Catalyst--Day 1

Just coming back in from a LONG day at the conference. Long because we woke up at 6:30 (3:30 CA time) and headed over to the convention center...and we are just getting home (at around 10:30)

Leigh is a total Catalyst lover, so we had to get there early to get a good parking spot and seats in the lower section...this meant no Starbucks stop and so we were forced to eat convention center food (pretzels, burritos, hot dogs, nachos, sodas)...

I say all of this, not to complain, but simply because this is not the Leigh I typically see...so it's very funny for him to love this so much.

I have to say, I loved today. I took notes and wrote down phrases and ideas that I am excited to process through or put in to action when I return home. I also really feel God confirming His plan for me to go to Kenya...I don't know when it's happening, but it's definitely happening.

Here are a few of the speakers from today's sessions:
ANDY STANLEY
PATRICK LENCIONI (who lost his train of thought a few times, and skipped back to tell a story he missed, but was amazing: so real, very funny, and gave me some things to think about for weekend leaders)

SHANE CLAIBORNE (I want to be this guy's friend. Mostly because he seems so genuine and very wise...but also because I think he would challenge me to the point of discomfort...If we were friends, I think I would live in Kenya right now)

FRANCIS CHAN (He came out to speak and said he felt the need to remain quiet for a few minutes to allow the Holy Spirit to sink in after the time of worship through music...he then spoke on being a Christian that would truly follow Christ...and being a leader who did not raise up luke-warm followers)

RICK WARREN (It was so fun to see Rick outside of the Saddleback walls...and to hear the responses of people around us...He told the story of God turning Moses' staff in to a snake...the woman behind us clearly loved every moment...)



After the conference, we had dinner at Pappadeaux with Rick, his team and the Children's staff...lobster tail and cheesecake...it was Pappadeaux-licious...