Pre-FaithWalkers 2008

Oh, the peaceful sounds of rain pouring down in torrents. The blissfulness of walking outside in a tee shirt instead of bulky layers of coats. Smelling the smells of springtime in dead winter. Such is life when you attend FaithWalkers, a Christian conference hosted by Great Commission Churches Northwest, in Osage Beach, Missouri. We left home a day early for the day-long ride to the resort because of fore-casted bad weather on the horizon. Thankfully we escaped it, and the further towards our destination we traveled, the warmer it got. We arrived to balmy weather of 63 degrees. It even smelled like spring! After much laughter, talking, and what-not last night, we settled down for an uneventful night of slumber. Early this morning the sun cheerfully arose, but as we sat out on the porch and watched the lake and sky awaken to a new day, dark clouds began accumulating. It wasn't long before that wetness commonly called rain came, and it has now been pouring down in torrents for over an hour.

All matters of weather aside, I feel very grateful to attend the conference. Even in the hospital, with everyone telling me to take it easy and rest, I still wanted to go. (I also thought I would feel much better at this time as well. For goodness's sake, its been nearly 3 weeks since surgery) (Side note: more to come on my hospital stay later...)
Attending these conferences throughout the year help to fill me up when I hit a low. Rich, insightful teachings increase my Bible knowledge and challenge me to go beyond the mundane living I find myself falling into at times. I come away from teachings renewed and inspired, eager to grow deeper in my relationship with Jesus Christ. I have once again been reminded by God the importance of living for HIM alone. HE ALONE is worth living for. When I live for myself, satisfying desires of the flesh and not caring for other people as I should because I am too focused on myself, nothing I try to do for Christ will reach its fulfillment. I must do everything wholly as to the Lord, seeking not my own good but the good of others. I feel grateful to the Lord for allowing me to attend these conferences and learn more about HIM. I pray that as the conference begins tonight and goes for the next few days that God will teach me more about Him and help me to grow in my relationship with Him. I look forward to seeing everyone from Chicago as well, and spending time with everyone.
Yes, because of my "invalidism" or "wounded-ness" I am devoid of things I wish I could do, such as swimming with the young people, or running all around this vast resort. Unfortunately, many good things must come to an end when your appendix ruptures. At least, for a while. Who do these teenagers think they are, running around and swimming and never getting tired? Ah well, I shall soon be back to my old self. As it is, I can't get out of bed without assistance or life anything over 15 lbs. I probably look really goofy when I walk, because I keep one hand close to my belly in case anything starts pulling on it, and bend my back at the waist. Even as I do this, I try to keep my back as straight as possible and walk as rapidly as I can. Yes, I must look goofy indeed. :)