How many went? 14

Where: St Paul

When: Oct 16-17,2009

Theme: GRAND NEW DAY

Speakers:  We heard from Steve Arterburn who was the original founder of Women of Faith. 

Sandi Patti talked about her personal life journey and learning to trust God enough to fall. 

Lisa Welchel let us in on the real FACTS OF her LIFE and her journey to feel true emotion, not just what you see in pictures.

Lisa Harper was someone I had never heard of/from before, but I cannot wait to hear more & more from her! I have never experienced someone with SO much BIBLICAL knowledge who could speak through it SO quickly, simply, and in a way that I could understand! It was so much FUN listening to her.

We were treated to the musical comedic piggybacks of Anita Renfro...as well as her stand-up routine.

Marilyn Meberg influenced us to not just box up our emotional "stuff", but to take it out & let God help us deal with it.

Patsy Clairmont was her usual firecracker self. Teaching about letting God teach you, even rebuke you...most importantly being available & listening to God, leaning on Him.

The Women of Faith Praise Team is fabulous. They superbly set our hearts for worship, even in the presence of other great musicians there to share with us, like Sandi Patti...

Nicole C Mullen has become almost a constant on the Women of Faith platform. The energy she exudes, the ministry she has, and the heart shares makes it quite easy to see why.

This year it was a treat to see and experience Steven Curtis Chapman. He's been doing this a long time, but still looks about as young as ever. For that matter, he still rocks as young as ever! Of course he has an inspiring message of courage & perseverance that deepens the heart of his ministry.

I don't think you can go anywhere, or do anything with 14 women without having a life changing time! I have been taking groups for 4 years now, and each time is TOTALLY different from the one before it, even if the majority of the women are the same.

This year was different in that I felt satan trying to spoil it for me every step I got closer...literally! It seemed all would fall into place this year, then we had people (for one good reason or another) have to back out, but the tickets were all paid for and non refundable. We went with the hope of selling them at the door...so did almost every other group that went.

When we got to the hotel, they had severely messed up our reservation, and trying to fix it the next morning made our volunteers late, making them unable to work that day...putting their reimbursement at jeopardy.

After dropping people off at the front door, I parked the van 4 blocks away and walked back to sell the tickets...only, I slipped on some wet leaves and fell flat on my face. I was pretty banged up, bruised up, and bleeding a little...and alone. I got up and walked the 3 blocks remaining and called for help. Tammy came out with the Xcel First Aide Team. They took me in and cleaned me up. Sure I was stiff & sore the rest of the weekend,and later found out I had broken my cheek,  but it could have been so much worse.

The truth is, even though there wasn't a person with me when I fell, God was.  I know that sometimes He does let us fall (from experience), just to remind us that He will be there to pick us up.

He also reminded me that He is the author of our joy, and that satan can only steal it if we let him.

Six of our unclaimed tickets were given to interested people who would not have otherwise come...a hotel receptionist and her friend, two gals working at starbucks, and two restaurant workers. Women of Faith compensated those tickets.

Our volunteers were set to work after the morning session and still compensated for their tickets.

In the end the hotel compromised with us and all of that worked out too.

I am saved by grace through FAITH, not of myself, it is a FREE gift from God! God is so good, all the time! He picked me up, physically and spiritually!

I am a woman of FAITH. Each year I travel to a conference called Women of Faith to celebrate that with others. We bring along some women who need faith, some who need to renew their faith, or like us, are there to celebrate their faith.

Next year I would really like to bring along YOU!