Each year the ITC spends countless days (weeks?) planning, cleaning, decorating, practicing, and preparing for the IBLP staff Christmas Conference—a retreat much looked forward to by so many people from all across the States! This year’s Conference was amazing (even if I didn’t happen to attend a single session, help with any of the usual chores, go ice-skating, or well, do pretty much anything other than work the entire weekend!). Being able to see, spend time with, and enjoy the fellowship of much-loved friends for an entire weekend was pretty much close to perfect. =)
Every Christmas Conference tends to be different, but for our family, this Christmas Conference was especially unique. Not only were we privileged to have Josh and Suzi stay with us for the weekend (!!) and be able to enjoy their company, but the responsibilities of some in our family have changed rather dramatically since last year’s Conference, lending to different areas of work and not so much flexibility as an entire family. But even if we never happened to be all together even for one moment this weekend, some (if not all) of us were able to participate in all of the traditional Christmas Conference festivities!
Altogether, this year’s Conference was said by many to be the very best one yet! Andy Andrews happened to be the key-note speaker for the weekend--you can imagine my family’s excitement when we found out that he was coming! Months ago we had purchased a few of Mr. Andrew’s books, The Noticer, The Traveler’s Gift, and Mastering The Seven Decisions, and simply devoured them! So to hear him speak first-hand so enthusiastically to the staff here was an awesome and memorable experience. And I’m hoping I’ll not live too long in renown in Mr. Andrew’s memory as the Sara “who spells her name the proper way and let me borrow her bright red hairdryer for the weekend.” ;)
The blessing of the Lord was very evident at the Conference. Our family was so grateful to be a small part of it, and we're especially thankful for all of the extra help the ITC received in preparation and clean-up before and after the weekend—we couldn’t have done it without the faithfulness and willing service of so many others!
And now…our family is back in the swing of work here, attempting to recover from the weekend, and finishing preparations for Christmas as a family! Then, Lord willing, we’ll be traveling to Pennsylvania for a few days of respite with family and friends. We’re looking forward to seeing many of you again soon!
