Here are some pictures from the Redwood Forest that we visited yesterday. I know I looked like your everyday tourist, being that my jaw dropped at the sight of this and didn’t fully recover until I was chewing the meat at dinner. But y’all. These trees are RIDICULOUS.

Someone said, “If I came to Georgia, what could you show me?”

Do you even WANT to know what my answer was? It will not make you proud to be a Georgian or a friend of mine. Consider yourself warned.

The only thing that came to mind was this. “Uh… Stone Mountain has a great laser show.”

STONE MOUNTAIN!?! Hi. I’m Annie. I’m a total redneck.

All that to say that I’m sure there are many other beautiful things in Georgia that should have come to mind first, but they didn’t. I’m sorry that I am your representative here. It’s shameful. To say the least.

But the laser show is pretty good. When those generals run across the stone face, tears and goosebumps. I don’t care who you are.

Here is a picture of Linda, Mel, and Sarah at the cross section of one of these huge redwoods. Mel is pointing at a sign that tells us the size of the tree when JESUS WAS BORN. What even. How is that possible?!? Awesome.

We just up and decided that we needed some additional nature in our lives, so we headed to this Redwood Forest.

And because there is a slight [real] chance that we are the funniest group of women here, we had some good jokes.

I love taking pictures of people taking pictures of themselves. It makes me laugh.

This is the moment when I thought it was cool to be a gnome. And it was. The other gnomes were so kind. They let me sit on their mushrooms, drink from their flower petal tea cups, and photograph their front door. But they refused to be in the picture with me. Punks.

And Linda? She may have a book deal (whoop whoop!), but she is not right. That’s probably why I like her so much.

And because we are all secretly twelve years old, we took this one. Does that look like a group of authors to you? Would you pay for their work?You will, friends. You will.

And for all you unbelievers, we actually SAW A HOBO. With our eyes. And our camera. So booyah on you. Well, not “you” exactly, but “you” meaning Linda. Because she is an unbeliever in hobos. Pray for her hobo-salvation.

[I probably went too far with that. But it's funny. And a Canadian pastor that we've been sitting by says it's fine. And I trust all things Canadian.]

I know what you are going to say. Yes, it is Sunday. But yes, I am going to blog. I just want to, okay? Geez. I can break my own rules.

Wow. Wow is the most descriptive word to say what my heart is feeling. Even though this conference is only half over, I am pleased beyond belief.

The faculty here, the writers, editors, publishers, etc. that are teaching the courses we take each day are FANTASTIC. I went to one yesterday about Christianity as Art by Andy McGuire [google him if you so desire] and it was amazing. Many of the classes I have taken have centered on writing technique [you don’t say!] and so it was quite refreshing to be in a class that was a theological brain exercise. So fun.

I could name drop all day long [and trust me, if I run out of things to blog, I will just start listing big deals that I see on a regular basis], but I just have to tell you a story to remind us all what a dork I am. No comment on your previous knowledge in this area.

As a young teen, my VERY FAVORITE author was Robin Jones Gunn- creator of one of my dearest friends, Christy Miller. Ok, so we aren’t so much “friends” as she is a “character in a book series”, but tom-ay-to, tom-ah-to. Shannon and I have discussed Robin often since they are close friends. But when I saw her, standing just a few feet from me, 14-year-old Annie could hardly contain herself. As my mouth took complete control [never good] and I heard myself spilling all sorts of dork-infested secrets of my love for Christy, I had a good revelation that I need every so often. I’m not near as cool as I think I am.

Now that I have talked with her a few times, even spend some time yesterday getting her wisdom on a situation, I am all the more impressed with her- not just as an author, but a woman of God. And maybe a friend. If she doesn’t fear me.

I wish I could tell you all the details of the good things God is doing here for me, but it feels premature to spill the beans. But I will say that this weekend has validated for me that my desire to write may be matched with the actual ability to write well. I know you guys say things like that a lot [and I really appreciate that], but you kind of have to- I pay you in giveaways and embarrassing videos.

And y’all, the girls He has given me for friends? Too good. Let’s just say we have had a few deep in the belly laughing sessions already. Mainly around the idea of jean jumpers (when are those NOT funny?) and the likelihood that hobos still exist. Because I am a firm believer that they do.

Today, I plan to take a bunch of pictures so you can actually see what this place looks like. Also, I’m thinking the Mt. Hermonistas and I may possibly need to make a video. I’m still praying about it.

I pray you are blessed today, on Palm Sunday. These week, and what it meant to Jesus, always gives me goosebumps, even now as I type. Though I am a woman who loves words, there are not enough to express what this Holy Week means to me, to us, to the entire human race. So I won’t try. I’ll just say this- we love You, Jesus.

**SUPER EXCITING SIDE NOTE! Congrats to my friends Brett and Holly on the birth of their new baby girl, Mary Mayes!! Many blessings on her- what an awesome direct family (and extended family!) she now has!!**

First of all, THANK YOU for praying for me. I can FEEL it. Keep it up, please. And know that I am praying God’s greatest for you- truly.

I woke up this morning…. at 4:30am. Thank you, time zones. Truly. I appreciate it. Not.

But as my brain slowly became unfuzzy, and things began to come into focus (and I realized I was FREEZING), this song was on repeat in my mind. It was honestly unstoppable. Even through my crazy morning rituals (sock folding, anyone?), and as I walked from my little cabin to the coffee shop…. at 6:30am. Gracious. But nothing could get this song out of my head.

