N.A.N. Storytime
The N.A.N.* women's group I'm leading at Joshua Station officially started the first Saturday of April. What an awesome thing!
The week before it started was not so awesome, but very nerve-wracking. In fact, downright freaky. Trying to get the final arrangements taken care of was NOT an easy task. Nonetheless, God stepped in and did his thing, like so many other times. Crazy God! The week seemed to fly by, and there we were on Saturday! On my way to Joshua Station I said a few prayers, asking God to calm my nervousness and help me to stop sweating. I kept telling myself that's due to being pregnant! The van was quite noisy on the way there as all my five kids seemed to be just a little EXTRA crazy that morning, but through all the "be quiets" and "stop fighting" God seemed to give me a moment of calm. I felt this almost melodic ambiance of peace sweep over me--it was cool. Some might wonder, "What was this girl so afraid of?" But to me it's a big deal. It's putting my life out there to share with people just like me, and finally finding that place where I can do exactly that.
The meeting started out GREAT. There was a huge turnout--about 20 women more than I thought would even show up--so that in itself was wonderful. All the women who came felt so comfortable, which had been one of my biggest concerns. After I started out with a ice breaker it all just seemed to flow. God was so there! For the first meeting it just seemed like we had been meeting for awhile. There were tears and laughter--lots of laughter. Thank you God!
I can't help but remember how each woman was so grateful for this group. They kept saying thank you, how cool this is going to be, and how MUCH they need something like this in there lives. It was just the perfect reminder how much I need this in my life too. Finally I have somewhere I can go where my pain and my fears can all be affirmed, without shame or guilt. I truly hope that this group will offer that for each person. And God, well, he is going to take it where he wants to, every time we meet.
Now for my award speech following our first meeting. First, I received an award--the best kind--a huge fulfillment that God left me with that day. I have to say thank you for the prayers and support I received from all of you who have been there to listen. Please don't stop. For my dear friend Penny (Joshua Station Director) thank you for all the little extras and everything else. For my husband--what a blessing to have someone like him in my life always pushing and and never letting me stop.
I am excited where my journey with all these wonderful women will lead me next....
*Never be fake, Always feel pain, Never turn down healing...
Comments
Go Tiera go. The buzz around Joshua Station was that there may have never been a conversation of such spiritual depth among families here. And that just in the first meeting!
Posted by: Scott Dewey![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.emergingcity.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 13, 2006 10:07 AM