Chocolate tastes better when mixed with relief!

GOD IS SO GOOD! Last night's speaking engagement went perfectly. I honestly couldn't have asked for better!

Thanks to all who prayed for me and encouraged me. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Its so reassuring to know there are people out there, fellow Christians who truly care and love you and mean it when they promise to pray. I appreciate each of you SO much!!

Here's a recap of the evening:

We started with dinner at 6:30 - and of course I couldn't eat a thing! I had a few bites of fruit salad and then the nerves took over! So I read over my notes and at 7:00, the host did a welcome and we listened to a string quartet play two hymns - very beautiful and very elegant. The entire evening was set up so nicely!!

At 7:15, they played a slideshow introduction of a Christian comedian who is coming to our city in a few months. That was my cue to start coming up to the stage, since my table was near the back. I gathered my props (a watch and a 1/2 lb candy bar!) and my notes and walked up to the stage, where the host was then beginning my introduction. I took the microphone and as I arranged my props and notes on the podium, I opened with my introduction, which worked out well (and was true!)

"Earlier this morning, I was sitting at my desk at work, praying that God would give me a distraction - something to think about instead of being nervous about speaking in front of you tonight." (everyone chuckled) "Well, I kid you not, before my lunch break was over, not only had we had a fire in the building two floors down, but a suspicious package was reported at the credit union next door, which warranted not only the fire department, but the bomb squad!" Everyone started laughing and gasping in shoick, and I continued, making a little face. "Next time, I might need to be more specific." (everyone roared!) I was soooo glad, their laughing put me totally at ease and I felt much better for the rest of my speech! Definitely a God-thing!




I took up the ten minutes alloted to me, and felt really good about it. It's somewhat of a blur, looking back at those ten minutes, but I remember smiling at people and making sure I looked around at all sides of the room, all these things I was sure I wouldn't remember, I did! Again, such a God thing. Afterward, I sat back down and DEVOURED my dinner. lol They had saved it for me. =)



The keynote speaker was also fabulous, and afterward, I went to my table set up by the door and sold 30 books, ran out, and took orders for 7 more!!! It was amazing! So many women told me how wonderful I did - which meant that God did exactly what I prayed - spoke through me and made me the totally unnecessary vessel! It all went very smoothly and that's how I KNOW it was Him!! One woman even gave me her card and wants me to come speak at a senior living center! Wow!

Again, thanks so much for the support and encouragement. It helped me out knowing my fellow writer buds were praying =)

So now that my 1/2 lb candy bar has fulfilled its duty during my speech - its slowly disappearing ...