Sunday, August 24, 2008

Fiesta Fun - Ole!

Sometimes you look forward to something for so long and with such anticipation that it's a bit of a disappointment when it actually happens because it doesn't meet your expectations.

That was not the case with the Siesta Fiesta!

From the time I picked Xandra up at the San Antonio airport on Friday afternoon until I took her back this morning, it was an incredibly great weekend. (Well, except for the part Friday evening where I tripped on an uneven part of the concrete and sprawled flat on the sidewalk! Not an auspicious way to start the weekend!)

One of the most fun parts happened right after we got there when we went by the Alamodome to get our armbands. And I finally got to meet in person and hug my sweet friend Lisa McKay!!

And can I just stop right now and say that Patty & Kim did an amazing job planning this Fiesta & PJ Party! They worked so hard! As did Lisa and some others getting everyone checked in and headed in the right direction.

Travis Cottrell's music at Living Proof Live was wonderful. I had never heard him before. Kelly Minter also sang a beautiful solo - she writes songs as well as Bible Studies!

Of course, it goes without saying that Beth Moore is an outstanding teacher, and the sessions Friday night and Saturday were excellent.

Since there were a "mere" 10,000 there, it made it especially nice to have the Siesta Fiesta with Beth Saturday afternoon. You know how much more intimate it is to be in a group of almost 1,000 women! (Actually I don't think all of those who registered showed up.) They divided us up for group pictures with Beth, Amanda, & Melissa, and then there was a time for a Question & Answer session with Beth and her girls. The questions ranged from "How can we pray for you?" to "Beth, what foundation do you wear?" and "Melissa, how do you do your hair?" Fun girl talk!

Then Saturday night was the PJ Party. What fun it was to actually meet and hug and get to know the people behind the blogs. I usually hate mingling and chatting - I'm fairly introverted in unfamiliar situations. But the blogs took away the "small talk" element. I felt like I already knew so many of these gals! And even if I didn't, I'd seen many of them on other folks' blogrolls or in their comments. And I now have lots more hours to waste on my laptop friends to visit!

I am aggravated that I got away without taking a few other pictures. I missed getting a picture of Holly. (Wow, the cookbook is amazing! She worked so hard on it and did a bang-up job!) And Brooke. And Stephanie. And others. And I saw Missy down the way Saturday afternoon and assumed she'd be at the PJ Party, but she had to go home Saturday. I can't believe I didn't get to meet her, especially since we've discovered we grew up in the same part of Houston (although she was there a "few" years after I!).

But I got some pictures, so here are some of the gals I met. They are all darling and sweet as can be.

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It was a blast hanging out and rooming with Xandra. I never dreamed a few months ago that I would develop such sweet friendships through this blog. And I so needed a weekend to get away and just have some girl fun.

I can't wait to go visit everyone else's sites and see their pictures and read their perspectives of the weekend! And for those of you who weren't there, I missed you! There were absolutely several times I thought "I wish ______ were here." Or I asked "Do you read ______'s blog?" We'll just have to do it again sometime!

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25 comments:

Vicki Courtney said...

Now, why didn't we get a picture? Is it maybe because we see each other every Sunday?!! I wish I could have stayed for the PJ party! What fun!

Shane said...

Thank you for sharing. It is really cool to see faces behind all those words! Thanks again Linda!

Christina said...

I am enjoying hearing all about this. You girls are so lucky. I just took a look at your pictures and can see by the smiles that the weekend was a big success.

Cheryl said...

So glad you had a great time! Love the pictures.
I knew the conference would be packed but I was curious to know how many attended the fiesta.
Did all those ladies stay for the pj party as well?
I'll hopefully be there next time!

Anonymous said...

I just wanted to cry on Saturday as I thought about you all. I'm so glad you all had fun & I hope we don't have to wait until heaven to do that again!

Kelli

Cindy-Still His Girl said...

LOVED getting to see you, Linda! :) You're a blessing!

Lisa Spence said...

What FUN! Thanks for sharing the pics and memories!

Jill said...

Linda, I so enjoyed sitting with you and sharing our sodas, so it was not a mocha. You sweetness was so inviting and fun. I loved how you love you some Texas. I do too now. The pics were great. I was wrong I post as Jill (Busygirls)...I just had never checked to see how it links...silly me. Thanks again.

A Stone Gatherer said...

Sounds like you guys had a wonderful time! I'm a bit envious!

Leah said...

How wonderful! Looks like a great time!!

Kelly @ Love Well said...

THANK YOU for the pictures. How fun to see, in flesh, some of my favorite voices.

So glad you had a great time. I know the Lord blessed that gathering.

Vern ~ Inspired said...

I was there at the conference and missed seeing you again!
I came by the fellowship and picture time afterwards but was only able to stay a short time. It was fun sitting with everyone during the conference and meeting such sweet ladies...even if they are just "readers" and never comment!

Glad you all had such a sweet time at the slumber party!

Hugs!

Xandra@Heart-of-Service said...

You left out the touching story of the gum smacking....

I had such a great time this weekend! Thanks again for drawing me out of my shell and encouraging me to come!

Xandra

connorcolesmom said...

I had so much fun meeting you Although I had not visited your blog I had heard a ton about you and could not wait to meet you You are just gorgeous both inside and out! And I still laugh at your face when I said ya'll - you are so cute!!
I NEVER would have guessed you were introverted by the way you tore up that karaoke machine - I am posting video later - hehe
Love you my SIESTA,
Kim

Missy said...

Oh my gosh! I didn't know you would be there!

I didn't make it to the PJP - lots of conflicts and I *thought* that I had seen all my friends anyway!

:(

bp said...

Thanks for sharing about your fun weekend! I think it is neat how God brings all these women together through blogs and you all got to meet in real life.

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing!
R <><

Gayle @ thewestiecrew said...

Linda, I was so, so, so happy to get to meet you this weekend!

You are as wonderful as I thought you'd be!

Would you mind emailing me the picture of you, me and Cindy? I would love to put it on my blog!

My email is on my profile if you are alright with that.

BIG hugs!

ocean mommy said...

It was so great to meet and chat with you at the PJ party!

I'm missing everyone today!

Blessings,
steph.

Linda said...

From one Linda to another - I couldn't agree more. It was such a special time. I'm a bit disappointed I live right here and didn't stay in a hotel or go to the pj party. I'm glad it was such a success!!
I wish we could all do it again soon so I could meet bloggers!!

Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife said...

It was so fun finally getting to meet my friend Linda IRL!

And no fair you've got your pictures so that I can't steal them...Send the ones of us my way!! :))

Love ya!

Lisa

Natalie said...

It sounded like ya'll had a great time. I bet it was fun to match faces with blogs. Love the slideshow.

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

I know that you are grieving because I was not there, right? OK, I feel better. Loved the pics. Sorry about the fall. Way to make a smashing entrance, though. Doin' it Lid-style!

Profbaugh said...

It was really great getting to meet you!! I can't wait for the next Siesta Fiesta (especially the PJ party). What fun!!

~Cheryl

Anonymous said...

Girl it was great to meet you too!!! I hope we can get together again soon!! keep in touch....SA was a blast....so many stories and not enough time :)