And now….. January 6, 2008

….an update!!!!!!!!!!!!! *smile*

It’s been awhile since I did a really true and genuine update so I thought I would tonight. Bear with me as I’m very tired and STILL sick. (why don’t I go to bed if I’m so tired and still sick you migh ask….well, I’m tired and worn out but not sleepy and I feel like posting ok????? Ok.) Anyway, it might have mistakes or not make much sense. Sigh.

Where to begin…..Jon and I left December 15th for Arkansas to visit the Thomas family for a week over my birthday and Kev’s birthday. We had a fun time turning 23 within hours of each other. *smile* Matthew was in town for Christmas and it was great to finally meet him in person. It was also awesome to see Brian again for a day before we left. He got home from college just in time!!!!! Plus we got to go to Silver Dollar City which was a total blast!!!! *smile*

We got home just in time for Christmas. It was a quiet one this year but nice all the same. We just had our family and our two Grandma’s. It was fun to spend time together and have Josh home!!!! *smile*

Right after Christmas it was time to pack for the WILDS Music Conference!!!! HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The WILDS is always the highlight of the year for me and I never fail to come away with so many wonderful things from the Lord. Convictions and challenges and a fresh perspective added with the energy to dive in and start the new year!!! Not to mention the special friends that go as well and the memories made, times shared, laughter enjoyed and lots of encouragement!!!!!!!

I could feel the enemy attacking me personally in so many ways as the week went on. Distractions and being concerned with those around me, letting little things bother me and not responding correctly to them. I lost my voice two days before we left and didn’t get it back until Wednesday and even then it was barely back. So you can imagine how disappointing it was for me to be at a Music Conference and not be able to sing at all. It almost killed me…it really did and I thought “why am I even here??” I just wanted to go home because I felt so miserable. Well, the Lord had other things for me and maybe singing would have been a focus that week that I wasn’t supposed to have. It was a struggle fighting the enemy and not giving in and getting nothing out of it in the long run. By God’s grace I was able to recognize the attacks and fight back with the Word of God and in turn He gave me what He wanted me to have.

It was incredible. I am so glad the Lord worked it out once again for all of us to go and as we began discussing all the things from the week today on the way back to Houston, I was overcome with a joy that I have such wonderful friends to share the nuggets we received and hold me accountable for the choices made. We bonded this week in a special way and my love for each person grew more!!!! We’re all excited about what this year has in store and have been inspired to take the things we heard and use them the very best we can, allowing the Lord to have every part, not just some, and work through us in mighty ways to further HIS Kingdom!!!

The verse the Lord gave me this week as I prayed and sought to know Him more was from Luke 12: “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”

You know, we have been given so much and I know for myself, I have committed much to the Lord as He showed me areas. But that does mean that much will be, and is required of me and I was convicted that there are things in my life that I am holding onto and areas I’m compromising in that I truly believe is causing me to tie God’s hands so to speak. He has so many things He wants to do through me and ways He longs to use me but how can He when I’m not willing to let Him by living the life He has called me to live??

Anyway, I came away with so much and I’m so grateful!!!

We got home late tonight and sadly I’m feeling really bad…running fever and just can’t get rid of this sore throat and cough. Sigh. Hopefully I can get some good rest now that I’m home and shake it. Did you know it only got above freezing one day the whole time we were there????? It’s true!!!!!! It was SO COLD!!!!!! Mostly in the teens and 20’s!!!!!!! MISERABLE. No wonder I can’t get well!!!!! *smile*

Oh and let me just take this moment to say, I LOVE TEXAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *smile*

There are far too many pictures to post so I’ve put them here: http://picasaweb.google.com/ewychopen They’re in the “WILDS Music Conference 2008″ album. I’ll warn you though, I looked quite sick all week and the pictures show it. Ugh. So, go look at tons of fun pics and some beautiful ones of our surroundings and ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!

Love and hugs to y’all!!!!!! *squeeze*

Our WILDS Group - 2008