Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Recap in Pictures

Welcome to St. Louis.

We stayed downtown within walking distance of restaurants, Busch Stadium, a park, and this historical courthouse which happens to be a museum. On Sunday, Sandra Orchard and I were able to tour inside the courthouse. Beautiful. It was absolutely beautiful, but I discovered I can't handle heights as we climbed up winding staircase after winding staircase.






If you know me at all, you'll know why I just had to take a picture of this horse drawn carriage. Such gentle animals, and so great to see them every time we stepped outside.





Here I am with my fabulous roomie, Susan Mason, and my wonderful flight buddy, Sandra Orchard.






Some blogging buddies and a surprise trespasser!






I wasn't that great at pulling out my camera this time, so I didn't get near as many pictures as I should have. But between the courses and the socializing, 2011's ACFW's conference delivered big time. I'm always amazed at how positive and encouraging every one is at an ACFW conference. Competition doesn't exist there. It's replaced with the wonder of prayer. Such a blessing indeed.

If you were in attendance this year, what was the highlight of the conference for you? Or were you like me, everything about it fed your soul?



Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

19 comments:

Jessica Nelson said...

Like you, everything was amazing for me. I kept wanting to pet the horses too. lol
I wish I'd brought my camera but I guess I'll live with my lovely memories. ;-)

Jessica R. Patch said...

I can't wait for next year. This looks like so much fun! Ya'll are just beauty-full! :)

Sarah Forgrave said...

That last picture is too funny. I'm sure between the six of us, we've got one with all of us smiling. :)

It was so nice to meet you, Eileen! And I agree...The sweet spirit at conference was overwhelming and refreshing.

Hope you have a great week!

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Honestly...did we not get in one picture together! Bummer.

So glad to catch up with you and visit on the couches. Hope you remember what I said.

~ Wendy

Sandra Orchard said...

Had so much fun flying with you. I'm sharing our "Urkel" experience on my Fun Friday post. :) I think I became your friends go to camera girl after that marathon paparazzi shoot. LOL It figures that your camera was the one that got the trespasser!

Erica Vetsch said...

LOL! The last photo is so funny!

Lovely to see you again, Eileen! Write on!

Loree Huebner said...

I've been enjoying the blog rounds of the conference.

I plan to go next year. Looks like you guys had a ball. Thanks for sharing.

Susan R. Mills said...

Sounds like a great time. And, I can't handle heights either.

Eileen Astels Watson said...

Hey, all, great to be interacting with you all online again. If you didn't make to this year, I sure hope you can next and I hope I can swing it again too.

Sandra, you crack me up. Can't wait for Friday's post. Have a feeling my dogs will think I'm nuts as I'm sure to burst out in hysterics again!

Cindy said...

It looks like you had a blast! I wish I could have been there. It would have been a great opportunity. Hopefully in the years to come, I will finally be able to catch one. Thanks so much for sharing about the conference and all the pics.

Jeanette Levellie said...

Oh, how wonderful! Did you go in the arch? We've lived in IL for 12 years and have yet to visit the arch.

Thanks for the pics!

Jeannie Campbell, LMFT said...

it was great to see you there eileen! and i love that you caught heidi "trespassing" across your pic! hysterical!

jeannie
the character therapist

Susan Anne Mason said...

Great post, Eileen! We got some amazing shots of the Capitol Building and the Arch. Glad you and Sandra made it inside, though the stairs sounding intimidating!

Wonderful trip! Met so many amazing people. Will definitely want to go again!

Cheers,
Sue

Susan Anne Mason said...

Oh,ya. And everyone was so TALL! When you just have a blog picture of a face, you can't imagine that some people tower over you. Well, maybe it's because I'm short - I think everyone else is too! LOL.

Green with envy, girls!

Unknown said...

I didn't realize Susan was your roomie. She's my critique partner. :) Hi, Susan!

Jennifer Shirk said...

Thanks for sharing! I LOVE to see conference pictures! So glad you went and had a nice time!

Eileen Astels Watson said...

Hey, Julie, Susan and I are also critique partners. We're lucky girls.

Jennifer, I hope you can make it to one in the next couple years, preferaby one I'm able to attend!

We did go to the arch, but not up it. It's quite large when you stand next to it!

Thanks all for stopping by!

Unknown said...

Eileen - What do you write? Maybe we should consider just merging into a group.

Eileen Astels Watson said...

Julie, from what I see on your blog, we write the same, inspirational contemporary romance. I've tried contacting you via email and via your blog with comments but it won't take mine even when I try as anonymous which is really weird.

If you're getting these replies in your inbox, shoot me an email please at eileenastels{at}rogers{.}com. Thanks!