The IF: Experience: Kristi's Story
Over the next few weeks we will be introducing you to ladies who are directly involved with IF: LOZ by bringing you their IF: Experience. Each ladies story is different, and it's amazing to see how God has used IF: Gathering to impact each one of their lives for the better.
This week, we are featuring Kristi's IF: Experience. Kristi is our Shoppe Extraordinaire! She is responsible for organizing all of the cool, trendy vendors whose booths you get to peruse; ordering all of the MUST HAVE books that are written by the speakers; and finding cute, fun things that you might want to take home as a memento of your time at IF: Gathering. IF: LOZ would not be the same without Kristi, and we cannot wait to introduce you to her on a more personal and spiritual level.
So, without further adieu:
***Kristi's Story***
"This
will be my 4th IF:Gathering that I have attended. I had registered to
watch the very first IF:Gathering in 2014, but then life happened, and I didn't
do it. However, I knew I was supposed to be a part of it, and that these
ladies were onto something. I was hungry for God and my soul was feeling
a little parched, so I started following the website and the studies they do as
part of IF:Equip.
Then,
they planned an IF:Pray event for the fall of that year, and I thought that
maybe I could connect that way. I was really searching for some
like-minded friends that wanted to practice what we preach with me, regardless
of where we worship Jesus. Iron that would sharpen iron. I live in
Iowa most of the time, so I typed in my zip code and there was nothing close to
me.
As
the event drew closer, I realized that we would be in Camdenton when IF:Pray
was happening. Without much confidence of getting a hit, and really, just
on a whim, I typed in "65020", thinking perhaps Springfield or Jeff
City would pop up. Imagine my surprise when Camdenton, Missouri was a
match! Now, I am not normally a bold person that will just show up alone
somewhere where I won't know anyone and really don't even have any idea of what
the event is like, but I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that God had
orchestrated this. I really couldn't even talk myself out of it, even
though I tried. Normally, my husband wouldn't have been as convinced as
he was that I should go. So, with a little fear and intrepidation, I
went. Now, IF:Pray was quite a bit different than IF:Gathering.
Since its focus was prayer, we prayed! Shocking, I know. But,
as a girl that had spent most of her life in churches where the women didn't do
the praying, it was scary, but I didn't even feel TOO awkward which is totally
a tribute to the Tree ladies that were present. I learned that Keri
Major, who started all this here at the lake, had signed up for IF, as well,
but then life happened, and she had watched it by herself at home. We had
a lot of great conversation about Jesus and life and had some similar life
circumstances with kids and starting home church, etc.
I
went home that evening and told my husband, Steve, that I had found our people!
It was beyond thrilling! We had been at the lake for almost 3 years
at that point, and we had visited some churches during that time. It was
really important to us that we didn't just come down to be on vacation, as we
are both very thankful God doesn't take a vacation from us! And, the
places we visited were fine, and we agreed that we could worship God anywhere
and could always glean out Words we needed to hear from Him, but it was our
desire to serve Him when down here, too, and we have that now. IF did
that.
I
love everything about IF. The speakers, the worship, the conversation,
the food, the Marketplace. All of it. It is so great how they break it up
with speaker, then discussion, etc. It keeps it interesting and provides
something for everyone. It is hard for me to pinpoint a favorite speaker.
Every year, it is different because of where I am spiritually at that
point, but I loved Jill Briscoe last year, even though I had never heard of
her. Rebekah Lyons was also very good. Angie Smith and Jo Saxton
have been awesome in the past. I appreciate the racial discussions.
Laura Sobiech and Jen Hatmaker were so great the year we were at
Kinderhook.
I
can't imagine NOT being a part of IF. I have made new friends and
deepened relationships because of it. And, I believe IF has something for
everyone. Something that happens IF weekend will draw you closer to God
and change your life."
********
Just like Kristi, we want you to have an amazing IF: Experience that you may someday share with someone. We know that God has something truly special planned for YOU at IF: LOZ, and we would love to save you a seat at one of our many tables.
So what are you waiting for? Follow this link: https://register.ifgathering.com/event/ifloz and get registered today! We cannot wait to see you there!
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