I CHOOSE OBEDIENCE!

A D.O. testimony by Linda Gregory
August 1998

I drove in for Desert Oasis 98 (Weigh Down Workshops yearly convention) from Florence, Alabama which is about a 2½ hour drive. It was a wonderful drive. I enjoyed listening to praise music on my tape deck while I drove.

I arrived Friday morning in time for the for the luncheon. I asked for directions to the Renaissance Hotel parking deck because I had been told that I could park there for $12.00 per day . After getting directions, I drove around to park only to find out this one had only a $5.00 per day fee. Wow! I parked my car and proceeded to walk to the Hard Rock Cafe for the luncheon.

This walk was not something I was looking forward to because for the past 5 months I've endured severe foot pain. But with fallen arches and heel spurs I proceeded and had very little problem with my feet on that walk.

I met a lot of the people there whose posts I have read on the WDW Encouragement Board. I had only read posts before , now I could put faces with all the names.

We ate. I ate less than ½ of my meal and was starting to feel that if I paid $12.00 for this I ought to get to eat more than this. God carried me through though.

Soon the group I was waiting for arrived. I stayed in the Rennaissance with 3 others WD'ners from Talk City WDOnline chat. Well actually 2 from the chat. One woman was a friend of one of the other ladies.

One of my roommates was the date that our chat and encouragement board friend, Doc, had for Saturday night. Gotta say that they were a cute couple!! (Sorry Connie and Doc;) Needless to say, Doc was around us all weekend too. I sure am glad he was because he gave me some really good things to think about and I needed that.Thank you Doc!

Anyway, back to the point...

We went to the convention and began running into others who we recognized. It was just so neat! I had been so worried about going because I hadn't lost much since I'd last seen some of these folks. It did not matter to them. They just showered me with love and acceptance.

We heard some awsome praise and worship music. Then Gwen gave her talks She gets better each year.

We spent time at lunch visiting with each other. At supper my old foot problem was cropping up so I went with some others to our rooms and ordered room service. I got a small salad and was satisfied with less than 1/2 again.Wow! 3 meals of less than 1/2 and I did not die!

We went to bed LATE and got up the next morning for more of praise and worship and Gwens talks. I was tired and fighting a migraine but by time we had the Season of Prayer led by Gwen the headache was gone. I felt like the energizer bunny who just goes and goes and goes...

During the season of prayer I was crying very hard which is a miracle for me. I do not usually let others see me cry but God opened my heart and released lots of pain. I could see deep into myself where I needed to change. I no longer felt that it was my family that needed to change. I could see that it was ME that needed to change. I think this is what touched me the most, recognizing my shortcomings. No lets say it . It is my sins! I asked God for help.

I have a wonderful husband who I have given many headaches to. He has not deserved what I have put him through. Nor do my children. They have had an angry bitter self seeking mother who wants her way. I would never refuse my children things they need and have given up things for them. Still, I have insisted on things being done my way. It is time I give up control and give that control to my husband as head of the house and to God as head over all of us.

It was just like a taste of heaven being with 4,000 souls in worship and praise to God.

After everyone went to their own rooms we sat and talked for a long time. I became too tired and went to sleep but God kept waking me up reminding me of the changes I must make. By 5:00 am I was still not able to sleep. I told one of the other ladies I was going to go on home. I had some business to clear up with my family. I drove all the way home and when I arrived I opened the door to my puppy jumping all over me. My husband heard the door open and asked my granddaugthter who it was. She said: "It's mama!" We were able to talk awhile then we went to church.

What a awsome weekend!! So many Jewels! Beginning with going for the lunch and eating just 3 bites. Knowing I do not need anymore. I asked God how much of the food He wanted He Wanted it all! I gave it to him. I have never done that until this weekend.

To sum my testimony up:

My Daddy died in January and I chose to overeat. My kids are not always perfect and I have chosen to overeat. My daughter was raped at 15 and we now have a grand daughter we help to raise (5 years old now) and I chose to overeat when that happened. When I had marriage problems I chose to overeat. Now here I am, very overweight.

The bottom line is this,

I can choose to continue to overeat over tough life situations or to be obedient to God. I CHOOSE OBEDIENCE! PTL!

You can believe me when I tell you that the struggles I went through to get the money to get to DO were all worth it . For me it was indeed a taste a heaven!!!

I know this has been long testimony but I am so full of all that happened I wanted to share it.

Linda Gregory
lindamariah@airnet.net

More Testimonies from the Desert

Schroeder Ohana Academy Main Page

Shirley's Fav's Home Page |

Weigh Down Workshop| 72 Hour Challenge| Desert Hints| Encouragement Collection|