laughter...it really IS the best medicine

Laughter is a tranquilizer with no side effects. ---Arnold Glasow

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The North American Ladies Conference was everything I'd expected...and much more.

I was there to help promote Saving Grace, and that, in itself, was an amazing and phenomenal time.

I was able to meet many women who had read my other books and was privileged to talk to them about lots of things.

What they like in fiction. God. Their friends. Scrapbooking. The topics were wide in range and topic, but they all thrilled me.

So I arrived in Louisville expecting to meet new people and form new relationships. And I arrived excited about seeing some of my "old-er" friends.

But what I wasn't necessarily expecting was the massive amount of laughter that would be involved and how that laughter - combined with the marvelous teaching and preaching - would change me.

Forever, I believe.

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You can't deny laughter; when it comes, it plops down in your favorite chair and stays as long as it wants.  ---Stephen King

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My roomies - Mom, Dawn, and Rochelle - made my time at NALC a time that I will never, ever forget.

During the Thursday morning service I was SO tired. I would yawn, then Rochelle (sitting next to me) would yawn. Then me. Then Rochelle.

I promise, for at least twenty minutes this went on and, I have to admit, my mind was adrift, desperately trying to grasp anything that would help me make it to the end of the sermon without completely falling out into the floor.

And then - somehow, some way - the speaker's voice drifted into my consciousness.

"And He said, 'Let them sleep!'" She, of course, was referring to the drowsy disciples in the Garden. "Sleep on! Sleep on!"

I blame it on my extreme state of exhaustion, but whatever the case, this struck me as hilarious and I began to laugh uncontrollably.

Which prompted uncontrolled laughter from Rochelle. I promise, for at least twenty minutes...well, you get the picture. But it DID wake me up and, at a conference, isn't that what's most important?

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Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face. ---Victor Hugo

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This picture best exemplifies our spiritual experience during this conference, don't ya think?

Uh...NOT.

This is us, collapsed on the floor of the Marriott, in yet another fit of laughter. These women made me laugh like I haven't in years.

I was reminded that laughter truly does, "doeth the heart good like medicine..."

I'm so grateful for the opportunity to have attended NALC. The Word of God was new and fresh and opened the eyes of my heart to truths that sometimes become hidden behind the things of Life that tend to bog us down.

Things like not believing the lie, realizing that I have power in God, and the reminder that I - even me, one woman - can make a difference in my world.

And I came home, energized and rejuvenated, ready to do just that.

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The NALC photo album and montage are in the left-hand side-bar.

Comments

[Denies]

oh it's killing me that I didn't go!!!!

[Denise]

nice that I can't even spell my own name, huh??

[Staci]

Denies (funny!),

I wish you would have gone too! It was a blast! But we'll do it all again in two years and you can go then!

So when are you going to announce your blog? I'm excited to add it to my list!

[Rochelle]

Just looking at these pictures puts a HUGE smile on my face. I can't tell you how truly wonderful that conference was. Those memories are forever etched in my mind. I will never be able to hear that scripture, "Sleep on" without smiling again! I so enjoyed my time with you, Dawn and your mom. Having friends like you help me to see that, as Brother Costa said last night, "We serve a happy God!" I love you!

[Melissa]

I'm with Denise. IT'S KILLING ME THAT I DIDN'T GO! I am so happy for you all though. :)

[Tess]

I WAS THERE!!!! Proof - right here is my post http://tesstalks.blogspot.com/2006/08/ill-let-conference-speak-for-itself.html

I don't share my real name on my blog but praise the Lord upc bloggers!!

[Staci]

Tess! I responded on your site, but just wanted to say here - for the record -that I think it's so cool that you were at NALC too! Wasn't it a special time? I look forward to getting to know you better!