My Favorite Message from Love Life 2012

Love Life Joyce Meyer Conference 2012

I wanted to share my favorite message from this year's annual Joyce Meyer Women's Conference.  I loved all of the sessions that I was able to attend.  (I missed the Thursday evening session.)  However, I did have a favorite.

The message that touched me the most was Friday night when Joyce Meyer brought out a box filled with journals that she had been keeping for many years.  The journals included entries about what she was going through in her life and things she was believing God to bring forth. 

One entry that she read to us stated that she was believing God for 12 washcloths.  That was many, many years ago.  I was very encouraged as I listened to her read from the journals.  It was amazing to see where she is now and to hear details about where she used to be.  I can't quite imagine having to believe God for 12 washcloths.  But I was very delighted to hear that God had cared so much for her that He had someone take the washcloths to her house.  This person was unaware that Joyce was believing God for the washcloths.

As I was uplifted by the testimony contained in those journals, I was reminded that God uses each one our testimonies to bring glory to Him and to cause others to come to God or to increase their faith.  Don't be afraid to give God the glory and share what He has done or is doing in your life.

Love Life Women's Conference - Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer Women's Conference 2012

 This weekend I had the AMAZING opportunity to once again attend the annual Joyce Meyer women's conference.  You can read about why I haven't been to the conference in a few years in my post here.  So, why do I love this conference?

1) I love to listen to Joyce Meyer.  She is full of Godly wisdom and she's as real as a person can be.  God has used her to teach me how to walk with God.  It is such a blessing to know that someone else has struggled and does struggle with many of things that I deal with in my own life.

2) It is a great time to focus on God without the daily routine and struggles of my normal life.  I did miss my kids and husband, but it was nice to have time to focus on listening to God. (And to have some time to share life with a few friends.)

3) I enjoy the praise and worship time.  There are a LOT of women at this conference.  It is AMAZING to see all of those people in one place focusing on our Lord!  The other thing about the worship at this conference that I really like is the declaration of the songs.  The songs that are sung include many songs where the words declare that you are victorious!  Darlene Zschech led praise and worship this year.

4) One more thing that I enjoy is hearing all the testimonies of lives that have been changed through this ministry, watching a car be given away AMAZING, learning about the outreaches of Joyce Meyer Ministries and having an opportunity to give with a purpose!

I plan on sharing some of the things that were taught at the sessions and what made the biggest impact on me during the week.



Amber (a special friend) and Kellie (my sweet cousin) who both went with me this weekend.

Me, Kellie and my Aunt Sandy riding the metro to the conference
 

Me and Amber

To Go or Not To Go...

Love Life Women's Conference 2012

 I fully intended to write this blog post before I went to Joyce Meyer's Love Life Women's Conference 2012.  However, I didn't post anything at all last week.  Yesterday evening, I made it back home after spending Friday and most of Saturday at Joyce Meyer's annual women's conference.  It was wonderful!  But, that's my next post.  What I want to share hear is how it came about that I went to the conference.....

Before my children were born, I went several times with my aunt to Joyce Meyer's annual women's conference.  I always loved the opportunity to spend a couple days listening to Joyce, receiving a refreshing in my spirit and spending time in praise and worship.  However, after my daughter was born I told my aunt I couldn't go because I could not leave my little girl.  So, I had not attended any of the conferences in five years.

My cousin, who had never been to one of the meetings, sent me a text asking if I would go with her to this year's conference.  I thought briefly about, and told her I could not leave the kids (although I really wanted to go).  As the day wore on, I felt bad about telling her no.  A few years ago, I had really wanted her to go with us.  I felt bad because I would be stopping her from going.  Later in the day, God said to me, "Can you just trust me with you children?  And so, I decided to give it a try and go but only spend one night away from home and skip the first session. 

My cousin decided to go up the night before and I would just meet her there the next day.  I invited a friend, who after several weeks of praying and thinking (she also did not want to leave her children) decided to go.  Thank God that He encouraged us to attend!

Spending Time Together - Family Fun Friday

Dylan at his gymnastics class.  He likes the class, but dislikes stretching.

 Our lives have changed a little since we started homeschooling in August.  But, we are enjoying it and have settled into some what of a schedule.  Here's a little of what we've been doing lately...



Dasia walking the balance beam at gymnastics.

Making a chart during school.  Mommy found a great use for Microsoft clip art.

