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And I am participating this week because WHY NOT? This was my Monday post anyway - might as well link it up! Right? Of course! If you're talking about what you did this weekend, you might as well link up too! (it just makes sense...)

Good Monday morning my friends! Finally I THINK I am rested up from the weekend! Whew! It is always a wiiiiiiiiild time at Women Of Faith. I sO enjoy getting together with whatever group of women happens to attend each year... and it is different every year. There are only a few of us who attend every year -- and honestly, I'm starting to think it's time for ME to take a break - but I'll explain that later! THIS year was fun and full of surprises - just as it is every year!

The very first surprise was our SEATS for the Friday, DAYtime performance. The early performance on Fridays are always general admission -- but we usually just go in and go to our regular seats. Shawn has been getting the same block of seats for many MANY years and they are OURS. We LIKE them! But this year, some other members of our group got there before we did, and they went down and got us 1st and 2nd row seats on the floor. So we were literally

Truly, we did enjoy our brief time down on the floor - but either your neck gets sore from looking up, or you just find yourself watching on the televisions in front of you anyway - and it's HOT under those lights -- which I don't understand because if you have ever been to this event - or ever go - you will NOTICE that the performers ALL (except Mandissa) where long sleeves up on stage. And LAYERS! I am convinced there must be air conditioning shooting UP from that portable floor they bring with them - because they even talk about how COLD they are sitting "on the porch" waiting for their turn. And even Mandissa has a blue snuggy she puts on while she's on the porch. But WE the audience had no such access to that air conditioning - and those lights are HOT! We all thought so - not just me! ;)

So we were perfectly happy after the evening break to come back to our assigned seats for the night's performance! (and Saturday's as well) The speakers were very good - they always are. Anita Renfroe did this spin on Taylor Swift's Romeo & Juliet and she is always just hysterical - and did not disappoint this time! (although this one IS also a bit touching...) She also shared a little Anita Retrospect with us that brought back some GREAT memories! She is SUCH a funny lady and it is so GOOD to see the Lord use her so well.

Honestly, each of the women bring sO much to the table. I never go away feeling like I didn't get my money's worth. The women share so much of themselves that going back each year does sort of feel like your visiting with old friends. But the thing that I noticed THIS year -- and I noticed it a little last year too - but more so this year -- is how very bothered I was by how much time they spend "selling" themselves. Their "products". Their BOOKS... Now in the past, I have been suckered in to buying some of their books - and this year I went in there knowing that I wasn't going to let that happen because I have found that as much as I LOVE going and listening to these women SPEAK, I do not get as much pleasure from their books - as a matter of fact I have never made it all the way through ANY of their books. In my OPINION they are much better story tellers than they are writers. BUT... I do understand that they need to make a living and that being able to sell their books is a blessing that God has bestowed upon them for BEING so willing to share His work within their lives with others and to offer up that inspiration! I DO understand that! And I really don't find it to be my place to deny them that. But at the same time, I am bothered by it. And so THAT is why I feel it MIGHT be time for me to take a break from WOF next year. But we'll see. As of now I have ordered a ticket, and if I do indeed decide NOT to use it next year, then I can gift it to someone...

I for SURE do enjoy the time in fellowship with these friends from church. After the Friday night performance, we always meet in Shawn's room for some wine and chit chat, and it never fails that I get to know someone a little better (or a LOT better) and usually make a new friend or two! It never fails that I am blessed by these women. I AM thinking that I would greatly benefit from just a good old fashioned "retreat"... but my church has never offered one of those since I've been attending. And so NOW I'm thinking about possibly organizing one. And that just MIGHT be WHY I've suddenly become disenchanted with being "sold" to at WOF! God works in mysterious ways... yes He does... :) We'll SEE what happens.

I'll be around a little bit - and then Mom & I will be going to visit with Amanda today. I mentioned last night in front of Luz that I might go over today and Luz said "Nana! I'll be in school!" ... like Heaven FORBID I should want to go visit with her MOTHER ... my DAUGHTER... LOL!!! I quickly said "In SCHOOL??? You WILL? Well, then I guess I wOn't come over!" ... and with quiet satisfaction I heard her say "good". What a pip! :)

When you live in the country, there is something infinitely appealing about a walk through a neighborhood ... on sidewalks! I have missed them for years... and this photo just speaks to me of the JOY they bring! If you LIVE in the city, I BET you take them for granted...

I am away at the Women Of Faith Conference today and tomorrow. I am taking nothing for granted and enjoying every minute of my time in the city, my time in fellowship with these women, and my time with the Lord. I'll see ya on Monday! :) God bless...

The Crayola Factory has a McDonald's in house.
Naturally, we had lunch there.
On our way out Luz looked out the window
and saw this...

SOME of the items to be made do cost extra. (the chalk, the sand art, the spin art, and coloring t-shirts) I didn't mind that. The cost of entry into the factory is very reasonable, and for people on a tight budget there is still SO many things for the kids to do - it is WELL worth the trip, even if you have to say no to some of the more enticing items. (and ... they very kindly keep ALL of those items to one small area in the back, so if you know you don't want your child to do those things, just don't go to the very back of the Model Magic room and it won't even become an issue. Virtually EVERYTHING else is included in the cost of admission! Including these adorable little Doggy Masks Luz and I made. (by the way - the projects change, I believe monthly... so I'm not giving away any big secrets!)