Extraordinary Women Conference 2009, Among Other Things

Where to begin? The beginning? I did so much and took in so much these past few days that it’s hard to sort it all through my own mind, much less tell it to others. So far, when I’ve been asked how it went, all I’ve been able to think to say is that it was great and that I enjoyed it, which is true, but it was really so much more than just that to me. Because of the fact that I have spent so much time away from people and social events the past, well, it has been almost a year by now, I felt quite overwhelmed in everything I did. Less than a few people really know about the kinds of issues I have, and during my trip I didn’t feel as constrained by those things. Really, I didn’t have much time to consider my fears or my doubts, and that was a blessing even though I felt so exhausted.

Aside from my packing throughout the day, it started on Thursday night. We (my Aunt Laura and Uncle Dale) went to a praise and worship service called “Rhythm.” It is the kind of thing that I would love to find in my own area to attend. Lately, I feel like God is constantly reaching out to me. It’s as if almost every service, every sermon, every e-mail, every thing that comes to my attention has been sent my way, for me. It’s amazing. Thank You, God. I have been asking God to please grab my attention, keep my attention, and help me to find my way to Him and what He wants from me and for me. I’ve asked Him to keep it coming, don’t let it stop, don’t let me go, because I am so weak and my mind is so stubborn. I know God is in control and that I can leave my every worry with Him, yet, I am always picking them back up. I know the material things of this world will mean nothing when it’s all said and done, yet, I worry over what I have and yearn for what I don’t. I have thoughts and habits that I know I need to break, yet, I find it so hard to let go. What is really cool about Rhythm is that I can share the exact message that was given that night with you. I look forward to listening to older ones and future ones myself. The part of the message that got to my heart the most was about the people who don’t favor themselves. That’s me. Especially lately, especially during the trials I am currently going through. I tell myself almost daily, and aloud, that I hate myself. That if I weren’t such a coward, and that if I would just suck it up and be a “normal” person that things would be different, that things would get better. That it is my fault that we are stuck and that I am causing more pain and more suffering for my husband and our marriage and our life because of the way I am. To listen to the same message I heard when there, go to the link below, and play the one underneath the date of September 25, 2009 and called “James Part 3.” I really hope you will. If you do, please let me know what you think or just that you have.

http://rhythmva.com/podcasts/

On Friday, I went to work with Laura. In order to make sure I get this right I am going to borrow some text from their website and Laura can get after me and tell me if I get it wrong. Their organization assists individuals with brain injuries. Currently, they are getting ready to close their doors because of state budget cuts. They are having different fundraisers in order to try and save it until they are able to get state funding again in June of next year. I helped with their spaghetti dinner fundraiser. On Friday I helped them set up and prepare for it, and on Saturday I helped while it went on and helped clean up afterwards. I had an especially nice time with these people. They were all so friendly and warm, it was a blessing to meet and spend that short time with every one of them, and I was glad to be part of such a good cause. If you’d like to be a part of it too, you can go to the link below.

http://www.phoenixstarclubhouse.org/getinvolved1.php

Here is a picture of some of the people I worked with.

To the far left, Charles, then Jon Weems. Standing, Juanita and myself. Down in front, Laura. To the far right, Chris.

Also, I would like to acknowledge more about Jon Weems. I had heard of him and his musical talents through my Aunt Laura and was very glad to meet him for the first time at Rhythm. He performed at the spaghetti dinner and is selling CDs for the cause, which you can find more information about through the page link I gave above. The first song I ever heard by him was, “I Hope to Fly Again.” Here below is a wonderful animated video he made to go along with it.

For more information about Jon Weems you can visit these links.

http://jonweems.hostrack.com/

http://www.myspace.com/jonathanweems

http://www.facebook.com/weemsjon

After spending the day Friday with Laura and her co-workers, Laura and I went to the Roanoke Civic Center for the start of the “Extraordinary Women Conference.” There was music from Charles Billingsley and Natalie Grant. Karen Kingsbury, a bestselling Christian fiction author, was awarded Extraordinary Woman of the Year. A comedian, Anita Renfroe, performed and there were songs that many of you may have heard before by receiving them through e-mail, such as I have, them being her parody to Faith Hill’s “Breathe” and her song containing all the things a mom may say in a 24 hour period condensed into less than 3 minutes. Another good one she did was her parody to “You Raise Me Up.” I did bring my camera, but unfortunately, it will only hold so much and I mostly saved it for one speaker in particular, which I will post when I get that far. Here are more links below.

