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Monday, February 22, 2010

Normal, IL was so NOT NORMAL !!!

I wish I had pictures, but I don't yet (promise to get them off Suzanne's camera very soon) ... When I say the spirit of the Lord showed out at the conference, I mean HE showed off ... He prepared the hearts that came to hear, He spoke through Suzanne and I as we shared HIS story in our faith walk for speaking up for the least of these, He brought many servant hearts together to organize the event and HE DREW PEOPLE CLOSE TO HIS HEART ....

Sweet people were coming up to us left and right w/ questions, encouragement, and stories ... I am seriously not sure who was blessed more us or them ...

One of the highlights for me was the panel discussion at the end ... Suzanne, Mike, Scott and I took questions from people ... It was real dialogue about issues that people were struggling with and/or curious about on the road to adoption ... PEOPLE, REAL DIALOGUE IS THE KEY ... Talking to those who have gone before you and sharing truthfully how God has worked in your story is biblical ... To watch Scott and Mike share their hearts as I looked into the eyes of the many men sitting in the auditorium was mind blowing ... Fathers speaking to other Fathers saying you are not alone, saying I understand your fears, AND SAYING YOU CAN DO IT ... seriously, God was doing HIS THING !!

We met some amazing people and truly found sisters who share our hearts (can't wait for them to visit TN) .... I can't tell you the joy and excitement that comes from the emails we have already received from people saying they are moving forward to adopt ... CHILDREN WILL BE COMING HOME !!!

WE LAUGHED, WE CRIED, AND WE REFRESHED OUR SPIRITS ... thanks NORMAL for letting us crazy southerners crash your state !!!

17 kind words.:

Melinda said...

You guys were Awesome! The panel was my favorite part as well. God is truly going to use your husbands to speak to all those Dads that know God is calling them to something bigger, but they are afraid to make the first step. Can't wait to see how many people you all have impacted, just from that conference alone! So great to see you again, we definitely need to hang out the next time we see each other. Love you and I am praying for you!

Anonymous said...

Can all of you fabulous TN women please have your husbands write "guest" posts on your blogs talking about their decision-making processes when it came to adoption? Like many of you, I've known I was going to adopt or foster from a very young age...it's just taking a lot to get my husband to come around to the idea. Most every blog post I send him is written from the wife's perspective.

Jim and April said...

How awesome! Praise the Lord for that! Looking forward to seeing pictures!

Kendra said...

God IS moving and He's EVERYWHERE!! I can feel it!! Woo Hoo!

Unknown said...

YEAH GOD!

Can't wait to hear more!

Hugs and much love :-)
Jill

Leigh Ann said...

Sounds incredible! Can't wait to see the pics.

Kim said...

You girls continue to amaze me. But hearing about Scott and Mike joining in on this road show to bring along those hubby's that are sometimes slow to warm is simply over the top!
You continue to inspire and motivate me to do more for His Kingdom!
Miss you!
Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
Kim

Heather said...

So glad to hear the excitement in your post. I am anxious to see the blessings that are brought about because of you guys. I so wanted to be there, but Zoe was sick. Hoping to catch you girls & guys someday soon.

Mama 2 Four said...

Praise God, that is wonderful!!!
I can't wait to see pics!!!

jill funkhouser said...

way to go, good job girls!

The Stutzman's said...

Thank you for sharing your lives with us on Saturday, I could have listened and learned more all day long! We are going to start our journey to adoption ASAP! It is just what we needed to make the next steps! Thanks so much for sharing how God is working in you and your families! And for showing us how to FULLY rely on God to take hold of our hearts!

Jodi said...

This is SO funny to me because we drove through Normal IL and said the same thing! We were at a drive through at Burger King and the old guy ahead of us ordered soup and the kid said 'sorry we don't have it today' the old guy cussed and cussed then sped off. It was funny but a little shocking too :) We said "so this is NORMAL, huh"

jodi, adopting Artiom from Ukraine

"Are These Kids All Yours?" said...

Got chills reading this! Praising Jesus!!!!!!!!!!!!! AMAZING!!!

Sherry said...

It was SUCH a blessing to have you all here! I was able to have so many great conversations with families considering adoption throughout the day. And I agree that having your men share their hearts was a huge blessing. The spirit was obviously present. Bring them home Lord, Bring them home! :)

I wanted to get Rachel's email address from you, so that I can send her some sweet encrouagement about the role she played in our 3 kiddos lives in Ethiopia. Would you be able to send that to my email - sherrysemlow@afninet.com

Well my 4 year old just declared "the house is going crazy", so I better run! LOL!

Blessings to you all! - Sherry
www.semlowadoption.blogspot.com

Roger Bachman said...

Hello Scott and Gwen. This is Roger from the conference in Normal. I talked to you a little afterward (Scott) and gave you my email, and now I remember your name! Nice blog you guys have, hope your family is well. I sent off an email, sorry a little long, many thoughts. I loved the conference, so many good things and good information. Blessings to you guys.
Roger

Tina Biggs said...

Attended the Connecting Hearts conference this weekend and so enjoyed meeting you both. Mackenzie and Raegan both wore their 147 t-shirts to school today.

Thanks for the WONDERFUL for you do and allowing God to work through you on behalf of orphans all around the world!

Tina Biggs

TanyaLea said...

Hallelujah! It's great to hear of God moving the hearts of more and more people towards adoption. THANK YOU for answering the call and being a vessel that He can work through! <><

love,
Tanya
http://acornsandcherryblossoms.blogspot.com/

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