A Week Of...

40 hours on a bus. 2,000+ miles of travel. Excellent preaching from the Word of God. Singing some incredible music with hundreds of others. Hiking to a waterfall. Swinging across the creek on a rope swing. Swimming in the creek. Sharing a cabin with six other girls. Drinking smoothies in the Coffee shop. Being released on a giant swing 40+ feet above the ground. Meeting and fellowshipping with fellow musicians from around the world...and more.

These treasured memories reflect only a small part of the wonderful week spent at The WILDS in North Carolina for their 15^th annual music conference with a group of 37 others from the Wichita area. It was truly inspiring!

Some highlights from the week:

Lydia was my wonderful seat mate for the duration of the ride.

Josh and Joe pass time away on the bus.

The long hours of confinement on the bus have an interesting affect on some people. :-)

Taking advantage of one of the few stops along the way to stretch our legs outside the bus.

Our lovely little cabin, tucked back into the woods.

The cozy interior of our little log home for the week.

Emily, Libby and Rebekah are poised and ready for one of the General Sessions.

Each evening, we were blessed by excellent musical selections, shared by the WILDS Staff and others.

A hike to the falls in the middle of the week provided an opportunity to experience even more of the beautiful scenery of the camp grounds, nestled just beyond the Smoky Mountains. (thanks to Lydia for this photo - it turned out better than my shot of the same)

A few brave souls – Sarah, Rebekah and Libby, with Gretchen and Dustin in the background – endure the sting of the cold mountain water to enjoy a few moments of wading.

Rachel, Rebekah and Lydia take the more adventurous route back across the creek.

A rope swing at the bottom of the trail captured our attention and Dustin, Dan, Dave, Nick, Joe and Ryan attempt to set a new world record by simultaneously swinging above the cold waters below.

Many of the girls joined in on the fun and made their way to the rock on the other side of the creek.

Never one to be left out of an adventure, I prepared for my own journey across the creek.

Apparently an odd occurrence of nature caused the water to rise rapidly, thus reducing the clearance between the swing and the surface of the water…and resulting in this chilly…uh, swim. :-) (I’m not sure whether to thank Caleb for capturing this succession of events on my camera for me or not…)

Though perhaps a little more hesitant after observing my less than successful attempt, Lydia, too, prepared to cross the creek.

Now I realize that imitation is the highest form of flattery, but really, Lydia, this does seem a bit over the top, don’t you think?

After a slightly longer than anticipated ordeal, Cara, Pam, Lydia, Susanna, Tiffany and I are finally able to compose ourselves and pose for a picture.

Fun night at the WILDS included a number of hilarious (and one rather disgusting!) skits and songs.

Each day included numerous reading sessions, where all the attendees were led through choral arrangements by many of the major publishers of sacred music. It was amazing to be surrounded by so many talented musicians, both instrumentally and vocally, who could skillfully sing and play their parts in praise to the Lord.

Rebekah and Sarah survive their ride on the giant swing, another favorite free time activity at the camp.

Rebekah, Lydia and I enjoy a drink at the Cool Beans Coffee Shop after our ride on the swing.

Crystal and Jesse (and Kathrynne) were able to spend a few hours at the WILDS on the last day and managed to maneuver around the lake in a canoe without getting wet. (Perhaps a few tips on the art of staying dry in situations involving such risky amounts of unpleasantly cold water would be in order…?)

Charcie and I enjoyed discussing our piano teaching experiences during a couple of the meals.

The girls of our cabin pose for a final picture before embarking on the long bus ride back to Kansas.

I was blessed and challenged in numerous ways this past week and look forward to seeing how the Lord continues to direct my life and my teaching in the days ahead as a result of the things that were impressed upon my heart. Perhaps the comment that has remained most indelibly etched upon my mind is one that was made in passing by one of the speakers. He shared,

I want my music and my ministry to come from the overflow of what God is doing within me.

Imagine that! A heart so filled with God's love because it is open and humble before Him; a mind so filled with God's truth because it meditates thereon day and night; a countenance so filled with God's beauty because it dwells in His presence every day; that every aspect of my life and ministry will reflect these attributes of God to all with whom I come in contact. This requires much more than an outward conformity to standards and principles; it requires continual inward examination and a heart that is right before the Lord.

"O come, let us sing unto the LORD:
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving,
and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
For the LORD is a great God,
and a great King above all gods."