Adventures of the Crystal Bracelet

Friday a week ago I received a silver-and-crystal bracelet from the coordinators for LifeWay's Women events (including the one I am helping with: Living Proof Live New Orleans). However, my bracelet's engraved heart wasn't for N.O. It names Portland, Oregon. The intent is that I will wear it between now and the Portland event (April 17-18), praying for what God will do in Portland and all the planning that will go on to make the event happen. My prayer partner is Beth Cunningham, a beautiful new friend from the Portland area who has also just accepted a job at Western Seminary. She's got her hands full! After our events, we're supposed to return the bracelets to their rightful owner.

I'm not sure Beth is going to want this bracelet seven months from now. My goal is to wear the bracelet as much as possible so that I don't risk losing it OR risk forgetting the privilege I have to pray for Beth, the ladies of Portland, and Beth Moore's ministry there. Plus it's really hard to get back on by myself! So I'll wear it as much as I can get away with!

The bracelet's first week in New Orleans has been pretty tame. It feels a little funny to wear it while I'm exercising, but it cleans up well. It dresses up my run-around-town look, and that's probably a good thing. One highlight for the bracelet this week was participating in a "Women@Prayer" time with four other ladies. My friend Christi has a strong desire to draw the ladies of our church together in prayer, so she organized this once-a-month time for us to meet and pray about matters pressing on our hearts. We prayed for Christi's preparation for her Greek exam, Karen's mother-in-law's cancer treatment, Beth's mom's colonoscopy, Juliette's son's new diagnosis of food allergies, and my local coordination of Living Proof Live N.O. It was the first time I've asked a group of ladies at church to pray with me about this, and I'm excited to draw friends into the loop. April 3-4 is just over six months away. Wow!

Coordinating this event is bigger than me. Christi thanked God for that during our W@P time. We can't wait to see who God pulls together for the Steering Committee and Ministry Partner Churches and Event Volunteers. It's going to be all God! And the bracelet will be around to witness both Women@Prayer and God@Work!