Ladies' Day

[Marilyn]

Our church is hosting a Ladies' Day this Saturday. We've been doing this for several years and other congregations in this part of the country hold Ladies' Days, also. Basically it's like a church service held on a Saturday morning with a speaker who presents two 45 minute sessions. There are songs, prayers, announcements, a break in between the sessions. After the closing prayer, we all go to the fellowship area of the building and enjoy lunch together then everyone goes back home. We sent invitations to over 100 area congregations inviting them. It's ladies only (no men will be in the building at all), so the singing is amazing. We sing acapella and when you have over 100 ladies together it's quite a sound.

This year, our elders ask me to be the coordinator. In the past our preacher's wife has taken this on, but this year, she's our speaker, and she's always such a busy lady. She works outside the home, speaks at other ladies' days for other congregations, is cowriting a book, so she was getting a bit stressed. She's also has a kidney transplant, so she's on lots of drugs and get really tired sometimes. It's really been fun though a bit stressful helping this to all come together. We have 128 RSVP's from outside our congregation plus our own ladies. Our building max capacity is around 200, so it's going to look pretty full Saturday morning.

When we met to decide who was going to be in charge of what, registration, food, decorating, etc. and who would lead the singing, the prayers and be the master of ceremonies (welcome everyone, do the announcements, etc.) Everyone thought that should be my job, so I have to get up in front of all those ladies and speak. I'm feeling a bit nervous.

I've spoken at a ladies' day before (one 45 minute session, not two) and have spoken in front of other groups for work and Junior Achievement recruting and such, but I always get nervous behind a podium in front of a room full of people. I'm afraid I'll say "ah" too much.

It's going to be a wonderful day though. The topic is "Finding Contentment in a World that is Not". Wish you all were in the area so you could be with us Saturday morning. There will be ladies coming from Austin, San Antonio, south of Houston, Corpus Christi. I just know it will be awesome, if I can just pull off my relatively minor roll.....

[gja1000]

What a wonderful event! Oh My, you HAVE been busy pulling this all together!!!

Regarding speaking - no matter how much I do it, I still get nervous. Nothing anyone suggests really helps me - so I'm just nervous. I do my best to calm myself just before going to the podium. I take a big deep cleansing breath, in through the nose and slowly out slightly pursed lips. I might have to do this more than once - but I have to be careful not to do it so quickly that I hyperventilate and get lightheaded. LOL! The slow deep breaths help to calm me inside so that when I get to the podium, although I am still nervous, I seem to be able to handle the pressure.

I just think it sounds like a wonderful day!!! Good luck with everything!

[Gina]

Marilyn you have a lot on your plate.. But you will do a great job!! I have confidence in you.. If anyone can pull it off, it is you. I am not one to speak in front of a large audience I would have a panic attack lol. Gayle is knowledgeable and experieced so take her advice.

It sounds like a wonderful day, and I wish you the best. You go girlfriend!! have fun.

[DianaB]

It sounds like you'll have a really good time. I wish that I lived closer because I would enjoy coming. I bet the music from the women is beautiful and something to hear.

I imagine that you'll do really well with what you have to do. Try practicing in front of your husband. I find that the more practiced I am, the more comfortable I feel in front of people. It will help you feel more confident and secure about what you're going to say. I don't have a problem getting up in front of people. You are a very busy and awesome woman!!!! Good luck!!!

[Janet]

Sounds like this is going to be a huge and exciting event Marilyn. I'm sure all your hard work will prove for a very enjoyable time.

[Marilyn]

Thank you for your very kind comments!! We were at the church building last night decorating and getting everything ready. The building looks so nice with all the flourishes. We're serving Mexican food, so one of the ladies had a Spanish class at one of the schools make tissue paper flowers for us. They are huge!! about 12" in diameter, so we used them above the doors in the building to add some color. It looks like Fiesta!!

I spent some time in the closet last night practicing what I will be saying this morning, and feel pretty good about it now. The one thing is, I'm among friends, even the ladies I don't know are my sisters in Christ, so they will forgive me if I accidentally say an "ah" or two. Will try not to though.

It should go off pretty well. We have some contingency built in just in case we start running too long on time or too short (don't think running short will be a problem.)

The men who were helping last night commented that when men do things they are so much simpler. That may be so, but our events are better attended, so there!!

Will try to post some pics later so you can see what we did.