2 T. macadamia nut oil (or butter)

1 sm. onion, chopped

2 lbs. asparagus (2 bunches)

6 c. chicken stock

12-oz. can white beans, drained

1/3 c. plain Greek yogurt

1-3 pinches cayenne

1 lemon

3-4 slices bacon, chopped

In a large pot warm the oil or butter over medium heat.  Add the chopped onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes.  Cut the tops off and reserve for garnish.  Cut the rough ends off the bottom.  Chop the rest of the asparagus into short segments and add to the pot.  Sauté for another 3 to 5 minutes until the asparagus is bright in color and tender.  Add the beans, stock and cayenne to taste.  Simmer for 20 minutes, uncovered.  Using an immersion blender, puree the soup until smooth.  Add the yogurt and puree again.  Salt and pepper to taste and add a squeeze of lemon.  Place in a small skillet over medium heat.  Brown the bacon, then add the asparagus tops to the bacon.  Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes.  Drain and garnish the soup with the bacon and asparagus.  Prep time: 15 minutes; cooking time: 25 minutes.  Yield: 4 to 6 servings.

8am-10am Coffee and Shopping 

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10am - 12:30 Morning Session 

12:30 - 1:15 Lunch On-site (Chick-fil-a lunch tickets for sale, day of.)

1:15 - 3pm Afternoon Session

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I am she...who stands firm in the face of adversity, shines in the midst of darkness, loves in the presence of hatred, invites in the circles of rejection, forgives in the company of resentment, builds in the collapse, rights in the wrongs, gives in the taking, lives in the dying, comforts in the crying…

I am she…who walks tall among the reeds of criticism, who treads with lighted feet above the jagged cliffs of misunderstanding, who glides across the waves of inconsistent affections and surfs above the empty foams of hollow promises.

I am she…who shuns the attention of many to captivate the heart of One, who tills relentlessly in the gardens of ingratitude, who sees the silver lining, digs for the gems in the mire, ploughs in the fields of an insatiable soil.

I am she…who dreams big and loves long, has waited and whined, been impatient and arrogant, gentle and gregarious  - an aficionado of the underdog, conductor of justice in the orchestrated mayhems of life, a real display of hormonal genius grappling, gasping, gorging…rising.

I am she…who full of purpose must move in spite of mishaps, rise in chaos, pursue in persecution, believe in the middle of doubt, be silent when words are many, rest when battle is raging, trust when there is no clearing – I am she who must go on, must go forward, must not be entangled and distracted, infringed by the minuscule and deterred by the immature.

I am she beckoned by the Voice of the One who has called me, who must with hastened feet relish in the encounters of His Divine whispers and frolic in the company of His majestic splendor.  Aha, I am she who cannot acquiesce to the trivialities, no rather go full speed ahead, spare no expense, withhold no effort, waste no time, ha ha I am she…I stand, I win, I laugh, I give, I love, I rejoice, I grow, I finish.

 I am she and SHE does NOT fret…

Judges 18:6 – "Go assured. God's looking out for you all the way."

MSG Translation

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 Pastor Sara Conner is a gifted motivational speaker, who brings with her a cultural diversity and unique approach to scripture not commonly found.  With over 15 years in ministry, Sara is an intriguing Biblical expositor whose humorous, yet powerful delivery motivates her listeners to live sold out lives for God.  She is most noted for her candor, compassion, and encouragement. Sara serves with her husband, Pastor Eben Conner, at Word of Truth Family Church in Mansfield, Texas, where they reside with their two children- Heaven and Landon.

pastorsara.com

Twitter @pastor sara

Instagram @ pastor sara

The most wonderful component of the friendship that I’m sharing about is my “bestest” friend for over 20 years, Enlane Grandy. We have been friends since we were 12 years old.  It has been a very colorful journey from elementary to the present and will prayerfully continue when we get to Heaven.  I know within my heart that our friendship is an awesome part of God’s plan and purpose.  

Enlane is one of the most selfless, loving, and compassionate people that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.  No matter where life has taken either of us- from high school graduation, to going off to college, to getting married and having children, and even living in other cities- our friendship has always remained strong.  I thank God for having a friend who would rather not tell me her thoughts or feelings when I am sharing an issue, problem, or concern; but one who instead she promptly leads me to the word of God saying, “Let’s see what God says about this.” In a day and age where friends are more apt to steer you to be more like them or to resemble the things of this world, it’s an honor to know someone who sees beyond the superficial and who instead sincerely prays for her sister in Christ. 

To share an example, for years I lived in confusion about salvation and what it truly meant to have a personal relationship with Christ.  I had been in church my whole life, but like many, I was in search of more.  God allowing her to witness my struggle firsthand opened the door for her to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with me. Not only did she invite me to church, she shared scripture, testimonies, and purchased materials (books and CD’s) to help me.  You see, many friends would rather buy you things; but how many would give you Jesus- the best gift that anyone could ever share with anyone? Now, that’s a true friend!  I am forever grateful that she made it a priority for me to know and accept Christ as Lord and Savior.  She has shown me by example what it means to seek first the Kingdom of God and to expand it.

 Even with our busy lives, her life much busier than mine (being a nurse, 4 children, studying for her Masters @ Dallas Theological Seminar), we always find time for our weekly, routine girl talks. These talks often lead to both of us encouraging and uplifting one another.  Most have their definitions of true friendship, but there is no doubt in my mind that God predestined our friendship long before we met in the sixth grade. And, this is what has made our friendship uniquely different, setting it apart from any other that I have ever had.  I thank God for Enlane and adore her beyond words.  She has been such a sweet blessing to my life in more ways than could ever be contained, which is why I had to share about her.

3 c. water

2 family-size tea bags

1 (1-oz.) pkg. fresh mint leaves

(about 1 c. loosely packed)

½ c. sugar

4 c. cold water

1 (6-oz.) can of frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed

Fresh citrus slices to garnish

Bring 3 cups water to a boil in a 2-quart saucepan.  Remove from heat, add tea bags and stir in fresh mint.  Cover and steep 10 minutes.  Remove and discard tea bags and mint.  Stir in sugar until dissolved.  Pour tea into a 3-quart container and stir in 4 cups cold water and lemonade concentrate.  Serve over ice.  Garnish, if desired.