Gladitude: Joy and Love

I just had the pleasure of spending a long weekend with these 4 women.

Thank you, Lord, for I am forever changed.

I am not the photographer. She's in the photo, though. We call her Jenster, and she took over 1000 pictures. So, I'm sure there'll be more pictures to see. But I had this one, and it's so precious to me (even tho the clueless, but kind man didn't take it the way I would've taken it, and I'm glad I don't have control issues, aren't you?). Why? Because the wood signs on either side of us say, "Joy" and "Love". I'll be processing this weekend for a long time. But I can think of no better words to describe the honor of meeting and sharing with these incredible women than: joy and love.

10. I am glad that God put this divine appointment together. Not just the weekend, but literally, the meeting in computer and IRL of LVCG, CPQ, Jenster, and HisGirlAmber. How in the world to 5 people from WA, NC, PA, and CA begin to meet and know one another? How do they spend money on plane tickets and expenses and converge when none of them has met her hostess? But God. I continue to stand amazed.

9. I am glad that I:

• am horrible at pathfinding and driving in busy cities
• am hopelessly reckless with things like keys and cameras
• am exceedingly distractible, probably too chatty, and slightly interrupty
• laugh at my own punchlines before i can tell them
• am a worrier--did they enjoy that meal? Are we doing something memorable? Is everyone comfortable in my home and around me?

And yet, despite all my warts and insecurities, I was loved anyway. So, my spirit began to calm. And my "me", inner child and all, was allowed out to play, cry, laugh, tell secrets, and consume tons of carbs and coffee. And my "me" loved back. In ways that bring tears to my eyes. 'Cause y'all know I'm a sap.

8. I'm glad that God and where He's led us was the focus of at least 80% of what we talked about--no matter the subject. And no subject was too sacred.

7. I'm glad that I had the privilege of being with Jenster for about 8 hours before the others' planes arrived. Not only did she lovingly treat me to lunch and a pedi, but she was still my friend after I had misplaced my parking ticket (for validation), and sweetly watched as I up-ended my purse and f.i.n.a.l.l.y. found the parking ticket--which was "put away for easy retrieval" in an outside pocket of my purse. She also acted like it was no big deal that I ran out of time before I came and got her and oopsie daisies, had no cash on me. I am nothing if not smooth. Aren't you jealous? Another insight into my suave, confident appearance: Previous to meeting her--in fact on the way to the airport--I was opening a plastic waterbottle. It was in my lap, and as I barreled down the highway at the posted speed limit, I used my non-dominant hand to open up the bottle. You know how they're sealed, right? It takes a bit of effort to open them since we're all so earth conscious that the only politically correct way to buy a water bottle is to buy a flimsy one. But I digress. Of course you know what happened. Of course you do. I drove the remaining way to SeaTac International Airport with a pee stain look-alike in my lap. But my point is: we could've had a very awkward, loooong time together before the others arrived. We didn't. Because she is fabulous. And incredible, too. Easy to talk to, laugh with, and certainly, my new mom mentor, since her kiddos are just a few years older than mine.

6. I'm glad that praying together was as comfortable as walking the beach.

5. I'm glad that CPQ took a picture of us praying for a dear, dear friend. I want her to know she was never far from our thoughts or prayers. I would've never thought that a picture like that would be so powerful to me. But I loved it.

4. I am glad for husbands who held down our homesteads.

3. I am glad that, with 5 women, there is an opportunity for attitude. For awkwardness. For one "clunker" amongst the others. Pls don't tell me if I was the clunker. :) There was no awkwardness. No clique-ing. No pretense.

2. I am glad that we are all home safely in our nests. Some of us resting. Some of us tweeting. Some of us working. All of us trying to be normal again.

1. I received such an amazing gift this past weekend. I met Jesus face to face in the form of 4 courageous, strong, wise, funny, safe-to-be-with women. I got a teensy taste of what heaven must be like. I always hated the phrase "sisters from other mothers". I thought it sounded just a little too precious and cliche. Sort of feels the same as "church family" used to feel. Guess I'll have to be dumb and cliche. And I'm okay with that. And forever glad.

Okay...now no one can say anything nice in the comments or on Twitter or FB, please, because I'm having a hard time not crying all day. Those people My children are starting to wonder about my "allergies".