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Mar 29, 2008

Tulsa Workshop

This weekend is the Tulsa Workshop. I have so many memories of the workshop and have found myself thinking about it a lot this weekend. I have even had dreams about it. I figured since it is on my mind and since most of the people that read my blog are at the workshop I would write about it.
The first time I attended the workshop was the year my twin sister was an AIMer (1996). It was a little overwhelming for a small town girl. I had never in my life seen so many Christians. I remember one of the days at the workshop I was walking with my friend Felicia. I remember exactly where we were standing when she pointed to a guy and told me "hey he is going to be in your AIM class". I remember we said hi to him and I told him that I was also going to be in AIM that fall. We talked for 30 seconds and then parted ways.
The next year I found myself back at the workshop but now dating the guy that I had briefly spoken to the prior year. I remember we went for a walk in a "park" right next to the main pavilion. While on the walk he told me that he loved me! This was a big deal because a few months earlier I had heard him tell one of his best friends that he had never and would never say he loved a girl until he was 100% sure he was going to marry her. We missed the next year since I was in Slovakia and he was in Russia. But in 1999 we found ourselves back at the workshop. After listening to Terry Rush speak Cory asked me if I wanted to go for a walk. We found ourselves back at the same exact spot where two years earlier he had told me he loved me. Next thing I know there is a ring on my finger and I am engaged. We went right back to listen to the next speaker (Jim McGuiggan). I don't think I heard a word that he said! I know Cory didn't because he fell asleep during the class and Jim called him on it infront of thousands of people! I guess he hadn't been sleeping very well and felt such relief that he had asked me and I had said yes that he fell asleep. Don't think he will do that again!
A few years later we found ourselves at the workshop and pregnant! My how time flew. Three kids later here we are in a different country. We would love to be at the workshop. Maybe we will make it next year to celebrate 10 years since we got engaged! Who knows. There are many people we would love to see, speakers we would love to hear. We would love to see the AIMers flag presentation and most of all would love to be at AIMapaloza. Hope you all had a great time. Can't wait to hear about it.

8 comments:

Shane Coffman said...

Would LOOOOOOVE to have you guys join us next year!

Unknown said...

Toni-
Wow, what a story. I hope that you guys can return next year for a 10 year anniversary! Dougle and I read this and he told me how when Cory was leaving Russia, he told them it would be 6-12 months before he was engaged and then another 6-12 months before he got married! Funny how life changes when you are around the people you love! We love you both and pray for your family and work. Peace,
Lucy

Timbra said...

what a fun story. . . . i had no idea about your long love affair with the workshop and all the special memories it brings for you. it is a really emotional time for me, just because it's a time to reconnect and be reminded that when i feel all alone, i have wonderful friends spread out all over the world. . . . oh great, i'm tearing up again (seriously). hope to have some stories posted for you soon. . .so you can live vicariously through the blogs of those who were there :)

J'Lae said...

That is really neat. It is good to see how God worked through you and now you both are in Mexico. I really look up to you and hope that God will bless me with someone I can grow with in Christ and will lead me.

Miracle said...

Wow, you really do have reasons to love Tulsa! I wish I could have been there, too. Dave and I went right after our relationship began, and I'm sure I didn't hear many of the lessons either!

Unknown said...

Hey Toni-
Well, you must be busy doing all those things you do as a mom, wife and missionary. I like to check your site on Mondays to see what new thing you have posted.... Hope you are doing well. Know we love you and think about you lots!
Lucy

Anonymous said...

Nice story, did you ever try to write novels?

Unknown said...

I miss going to the workshop too. It seems like there is just too much to do all year. I can't beleive sooo much time has gone by???? You do have some great stories!!! Tana