Beth and Dave

After just leaving my weekly girls' night, I realized that I never posted pictures of one of the most uplifting weekends I've ever had.  A few months ago, the girls from my Bible study ventured down to Little Rock to see the one and only, Beth Moore.  I love this woman for what she's done to teach me about how much God loves me (a continuous struggle for me to wrap my head around).

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The weekend was focused on "fulfilling our ministries" and was taken from 2 Timothy 4.  Bonnie wrote the best summary of what Beth presented here.  I second everything she says.  The theme song of the weekend was Travis Cottrell's "In Christ Alone."

But it wasn't just any "In Christ Alone."  It was "In Christ Alone with Solid Rock."  Go download the song (totally worth the $1), turn up your headphones (headphones make it way better, promise), close your eyes, and let it consume you.  There wasn't a dry eye on our row. 

Also (just because it's funny and so I don't ever forget), we never figured out who sent us breakfast on Saturday morning.  Hmmmmm......

What a memorable weekend.  I can't look at this picture for too long or I start crying because of how much I'm going to miss everybody.  

I . love . these . girls.

And while I'm on the topic of people I love, let me mention this man.  I love me some Dave Ramsey.  The three men in my life are as follows: Greg, my dad, Dave. (You think I'm kidding... I have a lamp named after him.)

Greg and I took Dave's Financial Peace University course in 2007, and loved it so much that we are taking it again with our new church family.  Like Beth, Dave has been a "God-send" in my life.  Sometimes, I thank God for Dave in my prayers because he taught us how to use our money for God's glory.  I'm forever grateful. 

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Tonight, in Bible study, we talked about how we can only see one piece of the puzzle at a time in our lives, but God sees the finished work.  I certainly don't thank God for the nightmares that Beth lived through in her childhood or that Dave hit rock bottom financially when he was my age.  And I doubt they ever thought, "Hmmm, I bet God is going to use this mess to teach thousands for His glory."  But, I do thank God that he led both Beth and Dave through their experiences with the resilience and wisdom to make good come of the big picture.  A lot of good.  They have both had a profound influence on my life and my personal relationship with my heavenly Father.  And for that I'm infinitely thankful.  

I find that blog worthy ;)

(P.S. I would do anything to have my picture taken with Dave!)