Sometime last year Addie and I signed up and paid for our attendance at the True Woman Conference that just happened in September.

We made this plan with a friend of mine from my college days in Illinois, and we eagerly anticipated getting to have this weekend together!

Unfortunately our plans with my friend changed when she and her family got sick right before we were supposed to leave for the conference.

Addie and I decided to drive the whole way to Indianapolis by ourselves and still attend the conference.

I am SO glad that we did!

We had a room in a beautiful hotel right across the street from the conference center, and a skywalk to get there.

We also had not one, but two small refrigerators to store our meals in and eat out of the entire weekend.

It was perfect!

The conference was named “Heaven Rules” and it was AMAZING.

The kind of AMAZING that you will never forget.

The speakers, the worship (with Keith and Kristyn Getty and Shane and Shane!!), the fellowship with other believers – it was just so powerful!

There were 5,000 God fearing women at that conference, and it was just SO cool that we all shared one HUGE common thread – our love for Christ!!

I even found out that David’s Aunt Sandy was there and we found each other the first night!!

The conference started on a Thursday evening and ended on Saturday around noon.

Addie and I had a late check out, which was a blessing!

We were able to keep our luggage in our room until then, and since we had valet parked our van, this worked out perfectly.

We got some very expensive coffee in the hotel lobby and headed out to start the long drive home!

Thankfully we had planned ahead to stop for the night, knowing it would be a lot to drive the almost nine hours home when leaving Indy in the afternoon.

We stayed in a hotel in Bloomington, Illinois.

We were blessed to be able to meet up with Blake’s Mom for some coffee Sunday morning before heading the rest of the way home!

Our favorite little coffee spot too – Four30 Scones.

We got home around 3:30 on Sunday, and about 30 minutes later our kitchen looked like this!!

Those crazy people made a big meal and homemade ice cream since it was my birthday that day.

There were lots of gifts too – and I LOVE them ALL!!

It was a WONDERFUL birthday with a hubby, grandbabies and kiddos that enjoyed blessing me!!

My absolute favorite parts of that weekend were the time that Addie and I had together, the worship with Keith and Kristyn Getty (specifically), and some very profound things that the speakers said that spoke deeply to my heart.

Two speakers talked of their recent trials that resonated so closely to my heart – and I will never forget the truths that they shared.

Joni Eareckson Tada said this: “God permits what He hates to accomplish what He loves.”

Yes, yes, yes!

Kay Arthur said, “Why fight against God when He is God?”

AMEN!!

After sharing a story about her grandson eating store bought pound cake for the first time, Susan Hunt said, “When we live out true Biblical womanhood in our daily life, maybe others will get a taste and see…then when they taste something else, they will not be impressed.”

What an encouraging challenge!!!!

I have been listening to the Getty’s new album all the time since we were at the conference.

I usually listen on Friday mornings while I am driving to town to get grocery, and sing my heart out with them again!

It has been years upon years since I have been to any kind of conference like this, but I am hoping it is not that long until I attend another one.

What a great investment!!

Not only for me, but for Addie Mae too, and for our mother/daughter relationship as well!

True Woman Conference, you did not disappoint!!

Please, Lord, use it ALL for our good and Your glory!!