Feeding the ducks at the park.

 

 

Family Day at the Lake of Egypt Fire Station

Dylan and Dasia both loved using the geoboards that came with our Saxon Manipulatives Kit.  Dasia carried hers around all day.

This was our second trip to the local science center for the homeschool class.  The kids made weather vanes.  They both enjoyed it.  I was impressed with how well Dylan paid attention.  (and thankful that the center lets a 3 year old participate!)

The Art of Remembrance

As I read this week's challenge for the Revive Your Marriage Series that I posted about last week, I was reminded of the times in the Bible where God's people built an altar in order to remember what He had done for them.  That was a confirmation to me that the challenge this week is a good one!  Here it is....

      This week we are working on a perspective change.  Stroll down memory lane looking back at pictures from your dating years and your wedding.  Remember how and why you fell in love with your husband.  Remember the vows you made to him and commit to being the wife you vowed to be.

Memories are powerful!  Meditating on your memories whether good or bad, bring an emotional response.  So, what better way to improve your marriage than to remember how it began? 

Dale and I met at a church service for college students in 2001.  We were introduced by one of his cousins who was also hoping to do a little match making.  We were both hungry for the Lord and desired to be married to the spouse that God had prepared for us.  We spent a lot of time praying and asking God if this was His plan for us.  We both asked for God to confirm that we were on the right path.  He did!  In April 2003, we were married.  We were very blessed to have several family members offer their help with the wedding which gave us more peace that it was God's plan. 

One of my favorite things to share with others about us, is that Dale's dad's brother is married to my mom's sister.  Did you catch that?  So, we have an aunt and uncle and a few cousins that are in my husband's family and in my family!  At a family reunion on Saturday, Dale's cousin asked if my kids got to play with a certain cousin often.  After thinking a moment, I said, well, yes because he is in both families.  He's Dale's cousin and my cousin too!

As you think about your marriage this week, realize the power of remembrance.  Think about the good times and why your marriage began in the first place.

We will use these stones to build a memorial.  In the future, your children will ask, "What do these stones mean to you?"  Then you can tell them, "They remind us that the Jordan stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord's covenant went across."  These stones will stand as a permanent memorial among the people of Israel.

Praying for Your Husband

As I mentioned last Monday, Women Living Well and three other bloggers have joined together for a Revive Your Marriage month.  The first "challenge" is to pray for your husband and your marriage.  When your eye falls on your wedding ring, let it be a reminder to pray for not only your husband, but also your marriage. 

I liked what Courtney said in her post, "If you don't pray for your husband, who will?"  And the other evening at church, the pastor mentioned that not only had Satan taken prayer out of school, but Satan had taken it out of our daily lives.  I thought this was a very powerful statement.  Take a minute to really think about that.  Do you pray regularly?  Do you pray without ceasing?

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name.  Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.  John 16:24

The kids and I do pray for Dale on the days when he is at work.  We ask God to protect him and give him favor.  As a reminder for myself to pray for my husband each day, I'm going to put a note on the bathroom mirror and pray for him as I get ready in the mornings. 

In addition to praying for your husband, try speaking forth the Word over his life.  I have mentioned a book before by Joyce Meyer that is a great tool for confessing the word.

I Have a Confession....

So, for the confession part...I really hoped to make some money with my blog.  In fact, I've spent quite a bit of time thinking about that and placing ads on this blog and my other one, which I haven't looked at in quite a while.  So far, I have a very small balance in my Adsense account.  That may not be a big deal to many of you, but...

when I was first learning how to set up a blog, God told me to start one called "My Walk with God".  The purpose was to share my life with the readers in order to help others in their walks with God.  I secretly hoped that this could be a source of income (and that is still possible) but the fact remains that my focus is to be on sharing my life (seed) in the hope that others can not only be encouraged but also set free (harvest).

Wednesday evening, the kids and I went to church by ourselves.  Dale was going to meet us there, but ended up not making it.  So, I had the opportunity to sit all alone which made it easier to really listen and focus on God.  One of the best times that I have to hear God is during praise and worship at church.  It's so much easier for me to focus and really listen.  And, He talked and I heard.  I felt God saying to me that I am not to try to figure out how to make extra money.  I am supposed to pray and speak the Word.  He will take care of how the extra money comes to us.  And, I was strongly reminded about the purpose of this blog.

Sharing my daily life with you to encourage you in your walk with God....

Trina