I know me. I know about the wordiness. You wouldn’t read this if I didn’t break it up.
I didn’t share about my trip to Houston earlier, because I wasn’t sure it would happen. But then came the miracles. And I totally meant to fly down on Friday a.m. and back Saturday p.m., but I couldn’t find a flight to fit my schedule. So Thursday to Sunday it was.
I got up at 1:55 a.m. Thursday (after nearly 2 whole hours of sleep), showered, kissed my babies, left them with my wonderful mother-in-law (thank you, Janelle!) and headed to the airport with Gabe. The Columbus airport is super-close to my house, and we waved to it on our way to Dayton (where flights were cheaper). We left at 2:40, got there at 4:00. Checked in at 4:15. Waited. Flight left for Charlotte at 5:28.
p.s. I started Crazy Love in the Dayton airport and finished it in the air on the way home. It was perfect reading for a weekend where God lavished His love all over me. Oh, how I want to pour it out all over everybody else!
Flew from Charlotte to Houston, lost an hour, landed at 10ish. My dear friend Kelli and her beautiful (and brilliant) daughter Caroline picked me up, Chick-Fil-A biscuit in hand. We hung out at Kelli’s. The weather was gorgeous. 76 and sunny. Caroline and I took a nap. When Chris got home, we headed to Lupe Tortilla for fajitas. Yum and yum. Then I got to meet Kelli’s wonderful parents.
Kelli and I chatted for quite awhile after Caroline went to bed, then hit the hay ourselves. Me? I got to sleep in what Gabe refers to as “the most comfortable bed of the whole Zoo Trip.” He ain’t kidding.
Up early for MOPS. Total God thing. Kelli’s MOPS group meets every other Friday morning. Their speaker for that a.m. had canceled. And it just so happens that I’m familiar with this sort of thing. I gave the Sex Talk, and they were wildly supportive and responsive. I hope and pray that God will use it to bring glory to himself in lots of marriages. Loved meeting you awesome girls!
Lunch with Kelli and her friends (and now mine!) Devon and Kimberly. All 3 of them have beautiful little almost-2-year-old girls. So much fun! Then soaking up the beautiful weather on the back porch. Then at 4:30, we headed to the church for the Siesta Scripture Memory Celebration!
Kelli was meeting up with lots of blog friends, and I had plans to hook up with Melanie and Amanda. I hadn’t seen them since April (which is actually the only time I’ve ever seen them), and it was soooo wonderful to reconnect. Amanda had hostessing duties, so I assigned myself the unofficial position of Big Mama Bodyguard/Photographer. It was so much fun to watch one adorable woman after another run up to Mel and gush, “Big Mama? BIG MAMA! I know you don’t know me, but I read your blog EVERY SINGLE DAY! You are HILARIOUS!”
And beautiful, sweet, gracious, hilarious, humble (seriously, she is one of my heroes) Melanie would say, “Oh, you’re so sweet,” hug her new friend, ask her name, and I would offer to take a picture of the two of them. I kid you not. It was so much fun.
After we sat down in our seats (the fellowship hall that had room for all 500+ of us), the Fan Love continued. And my new friend, the adorable Anna, who was sitting on the other side of me, kept saying, “Marla? Marla! I read your blog, and I LOVE IT!” until I made her stop. (I love you, Anna.)
The event started at 7pm, and it. was. wonderful. I’m not going to get into Beth’s teaching right now because of one thing she said. “Don’t pass it on until it’s planted.” In other words, no need to be tweeting/blogging about messages you hear until you’re sure it has sunk way down into your soul and done some work. I will share about Beth’s teaching soon though, because God was in that room and in my ear, and I can barely stand how much He spoke to me.
Edit (7:44am): Thought about this overnight, and pleeeeease know that I have LOVED what so many of you have already shared from the message (see my comment below). It’s obviously been sinking into your heart. I’m a slow sinker. And, all too often, way too quick to speak. In fact, I’m going to go back and re-read your re-caps soon for optimum sinkage.
Worship with Travis Cottrell. Awesome guy, super talented, HUGE heart for the Lord and His people.
Meet and Greet out in the hallway. I took more pics. (Sadly, I didn’t use my own camera even once. So, I’m at the mercy of those who did. Thankfully, you can find links to all their posts here. Hooray!)
Sometime between 9:30 and 10:00, Amanda whisked Melanie and me off to Freebirds. (kind of like Chipotle, but Texas-style) Mel wrote about it here and Amanda here. It was super yummy. We had a delightful time chatting (and keeping the server-girl from ripping Mel’s jacket from her back in a fit of jealousy). Then Mel headed to her hotel, and we headed to ours.
We met up with a handful of gals in the party room and chatted ’til midnight, then fell into bed. Amanda (whom I will gush about tomorrow) couldn’t sleep and was up hours before the sun. I slept in until almost 7:00. Got ready and headed back to the church for another big day.
Stay tuned tomorrow for Part 2 (in which I eat Seafood Crepes and burn my eyeball, but not in the same sitting).
That last line made me laugh so hard. But the eye thing wasn’t funny! Loved your recap!
Great recap-can’t wait to hear the rest!
Thanks for your kind words on my blog.
Oh and yes, I heard Mama Beth say,
“Don’t pass it on until it’s planted.” In other words, no need to be tweeting/blogging about messages you hear until you’re sure it has sunk way down into your soul and done some work.” I haven’t said a word.:) It was so good.
