Girls’ Weekend (Updated….)

Last Friday morning, I hopped on a plane bound for Atlanta for a girls’ weekend. Turned out to be 600+ girls, but we all had a great time. An amazing time!

Well actually, I went to spend the weekend at a Christian Womens’ Retreat with my friend and college roommate, Beth. She is my oldest and dearest friend. In fact, while chatting with some of the other women at the retreat, I commented that she and I have been friends for more than 29 years. Without missing a beat Beth said, “That’s pretty amazing considering we’re only 39 years old!” See why I like her so much?

(Note: I looked everywhere to find a picture of us from our days at Miami University — the REAL Miami [Oxford, Ohio]; not the one with those Hurricanes — but my boxes of college memorabilia are stored somewhere out of reach at the moment. This was the most dated photo I could find, from 1988 mind you.)

Since 1989, we’ve only seen each other on two other occasions although we keep in frequent contact by talking at least once a week by phone. We’ve seen each other through so many things: successes, failures, family and health issues, the challenges of raising boys (she has two upstanding, handsome young men) and just “norteling.”

(Note: You won’t find the word “nortel” in any dictionary. We came up with that word in college and have been using it ever since. Our definition is as follows:
 Nortel: verb. 1. To bring up or suggest a subject of complete irrelevance to the topic at hand in the middle of a conversation.
noun. 2. A random, off-the-wall thought or idea, usually shared late at night or other inappropriate time.)

We’ve been planning this long overdue get-together for the past several months. Beth’s church, Perimeter Church of Atlanta, holds an annual Christian Women’s Conference at Callaway Gardens, Georgia, and one of our absolute favorite authors,Linda Dillow, was the guest speaker.

(Note: I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve read the book, Calm My Anxious Heart; which, was sent to me by Beth when we lived in Germany in 2002. If you’re a worrier like me, you will L-O-V-E this book!)

After Beth picked me up at the airport on Friday, we drove straight to Callaway
Gardens and stopped at the Country Store nearby for a delicious lunch.

Even though the weather was damp and cool, there were signs of spring.

What can I say? The weekend was packed with 

dynamic sessions led by Linda Dillow,

fantastic praise and worship music led by Laura Story and Sheri Carr,

plenty of laughter, tears, heart-felt talks, and time to reflect. There was also
plenty of F-U-N. We left the conference feeling refreshed, renewed, and rejuvenated.

And I got to spend it with Beth. When we’re together, it seems as though the years just melt away. For me, that was the best part.

(Note: Hey Beth, here’s a nortel…..want to go again next year?)

UPDATE (added March 9th)

And speaking of authors, I’m so excited and just busting with pride to share that Beth is a recently published author herself! Her book and Bible study curriculum is called, Woman in the Mirror. I couldn’t resist snapping this photo of Beth with her books, journals, and study guides at the Christian book store.

You go, girl! I’m SO happy and excited for you. Well done!