Beth and Traci: Sometimes a Great Notion
By some force that transcends all understanding, Traci and I will fly out of snowy, icy Indy tomorrow to attend a Christian women’s conference in Oregon. I’m a bit dazed by the way this plan so spontaneously sprouted wings. One morning someone (Sarah? Helen?) told me about Women’s Convergence, and I got the notion to look it up. Within five minutes I checked Expedia and emailed Traci. Within five hours Traci and I were booked and she was asking to borrow a Bible for the flight there. Crazy.
This whole B&T writing assignment has been a total gas, but a weekend with some Christ following gals in a state thousands of miles from home, well. That just pops the pinata.
Except for some fun girl time with my atheist pal, I don’t have specific expectations for the conference. I have no agenda for the Traci and Beth book. My only plan is to take it as it comes, meet some cool women and enjoy basking in a locale that offers stunning natural beauty. (Have I mentioned how desperately I miss living in Colorado this time of year?)
I did the math the other day and figured it’s been twelve years since I attended a churchie retreat. If I were a bettin’ woman, I’d go all in on this conference winning the pot. I worry a little about whether the same (hold back from) participation rules apply. I guess it’s not much different from our local church event visits. But I wonder. When the guitars start strumming and the voices rise in praise, will my spirit be able to resist the pull to join in? I don’t know.
Traci, are you cool with me belting out some Amazing Grace? (I’ll avoid any cannibalistic lyrics.) I pledge to abstain from any activity that will make you feel more uncomfortable. Traci: Belt away, my dear. Just not in our hotel room.
Roger that, roomie. What are your expectations for the trip, Traci? Other than downing your weight in locally-brewed beer.
Traci: I’m just looking forward to getting away from all the salvation and miracle talk for a few days of — aw, hell.
I just went to CVS to buy a new notebook for the trip. I said to my husband, “I might pick up a trashy magazine for the plane ride. No, wait — I’ll be reading the New Testament.” I certainly have never said that before.
Comment by: Rebecca
1 02/21/08 9:58 PM | Comment Link |You make me laugh! I’ll be watching this space keenly.
Comment by: Helen
2 02/22/08 4:32 AM | Comment Link |Traci and Beth, I hope you have a wonderful time in Oregon and the Indiana weather doesn’t cause you any travel problems!
Beth as I recall I found out you and Traci were going to Convergence when I interviewed you both and you mentioned it. I don’t think I would have dared suggest taking Traci all that way for a Christian women’s event. Although if I did, it would be this one: I’ve met the women leading it and some of those who will be there. That gives me good reason to hope this will be the most wonderful group of women you meet on your tour.
Traci, you asked me one time what ‘Emergent’ is. This is a gathering of Emergent Christian women so I hope you’ll take the opportunity to ask while you’re there.
I was at an regional Emergent Christian gathering last year - the Christians there (almost everyone else was Christian) were very friendly and welcoming to me. I hope you’ll find the same to be true at Convergence, Traci.
During sessions and in particular, the worship times, I’ve realized I usually prefer to be out in the hallway chatting with people one-on-one than listening to ‘lectures’ or with people engrossed in praising God which doesn’t do anything for me. One time I found myself leaving the room almost as if on automatic pilot when the speaker opened his Bible. I think that just reminded me wayyy too much of church. Since I miss so much of the main talks, after the event is over I read the blogs of other people who were there to find out what the speakers said :).
Traci, I’m also looking forward to hearing your thoughts about your Bible reading on the plane. It always fascinates me to hear the thoughts of people who read the Bible without having been ‘trained’ to understand it a particular way.
A picture suddenly came to my mind, unbidden - Traci reading the Bible on the plane and being so surprised she exclaims loudly “WHAT THE —-???” Other passengers stare and Beth, embarrassed, says “Ummm, Traci my love, maybe it would be best for you to read this book in private?”
(But, how could that happen - Traci has been following these blog conversations - why would anything in the Bible surprise her?)
Comment by: Missy Welsch
3 02/22/08 8:06 AM | Comment Link |Traci, give your new Bible to Beth before you get started. I know you said you’d be reading the NT but the first thing I do when I break in a new Bible is remove the last few pages of Proverbs. It’s kind of like those tags on a new mattress, I think.
Comment by: Claudia
4 02/22/08 9:09 AM | Comment Link |You mean Bernoulli’s principle?
Comment by: Helen
5 02/22/08 9:38 AM | Comment Link |Missy, I’m guessing Traci is going to turn straight to the end of Proverbs as soon as she reads your comment.
(You knew that, right? :))
Comment by: karen
6 02/22/08 3:22 PM | Comment Link |Hey, great title! “Sometimes a Great Notion” is one of my favorite novels of all time.
And it would be terrific weekend reading, given the Oregon setting. Just sayin’ ;-)
Have a fun and safe trip, girls.