Silent Night

I do some speaking now and then at various events. I've done some ladies' retreats, Mother/Daughter banquets, and other church events...and I always enjoy them. It's fun to meet people and share my heart and just experience something the scared-to-death girl in high school speech class NEVER thought she'd be able to do!

Several months ago, the women's pastor at First Assembly in Fort Wayne contacted me to see if I would speak at a Christmas dinner they have for their ladies each year. It was on a Wednesday night, so I could just stay in town after work and talk to them...and it sounded like much fun, so I said yes!

She told me the theme was "Silent Night" - and I could talk about anything I wanted to. I could eat dinner with the ladies, enjoy the special music, and just spend the evening enjoying the fellowship. Sounded great to me!

I began to realize that this was a bigger event than I could have imagined, when my co-worker Cindy texted me this:

She was working a concert at the church and saw this. GULP!! That's fancy!!! Not long after, I found out the event had sold out at 350 tickets. I'd never spoken to a group that large {other than 30 seconds at the front end of a concert}. Time to depend on Jesus!!

I made my way to the church last Wednesday and stopped in my tracks when I saw the gorgeous setup in their gym - AND the number of SEATS!!

{Couldn't get all the tables in the picture.}

The stage was set up to look like Bethlehem...for another event they had coming up. STUNNING.

{It's possible I DID ask if I could sit in the manger to deliver my talk!}

The tables were beautifully set:

Little favors for everyone:

They had a great group of young adults, dressed up in white shirts and black bow ties, who served our dinner. We were so pampered! They served salads and potato soup in bread bowls {YUM!!!} and then there was this MASSIVE dessert buffet, provided by some of the ladies of the church. So much food!!

Here is a picture I found on the church's Facebook page, courtesy of Curt Hansen, that shows the meal in progress:

Throughout dinner and then right before I spoke, we enjoyed gorgeous music from a harpist. I absolutely adore harps. If I could wish to play any instrument, it would be a harp:

And then it was my turn. I was so grateful for the army of people praying over me that night. I actually got up there, enjoyed myself, and felt completely calm in the Lord. It was nothing short of a miracle, truly. My sweet table-neighbor was kind enough to take photos for me!!

 It was a huge deal that I kept my boots on to talk. I ALWAYS speak barefoot because I get so nervous that I can't handle heels. But I wanted to keep it classy for them, so I told the ladies I would do my best to keep my shoes on...but I wasn't above taking them off if I needed to! :)

I shared about Simeon {from the Bible} and how sometimes a Silent Night feels like a hopeless night, and we feel forgotten in the busyness of life. The ladies were all so kind and listened and laughed {at appropriate times only} - and I was so grateful.

Thanks, First Assembly, for inviting me! I was honored to share the evening with you!