Women of Joy - Sevierville, Tennessee

On Friday April 20th at 5 o'clock in the morning, I left with a group of women from my church, Calvary Baptist, (along with 3 men) to go to the Women of Joy conference in Sevierville, Tennessee.  I had never been to a large women's conference before so I didn't know what to expect.


Okay . . . I had a wonderful time!  Everyone should do this!  I was really dreading the long ride on the bus, but it went by very quickly.  I think I may have talked too much on the bus . . . there were a couple of remarks and giggles to that effect . . . but talking helped to pass the time.  :)

Here are some highlights from our conference:

Some of our group waiting for the conference to start on Friday night:


Chuck, Gina, and LauraLee Cotton

Chuck was one of our bus drivers.  He is also our church's music minister.



Angie and her mom, Abby, and Laycee



Me with Beverly, Emily, and Julie

All the others in our group sat farther back at the conference than us.  We all wanted to be closer to the speakers and the huge video screens!  I took pictures of them as well, but I'm not sure if they want me to share their picture on my blog . . .   
Charles Billingsley led the worship in song every day . . .

He struck a pose on Saturday morning for us to get a good picture of him :)

I really enjoyed all the speakers.  Lysa Terkeurst has the Proverbs 31 ministries that you hear on KLOVE everyday.  I follow her blog and really enjoy her perspective on life and family.  She was so funny too.

On Saturday morning, we heard from Sheri Rose Shepherd.  I had never heard of her before, but I bought 4 of her books!  What can I say . . . . she had a special going on . . . buy 3 books and get another free!  Actually, I have started reading one of her books and have found it to be very informative and uplifting. 

Another of her books I bought is a devotional that I've started reading too.

Before lunch, we heard from Anita Renfroe, a Christian comedian. 

I have seen some of her videos before so I was familiar with her, but I can honestly say that I enjoyed her least of all the speakers we saw at the conference.  I never got any kind of spiritual message from her comedy and a lot of her comedy was raunchy. 

She was funny . . . extremely funny . . . but a secular kind of funny.  I enjoyed her videos so much so I was a little disappointed with her performance at this conference. . . . funny as she was . . . I was expecting something more.

We went to eat at the Old Mill Restaurant and then spent the afternoon shopping in Pigeon Forge.  While shopping, I was attacked by a bear . . .

We rode the trolley back to our hotel . . .


me and my roomie, Mrs. Coleene



My friend, Laycee and her sister, Abby

The main musical attraction for the conference was Chris Tomlin.   He is Dave's favorite Christian artist.  I kept giving him a hard time that I was getting to see Chris Tomlin in person and not him.   I'm sweet like that.

One of the younger girls in the group ran to the front when the doors were open and she got us all seats on the second row!

Chris Tomlin was fantastic!  It was the most wonderful worship and praise experience I have ever had . . . I'm now all about going to see Christian artists in concert!

And besides the wonderful Chris Tomlin, we also got to hear Christy Nockels.

I didn't recognize her name when we planned this trip, but I certainly recognized her songs!  She sings one of my favorite songs on KLOVE . . .  Waiting Here For You.

I love the Chorus . . .

Waiting here for You

With our hands lifted high in praise

And it's You we adore

Singing Alleluia

She was so intense while singing . . . it felt like she was singing straight to God and had no idea that there were 9000 women singing along with her!

I guess you can tell I loved all the music. :)  I'm now one of those people who tells everyone they need to go to these women conferences!  Ha! 

On Sunday morning we got to see and worship with Angela Thomas. 

I wasn't familiar with her at all, but my friend Julie is a big fan of hers.  Julie was so insistent that I read one of her books, 52 Things Kids Need from a Mom, that I bought it on Friday night before ever hearing her speak!  I've already finished that book and I totally see why Julie is so taken with her.

We stood in line after hearing her speak to get her to sign our books . . . only I had left my book on the bus.   I had purchased a Devotional book for the boys, so I decided to get her to sign it.

It was so funny when I handed her that book . . . she was like . . . "What's this . . . what book is this? "  Ha!  Luckily she's easy going and signed my book for the boys . .  "Be the sunshine!"  Love her!

Our group had such a great time, we've already pre-registered for next year's conference!  I encourage you to attend one of these Christian Women's Conferences if you ever have the opportunity to do so!  It will make a difference in your life and help you in your growth as a Christ follower!  Or at least I feel like it did for me and for . . .

                         the Ferrell boys and me!

(Afterall . . . when Momma's happy . . . everyone's happy!)