Convention Day 3

Hey guys! I'm sorry you have had to wait several days for this posting. Things were too crazy to post on Saturday evening and Sunday. I have worked all day so this is the first opportunity I am getting to show the remainder of our trip. I'm so excited about MOPS this year. Possibly more than I've ever been before. I just am praying that everyone will catch the vision and the passion that I have for MOPS and will adopt it as their own.

Saturday morning we were back in "general session" with worship with Travis Cottrell and hearing from Lauren Dungy. She is the wife of Indianapolis Colts headcoach Tony Dungy. She wasn't my favorite speaker this weekend, but I tried to get something out of it. She seemed very nervous in a crowd of 2700 women. A little intimidating for anyone I'm sure.

After that session we were dismissed for lunch and a little free time. We went and did some sightseeing in downtown Nashville and it was awesome. We had lunch at Hard Rock Cafe and then walked into several shops on our way to the Ryman Auditorium. This is something I really wanted to do. The Ryman housed the Grand Ole Opry for many years until recently when the Gaylord Entertainment group built a new theater for the Grand Ole Opry in the late 90's. I really enjoyed the tour and the many pics we were able to take.



The CMT building is right across the street from the Ryman Auditorium





These were the clothes worn by Johnny Cash and June Carter when they performed at the Grand Ole Opry.





Here we are on the stage!



After some fun sightseeing it was time for our final general session where we were anxiously awaiting hearing from Marybeth Chapman (wife of Steven Curtis Chapman). If you don't know their heartbreaking story that has taken place over the last several years, you can read about it here.

Their story was both inspirational and heartbreaking. I enjoyed the banter they shared with one another and of course the concert Steven Curtis Chapman gave was great.  

After we cried, laughed, and worshipped, our time was coming to an end quickly. We were invited to drive 4.5 hours to our dear friend, LaDonne's house in Georgia. Because we lose an hour going from central time to Eastern, we didn't get to her house til nearly 2am. She was waiting up for us and opened her home with warmth and gave us an amazing breakfast the next morning. We were only there for a total of 12 hours, but being with my dear friend again re-energized me and made me sad to leave all the same. I got home around midnight last night and had to be at work this morning at 7:15. I'm beat!! Oh, and I almost forgot one thing. We may have left as 3, but came home with one extra passenger that is now a member of Mandi's family.



Mandi and her new 11 week old puppy, adequately named Georgia!