Monday, June 23, 2008

She Speaks

I'll bet ya'll were thinkin' I was fixin' to tell ya'all about my last plane ride home.

And yes, I'm speak'in southern. Because I have spent the last 4 days living in North Carolina, among the most beautiful, talented, and fun southern women ever. It was fabulous. And even though I am most definitely a north-westerner with a Scandanavian upbringing, I can now talk southern. It just happens. I can't explain it.

I love southern women. I wish they would adopt me. They are so funny and I love their beautiful accents and don't even get me started on their beautiful skin. And they possess a hospitality not seen in other places. Oh they are special indeed.

And the bloggers. Oh, the bloggers. I can't even tell you how AMAZING it was to meet so many wonderful women that I felt I already knew. What a strange and fun thing to have people come up to you and say, "I read you!" or "How is your new little grandson?" These women were just as real and fun as they are in the blogworld. Our friendships were cemented a little deeper. I met BooMama, Big Mama, Shannon from Rocks, Linda from One More Cup, Antique Mommy, Sonya, Kathy from Blessed Builder (my roomie), Lisa, Robin the Pensieve One, and the list goes on and on. I made some new blogging friends too. It was a gift I tell you. Simply a gift.

As far as the conference goes, usually you will hear words like "It was fabulous, it was awesome, it was wonderful...." And it was all those things. But it was more than that for me. There were some times of struggle. And doubt. And weakness. There were times I felt very insecure and stretched. Very stretched. But through all of that God spoke to me. He gave me a promise - and although I don't yet understand what is all contained in that promise, I know it is all about Him doing something through me. He confirmed deep in my heart that I am pursuing the right goals and dreams. He assured me that my dream in not really my dream at all, but one that he planted inside of my being as I was being formed in my mother's womb. Wow. I'm just so amazed by that. I learned a lot, I made some good contacts, and I received some direction on what I need to do next.

Today I took the day off of work so I could process all of it. It keeps swirling around in my heart and my head and I need to write it all down in some sort of order so I can keep it all straight.

I am very glad I went.

And as far as the last plane ride, well, it was the easiest one of all. The plane was bigger and newer - it didn't look so flimsy to me. And I had a row all to myself. And the ride was smooth. And most of all I had a long and deep conversation with God about all of it. I kind of freaked out when I realized my medication that I take with me for "just in case" was not with me at all. And God clearly told me that I was to trust in Him alone. Just Him. Not in the medication in my purse. Not in anything else. I asked Him if that meant He was going to give me a very bumpy ride just to test me out. He didn't answer that. He just asked for my complete and absolute trust. I gave it to Him. And you know what? I actually fell asleep on the plane. I still don't like to fly - I don't suppose I ever will. But from now on when I have to get on a plane - I will strive harder to trust Him and believe that He is all I need.

Because He Spoke very directly to me these last few days and He is all I need.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Robin,
It was fun reading your thoughts about the conference and especially the southern women! I have lived in NC 10 years now, so I think I can be considered southern now. It actually rubs off on you in a couple of days, as your post testified.

Were you able to visit the prayer room?

gail@more than a song said...

I know if you're fixin' to do something you've been in the south! I'm so glad you got to go, that you had an awesome time and hope you get it all processed in due time. It does indeed sound wonderful from all the things I've been reading online.

Big planes can be good! And you might have to get used to flying a bit more if you start doing book tours one day!

Kathy Schwanke said...

Roomie, Praise Jesus you had a good flight!! It was my turn to have a story I guess...:-)or 2

Our plane was stopped for 15 mn on the runway after starting because Atlanta was temporarily closed due to rain. Then when we took off into rain, we went FASTER than I ever FELT before and the nose of the plane was pointing straight North, I mean heavenward!(well not quite straight...)
I had my first experience with turbulence as we went thru the rainclouds.

But then, then I was in Paradise. I was reading about Moses on the mount just before lift off,and suddenly I thought I was looking at it myself (except no burning bush). The sun was shining it's rays out to make them look like seas and bridges. I have pics I will have to try to post.

Then theres another story for another day @ Atlanta....I got in @ 1:10 am and to bed @ 3am.
I dont think I have the brain power to post tonight.
love ya!
Oh heavens!!

Unknown said...

Hi Robin,

We met on the bus to the airport. Glad your return flight went well. So glad to me you face-to-face. What an amazing weekend. I will never be the same. What a giant God we serve indeed. Love you, Lynn

Sonya Lee Thompson said...

Robin,

What a great thing that we were able to meet face 2 face! You are so sweet!

I was also deeply touched by God this weekend. I suppose I'll be processing all of the things that I learned there for a long time to come. :)

I am really looking forward to our on0line writers group.

Karen said...

I love your last paragraph about the plane ride:) It sounds like you had a wonderful time. I'm so glad for you!

Dawn said...

It sounds like an awesome experience in every way.

We moved from ARkansas back to Minnesota in 5th grade - we had to work really hard to get rid of our cute southern accents because those northerners teased us mercilessly. There were many times later that I wished I had not worked so hard to ditch it!

Unknown said...

Well, girlfriend! I read this post the day you wrote it, but I came on over to give you a link and I read it again. And you have got that southern thang down my friend! And yes, I said THANG. It is not a typo!!

Hey, I lazed around on the words in this link today. Oh, she makes me happy to read her words. They are just so durn perty!!

http://wannabepublished.blogspot.com/2008/06/twc-writing-craft-response-to-pulitzer.html

Anonymous said...

Isn't it crazy, the emotions that you went through? I can completely relate. The doubt, insecurity, confirmation....all at once! I am so glad that I went.

Glad I stopped by!

Girl Raised in the South said...

I loved reading this - your impressions, the meetings, and especially your being transparent to share the hard spots. Sounds like it was a great experience all around.