19,000 WOMEN HEAR UPLIFTING MESSAGE

I returned home last Thursday from picking up my daughter, Reagan, from kindergarten to discover a message on my answering machine from my sister, Penny, who lives in Fayetteville, N.C. "I know this is a real short notice, but do you want to meet me in Nashville tomorrow and go with me to a women's conference this weekend? I ended up with an extra ticket." I sat on the edge of the bed and laughed. There was no way I could get out of town that quickly and for that long with three children. Impossible.

Or was it?

With the help of friends, a couple of baby sitters and my husband to the rescue, I found myself driving over the Mississippi River bridge by 12:30 p.m. the next day, alone in the Suburban with no children yelling in the back seat. I didn't know much about the conference I was heading to, but at the time that didn't matter. I was going to enjoy my unexpected freedom.

What I didn't know, but was soon to find out, was that I was to be a part of something very special and perhaps the awakening of a new movement for women.

On Saturday morning, my sister and I joined over 19,000 other women from across the country (there were over 40,000 requests for tickets) and were treated to exceptional music and inspiring speeches from five very talented and gifted speakers -- all women.

I hesitate to compare it to Promise Keepers, a Christian men's movement that has held sold-out conferences across the country with one scheduled for next weekend in Washington, D.C., which is expected to draw nearly 1 million men. (Did you catch that? One MILLION men!)

However, it would not surprise me if the conference I just returned from turns out to be the Promise Keepers movement for women. The conference, called "Renewing Your Heart," was sponsored by Focus on the Family, a Christian organization based in Colorado Springs whose goal is to spread the good news of the gospel by "helping to preserve traditional values and the institution of the family." (Many will recognize this organization's founding president, Dr. James Dobson, from his newspaper columns, his radio shows and his numerous books, including "Dare to Discipline" and "The Strong Willed Child.")

While there is something special about being in an arena filled to maximum capacity with only women, there is something even more special about being with 19,000 women who share the same values and, most importantly, faith in Jesus Christ. The experience was moving, inspirational, uplifting, challenging and, yes, emotional. (Would you expect anything less with so many hormones in one room?)

We were urged by the opening speaker, Patsy Clairmont, noted author and speaker, to guard our words carefully, for the overflow of the heart can be heard from the mouth. We heard from Shirley Dobson, chairperson of the National Day of Prayer, about the importance of prayer in our lives -- and especially for our children. We heard from Eva Self, paralyzed from the waist down, about the need each day to surrender your life to the Lord. We heard from Kay Coles James, a national player in the public-policy arena, about the need to take care of the relationships in our lives more than anything else. And we were urged by Ann Graham Motts, daughter of the Rev. Billy Graham, to know for sure -- without a shadow of a doubt -- where you are going when you die.

From laughter to tears to standing ovations, the 10-hour conference was over too soon. Because of the overwhelming response, Focus on the Family is planning on offering four to five similar conferences next year. If you get the opportunity, I encourage you to attend -- even if it means going the extra mile of lining up extended child care. You will not regret it.

If you would like to listen to tapes from the conference, I have placed copies in the library of La Croix United Methodist Church (339-0302) where you are welcome to check them out. I strongly recommend the speech by Ann Graham Motts. She opens with an analogy of the deaths of Princess Diana and Mother Teresa and the question of where are they now? Her description of Heaven and Hell, based on the book of Revelation, is the best I have ever heard.

I'd love to write more, but, alas, it is time to pick up my daughter from kindergarten.

Holly Rust Payne of Cape Girardeau is the daughter of Gary and Wendy Rust, the wife of Richmond Payne and the mother of three daughters, Reagan, Robyn and Morgan. She is a member of La Croix United Methodist Church.