Joshua Inman

WOF in Billings, MT & Spokane, WA

The last two conferences have gone well. First we were in Billings, MT. It has been two years since we have been to Billings last. There is no concourse so our booths were all in an exhibit hall off the arena. Since all the booths were in the same room, we were able to take turns going in to the conference and watching the show. I was blown away by Mandisa. She has some awesome music. I went home and purchased a number of songs from amazon.com’s mp3 site. I had three great volunteers. Jennifer was a recurring volunteer that I had two years ago. It was great fun. See picture above.
This last weekend we were in Spokane. I went in a day early so I could see my Sister and her family. They live about 3o minutes outside of Spokane. Mom and Leah came to the conference. I was really excited that Mom got to come. I was after her for 3 years to come and she finally was able to come. She told me that she was impressed with the conference so that was awesome. I was disappointed that Mom didn’t get a chance to meet Sheila but maybe next time.  Everyone commented that the talent did better in Spokane then they had done all year. It was a great conference! I had another great group of volunteer’s. See the picture below. The two on my left, I have had twice before, in Spokane and Portland last year. I have been blessed with great volunteer’s this weekend so far. It was awesome to see Mom, Leah and Leah’s family! I leave for Rochester, NY tomorrow. 

Jenifer Thigpen

Hello everyone-
Just wanted to let you know that my friend, Jenifer Thipgen just released her debut self titled album. I have gotten to know Jen over the last three years working at Women Of Faith. Even though this is her first CD, she is no stranger to recording. She is a former member of the group Truth and the Women Of Faith worship team and been featured on a number of their recordings. Her version of the song “Rescue” from the Women Of Faith CD “Contagious Joy” blew me away the first time I heard it. You can listen to it on her myspace page. Jen has also been a part of Walt Disney World’s group Voices Of Liberty at Epcot. Jen is a favorite stand in that Avalon uses when one of the girls are not able to be at a concert. I own a copy of Jen’s new album and it is amazing. You can order your copy today at her website. I know that I promote a lot of different music but if you don’t pay attention to any other music I recommend you have to to check this one out! Her album is a must have. You will not be disappointed. She has become one of my favorite singers.

WOF in Des Moines

Hey all, it has been a busy week. This last weekend I was with Women Of Faith in Des Monies. I flew in early on Wednesday so I used my Nashville Zoo membership to go to the Des Monies Zoo. It was a little disappointing but I did get some really good photos so I guess I shouldn’t complain too much. The conference went well. I had three great volunteers, a mother and her two daughters. They did a great job and helped me tie for the most pre-orders sold for the conference DVD’s. It was a fun weekend. On my lay over in Chicago I got to hang out with Mike Kofahl. Mike joined the tour this year as a World Vision Rep. He used to be one of the original members of the group Austins Bridge. They won a Dove Award a couple of years ago. Mike is a great guy and I have enjoyed getting to know him more. Also my good friend, Jenifer Thigpen just completed her album and it should be out soon. I am so excited as she is one of my favorite singers. Jenifer used to be on the Women Of Faith worship team and is now on the concourse team. Keep an eye out for her album. I will do a post about it as soon as it is available. 

WOF in Columbus, OH

This last weekend we where in Columbus, OH for Women Of Faith. It was a lot of fun. We film our conference DVD each year in Columbus so it is always a packed arena. I had 2 awesome volunteers, Angela & Julie. We sold more Pick-A-Pack’s then I have ever sold at my booth before. It kept us so busy but we had a lot of fun. We came up with a cheer that we where only able to use on Friday evening since it was too busy on Saturday. We would shut out what was on our card as we held it up. You can see what I mean in the photo! This weekend, I am heading to Des Monies, Iowa! 
I have gotten into zoos lately. I have never lived close to the zoo before but I am a couple of miles away from the Nashville Zoo so I got a membership. I have been there twice so far and it is a lot of fun. It is not the biggest zoo but I have gotten a lot of great photos which can be seen on Facebook & Myspace. Last weekend I went to the Columbus Zoo and this weekend, I will go to the Des Monies Zoo. My membership gets me in free or 50% off to most zoo’s around the country. This is the year for zoos! ha! Below is my favorite picture I have taken so far from the Nashville Zoo. 

