Women of Faith 2010

Last weekend I had the pleasure of going to my first Women of Faith Conference in Columbus, Ohio. My mother-in-law had asked me many months ago if I would go with her. I thought it would be a good experience, but at the time, I don't think I could have realized how much it would come to mean to me. I have been really struggling lately with being content with certain aspects of my life, my job in particular. All of this was really causing my stress to build up to a level I have never really experienced before. Then, as many of you know, Chuck's Aunt Tina...who is as much an aunt to me as my mom's sisters, has been battling breast cancer. She had just suffered a setback and that had really affected our family as we worked through all of our emotions. So, I went to Columbus with a heavy heart, ready for the Lord to do some work on me...and He did. We had a wonderful time and my soul was filled up. Many of the speakers seemed to be talking directly to me and were sending messages that I definitely needed to hear. Also, due to a last minute change, Tina had been given a ticket to attend the weekend with us. I will always remember this fun weekend that the four of us shared. I love these ladies! (I actually wasn't going to bring a camera, but right on the way out the door I decided to grab Kenzie's little pink camera, and I am sure glad that I did! Even though I only took a few pics..they are special to me.)

The picture above is of Mary and Tina on the bus. This is right as we were getting started. As Tina has been doing her chemo, her hair has started thinning and she has gotten a couple of wigs, but she doesn't often wear them. When she first came out I told her how cute she looked in her wig (and she did!), but she was really uncomfortable with it. Cindy told her that she didn't need to wear it for our benefit, since she looked fine without it. Well, about 15 minutes into the trip we heard Mary and Tina giggling and when we looked back Tina said, "I'm taking this 'critter' off!" And she did...and she looked just as beautiful without it! The "critter" didn't make any more appearances that weekend!

Cindy and I on the bus. We were seat buddies...we usually are! Don't I look really white beside her?!?

At the conference we were given box lunches. We were able to eat them at the gorgeous park that was right across the street from the arena. I tried to capture how many ladies were there, but this is only about one fourth of them! It was amazing to see so many women. It was a beautiful day, but it sure was windy!

Cindy, Tina, and Mary...all beautiful women and all important to me. Love you girls! Thanks for sharing the weekend with me!