I’m always moved beyond words when God decides to let me get a glimpse at heaven. He does it all the time, if I’ll just stop long enough to look. But sometimes He puts it together in such a grand fashion that I’m bowled over by it, and that happened this weekend!
I had the opportunity to spend a weekend worshiping with some of my favorite people in the world: my Siestas. Or “Southern Siestas”, I should say, as those that gathered were all from Georgia and her neighboring states. We came to be a part of Travis Cottrell’s live recording of his newest CD/DVD at First Baptist Church Woodstock, and it was GLORIOUS.
My sweet blog friend Mary, is now my sweet REAL friend, Mary. She stepped out and invited me to go, putting all fear of being thought a cyber-stalker aside. We had Kim join us as a roomie the first night and then Nesha, the second. It was an amazingly fun time of side-splitting laughter and thoughtful conversation.
Roomie – Nesha
Yes indeedy, that’s the incomparable Beth Moore!
We chatted with her for a bit, when one of the girls told her that during a conversation with a friend, the friend thought she said that we were all “cloggers” instead of “bloggers”!
I wish I could’ve captured Beth as she spontaneously broke out in her own version of clogging!
After lunch, we all went back to the worship center to participate in the live recording. Travis and his team BROUGHT. IT. They showcased God in His glory that night and I was beyond privileged to be a part of it.
There is a reason that God made us for community and relationship. Certainly, we can worship Him alone; indeed, there is a time and place for that. However, it’s in our times of worship and fellowship together that we are stronger and we live out those scriptures that talk about our being the “body of Christ”, “one body, many parts”, a “three-fold cord”. We experience God in a way that only happens “where two or more are gathered in His name”. Truly, if He shows up in a big way where two are gathered, how much more was He there in the midst of our crew?
I love you, my Southern Siestas. Your faces and hearts are as precious gems to me.
Aaw… what a sweet, sweet time of fellowship and worship! Thanks for sharing the memories. I’m so thankful y’all got that weekend together!
How sweet you are, my Siesta.
I so enjoyed talking with you, sharing some of my life with you and getting such good advice in return.
You are such an encourager. Thank you.
Your Siesta,
Sheryl Dean
And you are precious to me.
What a weekend we had! So fun…
Can’t wait to do it again!
hugs
stephanie
Hey, Melinda! I’m a southern siesta (Louisiana) who couldn’t make it to the concert, but I so enjoyed your blog and seeing faces of familiar posters on LPM! I’m new to blog-land (just started one recently, primarily geared toward women’s ministry in my community). Yours is beautiful! I am also a recent empty nester and just celebrated 25 years with my sweet husband! Have a fabulous week!
That is just awesome! God is so good.
Love, Jen
Oh! I just looked at your anniversary posts! Guess where we celebrated our 25th this November? Traveling up and down the Pacific Coast Highway! We have a lot in common, apparently! We flew in and out of San Francisco then drove up to Humboldt County then down to Santa Cruz, Carmel, Big Sur – beautiful!
It was something else wasn’t it???
Its hard to articulate how my heart feels but I think we all understand.
Love you much. I hope you get some good ole rest!
Hugs,
Fran
What a God-ordained event!!!
So glad to get to meet you and love you dearly!
Like Steph, can’t wait to do it again!!
It was great to meet you in person! You have such a sweet spirit! I had such an amazing time at the concert! Wow!
Can’t wait to do it again!
Melinda, I’m so glad you got a chance to meet some of your blogging friends. I’ve had that experience once now, and it was wonderful. Exciting stuff!
Hey there Melinda. I am the one who sat beside you during the concert that has the twins. I got cracked up at your comment on Lisa’s blog about the ‘spit whistle!’ Everyone should have witnessed it like I did! I enjoyed being able to meet you and yes, I have read your blog before. Have a wonderful day!
How cool! I bet you’re on a mountaintop after that one!
Melinda,
What an amazing time you had. You must still be reflecting on all of it. It must have been great to meet Beth in person but even better to be in such a sweet place of worship.
What a fabulous time! Thanks for sharing. I hope to meet some of my blogging friends one day, until then I relish in the joy you had in meeting yours.
It was a fun weekend! I meant to tell you that I LOVE your new haircut!!
I think we need a Siesta cruise. 😉
Ahhh, Melinda, I’m so glad that you held off on that restraining order. See, I told you I was normal — well sort of normal.
You are a precious sister in the faith and stuck with me now. I can’t wait to see you again and laugh more and more!!
Beach Trip 2009!!!
That looks like it was a blast! God and your Girls-can you ask for more?