Meeting Her

Last weekend I had a chance to go to the Set Apart Conference.  It was an amazing day and I'm still trying to process it all.  I went with a Bestie, which made the day that much more special.  We started off the day in the auditorium singing.  I had just finished taking inventory of the registration bag and made a comment to my friend about the tissues they included and how I won't need them because I have such tough skin.  She raised her eyebrows in disbelief and smirked at me.  She thinks I'm an emotional creature.  Humph.  As a matter of fact, she calls me The Mascara Wrecker.  I still haven't figured out if it's a compliment, but I'm going to roll with it anyway.  But I digress.  I may wreck other people's mascara, but please.  I'm not going to cry at a women's conference. 

Yes, I seriously did think this, people. 

So we're singing.  People are getting into it.  I've got the beat in my legs, people have their hands in the air, the girls on stage sound awesome; it's good worship.  And then.  There's always a then.  Then they start playing the song Revelation.  Amazing song.  But about half-way through, the chick on the piano starts talking while she's playing, about how when we sing to God, everyone is Heaven joins in with us.  And here is where it starts my friends.  A deluge.  I'm standing there, picturing Jameson rocking out in Heaven with me and wring my hands and doing yoga breaths so I don't sob so loudly people start looking.  This is where you get to laugh at and or with me.  Whew.  It was a moment and then some.  The Bestie gave me a hug and laughed a little when I commented on how that didn't take long! 

The rest of the day was a little like this experience over and over.  I listened to so many amazing people, was wow-ed and humbled and inspired and then some.  All day long.  

The absolute highlight of my day was getting to hear her speak and then meet her. 

Notice my eyes.  I'd say notice her eyes, because I made her cry, too, but she obviously has better makeup than I do.

This beautiful lady embracing me is Ann Voskamp.  I've talked up her book, One Thousand Gifts, many times on the blog.  If you haven't read it yet, go get it!  Right now!  I read her book right after J died and she changed the way I was thinking, grieving, seeing the world.  It was a lifeline at the time.  And it was an honor to get to share with her how her writing impacted my life. 

I have more to share, but I need time.  Time to think and time to write.  I'll be back soon!