Life-song

At the start of November I had the amazing experience of attending the Lifesong Women's Conference at Dundonald Elim. This is the second year my BFF Karen and I have been to the conference and it didn't disappoint. It was fantastic, with great food, great fellowship and even greater teachers. And the Spirit of God was definitely moving in that place. 

(with another friend Jenny)

The theme for the conference was your life song. Now I'm not going to type out what the speakers taught on or anything like that, because frankly, it was such an emotional experience for me, that I don't think I could do it! 

However, there are a couple of things I wanted to share.

• The main speaker for the day was Rachel Gardner - an amazing woman of God. She was so passionate in her talks, and brought out a side of the story of Hannah that I'd not seen before. The real clincher was when she talked about our life-songs, and what they sounded like. Hannah walked away from her encounter with God radiant, and that's what I want. To meet with God in real ways where it's evident from my face, words and actions what has happened.  God lifts us up and gives us a new song to sing. A new life-song to praise Him with. 

• Friends make every break-down better! Not only did I have my BFF with me, but I also had a wonderful friend there who hugged me while I sobbed and just helped me through an already emotional time. 

• The food was gorgeous and cooked by the men! Not only did we start the day with coffee and scones with jam and cream, but we also had a beautiful lunch of mango chicken, rice, salad and chips, followed by more coffee and tray-bakes! The men of the church served us and were so gracious to us. 

• During the afternoon we had several seminars that we could attend. There were 3 to chose from, and I was trying to decide between two of them. However, when the time came I went with two friends to one they picked - the only one I hadn't been considering, and wow! It was exactly what I needed. Debbie Duncan, the Pastor's wife was taking it, and she challenged us to think about what was written deep in our hearts, and how it should reflect God. Well that was certainly a challenge, because I think so often I end up having things written deep within that don't help me at all. I focus on my failures and my inadequacies and sinfulness. But God has saved me from that and gives me freedom - if I take it. We truly are His masterpieces!

There was so much happening in my heart as I sat in the conference that I am only beginning to unpack it, but as with last year's, it will be something I will be thinking about a lot. We need to be so thankful for the freedom to meet together as women, the freedom to share God's power through days like this, and the freedom to cry messy sobbing tears sitting on a sofa in a church foyer as the other 200-odd women walk past, without one of them batting an eyelid!