Out of Gas and Just on Time

Yesterday I was scheduled for my biannual dentist appointment at noon. Since I had the day off, I began my day by driving about a half hour to have breakfast with my mom, nanny, and sister. We had a great time and I went to Kmart with my mom to get some travel- size goodies for my trip to NC for the She Speaks Conference. What a beautiful start to a day off of work!!! It was about eleven, so I thought I better start to head home.

On the way home, I called one of my close and dear friends to see how her week was going and she began to tell me that her 6-week old son had a fever and she was very concerned. She went on to tell me how she knew of another story where an infant's fever had become fatal, and he had gone on to be with the Lord as only an infant. She shared with me secret and horrid fears that Satan was implanting into her head as she guarded her heart with truth. She began to cry, and my eyes filled with tears. I became choked up. I realized how much I truly did love this friend. I told her that I have an appt. and after that I would be available and get there as soon as I could in- she was waiting for the doctor to call back. I wrestled in my mind: Should I cancel my appointment and go to her, or would it be okay to wait?

I got home and ran in the house to get my insurance info for the dentist, and ran out the door. I knew my gas tank was low, but the warning light didn't shine, so I knew I had time to stop on the way to the dentist. I pulled out of my driveway and realized the gas pedal wasn't making my car go. I pulled over, and knew that God wanted me to go to her. I cancelled my appointment and called Triple A. In about 35 minutes Dave from Triple A arrived with gas for my car. I stopped at the gas station and hurried to my friend's house. I hadn't called her back. I knew I was supposed to go see her, and I didn't want her to say, "No."

I arrived at her house and she told me that her mother-in-law just arrived to watch her daughters. She was calm, but ready to go to the doctor for her 1:30 appointment. I arrived just in time. She was literally just getting ready to walk out the door! I told her, " I need to go with you!" I knew it was God's will. She shared with me how she tried to get an earlier appointment, but there was nothing. God's timing was perfect! Her son may have a virus, he is at the doctor as I write this. Lord, please be with him, and the doctors. Give them divine wisdom and knowledge to detect any illness or infection going on in his body. Heal him and restore his health. In Jesus' name. Amen.

She said she was encouraged! And for me- well, I got to see a little more of our Awesome God!

She Speaks of Her Dreams

Last year, one year after God led me to start a women's ministry for young women at my church, I began to dream big. I was so absolutely blown away by God's ability to turn a baby Christian into a successful ministry leader that I wanted to see what else He could do with me! I started to look at different opportunities, and thought that maybe I'd want to be a Christian speaker of some sort! I kind of took the idea with a grain of salt and shared it only with close friends- after all- this was a really BIG dream! I soon stumbled across the website for the She Speaks Conference with Proverbs 31 Ministries.

It seemed so out of reach at that time, and too expensive...so I let it go. One year later, I revisited the website by God's prompting. I thought I was going on to look at a daily devotional... and there before me was a huge invitation to the She Speaks Conference 2010- only a few months away! I was so intrigued by this- I had kind of put it out of mind- and strangely- here it was again. I read over the information, and wondered if maybe I could make this happen - if I could talk my husband into saying, "Sure" to trip far away and one that would be a little beyond our budget- financially speaking. So I prayed!

I was praying about this and packing for the women's retreat at our church when I heard God say, "You will go." It was one of those moments when you kind of stop in your tracks and cock your head and say, "God, was that really you?" And you know it was! I thought, "God, you're really going to have to work on my husband!" I went to the retreat and told a few close friends that I was interested in going. The women's ministry leader, said, "Oh that's a bit expensive...there are some that are more affordable." But I knew that God said I would go to THIS one!

After the women's retreat, I came home and presented the information to my husband. Much to my surprise, he said yes! My mom, I later discovered, had offered to pay half! Which is a small miracle in itself!

Jon (My husband) asked me to do a fundraiser to raise money to travel. My aunt who lives on a farm was already planning our family yard sale. So, I decided to do a yard sale fundraiser. I gathered items from family and friends and in one Friday morning God blessed me with over $1,000. The next day, along with donations would pay the entire trip and then some! Praise the Lord!

I often say the saying, "If God didn't meet it, You didn't need it!" Well... God is good! In a matter of weeks, I had raised enough money and permission from my husband to go to She Speaks--- which weeks before had seemed light years away from possible!

As I look back at my BIG dream from a year ago- I am reminded that my BIG dreams started years ago. You see, when I was in elementary school, there were two things that I wanted to be when I grew up...

1. The First Woman President
2. A News Broadcaster

Even as a little girl, God was cultivating these dreams! At She Speaks I will be taking some courses on Women's Leadership and others on Speaking ( Which I call Broadcasting the Good News). Isn't God good?

I am so looking forward to the direction of my life... where is God taking me? Where is God taking you? Are you trusting Him to provide? Are you believing that your dreams are too BIG??? He is our provider and nothing is to big for our God!!! Praise the Lord!