I am home after a wonderful time at the Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit. It was an amazing experience and I was encouraged in so many ways. I loved my time with the From HIV to Home ladies and my dear friend, Marybeth, who went with me. I also got to meet quite a few of you! Thank you to each one of you who introduced yourself and encouraged me to keep blogging – I’ll do my best.
I arrived home in time to make the frosting for Eby’s birthday cake. I didn’t manage to cook the dinner I had planned before I left (and before I was sleep deprived by lots of late nights), but Russ picked up pizza and Eby was thrilled.
After dinner I rocked my girls and spent some special time with Honeybee.
Thank you to everyone who prayed for Honeybee while I was gone. She did great and I came home to a calm girl. Thanks be to God!
I hope to write more about the conference soon, but in case I forget to say this, I would encourage anyone who has a heart for orphans, to attend. You will not regret it! I don’t believe they have announced the location for next year’s Summit, but maybe it will be in your neighborhood, or at least your part of the country.
~Lisa
Cindy, I wish you had said hello!! It was truly very encouraging for me to meet the wonderful people who read my blog. Next year we'll have to meet. The conference was so far beyond what I hoped it would be. Russ and I watched John Piper's talk last night and it was even better the second time. I really needed to hear what he had to say and when I process it a little bit more, I'll write about it.
Tiffany, they were selling CD's at the Summit and I've checked the website to see if they are offering them online yet. I am guessing the entire staff is in recovery mode! Does anybody know if they offered CD's of last year's Summit? The talks by John Piper, and Marybeth and Steven Curtis Chapman were completely amazing. There were many other wonderful speakers as well.
Your kids are all so wonderful and it's so great to read about the progress you are making with Honeybee. I don't know if you realize it, since you are living it, but following your blog makes it so obvious that she is growing by leaps and bounds!! You are doing lots of things right, so don't be discouraged in the difficult times!
Honeybee is sitting next to me as I am typing. She says, "I am learning a bunch of things with Mrs. Gray and she is really great. My parents love me, and that's all." Thank you for your encouraging words…this is a journey like none other.
Lisa,
Do you think that any part of the conference will be on YouTube?
April, I don't know, but I've heard that CD's are going to be available for purchase. There were so many good sessions that it would be great if some of it could be made available as free downloads or to watch online, much like the Karyn Purvis videos that I always mention. I will email CAFO and ask them about it.
Hi There Lisa! I was the crazy girl who got a picture with you :) hee hee…So cool to see some of the people who I've been keeping up with on the blogoshere :) Whow would of known you could be a celebrity in the blogoshpere world! No seriously, wasn't the conference just a God-send and gift from Heaven!? I know what you mean about being sleep deprived! Man, that was the only downfall, but oh how I would do it all over again!
Wendy, it was so fun meeting you – let's do it again next year. I think I'm still recovering from the lack of sleep!
I read your previous post last week; your Honeybee was on my mind and in my prayers over the next few days. It was a sweet thing to check back today and read how tangibly the Lord responded to your concerns over your absence. Thank you for sharing!
Ellen, thank you for your prayers for Honeybee. She is having such a hard time right now, but I'm thankful that there were people to surround her and love her while I was gone.
Thanks Lisa! I will look at Karyn Purvis and I saw today that you can order the CD's-great info! Thanks for responding!