The pre-conference today was absolutely amazing. I still feel like I’m living in a dream world and not sure it was all real. Some of you (my Tweeps) may know that I’ve tweeted a few times Patsy Clairmont. Honest to goodness I thought I’d be doing good to stand in line, have her sign a book for me, and have our pictures taken together. Oh, and I could throw in the “I stalk follow you on Twitter!” At least that was my plan.

After the first session was ending and most everyone was going for lunch, the announcer said “and Lisa P, Patsy Clairmont would like to meet you.” What? I wasn’t sure what I had heard. Did she say Lisa P? Lisa B? Surely it had to have been a different Lisa. I made my way around through the crowd and down to the floor, but Patsy had already gone to eat lunch. The announcer was standing there so I asked her what did she say? A man who was standing there said “are you Lisa?” I said yeah, but I didn’t think I was the right Lisa. He said, “you’re wearing a motorcycle jacket so yeah, you’re the one from Twitter, right?” Y’all, my jaw dropped! He said Patsy wanted to meet me and to come back down in that area right before the next session.

I went and grabbed a healthy lunch of cheese fries, and went back to sit in the floor seating area. The next session was getting ready to start and Patsy hadn’t come out yet, so I figured I’d meet her after that session, at least this time I was sitting on the floor (open seating for the pre-conference).  Patsy came in, saw me in my Harley jacket, came and told me to get my stuff — I was sitting with her down front. Y’all, this stuff never happens to me. Really. I sat down in their reserved seating area for the next sessions, and not only did I get to talk to Patsy a little, I also got to talk to Jan Silvious. That was awesome too They were so nice and just down to earth.

So after the last session, Patsy comes over and tells me she’s going to find a way to get me down there again tonight. She talked to someone with a headset and they are holding tickets for me for the floor. I told her thank you so much, and she just grinned her special grin and said “I have some friends I’d like you to meet.” Y’all, that just blew me away.

I know Patsy has read my Women of Faith on Twitter post. In it I shared how Shelia’s talk at the time really touched me — talking about taking an anti-depressant. Well, the last thing they did was a Q&A session. One of the people there had written about the concern of Christians taking anti-depressants and whether they should or shouldn’t. Patsy had an excellent response in that some people have to take them and we shouldn’t judge them — then she winked at me. I absolutely loved all of their responses. It was so great to hear good, Godly, Biblical teachings coming from these ladies, and oh, the stories! One minute you’d be laughing, the next crying and the next raising your voice praising God for it all.

I have to be completely honest here. Life has been hard lately. It’s been hard not having a church. It’s been hard not having girl friends to talk with — not even about major things so much as just sharing your life with them. I’ve not had that for awhile. When I walked into the coliseum this morning, I was happy for those groups of women who obviously have a tight bond. They do church and they do life together. I miss that, but I know God’s got the church for us out there. We just haven’t figured out which one it is. And I know it’ll take time to develop friendships with other women. But I so needed to feel accepted — a part of something bigger than myself. I figured I’d get strange looks with my Harley jacket on, but they didn’t bother me that much. When Patsy came up and gave me a hug though, I felt accepted, welcomed and like I belonged. It was almost like the tears wanted to flow out carrying out every negative and bad thing that’s ever happened to me. And if it had? I know Patsy would’ve been right there with a box of Kleenex. She’s just that cool.

One of Patsy’s talking points was that God has not forgotten me. I needed to hear that, but even more so, I need to realize that I have forgotten God. I haven’t been going to Him like I should. He hasn’t moved and He’ll forgive me for ignoring Him — but I haven’t been putting any time into the relationship He and I have.

I’m excited to see what the night holds! Oh, I almost forgot. I got to see one of my best friends, Lisa 1 (because she came first!). I got to hug her neck but we haven’t gotten a chance to talk. She’s shadowing Anita Renfroe who is another amazing woman. She is hilarious but she has a serious side to her as well. If you think about it tonight, say a prayer for Duck and Doodle. They are on their own tonight trick-or-treating. It’ll be an adventure, I’m sure!