http://www.charlesbillingsley.com/

http://www.myspace.com/charlesbillingsley

http://www.facebook.com/charlesbillingsley

http://nataliegrant.com/

http://www.myspace.com/nataliegrant

http://www.facebook.com/nataliegrantmusic

http://www.karenkingsbury.com/

http://www.anitarenfroe.com/

All day Saturday was the remainder of the Extraordinary Women Conference. There was more music with Charles Billingsley and also with Amy Grant. All the speakers were fantastic. There was Karen Kingsbury, Nancy DeMoss, Stormie Omartian, and Candace Cameron Bure, better known to most as D.J. Tanner from “Full House.” Julie Clinton is the president of Extraordinary Women and introduced most of the speakers. She is the author of “Extraordinary Women” and “Living God’s Dream for You.” Her daughter, Megan Clinton, shortly spoke as well about 2 books she has written for teens, “Totally God’s” and “Totally God’s 4 Life.” Karen Kingsbury is a bestselling author of many Christian fiction novels. Nancy DeMoss has written books such as, “Lies Women Believe” and “Choosing Forgiveness.” Stormie Omartian is the author of several different books about the power of praying. A young woman from Africa, I’m afraid I can’t recall her name, spoke about being helped through the program, “Compassion.” Another young woman that I can’t recall the name of, spoke about being helped through another program, “National House of Hope,” and she sang “Amazing Grace” beautifully. Every speaker was really awesome and I wish I could share every bit of what was said. It is possible that after a time other people that attended will upload video clips from this day to someplace such as YouTube, and then I may be able to come back to this and share. For now, I can share links to more information about some of the speakers and musicians, and about some of the programs that were mentioned and promoted.

http://www.amygrant.com/

http://www.myspace.com/amygrant

http://www.facebook.com/amygrant

http://www.ewomen.net/julie-clinton-ma

http://www.reviveourhearts.com/aboutus/nancy.php

http://www.stormieomartian.com/

http://www.candacecameronbure.net/archives.php

http://www.compassion.com/

http://nationalhouseofhope.org

http://www.remudaranch.com/

http://www.onemillionmoms.com/

The speaker that I saved my camera space for was Cameron Candace Bure. She was the last speaker of the day, and Laura and I did have to leave early in order to go and help with the spaghetti dinner fundraiser. I do believe I caught most of her speech, I think it was very lucky we caught any of it at all, because I know we stayed later than we originally intended. I couldn’t zoom in close enough to see the actual her very well on stage, but I wanted to show her actually on stage, rather than only on the screen, so I switched back and forth between the views for a bit of both. I really liked her message because I have gone through some of the same things she expressed, and I believe a great deal of other people have too or are at this very moment, and this message could definitely wake them up.

On the way out, it was pouring rain, and Laura and I got soaked as we looked for her vehicle. Next time I take a trip anywhere, I have got to remember to bring along a jacket and an umbrella!

This trip was truly wonderful and I would do it all over again, but I have to say, I was really looking forward to going home to my own bed. So, of course, on the way home, the car started acting up. Thankfully, there was an exit coming up and we pulled into the nearest lit area, which was a gas station closed for the night. After Robert decided it was not safe to try and keep driving the car home, he called AAA and asked to be towed home. While waiting, a car with what looked to be a teenage boy and a teenage girl pulled in and off to the side. Another car showed up with a few more teenagers after a short time. They got out and changed their clothes somewhat inside their cars and outside as well. No, we didn’t see anything if you are wondering. They smoked cigarettes and talked and ran around together. Some of them tugged on the locked door of the store. Robert said the police were likely to show up if anyone saw any of this and called it in or if they set off any alarms. Sure enough, a cop car did show up, but not until after they had gone. About 5 other cars full of teenagers pulled in and stopped long enough to talk for a minute, and then all of them left. I prayed for them, whatever they may have been doing that night and for whatever kind of lives they lead. Shortly after, the police officer came and we never knew if he came because someone called about all the others or what, but he just asked about us, checked Robert’s license, then said he would check back later to see that AAA came and got us. It was about a 2 hour wait from the time we called. During that time, I kept dozing off. I had Robert to turn on the heat every once in a while because it helped me fall asleep. I had been so cold during my trip because I didn’t think about it being cold there, and I had no jacket, so it felt so wonderful. The cop came back and circled around while our car was being loaded. The guy that towed us didn’t seem too cheerful at first, I do know he did try and get Robert to have the car brought into a garage to be worked on the next day and have someone else come get us for the time being, but the best option for us was to be towed the rest of the way home, which was about 89 more miles. He did say that he had just accidentally broken someone’s BMW window though when trying to unlock it for them, so maybe he was just irked about that. Robert seemed to loosen him up though and on the way they talked about different things, such as the economy and jobs they’ve had. I learned that he had a wife and kids, that he enjoyed being outdoors, hunting and fishing, and with the job schedules between him and his wife that they see each other only about an hour in total every week on average. I prayed for them too.