He loves like a hurricane and I am a tree, bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy. Oh, how He loves us.

So I’ve listened to it four times on my computer. Make that five.

And I’m kinda hoping this song in my head never goes away.

I think, sometimes in the mornings, the Lord reminds us what He’s been up to all night.

Zephaniah 3:17

The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love,

I’m sitting here in the lodge, looking for a way to express what I’ve experienced so far at this retreat.

And it’s not going so well.

So I did what I always do when blog blocked (According to Chip, blogstipated. Eww.)- I read a bunch of other blogs hoping someone will say what I want to say. Then I steal it, rework it, and you comment. [I kid, I kid.]

But seriously.

So I was reading Ragamuffin Soul, which since Uganda, has become a daily hit I have to take. And he had this video.

So, without reworking it, I will just steal it.

After a day of meet and greets (and awesome new friends), a class on the call to be a writer, meals and meetings, this is exactly how I feel.

My heart is full.

That’s my #1 thought right now.

Ok, #2 thought.

My #1 is that coming to this conference was a fine idea.

#2 is that my breath needs an emergency intervention.

#3 is that y’all CAN NOT be encouraging me to make these videos. They are ridiculous and I kinda loved doing it. So you may get another one… who knows. Wait for it.

Seriously though. Mt. Hermon is awesome. I can’t tell you how many times someone will say “Mt. Hermon” and I’ll think, “What in the crap. I hardly believe this. I’m really here.”

Sorry I used to word crap.

Twice.

I’m surrounded by amazing writers, editors, presenters, etc. And then there’s me.

Question: “Where have you been published?”
My answer: “Umm…. uh….. “

Question: “What do you want to write?”
My answer: “Umm… uh…. “

Question: “Who do you know here?”
My answer: “Umm…. uh…..”

Question: “Why did you come?”
My answer: “God worked it out. He brought me here.”

Maybe I’ll have good responses to those other three by Wednesday, but if not, I’m pretty satisfied with the fact that I can securely answer that last one.

That list with which I closed yesterday’s post is a bit extensive. There is no way, in one evening, I could fully expound on my grief over the loss of Jesse from the podcast AND my love for Diet Dr. Pepper AND lament the trouser jean situation. You would quit reading before the end and I always try to keep my blogs at a friendly, multi-paragraphed length.

So we’ll save those. But know that they are in my thoughts constantly. Especially the Diet Dr. Pepper. [It's called an addiction. Back off.]

I can’t believe I head to Mt. Hermon tomorrow. I can’t believe who I am today that I wasn’t five years ago. If you would have told college graduating Annie this story, she would have laughed. Heartily.

Because the majority of our dreams are so different. What college Annie wanted and what today Annie wants aren’t the same and to be honest, that’s just weird.

I really like today Annie. She dreams well. But she’s kinda foolish and crazy, and somehow it’s working for her. She hopes for things that are impossible and that’s ending up to be a rather fun ride.

Namely, a plane ride. To California. To sit at a retreat center with 500 of the dearest strangers I’ve never met. To eat lunch on Friday with Melodee and Linda. (Thanks for the invite, girls!) To attempt to hear God about the next step. To be open to Him and His leading. To learn and glean from a room full of big deals.

Because I literally DEPEND on prayer and believe so fully in its power (hello? my house just sold!), I’ve made a little side bar on the right for you bloggites, aptly titled CaliPrayin‘, which is not a real word. Yet. And I’ve listed ways that you can pray for me between now and next Wednesday.

And yes, I did have to look up “aptly” to make sure I used it correctly. I did…. after a minor correction.

Thank you in advance for your prayers. This feels selfish and one sided, but I’m working on that…. a little plan I do have…..

Time to pack and get a pep talk. Sorry I’m 3 minutes late calling you, Shannon. My blog and I are having technical difficulties. [Not tonight, blog, I don't have time for your petty behavior. Get it together.]

Comment # 1 (what are the chances THAT would happen?)

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Timestamp: 2008-03-12 12:01 AM

Seriously, Heather, were you already having a good week and this made it better?
Or were you struggling to find the awesome in today and this has done it?

I’m just curious.

For the rest of us non-winners [myself included] head over to Dave’s site and pre-order your copy of the new album. We’ll all be better people for it. In all seriousness (this rarely happens), this is a great CD and I really hope you all get one. Support Dave, his music, and his ministry.

If you live in ATL, he’s playing here on April 13th. Check the website for details.

And can I just say I’m really proud of some of you bloggites who came out of the internet shadows to try to win? You know who you are. Keep it up!! I pat you on the back for your blog bravery. Blovery? Bralog? Whatever.

Thanks again to Dave and Mike for the giveaway gear. Very cool move.

Someone please remind me on the next giveaway (in 2 weeks, by the way!) NOT to close the contest at midnight. That was dumb. I loaded on caffeine today and midnight Annie is feeling real good right about now. But let me tell you, 5:15am Annie (right after midnight Annie) is not easily controlled and doesn’t have what most would call a “Christian Attitude”. Pray for my students tomorrow. And pray that Chick-fil-A doesn’t run out of Diet Dr. Pepper before I get there in the morning.

Tomorrow….. we really have a lot of things to discuss. Consider yourself warned. California, googling yourself, packing, my true addiction to DDP (see above prayer), Beth Moore, my house, singing background vocals, Jesse leaving the Relevant Podcast, the complete lack of trouser jean in my life. These kinds of life changing topics.