Confidence in Love

Two days before the conference, a friend asked, “Do you have any expectations?” With certainty, I immediately responded, “No! I’m just looking forward to a day where I’m removed from my responsibilities. I won’t have to worry about kids; I don’t want to think about my store; I don’t have to prepare meals; it’s bound to be a great day.” The Northeast Montana Women’s Conference “Confidence in Love” came at the perfect time for me. It truly was the best Mother’s Day gift I could receive.

From the moment I heard the gravel of the church parking lot under my tires, I was relieved. I tucked my phone away in the vehicle ... another relief. Approaching the church doors, I was greeted by a beautiful display of chalk art; it presented a fun and relaxed, yet personal “welcome.”

Entering the large glass doors of the Evangelical Church, I felt and witnessed the excitement. Smiling, helpful greeters were abundant. The “childcare” table held the attention of several moms as they handed off their children to the volunteers for the day. I sighed and walked by, realizing my three kids might already be crammed in the cab of a tractor, but reminded myself that they (and their father) would survive. Much of the buzz came from the coffee bar, a place I never reached, as there were too many wonderful women to visit. The music began before I found my seat; the place I sat, stood, worshipped, (where one person confessed she slept), but most of all, where I was refreshed!

Our worship was simple and sincere as Stephanie Tombre played a keyboard and led us in praising our Lord. Mary Southerland, the guest speaker, shared of God’s love bringing both laughter and tears to the audience throughout the day. Two of our local ladies blessed the audience, Jenny McCabe with a beautiful, hope-filled testimony and Joyce Miller with a special song written specifically for the women at the conference.

This conference was not just to sit and listen, but the organizers implemented intentional, directed conversation twice during the day. We were fed a mid-morning brunch of fresh fruit cups and home-baked goodies, over which we discussed some of the items presented by Mary Southerland. This time of conversation was a perfect opportunity to build relationships and offer encouragement to one another. Lunch was a buffet of delicious salads made and served by Dyan Carlson. The intended conversation at lunch went astray due to a miscommunication between the speaker and organizers, but I found great joy in spending the extra time outdoors with many other women, basking in the warm sun and sharing “undirected” conversation.

As I remember it, the conference was perfect: God’s Word, worship, conversation, salads and sunshine!

Kudos to all who were involved in providing the first Northeast Montana Women’s Conference. I hope it to be the first of many pre-Mother’s Day times of relaxing and refreshing my soul to be a better mother and wife, especially during such a busy time in our farm/ranch life.