Conference Updates

Well, first, I of course have to thank my guest-blogging husband for his sweet post, and his amazing willingness to take over around here so that I could be at this conference. The girls always have so much fun with their Daddy, and I always love hearing the stories about their adventures.

Of course, the list of "uh-oh's" from his post didn't surprise me either, but who needs baths or punctual pick-ups anyway?

The funniest was today when I was doing laundry. I went to add the dryer sheet, and the whole box was gone. I asked Mark if he knew where they were and he said "Oh, oops. Abby Kate was playing with them but I have no idea where they are now." Um, okay. So, I go ask the little culprit where the dryer sheets were. She said "Oh, yeah, Mommy, my save them for you. My get them in the "fridge-e-ater". Yep. There they were! Right behind the to-go containers from their dinners out. In the fridge.

So glad AK saved those dryer sheets for me...maybe they work even better when they're cold?

So, thank you Daddy, for {kind of} watching them. Now, on to the conference update.

If I can figure out where to start!

It was an amazing weekend, full of so many great things: lots of new learning, great time with girlfriends, wonderful worship, much needed encouragement, and many, many, many new ideas. Overall, it gave me a deeper inspiration for helping orphans around the world, and new tools to help us do that.

Here are two of my three traveling buddies: (Donna, you must have been busy "talking".)

Each day, {after our Starbucks stop}, we began with a large group seminar. During this time we heard from the MOST amazing leaders in orphan ministry. I have pages and pages of notes, as I tried to write down as much of their wisdom and Spirit-led words as I could. Then, we spent time in three or four breakout sessions throughout the day, where we selected what we would like to hear and learn about. Let's just say I learned ALOT. And, since there were many seminars I didn't get to hear, I ended up ordering the entire weekend of classes to keep. Yes, it was that good. :)

I know many of you won't know these people, and may not care for the details...but I just have to share a little about them. I was sitting at the feet of some wise and wonderful people this weekend:

• Doug Sauder, of 4 Kids of South Florida, who does local ministry with foster families in Florida, and is an adoptive dad, who began by making a difference to one child, and now leads his ministry, as it grows increasingly stronger...and I of course bought his book.

Speaking of books, I brought home SO many books. I couldn't stop. Books and books...plus two tshirts...and three cd's...and a set of children's curriculum about orphan care. :) Hey, at least some of what I spent went right to orphans, right?!

Okay, back to the list:

• A college student named Lilia, who was adopted from Guatemala as a baby, shared her story of adoption. I listened with great hope as she talked about the promise and potential she has in her life now, only because her parents said "yes" to the Lord. She is serving Him wholeheartedly in so many ways, and her words were so encouraging to hear.

• The former First Lady of Guatemala, Patricia Arzu, who is one of the most eloquent and passionate women I have ever heard. She has used her political power and well-known status to change her country. She rescues children from the streets, giving them education, health care, and job training, as well as meets their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. She is literally changing the world.

• Tom Davis, who wrote Fields of the Fatherless among other books {yes, I have his book too}, shared his story of his call to help orphans around the world through adoption {he and his wife have seven kids}, and through his amazing ministry, Children's HopeChest. He challenged us to be on fire for God's work and to speak up for the orphan. He reminded me that God's call on my life is not a mistake. His whisperings to me are real and should be stirring me to action. Very good speaker! He has a blog too: www.cthomasdavis.com. Really...get his book. It will change your life.

• Dr. Karyn Purvis. I really don't even have words for this one. If you have time to listen to her online, I would encourage it. She has given me more knowledge, understanding, and passion for precious orphan children {and even my own biological children} than anyone. She is an amazingly gifted speaker with a great passion for giving voice to the orphan, and equipping them with the blessing of attachment and healthy relationships within a family. This was especially important for me, as we prepare to adopt. Amazing woman. {Side bonus: She has been doing attachment training in orphanages around the world, and has actually been working with the nuns at the Rwandan orphanage where we will be adopting! I was so excited to hear that the women who will directly affect our child's life in the first few months are being trained in loving, healthy attachment and bonding!! Nothing could be better than that!}

• Stephanie Fast. Okay, there aren't really words for her either. Stephanie shared her amazing story of being a street child in South Korea, before she was adopted by a missionary family at the age of 11. The most amazing, heart-wrenching story of a child who endured traumatic years of starvation, illness, and abuse on the streets. But, it was also the story of a God who did not let her go...who never left her side, and who delivered her from this pain, with a story to share. She is spending her life doing that. And, at the same time, working with Loving Shepherd Ministries.

