My TOFW Backstage Moment

Well, we made it!

Christmas is all wrapped up (though the wrapping paper might still be out in a pile…that’s okay. You can relax for a few days). School semesters are over. Lessons are all finished for the year. And our 2017 ARISE Tour has come to a close. What a beautiful year.

I’ve been reminiscing a lot about this year now that I finally have some quiet time. A year ago, when we were working on the theme, I couldn’t stop thinking about you, the women who would experience it. It was you who drove our team’s heartfelt prayers and creative efforts. But something surprising happened to me just as the Salt Lake event was ending. I was walking backstage while Lisa Valentine Clark’s video played on the screen. As she talked about discovering, “what the Lord would have you do at this season in you life”, I froze in my tracks. After 22 events … including 2 weeks with our friends Down Under… It suddenly became clear to me that the message of this theme was as much for me as it was for each of you! I had recently discovered with joy that I was pregnant with my third child but it was that moment behind the stage at a TOFW ARISE event that brought me to understand with clarity that the Lord really had given me this call at this “season” of my life.

As I’ve reflected, I’ve begun to see how TOFW and our ARISE theme settled into my heart slowly through the year.

First, it started with our dear friend Lisa V. Clark and her candid personal journey of discovering what it means to “Arise and Live Unto the Lord.” Though she couldn’t be at our events in person, her incredible video shared the story of her husband’s health and how she knows the Lord needs her in her home right now.  Lisa- you changed us all forever. Your faith and focus on the Lord has given us all more strength to Arise.

There were messages that moved us to deeper connection. Tamu and Zandra’s message of sisterhood that goes beyond the superficial was a powerful reminder that I AM SHE AND SHE IS ME. We ARE all in this together. Can I get an “AMEN!”?

Laurel taught us of the “goodness of tears”. We loved crying with you, Laurel.

Elaine reminded us to maintain those holy habits and righteous routines.

And while we may want to just sleep (and sleep, and sleep…remember, I’m pregnant?) we owe it to ourselves to finish the race. We have to. We can do this, ladies!

There were moments of true illumination. Tim Ballard helped us see the light we each have. It’s real, it’s needed, and we must shine it.

Brad brought the hugs.

Mary Ellen brought the laughter. Eric brought deeper insight and both our dear Emilys (Watts and Freeman) helped us focus (and stop focusing on the junior mint! Ha!).

Oh, the list continues with all of our presenters and their unique and powerful messages.

And let’s talk about examples of bravery and arising. It could be seen in every one of those those beautiful women who were a part of our LOCAL STORY.

They shared their trials, their heartache, their strength, their faith. They gave us hope to Arise. We are so grateful for you all!

And of course, we will never forget our dear Refugee Friends we helped in every city, all year long. We have loved hearing how you are connecting with these families in your community and hope you can continue to share your experiences.

But if I’m being honest about the ARISE tour moments that sunk deepest into my heart, it still comes back to you. Your goodness. Your strength. You come early to sit up front, you stay late and visit with each other, you share your stories online, you volunteer and support.

One of the best parts of this year was hearing you join us in the theme song, “You are My Amazing Grace”. Written by Hilary Weeks and then performed by all of our artists, this became our anthem. Whenever I listen to it now (and I do regularly!) I hear your voices rising along with the music. It’s a reminder to me that we need each other and we also need the Lord every step of the way. He is our amazing grace.

That night after the Salt Lake event, I went home and wrote down those promptings I had backstage. I wanted to ensure I wouldn’t forget the call the Lord gave me to ARISE in this area/season of my life.

Have you had one of those moments at an event? Have you felt like you know what He wants you to do? Did you write it down and are you currently praying hard to know what that season will look like, or how you will do it? Me too, sisters. Me too.

There is one thing I’ve come to know, and that is that while we may not fully understand the “how”, HE knows. As He calls, He leads. And it’s our job to stay centered in Him so He can guide us. This is a daily way of living unto the Lord and it’s something I know that I need refocused toward continually. It’s the next step in this spirit-filled journey to make time to grow and because of that, we have dedicated 2018 to being “Centered In Christ.” I hope you will join me for all that comes next. I cannot wait to do it with you.

Thank you for being with us, friends!

Until next time… keep sharing your stories of how you will ARISE and Live Unto the Lord.