Yesterday, I had this picture pop up in my “On This Day” on Facebook. It looks like a picture you’d dump off your phone, but, to me, it’s hilarious and perfect.

That’s a very unfortunate capture of Beth Moore, and me, running behind her to get my camera. Yes, camera, because this was taken 7 years ago and that’s what we used back in the olden days. I was at a live recording of a Travis Cottrell album, at First Baptist Church Woodstock, just outside of Atlanta, and I was meeting a bunch of other bloggers for the first time. Most of us had met virtually on Beth Moore’s blog, and when she walked in as a surprise that day, we were all a little flabbergasted.

I reposted the picture yesterday, tagging the girl who’d originally taken it, and smiled as the comments began to pour in from others who’d been there that day. Sitting back, I realized what a defining moment it had been. It was the first time I’d met Mary Snyder in person, one of my best friends, my traveling buddy, and partner in crime, ever since. This event ushered in another in Memphis, with many of the same people, which brought Karen Barrows into Mary’s and my life, the third in our trio. Together, we put together another gathering called gIRL (Girlfriends in Real Life), which knit together the hearts of about 25 other women, some who were among those in the background of this picture.

It was a time of immense personal and spiritual growth for me, and when I think back on it now, it prepared me for some really difficult times that were then looming on the horizon. It gave me a support system the likes of which I’d never dreamed, a network of like-minded women who have all stormed the heavens on my behalf, at one time or another, and who I know would do it again today if I asked.

This morning’s “On This Day”, brought up a post I wrote about that weekend. Blogging not being what it was at that time, I’m not sure that the links all still work, but the faces of those included in it still bring a smile to my face. I love you all, you “Southern Siestas.” Thank you for allowing God to use you to change the trajectory of my life. The very remembrance of you – those still in my daily life, and those who weave in and out – still brings to me a glimpse of heaven.

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ… ~ Philippians 1:3-6 KJV