I went away on the weekend to a women's conference* and had an exhausting, encouraging, very talk-y time.
I set some kind of record on Friday, talking for 8 hours without a pause with my dear friend Emma in Sydney. Then she drove me to the conference and I talked for what felt like 2 solid days (okay, so there was
some sleeping) with lots of women from around Australia.
What's unique about women's conferences?
- No one ever stops talking
- everyone is so busy talking that all the seminars run overtime
- there are no men sticking their heads in the door saying, "It's time for you to finish now!"
- everyone is late for all the meals (because no one ever stops talking)
- everyone leaves all the meals late (because no one ever stops talking)
- no one ever stops talking.
I love talking but I am an introvert. So I arrived at the conference tired (after 6 weeks writing 2 seminars and an article and caring for a sick son) and left even more tired (after all that talking). It was worth it! As
Jenny said, it was wonderful, enriching talking.
Memorable moments:
- hugging / meeting / catching up with 3 of my bloggy friends: Jane, Jenny and Wendy
- making some very dear friends who I can't wait to catch up with next year**
- making lots of other friends that I can't wait to get to know better next year**
- grieving about all the hard things we've gone through, and being encouraged by my friend Cathy to keep setting my hope on heaven
- hearing about God's work all over Australia, illustrating Wendy's lovely words from Philippians 1 about our partnership in the gospel
- seeing a bunch of women giving some great talks and seminars
- leading a seminar with 20 women about helping our husbands (yep, it went well, thanks to God and your prayers)***
- stepping into the airport arrival lounge to shouts of "Mummy!" and a kiss from my hubby.
Most memorable moment:
- talking and praying with Bronwyn, who is dying of cancer, unless God has other ideas. I am so grateful to God for her joy in Christ, her bubbly warmth, and the privilege of being encouraged by her wisdom and godly example.
Less memorable moments:
- that uncomfortable feeling when people know who you are and you don't yet know them (but what a joy to get to know them too!)
- realising that I have a lot more to learn about packing
- tiredness. Did I mention that already?
Ringing in my eyes are Jen's (or is that God's?) wonderful words from our final talk on Philippians 3:
- stand firm in Christ
- press on in knowing Jesus (don't tread water!)
- keep your eyes on the glorious day when we'll know Christ perfectly and (finally!) be perfected in him.
I pray that we can all do this during this coming year.**
If you were there, what did you enjoy about the conference? Tell us here.
* The conference was for wives in AFES, an organisation that shares Jesus with university students across Australia.
** Yes, Tracey, I want to have a conference every year. And they all said "A-men".
*** Oh, and I have LOTS of ideas for future seminars. Bring it on!