Sheila Walsh

I just finished Sheila Walsh’s book “Let Go.” It was very good and I would highly recommend it to you. If I could sum it up into one sentence it would be: Let go of the things that are holding you down so you can be free to live the life that God intended for you to live. A lot of the subjects of the book where not new to me but it was so good to get a reminder!  The biggest thing that I got out of the book was from Chapter 8 ” Let Go And Live In Christ’s Victory” under the section “Placing Your Life Before God.” Sheila talks about hearing Luis Palau speak at an event in 1980 where she was leading worship. She says, “He said that every time my will is at odds with the revealed will of God, than taking up my cross every day meant dragging my will back in line with revealed will of God and placing my life under his protective care again.” It was so easy to know that when I was in the Philippines as a missionary that I was taking up my cross to follow Jesus. Living back here in the States, it has been a lot harder for me to understand what it looks like so this makes sense to me. In Chapter of 2 “This Dead Religion Is Past It’s Sell By Date.” I was also convicted on how fast I am to judge people. It is like I am doing it subconsciously and don’t realize I am doing it until I am already doing it. I am trying to be more conscious of when I am doing it. I have to take every thought captive. There have been times when I have gotten mad at people and judged them and then found out why they did what they did. I was left ashamed for my thoughts. I need to be quick to extend grace instead. In Chapter 7 “The Trouble With Temptation Is That It’s Just So Tempting.” It is so easy to look at the Israelites and wonder how they could turn away from the Lord and follow those gods when they have seen what God has done for them. Sheila talks about how when we give in to our temptations, we are just like those Israelites who choose their way over Gods. I am more like them than I would like to think. It is so scary to think about. What a miracle that God is so patient with me. It was a really good book and I would highly recommend it to everyone. I just started Marilyn Meberg’s new book “What To Do When The Roof Caves In” & “Healing Waters” by Nancy Rue & Steve Arterburn. It is the sequel to their book “Healing Stones.”

Lost Season Five

This weeks show is crazy again. After five years of Lost they still know how to catch you.
In last weeks episode we see how Sayid got to the island. They are all in the 70’s and are part of the Dharma Initiative but Sayid comes in from a different area and they think he is one of the others so he is put in prison. Ben (as a boy) lets him out of jail so they both can escape back to the others. But Sayid shoots Ben and leaves him for dead thinking that is the reason he is brought back to the island.
This weeks episode, they take Ben to Juliet to work on but she can’t do anything for him so she asks Jack. Jack will not do anything for him so they have to take him to the others or he will die. Richard tells Kate and Sawyer that if they leave Ben with him, his innocence will be gone and he will be forever one of them. It is all so mysterious. I just love this show! The preview for next week looks amazing. I can hardly wait.

WOF in Shreveport, LA

This weekend I was with Women Of Faith in Shreveport. It was my first time to Louisiana. I arrived on Wednesday afternoon before the big storm came in. A tornado touched down some where in our area but not sure where. It was pouring rain. I found out that I would not be signing in volunteers this weekend since the arena double booked and Thursday night there would be another hockey game so we could not put World Vision bags on the chairs. So we did our set up and then that evening, the inventory guys went back to the arena to watch the booths and make sure the people who came in for the game didn’t steel anything. Friday morning we got up and went to the arena. My volunteers this weekend were great. If you are looking at the picture, from left to right, Carrie & Reba. This is my 3rd time to work with Reba but first time to work with her friend Carrie. We had a great time. We sold a lot for being in the back side of the arena. With my volunteer’s help I think I signed up close to 30 people for Women Of Faith Visa cards. Thanks Reba & Carrie for your hard work. It was a great weekend. The conference was well received! I am now off from WOF until the week of April 24. But I will be traveling with Sheila Walsh to Parker, CO on April 17th & 18th. I am looking forward to it. It should be a lot of fun!

Margaret Becker

On Tursday Night I went to Davis-Kidd Bookstore in Green Hills. Margaret Becker, Anne Jackson & Chris Coppernoll did an in store. They each talked about how they became writers and some of the processes involved. Then they took questions from the audience. It was a lot of fun. I would say there was 20-25 people present. It was a lot of fun. I picked up a copy of Anne Jackson’s book called “Mad Church Disease.” It is all about burn out in Christian ministry. I am excited to read it. I will be giving a review of the book here once I finish it.

LOST

Oh My Gosh. Lost is so good. I own the all the seasons on DVD, why should I be surprised.  Well as of right now, Jack, Kate, Hurley and Sayid have returned to the island and are back in the 70’s with the Darma Initiative. Juliet, Sawyer & Jin are already working there. Sun & Ben are back in normal time on the island so they are separated from the group. They meet up with Christian Shephard (Jack’s father) and he tells Sun that she has a journey ahead of her. Sayid is thought to be one of the others so they have him in prison while Sawyer tries to figure out a way to save him. It is so wild. It will be interesting to figure out how it all comes together and they get back to real time. I wonder when we will see the smoke monster again. I just hope they don’t ruin the show with something stupid. Hopefully they know where they are taking it.

Missi Hale

Tonight my friend Missi Hale performed with B. Reith at Mercy Lounge. I have known Missi for three years now as she is one of the Women Of Faith worship team members. I have never been to Mercy Lounge before. It is a great venue. B. Reith went on first and Missi followed. Missi blew the night away with her powerful, soulful vocals. She has quite the range. Missi performed songs from her EP “Someone I’ve Gotta Be” and some new songs that will appear on her new album out sometime this year (I hope). My favorite song from the evening was “Can’t Live To Please You” which is on her  EP. You can find Missi on facebook and Myspace as well as itunes. Check her out, you will not be disappointed. Her music is amazing.