I'm not sure what part of the Mind, Body & Spirit conference this past Saturday was my favorite. To be honest, I was mostly numb the entire day. My role was to keep things on schedule, set the timer on the iPad, keep things flowing, serve as master of ceremonies and pay attention to details. In making sure each woman had an exceptional experience I missed out on the mini moments—the shared experience amongst women, the centering of a soul, the sparks of conviction, the connections, synergy, the aha moment of a woman in need.
The goal of providing strategies for increased wellness in five dimensions of a woman's life (emotional, financial, physical, vocational and spiritual) were met by experts in their field: Dr. Rick Ressner, Stephanie Riley, Esq., Nicki Rubin, Jacqueline Whitmore and Pat Pate. Barbara Anderson drove it all home with her powerful and raw life story. I did my best to pay attention, but the tablet on my lap was a constant reminder of the forward thinking necessary to smoothly transition from one part of the program to the next. I caught a few things:
Having trouble swallowing could be caused by stress.
A will/trust needs to be notarized in order to be valid.
I can't say I love God and just eat as I please.
The Japanese Bamboo seeds and grows roots underground for 4.5 years with no growth above ground the entire time, and then grows 90 feet in just a few weeks. (Sounds like my life.)
God can redeem my past and do greater things than I could imagine.
God's words are of greater value than my own.
I came home from our butterfly logoed conference exhausted, and thinking through all the things I should have done differently. This was in opposition to what our first speaker told us to do, "get rid of the shoulds in your life." Opps, sorry Dr. Ressner. I also felt guilt for the amount of work and effort it took to wash by hand in one sink 100 plates, goblets and sets of flatware. Guilt was followed by false expectations—every woman would emerge simultaneous as a vibrant butterfly transforming her very nature and flying off to accomplish great things. Lofty.
Typical of my nature, I wanted to see an immediate outcome; however, like the butterfly kingdom, there is a proper progression and life cycle which must take place. Some women needed to nibble as caterpillars newly hatched on the nutrients of a certain speaker. Some women only needed to rest in the assurance they are exactly where they need to be in their cocoons. Others needed the encouragement that through her struggle will come her strength and victory. Perhaps others found the wind necessary to lift her tired wings or was the pollinator on the flower of another's dreams.
My role was simply to tend the garden—to create an environment and atmosphere where each vine, plant, flower, caterpillar, larvae or butterfly could flourish in exactly the way God intended. It was a privilege and an honor.
*With gratitude to all who participated in the tending of the garden: the CCI pastors Dr. Norman & Judy Benz, our speakers, co-planner (Barbara Anderson), the planning committee (Merna Bawel, Ruth Mansmith, Kathy DeFranco, Cheryl Schacht, Renee Girard), food & beverage hospitality (Roxanna Durtschi) the men who served tireless breakfast & lunch (Nicholas Fonseca, Mike Mauch, Bob DeFranco, Oscar Morales, Frank Cordero), our technical assistants (Cristian Martinez & Garrett Anderson), food contributors (Charlene Lightman, Jessica & Desire Cordero, Nutrition S'Mart), our florist (Linda Mowry), registration (Paige Wagner, Shiara), photographer (Kim Bower), worship leader (Pam Varnadore), worship team (Ashley Vaughan, Ivory Baker and cute blonde whose name I don't know), sound (Robert Varnadore), intercessors (Olga Alvarez and her crew). Thank you!!
