Desert Oasis 1998
by Steadfast
Posted as Re: ! Steadfast Did you have fun? - YUP!!!!!!!
on the WDW Encouragement Board (slightly edited)
03 Aug 1998
I had a GREAT time! God provided so many little miracles.
First, the night before - to the best of my knowledge - we had 5 people (up from 2) going....in 1 car. Hmmmm. I had done my best to secure a minivan, find a multi-passenger vehicle - whatever. So night before - I said "OK - God you gave me a watch, a pair of tennis shoes...(stories for another day) - how about a COMFORTABLE ride to Nashville (7 hours). So he did. We had a woman join us from out of the blue that morning - gave us a 2nd car, and room to ride 3 per car rather than 5.
Then the trick - how to find the other posters at the conference? We knew we'd have yellow ribbons on....but I've gotta tell you - 4000 people is a lot of name tags to look for ribbons on! :) So going into the evening break, I headed out of the convention area, saying "OK God - could use a little help here..." - and Lighthouse Lady called my name ('Steadfast') not 30 seconds later, having spotted me by the yellow ribbon - and pink one - she had left for me at the hotel desk. She had already met up with Sue from Yakima, and Dianne from Maine. Then Helen in the Heat found me in the concession line at supper - so we all got together for a bit after the Fri evening session. It was SO neat to meet these folks face to face. I have pictures, but have no web page of my own to post them on yet (and the film's not developed yet, but hopefully before the end of the week).
The conference was better than I expected - knowing the topics would relate around children, which as a single guy I don't relate to in the same way as a parent - but my passion has always been with teens, with whom I've done some work. Also, I was SO blessed - and occasionally, rightfully, humbled by the testimonies given. And it was good for me to see Gwen in something other than the videos - to see her love for God flow so freely in the more spontaneous moments.
God fanned anew within me a flame for Him which had been fighting for revival coming out of some difficult circumstances.
I could go on for pages - because there are so many people I'd like to tell you about....so many lessons learned, even on the way there and back....and other - perhaps more significant - answers to prayer that were given during that timeframe.
I rediscovered the overwhelming completeness that comes only from being surrendered to His love and care, and grew my Lord just a bit bigger in my own finite mind.
Desert Oasis 99 will be held July 16 and 17 1999
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Better go now - or I"ll ramble all night :)
Peace be with you!
Steadfast
Email:stopsein@aol.com
