Please remember to be in prayer for America. Join me in the 40 Days of Prayer for the USA, as we ask the Lord to unite us, strengthen us, and appoint and anoint our next President. Beyond that, I am moved to ask the Lord to bring revival to our nation, for we need it desperately.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On Friday, my ministry partner, Kristin Adams, and I loaded up my SUV and set out for the beautiful little town of Westminster, South Carolina. We had been invited BACK to serve the precious ladies at Westminster Baptist Church for their annual fall ladies event. This is the second year in a row that we have had the privilege of serving this group of ladies. The drive over was beautiful with a light brushstroke of fall color peeking out of the trees.
We arrived at the church and met the ladies event coordinator, Dianne, so we could set up my resource table and Kristin’s keyboard.
My resource table with the Legacy Bible study, Legacy DVD, Scripture Stickies, and Cupid Falls Farms soaps to entice the ladies.
On Friday evening, we met with the women’s ministry leadership team out a farm owned by some of the ladies in the group. The setting was pastoral and serene. We snacked on yummy appetizers and had a devotion time sitting by a beautiful lake. We heard a train passing close by and a coyote howling in the nearby woods. After the devotion time, the marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate bars appeared and we all felt as if we were back in girl scouts as we toasted marshmallows over the bonfire and made ‘smores.
Kristin at the farm.
Ivy flanked staircase at the farm.
Me at the farm on the staircase.
The church had made reservations for Kristin and me at a local Bed and Breakfast, Magnolia Manor. I was certain I might find Scarlett O’Hara having tea in one of the parlors. It was a beautiful Victorian home with lots of antiques, lace and original hardwood floors. The room I stayed in was comfortable, but what made this stay so special were the people who ran the inn. They were delightful and accommodating in every way.
My room at the Magnolia Manor.
Kristin’s room at Magnolia Manor
The chandelier in my room.
The door key for my room!!! So quaint!
Saturday morning found us at the church and ready to go at 9am. Kristin opened the morning with a wonderful sing-along medley of well-known hymns such as Victory in Jesus, Come, Thou Fount, and How Great Thou Art. My heart was blessed! It is so important to me, as a speaker, to have music that prepares the hearts of the audience, as well as my heart. Kristin never fails to bring me to the throne of grace so that I am prepare to speak.
Kristin leading us in worship.
A couple of months ago when I accepted the invitation to speak at Westminster, the Lord was very specific with me regarding the message I needed to take to the ladies. They were messages on faith. The first message of the morning dealt with four challenges we might have to a well-run faith race, while the second message dealt with the how-to of a well-run faith race. The theme of the event was BOOT CAMP: Where Faith Meets Life. In my second message, I use several different pair of shoes to illustrate three things we need to do in order to have a well-run faith race.
On Saturday, the Georgia Bulldogs were playing South Carolina. I tried to be subtle in my support for the Dawgs as I chose my clothing. How do you think I did?
The ladies provided brunch in the middle of the morning, giving the audience a break between the two sessions as, well as time for them to do a bit of shopping at my resource table. I thought the table decorations were so perfect!!
At the end of the event, one of the sweet older ladies sat down between Kristin and me, looked at both of us and said, “This has changed my life.”
Well, praise God!!
It was my privilege and honor to speak to the ladies of Westminster Baptist Church. Thank you, Dianne, for inviting us to be with you.
