Ok, Ok. I know it's been way too long since my last update. I had a half of a blog completed a month or so ago, but changed my mind on what I wanted to write about. I can assure you with American Idol and The Bachelor back on the air, I'll be back on the blogging train again.
I guess I should catch you all up to speed on what I've been doing with my life lately. In December I made the move to the UAB branch, which wasn't a big move...only about 12 blocks, but nonetheless, it was a move. God has perfect timing. and knew I needed a fresh fire under my feet to be able to keep doing what I'm doing.
Since last December I've been volunteering with SDEA (Scott Dawson Evangelistic Association) at their Strength to Stand winter conferences and at Stadium fest in the Spring. It's been such a blessing to be a part of their ministry and the Lord has shown me so much in the past year since I began volunteering and I've made some of the most incredible friends. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says "Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end. ". What an incredible word from the Lord! I never thought a year ago, that I would have the friends that I have now. You have each been used by the Lord to show me just how much He loves me.
Now, a lot of you ask me what it is that I do when volunteering. In the past I have always worked the merchandise tables, but in January I got a different role. Stage manager. Needless to say, I was pumped, but really nervous. I wasn't really sure what to expect, even though I'd observed Kelly, our stage manager for the December conference. This was a different ballgame. At our January conference, we have 3 venues, each with our own worship band and emcee, but we share the speakers each night. It's my job to make sure each person is on stage and off stage on time (down to the minute), making sure videos are on time, and communicating with the band if they need to sing additional songs. If I'm not on time, it messes all of the other venues up. Now, y'all know I'm the queen of being late, but for whatever reason, they decided to give me that role anyway.
The worship band that was at my venue was Fee. Incredible. I'd never heard of them until then, mainly because I never know the names of bands, but I bought both of their albums after getting to know them and worshiping with them this weekend. Check them out at http://www.feeband.com/.
On Sunday afternoon, Jonathan (Brother Smothers) and I went into Gatlinburg and spent some time with our friend Jenks. While I was there, I met up with some friends from high school. Apparently I didn't get the memo that there was a class of '96 reunion that weekend, because there were tons of them there together, apparently having a couples retreat. Maybe that's why I didn't get the memo.
Anyway, the weekend as a whole was great. The Generation Band, who is from my church, got to open up our big night, followed by Fee, then Scott Dawson spoke. We had approximately 288 confirmed decisions, and gave out over 500 of the books that they used to share the Gospel, so there were possibly more . Praise the Lord!!! Toby Mac ended the big night for us.
It was so hot in the building during Toby's set, I talked my friend Amanda into stepping outside with me to get a little mountain air. As I sat down on a cooler outside, Amanda, decided she should inform me that it was wet. Not a little wet, but a lot wet. My whole backside was SOAKED after that. Luckily, it dried up just before the lights came back on, but that's what I get for making fun of people.
The last day of conference is always bittersweet. I was exhausted from staying out all night the night before on an adventure with Brooke (Barbie), Jonathan (Brother Smothers) and our new friend Brandon. We were all standing around getting ready to take our group picture when I heard some girls yelling "Macy, Macy", and all a sudden a girl comes running up to the steps and jumps. Now, at this point I thought to myself, "Macy ain't gonna make it" and needless to say she didn't. She falls to her knees and rolls into the group and I LOST MY MIND laughing! I've attached a picture so you can see the look on my face after it happened. Best fall ever! People kept singing, "Macy on the ground, Macy on the ground, looking like a fool, Macy on the ground"! I have laughed about that for DAYS! 
After all the commotion of the fall, we loaded up on the bus and headed back to the Salty 'Ham. I love Birmingham, but I was so sad to leave Pigeon Forge this time. I love being around people that love the Lord. No matter what I'm doing or where I am, there's nothing like it. I'm so thankful that God has allowed me to be a part of their ministry. The friendships I've gained over the past year are ones I will forever thank the Lord for.
Stay Tuned for my next blog installment. I've got a lot going on in the next few weeks, and although this one was a little heavy, be assured that there will be plenty of humor in the ones to come!