And so, I am home and am recuperating. I have slept a lot. I did still go to church on Sunday, but by myself, Robert needed to work on the car and dropped me off and picked me up in the truck. It is Monday now as I write this and the car isn’t fixed yet, but hopefully it won’t be too long. I don’t know exactly what is wrong with it, something about an axle, maybe. Ask Robert!

An Extraordinary Women Conference is being held next year at the very same location and the sooner you buy tickets the less it costs, so be sure to check it out if you’re interested. I think that the more the merrier so maybe if I’m able to go again, some of my friends will attend with me?

I hope to discover more things such as from this weekend to get involved in on a more regular basis. I pray that I continue to grow closer to God, and that I have the sense and understanding to go where and do what God leads me to. And I pray the same for YOU!

-ladyworpledinker

Chris Brown

I am certain that most people, regardless of their taste in music or lack of interest in keeping up with what is in the now, know of Chris Brown and the incident that happened between him and Rihanna because of the widespread media attention it received and the cruel jokes that spread throughout the Internet. I know I haven't seen and heard half as much as most probably have because I don't have "television" and don't follow along with all of it online because I know a great deal of coverage, especially on celebrities, can be false because of rumors and because sometimes someone just wants a "good" story to up their ratings.

Today, via YouTube, I watched Larry King Live's interview with Chris Brown. His mother and attorney were present as well. I have to say I am impressed. I admire many of the things that were said. The interview was divided into 5 parts and I rated 5 stars on a few and commented why as well.

His mother commented when asked, that she forgave her son not only because he is her son, but because she would (I say, try to) forgive anyone, because she's not one to judge anyone else, she doesn't have the right to. If only everyone had that point of view. We are all imperfect in so many ways, and just because one person's imperfection is out there for everyone else to see, doesn't make your or my own imperfections any less than theirs. I cannot imagine being in the public eye like Chris Brown and Rihanna or as other celebrities are. They have to be strong to ignore so much criticism (and lies said) about every little aspect of their lives. (Off subject, but I am still amazed and appalled at how big of a deal people made about Jessica Simpson and her weight gain a while back. How stupid!) I can hardly take the little criticism I get myself. I would surely have a nervous breakdown and that would only be more for them to feed off of!

Chris was, of course, asked to explain what exactly happened that night. Chris said he was sorry, but he did not want to disrespect Rihanna's or his own privacy about the matter. Way to go! It happened between the two of them and it should stay between the two of them. It is not our business, regardless of their celebrity statuses. If they wanted to share, fine. But they don't and no one should have a problem with that. We should not get entertainment value out of the problems and sufferings of others.

I do not excuse him for what he did to Rihanna, but I do forgive him. I applaud him for the way he has handled the aftermath. He has apologized. He accepts and is taking responsibility for his actions and he does not believe his punishment is unfair or unjust. I think it says a lot of him that he refuses to share every intimate detail with the world. It only makes the public angrier and attack him more. If you don't believe that, just take a look at some of the comments made on the YouTube interview videos. All most people watched it for was the juicy details, which most would have only used as more ammunition against him and possibly Rihanna. He could have spilled it all to satisfy people and their sick curiosity. He could have told it all (truth or lie) and uncovered the fact that Rihanna did do something that merited his being angry. Not as an excuse for what happened, because it is completely inexcusable, but to imply that she did mess up as well and try to put a small part of blame on her. But he didn't. He has the sense to know that what he did was completely wrong and the heart to not drag Rihanna through the dirt any more than she already has been, because whether or not she did say or do something to stir him up, what he did was him and him alone. We are all affected by our environments. They help shape us into the people we become, but only we can choose how we are going to handle the world around us.

The rich and famous need prayer too. We are all people no matter how different we are and no matter what our circumstances are. Regardless of any kind of "status" one has, we all make mistakes, big and small. You can look at what someone else has done, you can look at what Chris has done, and you can say to yourself that there is no way you would ever do such a thing and that he must be a really terrible person. But, you need to remember that you haven't lived their life, that you haven't walked in their shoes, and that you aren't the one that has to live with the consequences and with the guilt that this person has to because of the err in judgment they have made. They may want to take it back with all they have and they can't. And I'm sure we have all felt that way about something we've done too. And I'm sure others have looked at some of the choices we have made ourselves and shook their heads as well. We are all more alike in our shortcomings than we are different, whether we want to acknowledge it or not.

People can say a lot of things about this blog. They can say that all media coverage is completely staged. They can say all of this interview was set up and arranged to appeal to people like me and for me to come to the conclusions that I have. I'm not going to argue that point. I have only taken what is there and given my opinions, so take it or leave it.



-ladyworpledinker

Shelley Lubben

I have been rooting for Shelley Lubben and her ministry for quite some time. Tonight I listened to an interview she did, and I just really want to share. I know my blog is viewed by very few, but if there is a chance that one person who needs to hear it will by coming across it, then it is most definitely worth taking the time to do this.

