have no idea what’s holding me back.¬† When I get an idea, or a passion or desire – there is NO holding me back, but for the life of me actually starting this thing and making it into something tangible is a bit daunting right now, since my focus this year is about Keith and I becoming prepared for full time Evangelism.¬† So anyway, that one’s still simmering.

Valerie Hudson was my “packing partner” this weekend and we had a blast.¬† She really was a great roomie and I love staying with someone I can be myself with.¬† Since Keith and I are not working yet, she was a huge support to me in helping me get to the conference.¬† And she was a fun roomie…encouraging me to get out of bed @ midnight to go to the hot tub and go swimming in the heated pool.¬† She’s right, we would have regretted not taking up this luxurious opportunity!¬† So as she piles back into the bed @ 2 am – I decide that I’m so fired up from the Holy Ghost Ladies Conference, that I’m ready for an all night bible study on the beach…which went about as far as a 1 hour bible study on the balcony. LOL!¬† it’s the thought…

We visited Lulu’s for lunch one day – Jimmy Buffet’s sister’s restaurant – a deliciously fun spot!¬† Flip Flops, Open Air, kicked back beach theme, with lots of curly q’s and pastel colors. ¬†¬† On Saturday we took the long way back to Saraland: Ate lunch @ a Pizzeria at The Wharf, rode the Ferris Wheel & crossed the bay via the Ferry to Dauphin Island, a few things I’ve never done before.

Anyway, God did a work in my heart this weekend, one that I’ve been needing for some time.¬† A fresh start for this new journey.¬† I had so much fun that I caught a cold this week that developed into a full blown sinus infection & bronchitis, sleeping for 3 days!¬† Keith has been a KNIGHT in shining armor, doctoring my every need.¬† What an amazing husband that can tell you that he loves you no matter what you look like, just when I KNOW my bags under my eyes are barking and my hair is truly a mess!¬† He is amazing and I thank God for him everyday.

It was about this time 6 years ago, (January 23, 2003) that we met for the first time @ the Gulf Coast Women’s Conference in Perdido Beach!