Newsletters

1. THE 2019 ROSTER IS UP ON THE SITE

So here's how it goes down with the roster:
1) This is the final roster. Sorry. No more changes, so let me apologize if I missed something. When you get to the conference, just share your changes with your peers. We may try one more update AFTER the conference but we'll see. Conference season kicks off for me and many of our faculty. ACWC this week. Eva Marie's conference in Florida, the next. And the weekend after that Linda Gilden's conference in SC. Many of us begin making our way around the country serving as needed with other conferences. So if we don't get an update, I pray you'll understand.  Look through the roster. Familarize yourself with faces and names. We don't expect you to memorize it, but at least allow yourself the opportunity to see some faces that might ring a bell when you arrive.
The final roster is posted on the Current Update Page.  Roster- Click here

A little FYI -
It is important to know, that at this point, should you be unable to attend, there is no refund for your expenditures. Bills have been paid.

One final thing - Please, please pray for this conference. If you have not already gathered.. . I am a firm believer in prayer. Please pray for good weather. Things are forecasted in our favor at this point.

Weather should be in the 30's and 40's - Rain
Rain in the mountains is cold. Please dress warmly. We ask that you dress modestly, but jeans (none with holes please) and sweaters, boots are fine. Bring a jacket or a sweater to the training center. Some need it - some don't. I'd rather you be prepared. Because of the time of year this conference is held, we relax the dress code a bit. Please simply remember to dress in a way that honors God. 

Pray for our faculty and staff.
Pray for safe travel.
Pray for God to show you His will in your writing.
Pray simply because we are called to do so.

If you have questions - PLEASE EMAIL ME AT [email protected]
I leave home on Thursday, and the first half of the week I have to work my day job. I will do my best to respond. PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE COVE.  The desk does not have our conference information. Only the event office does and they will simply forward you to me. SO PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE COVE with questions. I will do my best to answer them if you email.
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 OFF-CAMPUS FOLKS
You can check into your off-campus hotel and then head up the hill to the Cove. Bring your notebook, pens, pencils, computer (if that is how you take notes). Anything you need to help you at the conference.  Stop at the guard shack. Check in and get your parking permit. Then come to PILGRIMS INN. Go inside and get your badge, conference materials, and sign your liability form. THEN you can either drive on up the hill to the Training Center (2nd left) or you can catch the bus. The bus runs every 5-6 minutes. Go to the 3rd floor (the elevator is directly across from the HUGE FIREPLACE). Remember you MUST HAVE YOUR BADGE TO GET TO THE 3rd FLOOR.


ON-CAMPUS FOLKS
Check in at the guard shack and get your parking permit. Go to the first left up the mountain, PILGRIMS INN. PARK. LEAVE YOUR BAGS IN THE CAR. Just bring what you need to attend the early bird classes. Come into the lobby, get your room key (if they are ready), and your badge, and conference materials. Plus you'll sign the liability form. Catch the bus or drive to the next left THE TRAINING CENTER. Park or get off the bus (unless you wanna ride the bus in circles). Go to 3rd floor (Elevator is directly across from the HUGE FIREPLACE) and be sure you have your badge. You cannot get to the 3rd floor without it. Come up to the early bird classes. Andrea will meet you at the elevator and direct you to the meeting room.

QUESTION CENTER - Andrea Merrell will manage our question center this year. She'll be stationed next to our bookstore. Ask ANDREA questions. Do not ask our bookstore staff. They are chest deep in setting up the bookstore.
 

Spiritual Takeaway
                                  Putting Words In God's Mouth

Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:“Who is this that obscures my plans   with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!  Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone— while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? ~ Job 38:1-7 NIV


Who doesn't have a heart for Job? As we say in the mountains, "Love him." The guy had it rough, and why? Just to show his faithfulness? Well, kinda, but that's not the whole story. There's more buried in Job than the eye sees.

First of all, it's important to know that we never hear from Satan again after the first three chapters. So really, the ole' boy, as raunchy as he is, isn't the primary player in this book. We see God tell Satan that there is none more faithful and Job will not curse him. Then when Satan taunts God, he allows Satan to take Jobs possessions, wealth, servants, even his children but not a hand is to be laid on Job. Immediately we feel sorry for this faithful man as in one day he loses everything. . .everything but his wife, and honestly, Satan could have spared her so she could rain down a tongue lashing. :)

Next we see Job's wife and three friends, tear him to shreds. (With friends like those, who needs enemies?) And then we see a young Elihu who respectfully waits his turn and who then takes the opportunity to let those three stooges know how horrible they are. But he doesn't stop there. He lovingly (sorta) reprimands Job for saying he didn't deserve this hardship. And the kid was right. So was Job. The point is, Job didn't ask for the hardship, but even in his faithfulness, he was still a sinner. Elihu reminds him of that and tells Job, repent.

All that to say, God finally speaks in Chapter 38. He asks those obvious questions that prove He is "I Am?" Like where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Surely you know!

So what does this have to do with your final week of preparation for a conference and what does Job have to do with your writing? A lot. You will be put through the ringer from time to time. Sometimes God allows it...other times, it's simply a consequence of the fall of man. But you will be tried in your life. Maybe even as you pack your bag to come to the conference.

Doubt may seep in. A feeling of unworthiness. Fear. And it's oh, so easy, to put words in God's mouth. Things get tough and we haphazardly say, "God is leading me in a different direction." Translation - "This is hard, I can't do it. I don't deserve the rejections. I shoulda won that contest."

That's when you need to remember Job 38 and remember that God will ask you those same questions if you listen. Don't use God as your excuse to back away. Job remainded faithful by never cursing God or blaming God for his circumstance. Instead, he cried out, saying he must have done something to bring this on. Through it all, he never blamed God. And when God called his hand, Job admitted his own sin and praised Him.

Praising God in the hardship, in the fear, in the frustration, is hard. But when you go to your knees and look inward, you might see your own sin. Repentance is the road to healing.

When your writing gets hard. When life tries to call you away...remember who called you. Remember who placed this passion in your bones and then praise Him. Don't walk away. Walk to!

As you pack to come to the conference, pray for God to speak into your heart. Ask for His perfect guidance in your writing career. Put you to the side and ask, HOW CAN I SERVE YOU? I promise you will see amazing things.

I've called on friends this week because, well...I've been fighting off my own discouragement and frustration. Today, I went to my knees and asked for forgiveness in my own heart. None of us are perfect. Not Job, not you, not me. But how we handle the hardship sets us apart.

Reach upward. Come with joy in your heart. Put on your armor and show up ready to march forward.

We will see you on Friday. Our hearts and prayers are with you. Be ready. We. Will. Blow. Your. Socks. OFF!

Cindy