Final Countdown...

Hey friends,

We are less than 2 days away from the Team Training Portion of She Speaks and hopefully less than 4 days away from the great bathroom remodel completion (Tom is especially looking forward to showering in our bathroom and retiring his place in the hall tub).

As I work these last two days, pack and prepare for the most exciting, exhilarating and exhausting five days I can't help but think of all my sweet friends who I will miss seeing at this years conference.

Please know that you are not forgotten, I will have your sweet spirits wrapped in pretty pink paper and tucked away in my bag. I will think of you each time I reach into my bag and see that pretty pink paper and remember to pray for you and the things God has in store for you.

I hope you will continue to be diligent in the things the Lord is revealing to you and that you will share those marvelous and wondrous things with all of us.

In the meantime, enjoy these summer days, and let's plan to chat over a nice glass of cool lemonade when I return.

She Speaks

Hey friends, I am copying this from my friend Rachel's blog. 

http://www.rachelolsen.blogspot.com

 She is the sweetest, smartest (University English professor) and most precious young woman I know.

She has thought of everything and has said it perfectly so I credit it her for the following

This note is for anyone attending the P31 She Speaks 2009 conference

I want to tell you how very excited we at P31 are about this year's conference, and about YOU coming! We're simply thrilled and honored that you will be sharing your weekend and your dreams with us.


We have SO MUCH in store, I know you are going to absolutely love it. Be sure you take good notes in each of your sessions, and after meeting publishers or leaders because by Sunday you will feel you're on information overload. What you were so thrilled to learn on Saturday morning, and were certain you'd remember, you'll be scratching your head trying to recall two weeks later. Each session has handouts, but also take good notes. Or even better, purchase the CD of the session before you leave the conference to listen to it again as needed.


Strike a BALANCE on social time and sleep time. This conference runs from early morning Saturday until nearly 10:00 pm. And as I mentioned, there is a lot to take in and learn so you'll want to be rested and at your best. That said, this weekend is a great time to make new friends and forge connections with like-minded women. So put yourself out there to meet, greet and network but make sure you turn in and turn out the lights before too long.


When I'm going somewhere, I always appreciate when the event coordinator gives me tips for how to pack. So let me give you a couple PACKING TIPS for this conference. 

The hotel will have ironing boards, hair dryers, soap and little bottles of shampoo and conditioner for you. So you don't need to pack those things unless you want yours from home. There is also a little gift shop in the lobby that sells toiletries or medicines you might have forgotten or discover you need. And there is a small sink, microwave (I believe) and a small fridge in your room if you want to bring snacks or drinks with you.


I must warn you it is COLD in the conference rooms (if you're not menopausal). If you are in a cute summer skirt, strappy sandals, and cotton short-sleeved top, you'll be miserable .... very pretty, but miserable. I suggest long-sleeve tops, or a jacket (blazer/sweater), or both. I also suggest hose if you want to wear a skirt. I've been known to wear hose under my slacks there just to keep warm! Now if you are having menopausal hot flashes, you will probably think it feels great!


I also want you to wear COMFY SHOES because the conference center is fairly large and you will do a bit of walking. I don't mean Crocs comfy, you'd look a little under-dressed, but this is not the time to wear those super cute heels that kill your feet inside of a half hour. You want to look polished this weekend, but you don't want to be distracted by your temperature, clothing or shoes.


Bring your BIBLE and journal because God will have much to say to your heart through out the weekend if you yield it to Him. This is another case in which to balance your time. Make sure you carve a little time to steal away alone with God somewhere in the hotel to connect with Him personally each day. If your room is crowded and the lobby is noisy, I recommend the prayer room we will have set up. It is such a serene place - be sure to slip in there at some point in the weekend.

If you have a PUBLISHER MEETING and you're feeling clueless about what to say to them, relax. Remember they are just people, and they get this sort of thing all the time. Just be prepared to explain your book concept. Please avoid saying that God gave you this book (even if He did) as that puts them in the awkward position of having to accept or reject "God's idea." There's a free bonus session on How to Prepare a Powerful, Effective 15 minute Publisher Meeting at 1:15 on Friday afternoon you can attend for more tips.

