Day 1: I worked. I don't know how I was blessed with this job, but my boss has been amazing in accommodating any of my baseball commitments. So this morning I put the finishing touches on my presentations for a local high school.
Kyle and I headed into Spokane to catch our flight into Denver in the early afternoon. We arrived in Colorado Springs a wee bit late but we're grateful that our sweet friends, the Conley's, ordered us dinner and had it ready to go for the opening presentation from Francis Chan. Coaches Time Out rented the bowling alley at the Broadmoor for the players and wives, so we were up bowling and munching after Francis had kicked off this special week just right. And then we were off to bed...literally zonked.
Day 2:
David Platt, who baptized me last year, lead the opening morning bible study this year. And it was awe-some. Francis and Lisa Chan led a wonderful marriage discussion, and I'm so looking forward to reading their latest book "You and Me Forever." I had the opportunity to catch up with sweet friends from last year, hear my precious friend Gari Meacham speak, and then David and Francis took the stage before Gary from the International Justice Mission spoke.
I've been following IJM's work for almost a year now and I'm certain it's a sign from God himself that they were here to present on ending slavery, sex trafficking and injustices against the most impoverished people of this world's nations. Did you know 36 million people are trapped in slavey TODAY? I encourage you to help join IJM's movement and work with them to eradicate slavery in this world. This cause spoke to me so deeply: It would be a true privilege for me to talk with you more about it if you're interested in helping. @IJM #endslavery
David Crowder performed for us this evening, and I tell you what, the man is a phenomenal musician...but he's also absolutely hilarious. Tear evoking hilarious. Thank so much to David and his band!
(Our best Conley friends if you don't recognize them from this blog already! Check out Kendall's daily blog at http://a-life-in-flight-365.blogspot.com)
Day 3:
We were really tired this morning. Déjà vu from last year. We thought it was the time difference that exhausted us last year, but this morning we realized that we are just so excited and so darn focused that we forget to rest during these few special days! But it's strangely reviving and refreshing. Anyway, we were up early for another bible study session from David on really reading and understanding God's word. He's so great. And then we were off to breakfast, followed by a marriage work shop led by Frank and Kathy Tanana. And boy did they have wisdom to share on marriage, baseball and raising strong girls. Then the women joined for a lunch session, and the Mets gals and my sweet friend Kendall claimed a table together so we could really catch up for a bit. You all are a beautiful blessing to me, thank you! Sweet, wonderful Gari led another session for the wives on truly embracing yourself as clay in the potters hands. The guys spent time together unpacking the week with Francis Chan. And afterwards we were all ready for a little fun outdoors. We, along with the Conley's, and our friends Matt, Katie, Mark and Stefan headed over to the nearby zoo. (Yea. You read that right, I was the only gal there who wasn't knocked up. Wait, what?! :) The zoo was relatively empty when we arrived, and we were able to feed the giraffes! I could hardly breathe! The boys had fun taking selfies with every animal they could find and us girls talked baseball friendly baby registries, essential oils and water births. Man, I'm old.
When we returned to the Broadmoor we prepared for dinner and David's last sermon. David really let the Lord shine through him because soon after we were all off to the pool where SO many new brothers and sisters were baptized. Praise the Lord! A special congratulations to our friend, Stefan!
And to celebrate, we sang, and bowled some more.
Day 4:
I have to share my favorite photo from the Broadmoor this week. There's a cool part of the coffee shop where these plants are all alive and growing on the wall. They're sideways, but they're still growing strong. I'm not sure how they stay so beautiful and grounded, but they do. The whole wall of them THRIVE.
It was an extra early morning, the last day starts a little early so we can pack it full to the brim with God's word and good byes to our wonderful baseball family. The incredible Katinas, who led us in worship music all week, really lit the place up! Then it was hugs, good byes, and packing-packing, rush-rush to the airport.
There's so much that happened this week that I can't really put into words. Yet. This conference has moved me, to the core, once again. The urgency of Christ is no delicate matter, there's a desperate call to help others in this world that tugs on me daily, and I still have so much to learn. Thank you Eddie, Rene, David, Francis, Lisa, Bobby, Gari, Frank, Kathy, Gary, Don, Steve, staff, everyone who made this conference a success this year! We are so looking forward to next year in Atlanta, and right in this moment, we are so excited to get home to our sweet little girl and unpack what we've filled our minds and hearts with this week.
