Whew! A Quick Hello!

Hey, Darling Things! How are you? I have been in a whirlwind of activity for the last ten days and, since I'm still not quite my back to my normal abnormal, everything on the periphery has had to bow to the urgent. Out of respect to you wonderful Siestas who were not here with us in Houston last weekend, I will refrain from saying as much as I'd like. AJ penned such a fabulous recap so I'll leave my comments at this: I've never had a better time with a group in 25 years of speaking. I'm not even kidding. I wish I had the opportunity to interact like that all the time. I will never forget it. My gratitude to God overflows.

I really had an epiphany about our whole blog community while 507 of us were together last weekend at the SMT celebration. I marveled at the love and laughter between Siestas from all over the country - 42 States! - and Canada who'd come to know each other simply on the basis of expression of heart. I watched (and participated) while so many had their pictures taken together like they'd been friends all their lives and most of them hadn't been face-to-face until that very weekend. They hadn't been drawn together by a single outward characteristic. Not similar jobs, finances, age groups, appearances, or stations in life. They'd been drawn by one another's hearts in Christ and on the Internet of all things. Seeing it in action was nothing less than astonishing. I am honored to be a part of this community. You have won my respect in so many ways over the last several years. I reflect back on the days when Amanda began talking to me about starting an LPM blog and me thinking that I needed something else to do like I needed a hole in the head. I had no idea what this little town would come to mean to me. You are a big priority in my ministry life.

OK, as my friend Amy says, if we're going to serve up that much cheese, somebody grab the salsa and let's at least make queso.

My man is in the mood to talk so I'm not going to be able to carry on. I'll wrap it up by saying that God gave us the neatest group for Bible study last night. I asked them to raise their hands if they were attending for the first time and we were blown away by the numbers. I bet well over a third were brand new. I could not believe it. I hope so much they stick it out. I love the story of David. God used it in countless ways years ago to give hope and dignity back to this former pit-dweller. I find myself once again in a great place for a brand new heart. A heart a whole lot more like His.

I love you, Siestas! Let me know how you're doing! And don't be too long winded because I really do try to read as many of them as I can. If most of us see a super long one, we usually end up having to skim it just for time's sake. No telling what we're missing. Give me a shout when you get a chance. Blessings to you!