Finally, I hope you will come INTRODUCE yourself to me when you see me. I want to meet you, hear your heart, and what drew you to She Speaks. You are the reason we do this conference every year. So I want you to know that the P31 team is always approachable and here to serve you.


That's it, but feel free to ask a question if you still have one. Or to leave a tip if you've attended before ... 

Thanks Rachel, you've thought of everything and said it perfectly! You always do.

Almost Done

Hey friends,
We are still on the road for the most part and I'm working every minute we're in town.
The great construction project is almost completed, but I still have one room left to paint.
We can't settle on a color for the walls in the master or towels and accessories for any of the bathrooms.
I'll post some pictures soon.
Hope all my friends are well and enjoying the summer.

I look forward to seeing all of you at next weeks She Speaks conference.
Can't wait!

Befores and Durings

Here are the latest photos from the master remodel.

I'll post more from the other baths soon!

Master Before 

Master During

Hey friends, I borrowed this idea from my friend Marybeth Whalen. http://www.marybethwhalen.com/
She always inspires me.

Outside my window... Birds are flying in and enjoying a few bits from the bird feeder.
It looks like a busy fast food joint.
I even see the neighbor's missing parakeet.

From the learning rooms... Learning to wait "patiently" on the Lord to answer our son's prayers for a job as a pilot.

From the kitchen... cooked things and froze them for the upcoming family reunion this weekend, thawed chili for tonight's taco salad.

I am wearing... broom stick skirt and black top. It's one of the few things I can find not covered in drywall dust. If this remodel takes much longer I'm going to have to become Suzanne Sugarbaker from Designing Women and wear my pajama pants for underwear. Have Mercy!

I am reading... The Shack. I know I'm probably the last one on earth to read it, but dyslexia and ADD don't make reading easy or enjoyable. I'm actually enjoying this book.

I am hoping... our youngest son Joseph will do well in his on-line physics class before graduating in a few weeks. Exactly how does one take Physics on-line? Lord, have mercy!

I am creating... color schemes for the newly remodeled bathrooms. Who knew taupe's were such a difficult color to find? So far my 7 color samples are either too dark or have too much pink.
Any ideas for the containers of paint samples I won't be using?

I am praying... our family will recognize God's will in each of our lives and that all of our children will have a burning passion to know Christ better.

One of my favorite things... spending time with my beloved and having a clean house.
After 5 weeks of remodeling I wonder if my house will ever be free of dust and dirt.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Beginning the long and arduous task of painting the new bathrooms, priming and painting the trim. I'm afraid this is going to take the rest of the summer.
Oh well... it will be worth it when it's done and I'm relaxing in my new tub! Yay!!!!!

Encouraging Words

Hey friends, Today is the last day for the Georgia Hospital Association Meeting and as I pack up the last few items and we head toward the airport, I wanted to share a few encouraging words with you. Earlier this morning Tom and I attended the GHA annual prayer breakfast.

We were encouraged to celebrate the great and wonderful things the Lord is doing in all our lives and to be diligent to encourage one another.

Here are just 2 verses that were shared this morning.

Col 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it will all your heart, as working for the Lord and not men."

This verse is a strong reminder to me to keep my eyes focused on the Lord no matter what work HE is calling me to, even if I "feel" like my tasks may be, ordinary, menial or even go unnoticed.

Luke 10:33-34 " But a Samaritan as he traveled came where the man was and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He want to him, bandaged his wounds pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey took him to an inn and took care of him."

Ministering to those the Lord puts in our pathway (More about these verses in a future post).

Yes, this meeting is about healthcare, it's triumphs, struggles and opportunities, but this prayer breakfast was also a glimpse into the heart and vision of the leadership of the GHA.

What a joy to hear men and women of faith share the Lord's grace and provision as they serve their communities through the vehicle of healthcare. 

I hope you will be reminded to celebrate the great and wonderful things the Lord is doing in your life, even if you can't see it, feel it, taste it, or touch it.

Will Return Shortly

Hey there Friends,
So sorry to be missing in action these days, the great remodel continues and my access to the Internet at home has been disconnected.
Tom and I are traveling every week this month on business so I will only be posting sporadically.

Happy summer days!!