the conference was held in a suburban area of athens called kinetta. our hotel was nestled between the sea and a mountainous area that was so close you could almost reach out and touch it!! the wild flowers were all in bloom on the mountainside and full of color. the beach was georgous and the hotel had several outside pools and trees and flowers decorated the scenery everywhere you looked. our room was lovely, clean, and we each had our own double bed!! we slept like babies and the food!! it was over the top as we say in america:) we had a breakfast buffet on saturday morning that was so complete that i don't know what could have been missing for anyone. the women and their families who were assigned to take care of us had a special gift of hospitality and though they were weary from all of the weeks and months before to plan the conference they never seemed to tire with making us at home and serving us graciously for our every need. athens . . . you rock!!!!
the speakers and small groups where we shared together how to apply the themes of the speakers to our own lives were inspiring. khatuna and i had time to reflect and to pray together and just to relax. and of course, there was lots of time to talk with women who have a passion like i for quilting and using our craft to love people and make a difference in this dark world we live in. many were eager to get answers to quilting questions and so most of our free time we spent together with those interested to just "talk the needle" as i like to say.
the conference started on friday evening and lasted through saturday evening. we went to church on sunday and it just happened that a Christian men's choir from moody Bible college was there and we were further inspired by their music to reflect on the Lord and the weekend we had just experienced. then off to dina's home at the Greek Bible Institute for a delicious lunch and some time of fellowship with her. just to get caught up and share our lives together. sunday night we had a great meeting with a group of quilters at the home of mary bora and her husband akis. it was fun to show the girls some of my secrets and tips for just the perfect finishing to their quilts. we had two women who drove 2 1/2 hours from patras just to partake in the mini class. we really didn't talk much about how the women in athens can get together as a collective group but i hope that this will come soon:)
though it sounds like the weekend was a rush and i surely would have been exhausted at the end, i was actually so inspired, energized, and refreshed when we boarded the train to come home on monday morning:) God knows what we need and He does know how to treat His children to the very best of His kingdom. thanks to everyone in athens -- all of you for blessing khatuna and i in such a special way. may God bless you ten-fold and refresh you in the days and weeks ahead for all of your work to bring Glory to His name. we met so many new friends and know that God will bless you all as you use quilting to love others for His glory!!
here are just two pictures i took with my camera but i will post again once khatuna sends me her pictures because i want to share with you just how lovely this place was. you can also get online and look up the website for kinetta beach hotel greece and see for yourself!!
ps. i have met a woman through this conference who is willing to translate my book for widows from english into greek just as a favor to the Lord. i am sooo excited about this project. my publisher in america has given me the copyrights to post the greek version of the book in its entirety onto my website: www.widowtowidow.net. this is a dream i have had since i first moved to greece and i feel so blessed that the Lord would orchestrate all of the details for it to happen now.
did i mention that i am having trouble keeping my feet on the ground???? hahahaha. God bless you all.