Normal as can be

Deep breath in... Deep breath out..... in....out

Ok here we go. Back to normal. (as much "normal" as I can strive to be) The past weeks have been such a struggle physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Just as I felt like I was able to put one foot in front of the other and REALLY walking in the direction that God was leading.... SMACK! I got sick. Being sick was so overwhelming that I couldn't do anything, that I had been doing. Getting up before my children was a struggle, therefor my quiet time wasn't going to happen. I felt like crap so the only thing I prayed for was ME. I had no energy, so I couldn't play or run around with my little ones. I WAS MISERABLE.

After 8+ weeks of this craziness, last Wednesday I was finally able to get the problem solved. They discovered that it was my gallbladder and (ALOT of) stones. They removed it all and now I am on the mend.

Before all of this came on I was planned to attend Women of Faith this past weekend. Obviously, having surgery on Wednesday made those plans looks undoable. After I got out of surgery on Wednesday I began to pray that if there was anyway I could, that God would open those doors. All day Thursday I was back and forth with what my body was going to allow. After much deliberating with myself I decided to take the leap and go.

If you have ever been to a WOF conf. you know that they are HUGE. Yes, the speakers are great, yes the music is fantastic, but the grand part of it all (to me) is the sheer number of Christian women gathered in one place. Christians for ONE purpose. Not worrying about doctrine, not worrying about building size, not worrying about color or skin, worship style, or if it is KJV or not. Just gathering because we all love and worship the same GOD.

SO maybe I minimized music a little bit, by saying fantastic. The quality of musicianship that was there could only be described one way... WOW! Nichole Nordeman ,Sandi Patti, and Mandisa. All 3 women brought something so different to the table and touched my heart 3 COMPLETELY different ways. Nichole Nordeman is one of my favorite singer/song writers, a mom, and a christian. How cool it is to have the same songs that I sing and dance to with my ipod, usher thousands of women to the feet of Christ in worship. Sandi Patti is a completely different part of my heart. She takes me to my childhood and makes me stand in aww of what can happen when we don't put God in a box. God has used her music and her testimony to reach so many and to show people how God can use them no matter there circumstance. And lastly Mandisa. My "idol". Hubby and I are big American Idol fans. So to get to see Mandisa in concert and to here her share her testimony was FANTASTIC! Boy does she have a voice.

I could go on and on about this weekend, but most of you know just how great these conf. can be. As I stood in worship Friday night I quickly became overwhelmed with thankfulness. Knowing how sick I had been and being able to have to privilege of being in Philly despite it all, was HUGE for me. God is so good! This weekend was all about Freedom. One speaker talked about mountain top experiences. She talked about being free to truly see and experience those times completely. Being able to soar on the wings of eagles when you are on that high. BUT.... mountain top experience are few. Most of us live in the valley 99% of the time. I guess I always saw "the valley" as the place of death and desperation. Not as a place of life. But in the valley we are with everyone experiencing life and living it. In the valley we can hear the sparrow sing.

Not that those mountain top experiences aren't the most wonderful things ever. In fact, they are what fuels us through the valleys. But I guess it is about perspective. Being able to appreciate where God has placed us. All the while knowing that He is with us.

This weekend was a NEEDED mountain top. Thank you all for praying me through my sickness. But I wouldn't have loved my weekend so much, if I had gone through so much to be there.

I will leave you with a video of some of the music I got to enjoy this weekend! Love all of you!