Hi, Suzi! Actually, I was just regretting what I said about the pass-then-plant. I know so many have already blogged about the teaching, and they did a wonderful job! I think she was mostly talking about tweeting WHILE someone is talking and then not applying the truth to your own life.
Oh my gosh – those fajitas from Lupe Tortilla are TO DIE FOR!!!!! We happened upon them going to Hobby from Sugar Land – I thought Pappasitas (or is “os”?) was fantastic but then I had those fajitas – SOOOOO GOOD!
Now I must get my Crazy Love book back from my friend – I handed it to her on our flight TO Houston telling her it was far back in line after a bunch of books – perhaps I jumped too fast! LOL!
You are prob exactly right.:) I personally am still pressing the words to my heart so i’m not sharing yet.:) But I agree I have loved what others have shared as well.
Thank you for the details. I would have sucked down parts one and two in one gulp, but you are making me wait! Auuuughhhh!
Marla, I know every one was so excited to see Amanda and Melanie – me included- but don’t sell yourself short! I was also THRILLED to finally meet you, too! Great recap in remembering some of the ‘happy’ moments! Did you see our pic on FB? I tagged you.
Marla,
This is a wonderful post! Can’t wait for part 2! It is great that you did mention what Beth said about not passing it on before it’s planted.
It was an awesome weekend! Wish I could have met you!
HOW fun!! And THANK YOU for breaking your blog up! You know me….too many words and I just pass ‘er by.
Can NOT wait to read part2!!!
Loved this! I want more time next time! I met some wonderful women, but missed meeting some wonderful folks too! Looking forward to hearing your perspective on things in part 2!
still so sad i missed you!!!!!!!! gugaghauhgaeg
God is being glorified right here in my living room thanks to this post. I am PRAISING Him for sending you to Houston for such an amazing weekend.
And Crazy Love! I can’t get enough of Francis Chan.
Loved all our time together!
Can’t wait to hear about the eye incident. It sounds painful!
Oh, I’m so happy. And I’m still super envious (in that most holy way) of your time with such an amazing group of Jesus-lovin’ women.
Can’t wait to hear about the rest of it!
I’m so glad you had a nice weekend!!
Crazy Love is on my to read list…it’s what I’m aiming for on my next break from school…or sooner if I can manage with the 5 classes I’m taking now…
wowzers.
you should know that Travis is my BFF.
LOVE.HIM. I actually sing on one of his CD’s (well, it was the live recording in Atlanta and I was singing in the audience, but hey..details, schmetails) I got to meet him that night and it was awesome!
I am excited to hear the rest of your story!
What an amazing weekend, so many blessings and tons of love.
Your trip sounds just wonderful! Moms need time away like that, with other ladies having lots of fun. I’m coming next time! Of course, if it’s in Houston I might already be there:)
Thank you for the sweet comment about Joni’s mom. The story surrounding it is wild, but no room here for that. I laughed when I read your post. My stomach gets full every time I start to think about Houston! The thing that got me was driving passed a place and saying to my mom or Joni – oh! Why didn’t we go there??? After we had already stuffed our faces. Oh well
) maybe next time!
I was one of the many that swarmed around Big Mama on Friday night while you were on bodyguard duty
Totally agree with your description yesterday of the Father whispering His love over us all weekend. My friend and I (both from cold PA) were feeling the same thing. It was so sweet!
Marla, it was so good to meet you this past weekend! I have heard so much about you from Kelli and Amanda! You are such a delight and wish I would have more time to talk to you. I have a pic of you on my blog, if you would like I could e-mail it you. Blessings to you!
I would LOVE the pic, Heather!
Marla! I was just reading through everyone’s post and I loved yours. I can’t wait for part two because quite frankly, I intrigued to hear about the seafood crepes and the burning of your eyeballs! So fun to meet you this weekend!
So thankful you were able to make this wonderful trip. Sure wish it had included NE Texas:(
Blessings today and always,
Kaye
Matthew 21:22
[...] brimming & bubbling (part 2 of 2) Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic.Powered by WP Greet BoxMissed Part 1? Here you go. [...]
Marla, thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment. I haven’t really had the words to post a recap yet. I was incredibly convicted about the passing it before it has taken root and so I have been sitting on it and praying that it would take root deep in my heart. But, it was an awesome event that ended far too soon. I was just beginning to meet all the lovely siestas and then it was over. It was so wonderful to receive such awesome teaching and to worship God in a room full of sisters who love the Lord! Powerful!
What wonderful memories you made! SO glad you went!
Marla – I love you. TO PIECES. Period.
I have thanked God countless times for this weekend and I have topped it off with extra thanks for our extra time together. It meant the world to me!
How FUN! My choir is going through a TC worship song book. We sing “My Inheritance” this Sunday. Lurve. Glad everything worked out so that you could go!
Marla, we ate at that place in dallas and to this day, I have remembered their salsa. divine!
This is almost as good as being there. I’m loving it!! And since I’m behind on my blog reading, I don’t have to wait! I’m headed to part 2 right now.
I hope you included more food details. I like those.
I know this comment is so late, but I just had to thank you for sharing what Beth said, “Don’t pass it on until it’s planted.” When I went to She Speaks last year, one of the speakers said something similar, “Get some victory before you write about something God is teaching you.”
Beth’s comment was a great reminder to me: wait for complete healing and victory before blabbing to everyone. Thanks, Marla. Glad you had a wonderful time in Houston.