Expecting - Day #16 - I am getting ready III ........

 If you go back in my blog archives to August 6th, of 2013...you will find this post - just a little bit different...I am updating this post ...cause GUESS what...

I am getting ready - again - #3 

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School is started last  week for Teachers ( for me )  and I have not been able to focus on the Common Core or about much of the school related stuff. I have been just too busy enjoying my summer.

This is year 27 and I guess I would say I am a VETERAN and so this week,  the brain kicked it and I quickly fell back into the routine of school.  I absolutely love my job and treasure the opportunity to speak life into the lives of 12 boys and girls this year!  

But...this week  this month has also been a month of expecting -- 

My job is important to me and I give my job 100% while I am at school - but, my  priorities are different - they just are and I am getting ready to do something that I have done a few times before...I am getting ready to lead a group of women and   walk with 32  other ladies to an Encounter.

I can't share too many details - or I would have to 'kill ya'.  But My Encounter Weekend back in February of 2011 really changed how I felt about God, it changed how I perceived my current situation,  and it prepared me to begin a healing process.

I remember HOW excited I was - meeting GOD face to face...well, sort of speaking.  Like I said, I can't reveal too much, but basically it is a God Boot Camp, it is a time to dig deep and see WHAT may need to be cast off and what may need to be forgiven and then, God comes in if your heart is open and HE does some corrective surgery.

I have blogged about it before.

Anyway....I still refer back to that experience when I am trying to encourage a new believer.  The ladies that walked me through that weekend are forever friends and they have touched a part of me that will forever be different. They were part of my refining process!

So, like I said, I have not been able to really THINK about school..cause I have been preparing with a few others for our next  Encounter Weekend.  As I noted, when I blogged this first a year ago, I was going as a part of a team for the FIRST time...since then, God has blessed me and I went with a group of women last February and tomorrow, we will head off to Titusville and we will do this for the 3rd time.  However, each time is different - each time....is almost like a 'first'.  

It will be in Titusville.

There will be 16 leaders. 

There will be food.

There will be praise and worship.

There will be a little bit of silly ...maybe some praise dancing.  And...

There will be deep thinking and listening and there will be prayer and more prayer.

And tears....many tears....

One of the 'unique' things that really touched me as I entered the retreat center at my Encounter was that my small group leader greeted me and then another lady came to me and introduced herself and told me - a  TOTAL stranger that she had been praying for my arrival and participation for 3 weeks.

Really?  Me?  This total stranger had been praying for Michelle??

That just really touched me.

 So, for the past month, we have had many a prayer meetings -- getting ready for this Encounter.  We  pray that all of the leaders  and participants that will join us this weekend...that they too will be touched.  I pray that they will dig deep and SEEK God for a real Encounter with HIM this weekend.....this weekend is not about me or them...it is about THEM and GOD....and I will just get to watch and I know God will meet me right where I am at too! I sort of get the side- effects!  

I always NEED more of HIM...

Ezekiel 3. 26-27 talks about how God can HOLD my tongue when the rebellious and troublesome are around and then He will FREE my tongue to speak when it is of HIM...

In this last week of preparing...God has clearly shown me when to speak up and when to hold my words.  

Psalm 19.14 reminds us that David cried out to God and asked that the words of his mouth be pleasing to God in HIS sight...So, Lord, may MY words be pleasing in YOUR sight...

I hope and pray that I seek HIS counsel on everything.

Ephesians 6.19 says  Thank you Father, that YOu will grant me freedom of utterance so that I may open my mouth boldly to speak that WHICH YOU give me to speak.....

We pray these women will walk away..
...hopeful...
...ready to do the HARD...
...free from worry and/or guilt...
...set free from strongholds that have been on her for too long
...refreshed...
....ready to pray the long haul for an unsaved husband or child
...ready to stand in the gap for a wayward child, niece, or husband
...blessed
....loved and understand HOW much HE does love her
Lord, the list can go and go...I pray that each and every one of these women get so  set free and have such an unique experience with You that they will begin to win souls for Your Kingdom as well and they too ...will impact others.....
Lord, I pray as leaders, we are also touched and taught and we are open to what ALL You have planned....
Lord, I pray that 'us' leaders won't allow our flesh to dictate our minds that we refresh each moment with YOUR word and believe that YOU will do what YOU want to do...
Lord, I pray that I continue to impact others - I want to hear 'well done my good and faithful servant' when I see you....I want the rewards in heaven.  I do.
I want freedom for each of these ladies and I want a fresh word, a direct word for each of the leaders as well...
Now as I close, I pray God that if someone reads this and wants this Encounter as well, that they would seek YOU and seek me out...as they can participate too, in YOUR time and at our next Encounter.  I believe and KNOW,  YOU are going to do great and mighty miracles  this weekend...I can SO believe it will happen, as the Enemy has been attacking like a roaring lion this past week  -- wow and whoa...but with each distraction and disturbance...Victory was claimed.  Do I really FEEL this peace Lord, that ALL is under Your feet -- yes, I do.  YOU have lead us, YOU will continue, and YOU will be doing the work...as we are obedient, we will be blessed.
Lord, for my sisters in Christ...for each one hurting -- that they would believe YOU are the answer.
Lord, for my sister in Christ...that our  prayer for a miracle is in the works.  And Lord, for every detail ...may it be blessed.  IN Jesus name...amen. 

Homework:  Are you curious?  Do you want to HEAR what these women have encountered?  Then come to the Celebration Service -- 6:30 pm at Buckhead Christian Church  - Sunday.  We will be there - free.  

PS...Expecting Day #17 is Saturday - no media allowed at the Encounter... focused on God but I will be praying.  Go ahead - pray for us!  

PPS  Expecting Day #18 - Sunday -- if I don't crash when I get home - I am pretty sure that I will be posting some HAPPY about the Encounter....if not...I will resume with Day #19 on Monday...still praying through these 40 days with my sister in Christ...but praying within my 'closet'...as the next 3 days are with God and I have a job to do...  walking some women through a chance to become FREE!

See You Monday if not before in heaven.  ( or at the Celebration Service )