Epic Blogup of 2010

There is something about blogging that sometimes I just can't explain.

Like for instance, when somebody asks me where I'm going and I tell them I'm going to spend a weekend with a bunch of bloggers, some of whom I've met and some of whom are strangers, more often than not they look at me like I'm crazy. Crazy or not, I absolutely love it.

There is a peculiar saying that people use to explain Texas A&M University and I think it is very appropriate for blogging, too. It says, "From the outside looking in, you can't understand it. From the inside looking out, you can't explain it." That pretty much sums up my feelings about the whole blogworld. (Aggies, I do love your school and took that quote out of context, so please forgive me. But isn't it appropriate?)

So, when I tell you that I spent the weekend with a bunch of bloggers, would you be surprised? Last January Beth Moore challenged a bunch of her readers to memorize 2 scriptures a month and I took the challenge, along with 2,000 other ladies. It was so neat and I am grateful the experience of intentionally hiding God's word in my heart. This past weekend was the celebration of memorizing all 24 scriptures appropriately called the SSMTC, or the Siesta Scripture Memory Team Celebration. Of course, not all 2,000 ladies were able to join, but we had the funnest group of 500 ladies!

It's pretty much been a blogup week, which I am totally okay with.

Friday night Heather and I drove down together and I'm pretty sure we both could have wet ourselves. I'm not sure why I was so nervous, but I just let it get to me. I even left my bible in the car and had to go back out and get it! I just enjoy Heather so much and am so glad we got to endure sweaty palms together. Once we got there I was fine and immediately found Georgia Jan, Kelli, Karen Barrows, Mom of 11 (Wendy), Missy, Big Mama and Emmy. I loved hugging their sweet necks and seeing them in person yet again.

After our session Friday night, which was super fun and encouraging with some awesome worship and teaching, I walked out to the lobby to find sweet Bev, Angie, Patty and Annette! Talk about some wise, encouraging ladies. I just love them to pieces. The whole time we were chatting and taking pictures I was holding my piece of Beth's Chocolate Texas Sheet Cake, my mouth was watering, but the last thing I needed was bits of brownies in my teeth. It took me a sweet hour to eat that thing. Mercy!

The night went by so fast! I told Heather that we were silly in not getting a hotel room. How fun would that have been? Next time, Heather, next time!

Saturday morning came quick but I was far from tired cause I had a ton of adrenaline. This was the day we were saying our scriptures and I knew I'd forget every last one of them. Thankfully, I did not! I couldn't say all 24, but I did more than 10! Praise Him!

After worship, Beth continued in teaching from Psalm 119. Y'all, my notes are upstairs at the moment, but it was so good. (Originally I just typed "god" for "good." It was most definitely God, though!) What I can remember is that she reminded us that in Psalm 119 the psalmist believed that he would actually direct us. He is the light unto our path and it's just one step at a time. All the while, we have to believe Him for that. We can't take matters into our own hands. If once we're done praying and done making our petitions for that day and we still have a heavy or burdened heart, we're still relying on ourselves to be God. We're not truly giving it up or trusting Him. Whoa. Folks, we will never be God to people or ourselves. I want to pray and release it to Him! His burden is much lighter than mine.

Once the teaching was done, they did a few giveaways and we had a short Q&A. I love Q&A's. They're just so fun and real!

We ended with In Christ Alone by Travis and then we were released! Talk about a whirlwind.

Of course we're bloggers and girls which means we can talk up a storm, which is exactly what we did in the foyer. I finally found and got to hug Melissa at this point (which I would have been so bitter if that weren't the case) and even Miss Beth! I truly did not think I would get to because I wanted to give everyone else a chance in line since I'm here every Tuesday, but after we did hug, I was so glad I got to.

After it was all said and done I went to lunch with Georgia Jan, Emmy, Wendy, Karen, and Deborah. Of course, we went to Pappasito's. Where else? Both Georgia Jan and Emmy had never been there and they most definitely got the special treatment. It was so fun!

We were so, so full after lunch but that didn't stop me from taking them to Crave Cupcakes. Yum. We all bought our cupcake, boxed it up for later and just sat outside, chatted and people watched. You can't get better people watching entertainment than at the Galleria. It is unmatched, people.

It was finally time for me to say goodbye and I was so sad. What is it about being with all of them that makes me not want to go? It must be our sweet Jesus. I loved getting to spend the afternoon with each of those ladies. They are each treasures and hilarious! I drove back to my house with such a full heart and an expectation of the next time I will see them, which will hopefully be in Atlanta. We shall see!

Me and sweet Bev! Loved seeing you, lady. You bless my heart!

Bev, me and Patty. Love this! And them!

Me and Missy! Missy, we might have to try this again. I posted it because it was too hilarious not too! Ha!

Georgia Jan, I love you!

Here is Melanie (Big Mama), me and my slice of Beth's Chocolate Texas Sheet Cake. It's only appropriate that the cake was in one picture. :)

Amanda, I just adore you. Thank you for being such a huge role model to me!

Fun group picture!

Kelli, me and Heather! Such fun ladies whom I grateful blog. If not, would I have ever met them? Love it. Heather was my partner while saying our verses. We both passed!

Georgia Jan getting her special treatment at Pappasito's! (Normally this hat is reserved for their birthday guests!)

The best lunch ever! I so enjoyed getting to hang with this special group of ladies. Blessings all around! Let's do it again soon, please?