Habitat for Humanity had a woman's event here in my home town. I had known about it for a few months and had plans to go. It was first announced in my women's group at church and when I heard that one of my friends Dani Miser was going to be speaking at it, I got excited! I messaged her when I got home and she told me more about the details. I hadn't heard any advertisement for this event yet, so I wasn't sure when and where.
As the week led up to the event the enemy just came straight forward and tried to stop me from going. I didn't know many details still about it and I hadn't yet gotten my ticket. I invited a friend and I knew it was the enemy with it, because we actually got into a 'tiff' over it. It didn't last long, but looking back it was so unnecessary. Then the next day I had another delay of information where I doubted in going and thought maybe it would be best to just not go. I had already asked for the day off and I had people telling me that I should just take a day off and do something fun, but my heart was SCREAMING that I had to go. I had this peace that I needed to be at this event, no matter what.
The following days before, Dani had asked me if I would want to be a part of her advertisement of her book, which will also help her new adventure with her family with Havannahs Ranch in Oklahoma to help out children. I thought it would be great to be a part of and I was honored. I knew in my heart this was me stepping out of a bubble and helping a ministry. Her book after all did help and inspire me and so has her testimony.
The morning of, I was exhausted! I got maybe 4 hours sleep, but I was ready! I went and sat down at a table where I met a girl who was going to sing and her mother. I didn't really plan on sitting there the whole time, but I did and it turned out to be a blessing. I just love how looking back you can see God working, but during the process its so hard to see the picture God already sees. While sitting there I made a few more friends. 
After we sang and after Dani spoke, we had a small break. I remember once again going out of my comfort zone and approaching the music leader. I told her she did a great job and started to get to know her. We even joked and talked about how sometimes events that are small and intiment bring people closer and you get to know them, as if it was big, you might not get to talk to a lot of women. Then I had a lady come and sit down next to me and start talking to me about where she lives and got to know a little about her.
Since it was such a small intimate group, we decided to go straight into the next guest speaker, a woman who is from Proverbs 31 woman. She did a great job and was very sweet. I loved hearing her testimony and how God uses her, a shy and an introvert, to stand up and talk in from of small groups and even in front of thousands of people. In my heart, I just feel like God will one day want me to stand in front of people however big or small and share my story and I wonder sometimes how He's going to use me considering I get so scatter brained, but I know that's when God will be there to guide me.
After she spoke and we sang, it was time to do the advertisement. We went into another room where a few of us ladies stood in front of two cameras and lights and shared how the book has impacted our lives and how it can impact other lives. It was definitely a good experience and maybe practice one day, ya never know!
Then it was time to eat!!
Most everyone had already gotten their food and Dani and I were pretty much the last two. There at the table I sat at is where I think the magic happened. It was already a full table and we squeezed Dani and I in there and for the next hour we spoke about speaking in tongues, the enemy, walking with Christ, and we prayed! We got a case of cookies and we talked until we got kicked out!! Sitting at that table, I got to hear other women's struggles, concerns, growths, and even questions about their walk. The music leader really impacted me when she looked at me after I told her I don't know if I would ever want the gift of speaking in tongues and she told me it was a very personal and deeper feeling to experience with the gift and she encouraged me to maybe pray for it. I still was a little like, "well......," but since then have been praying if that is Gods will for my life.
I know I want to be as close to God as I possibly can. I feel like God is showing me these strong women and placing them in my life and I'm very honored to have met these women. But I'm not done.....
After we got kicked out.....(I know I make it sound worse than what it is), but it was time to leave. I was invited to go over to a woman's house for dinner where we will sit around and talk about our prayer journeling. Now another comfort zone of mine would of smiled and probably come up with an excuse not too, but once again I knew I should. I had some stuff to do before then and I got the address and still the enemy was reminding me I was tired and this is a place I never been before, blah blah blah etc. Nope, I got my stuff ready, got my prayer journals, googled where I needed to go and headed that way. I was actually the 2nd person there and got to know the lady that lived there and one of her friends. These two ladies wernt at the event, but I still felt comfortable.
The women started showing up and we had prayer and we started to eat. There was about 15 of us women in there talking and we had about 7 conversations going on at once, can you imagine? It was great though and I got to really sit down and talk to Dani about the past year of my life and I always had felt comfort in talking to her. I had told her I looked up to her as a big sister and a mentor, I know God has put her in my life for a reason. After dinner a couple of us went up to a bedroom to talk and relax a little, since it was such a long day. I got to get to know the lady who sat down next to me earlier at the event and got to share with her a little of my testimony. 
We go down stairs and we all introduce ourselves and got to share what writing to God truly has done in our lives and how it has helped. I enjoyed hearing peoples struggles and yet their peace when they write to God. I was reminded that some are very organized journal writers and some throw it around and pick up whichever is nearby. Either way, God works and He hears and He cares what our struggles and our concerns are in this life.
My side of the story of that day might be more deeper than the some of the other women, but I really enjoy getting to know people and hearing peoples stories. We all have a story, we all have a testimony of some sort and we all struggle, and it just does something when a bunch of people get together and share. Its fun to talk about God and what He has done in our lives and its fun to just laugh with people. I am very thankful that God placed this event and pushed me to go even though the enemy didnt want me too. I am very thankful that God is of love and of grace and I do hope and pray that Habitat will be blessed! I am going to look into what I may need to do or can help to contribute. I know this event wasnt as big as they hoped, but I know because they listened and followed Gods will, they will be blessed!
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| Prayer journalist! |
EXTRAS!!!
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