The interview is very lengthy, but it is so worth taking the time to listen to. I have listened to her story many times and it will never get old hearing about the love of God she has to share.

I don't know how long the link for the interview will be up and working, but if I find a more permanent source later on, I will come back and replace it.

http://www.gcast.com/u/KelticKen/www_thepinkcross_org?nr=1&&s=400251317

Please pray for this cause. The men and women out there in porn need all the help they can get. Those out there that view porn need prayer too. It is not harmless. It is a big deal. It took me a long time to realize that. Yes, I used to love to watch porn. I am still weak about it. It was just earlier today (yesterday, considering the time I'm typing this) when I thought of it. If you just have to, go ahead and judge me and judge them. Just don't forget to judge yourself while you're at it.

If you pass this on to others, pray about it, or even just take the time to read and listen yourself, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

For more information about Shelley Lubben's ministry, you can visit:

http://www.shelleylubben.com/

http://www.thepinkcross.org/

http://www.myspace.com/shelleylubben

http://www.myspace.com/pinkcrossfoundation

http://www.facebook.com/shelleylubben

http://www.youtube.com/slubben

-ladyworpledinker

Bible Versions

Well, tonight the pastor had his visit with us, and it’s really too bad I let myself waste so much energy on being worried and stressed over such things. He hung around and chatted with us for about 2 hours. Of course, I personally didn’t do much chatting, but I really loved listening. I do love to talk as well as listen, but it just doesn’t come as naturally to me when it comes to someone I don’t know well and I haven’t gotten on a personal comfortable level with. Even when I get to that point with a person, I’m not that great at talking! I’m the kind of person that needs time to gather my thoughts before I say anything. Like, I can come up with some great comebacks, but they come far too long after the fact, so I never get to use them. That’s one reason I love the internet! It’s perfectly acceptable to sit and think first about how you want to respond to something online. Honestly, I guess I must always do it anyway, because Robert is always interrupting me, and he says it’s because I pause too long between saying things.

Robert and the pastor talked a great deal about computers. It seems every time we have company now that Robert has himself someone to talk computers with. You would think I would learn something, but it all goes over my head. If I were trying to learn I would probably interrupt with questions so often that an actual conversation may never get going.

Penelope finally made an appearance, probably already at least an hour into the visit, and I learned that the pastor really likes cats and has 2 of his own. Robert seemed more open to the idea, when it came from the pastor, that dogs such as Rottweilers aren’t just simply mean, they can be made mean, just as any other dog can be. He sure didn’t seem to believe it coming from me before!

As the pastor was leaving, Robert thought to ask about the different bible versions. I am really glad he did, because for quite some time I especially have wanted to hear more about it from someone who knows their stuff, and the pastor sounds like he definitely does in this area of information.

When I was a teenager, my aunt Laura gave me a New Living Translation bible as a gift. I have always loved it, although I have never read through the entire bible. I have no excuses for that, but for the past few months I have been trying to read it daily, for the most part. Only thing is, I have been trying to read this King James Version I have. As I’ve begun more seriously trying to build my relationship with God, I have been hearing more of the conflicts people have over the different versions of the bible, and I have basically felt influenced to stick to the King James Version until I have figured it out. I have so much trouble understanding it though. Sometimes I have been able to understand something after rereading it over and over again, but sometimes I never do, and I don’t want that. I have asked Robert about things, but sometimes even he doesn’t know the answers I’m seeking, and he was brought up with that belief that the King James Version is the only version, although he is also seeking more information about it now, obviously. My first thought with the conflict was to just stick to the bible I was used to, of course. But as I’ve said before, I used to do a lot of tweaking when it came to my Christianity just to make myself comfortable, so I later begin to feel like I better find out more about it, because I don’t want to ignore the right way to go just because it suites me better. I don’t want to do that anymore. There is no telling how many terrible examples I set in high school doing that kind of thing and there’s no going back.

So, about my baptism. The pastor doesn’t feel comfortable enough with his leg that he hurt yet. He said he has a few others wanting to be baptized as well, and he is thinking on waiting maybe about another month. I will definitely let everyone know!

Another thing I would like to share about is the Operation Christmas Child program. I had never heard about it before, but it was mentioned in a church bulletin. It sounds like a wonderful program.

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/

The bulletin says the bus (I am assuming the church bus) is going to Charlotte in the beginning of December to help pack shoe boxes for this cause and to sign up if you’d like to join them. I would love to help with something like this, but of course, I’m so unsure if I really could.

This past Sunday we went to a spaghetti lunch after church service to benefit one of the youth programs and we were invited to Sunday school. I think I would love to do that as well, but I’m not sure if Robert will join me. Maybe he will help me get started anyway.

-ladyworpledinker