• Jen Gash, from Sweet Sleep. This story really inspired me, because she was a woman just like me, who went on a mission trip, and was never the same again. She saw a specific need, and found a way to meet it. She has an entire ministry centered around providing orphans with soft, healthy, comfortable beds and mosquito nets, so that they can "sleep sweetly". She has had amazing success and has been able to provide beds and nets in multiple countries in Africa, as well as in Haiti. It was encouraging to see how God can use each of us---no matter how 'normal' we feel---to accomplish His great purposes.

• John Piper shared a wonderful closing address for the weekend, reminding us that if we love God more than life, more than success, more than being happy, then we'll suffer willingly in the name of the fatherless and the oppressed....and that "we will be a gift to this world". I've always been challenged by John Piper, and would love to read some of his many {very deep and difficult} books, so it was great to finally hear him in person!

And, drum roll please. The moment you've all been waiting for. Last but not least:

• Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman!! Seriously. I can't tell you how much the evening with the Chapmans meant to me. Mary Beth spoke first, about their story of adoption, their story of beginning their ministry "Show Hope", and their story of losing her precious daughter, Maria Sue. It was inspiring, heartbreaking, encouraging, and strengthening to hear of their story, and of how God has led each step of their way.

And, of course, that was followed by this cute guy singing some of my favorite songs about orphans and adoption, and leading us in worship:

It was a night of many, many tears for me, as I worshipped and sang along with one of my favorite people ever, and as I listened to their sweet story of expanding their family by adoption. His music--especially his last album "Beauty Will Rise"--has healed my heart in many ways. So, it was wonderful to be there with them.

Oh, yeah. And, I met Steven earlier that day too. It's a really funny story, and one that my travel mates enjoyed laughing with me about the entire three days.

That morning, we were in a wonderful session about "Giving Voice to the Orphan". I look up TWO ROWS in front of me, and see that the Chapmans are SITTING IN FRONT OF ME!! I immediately have "nervous stomach" as I try to decide if I will talk to them after class or not. Then, I started praying. "God, if I'm supposed to talk to them, if I'm supposed to share my story, and thank SCC for what his music has done for me, will you make it really, really obvious? Because I don't want to be an annoying fan, when they are here to learn."

What I wish I had done was started writing a note. And, be a little fifth grade girl and hand him the note. Maybe I could have even had a little tab that said "pull here". :)

But, instead, I stood there with Sara, as an escort came to take them to their next destination. There I am in the aisle of the classroom. Mary Beth walks right by me. No eye contact. I don't say a word. Steven comes by seconds later. Eye contact. He's right there. So, I reach out and grab his arm. Okay, I squeezed his arm. A little.

And, said: "It's so great to see you. I'm so glad you're here!"

Yes, that was my big wise word to Steven Curtis Chapman. When I told Mark that night, he said "That was all you said?!?" Yes, that was all I said.

But, make no mistake. He smiled his huge SCC smile back at me, and said "Well, thank you!!" very loudly.

It made my day. Or, really my year. It would have made my life, if we had actually had a real conversation.

But, it was still amazing. And, you can ask Amy, he smiled at me during the concert. Amy, you know it was at me. :)

Anyway, this has been a long update, and really I didn't even skim the surface. There is SO much to say. SO much to do. SO many orphans who have faces and names and personalities, just waiting to be rescued. They have been created by God with a purpose. And, I'm convinced now more than ever that I'm supposed to be involved in ministering to them and sharing the love of God with them.

And, let me tell you. God is being BOLD about how, when, and where with me. Even since I've been home today!!

One of my favorite quotes from the weekend {and believe me, there are many}, was when the First Lady of Guatemala asked her husband how she could possibly help. She felt like so many of us do...we know we should do something, but we don't know where to start. He said this:

"Just look for the ones who need you."

I love that. If we could all just look for the ones who need us, I think we would find that God is making the way clear. We just need to follow.

And, "If we don't go to them, who will? In the darkest places, the light of Jesus shines brightest." -Tom Davis

So, "In the same way, let your light shine among men, that they may see your good deeds and praise the Father in heaven." Matt. 4:16