Recognizable; My Thoughts on Florida Christian Writer’s Conference, 2019

Do you agree it’s true that we all want to be recognized in some way or the other? That isn’t always something we want to admit, but even the old television program, Cheers’ theme was “You want to go where everybody knows your name.”

It was so cool to go to the Florida Christian Writer’s Conference and see some familiar faces there that I recognized. It is nearly like being on holy ground, the beauty of nature there at Lake Yale is so abundant. 


Once, many years back, when I was in my forties, I was at the Volusia County Fair. A woman came up to me and said she’d been a nurse on duty the day I gave birth to my daughter, Regina, at Halifax Hospital. It had been over 25 years since that wonderful event and I was shocked that she’d recognized me. Maybe because I’d only been fifteen at the time and that was unusual; I hate to say I didn’t recognize her, but that she recognized me, made me feel good. 


When I walked into Carol Kent’s class and her husband Gene, walked up to me, I recognized him immediately. I follow their ministry as Carol’s story has gripped my heart and I, too, know a mother’s sorrow when things don’t work out as we’d hoped for our children.


Although we have very different stories and situations, we share the common bond; love for our children. Although their walk has been painful, Carol is always ready to share the good news of what the Lord our God, is doing in Jason’s life. 


I believe that there is a supernatural anointing upon their lives. There is no way that Gene and Carol and Jason would have the strength, energy or the great passion that they have without it. In the old days, it might’ve been called, a “Holy Unction.” It’s a work of the Holy Spirit to do what is impossible to be done on this earth. Sometimes when there is great trauma in a family, just getting up the next day and pressing on is a miracle in itself.


I really meant it when I told Carol, I registered for the one-day commute to the conference, just to give her a real, in-person hug. It was something I really felt like I needed to do, not for her, but maybe for me. I so appreciate the fact that when all things were darkest in her life, she stepped up, pressed on and did the “next best thing.”  The Lord has been magnified and I am grateful for Carol and the many unsung heroes we meet daily, moms doing what moms do best; love their children, unconditionally. I guess I could start a fan club, but really, we know she’d point us to JESUS. 


Instead of stressing because I was unable to meet all the people I wanted to meet at the conference, I decided to just enjoy what I could. I was able to have extra time with our Word Weaver’s Volusia County group president, Tania, who rode over with me. I was honored to attend Carol’s class, Julie Lavender’s class and a portion of Bob Hostetler’s class (I learned a lot in just that short time.) Keynote speaker, Liz Curtis Higgs was as awesome and funny as I’d always known she would be. Although I wasn’t able to attend Alice Klies’s class, I learned that she sends in four submissions a month to Chicken Soup for the Soul. Wow! No wonder it took me so long to finally be accepted in one. Look for my story “THE THREE MUSKETEERS” in the LIFE LESSONS FROM THE DOG book. 


To those I just saw from afar and didn’t get to spend time with, know you are in my heart and prayers. 


FCWC next conference at Lake Yale will be in October instead of March. This conference is one of the best in the country in my opinion. I have so many good memories of my times spent there. Thanks to all who gave of their time to bless us so much. And Sarah Bulls, may a special blessing come to you for making me those two awesome appointments. I had the time of my life.