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OKAY FOLKS - THIS IS IT! I'm closing up shop so I can get to the conference.

THE WEATHER -
So it's no surprise in February that we get a touch of snow. It is the mountains! And Thursday is calling for a wintery mix which is really nothing to be concerned over. It may snow a little but according to the weather reports it will melt as quickly as it hits and it shouldn't stick on the roads. THIS CONFERENCE GOES ON REGARDLESS OF THE WEATHER. If you decide not to come, there is no refund at this point. We have NEVER had an issue in the Asheville-Black Mountain area. Even if it does snow, the NC DOT has things cleared within a short time so the roads are good and there is no issue. Friday, the high is 40 which means, there probably won't be anything but a rainy ick. So don't panic. Take precautions and pray for perfect weather. Things will be fine. If anyone has a hard time getting to Ridgecrest it will be me skirting across the top of two mountains and I'm not the least bit concerned. So pack up, be ready and be cautious.
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FLU Season - As you know we are still in flu season and I've had a conferee express a concern so I will address this as well. Every year this conference falls during FLU SEASON. Our conferees have always been vigilant about precautionary measures to prevent the spread of germs. I encourage you to please: 1) if you have a cough, bring and wear a mask.  (We do not provide these. If you are coughing it's your responsibility to be a good steward and kind and purchase the necessary items you need to prevent the spread of germs.)  2) Purchase a travel size hand sanitizer.. .in fact, buy two and use them if you are coughing and even if you are not. 3) I know it's wonderful to reconnect and hugs are the first thing we want to do, but if you are fighting a cold - DON'T HUG! We'll all understand and we'll love you anyway.

If you feel as if you are running a fever, then please, stay in your room. Please be considerate of others during this rough season of flu and colds. The MP3s will be available for every class. You won't miss a thing.

I have had three conferees let me know they are nurse practitioners or PA's. This is wonderful to know, but it's also important to understand that we cannot utilize these individuals under our liability restrictions. If you become sick enough to need assistance, we will contact 911. This is not only our insurance rules but also the policy of Ridgecrest.  We are grateful for those who have this wonderful skill. Thank you for your offer but if someone becomes ill, it is important to contact myself or Eddie Jones ASAP and we will handle things from there forward.
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We are two days out from the conference. We can no longer make reservation changes, add rooms or additional folks to the hotel. If you have someone who wants to stay at Ridgecrest, you will need to contact reservations yourself and make that reservation. They will need to do it under their own name, not our conference.
Ridgecrest Conference Center 1 Ridgecrest Dr, Ridgecrest, NC 28770 Phone: (828) 669-8022

The only additional folks we will accept to the conference are OFF-CAMPUS. 
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Mentoring, critiques, and contests are closed. Please do not send money or entries. I've had several folks send those today and the contests ended Jan. 20. I'm sorry, but at two days out, we have already had the work judged, and the certificates printed. 

Please, please, do not ask for changes in your mentoring or critique appointments from here forward. Everything is nailed down, faculty has spent valuable time working to accommodate you. We can not make changes from here forward, there is simply no time left. Faculty is boarding planes and getting in their cars. They can't work and drive or fly at this point.

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We look forward to seeing you on Friday. Eddie and Bennie, myself, Kevin, and Dee Dee will already be in Black Mountain tomorrow. We will do our best to answer emails, but at this point...it's getting more difficult.

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One More Prayer for You

Oh Lord, I've answered tons of emails today with last minute worries. Will you lay rest to the fears and concerns of our conferees? You have sent them, now give them the necessary courage to step forward and trust that all will be well. Thank you for the blessings each one will bring to the table and Lord, may all we do be in your name and might it be a glory to you.

Father, stretch out Your arm of protection over each conferee and faculty member. Give them safety. Lord, show your might and clear the weather just as you do beautifully every year. We know that You are active in this conference because You have called us to be Your hands and feet. So Lord, with full confidence and trust we place our full armor on and march ahead.

May Your will be done.

Cin
 
Blessings to you all.
Cindy Sproles
Director, Asheville Christian Writers Conference

 

Your Roster is attached.

So we are just 4 days out. It's crazy here. But it's a good crazy. So here are your final instructions. Last week I sent you a map of Ridgecrest. Please enlarge that map so you can see where to go to get to Mountain Laurel. It's easy. Drive in the front grate (regardless of what security tells you, smile and say thank you, then do what I TELL YOU. Security doesn't know we have the room keys so they will instruct you to go to Pritchell. DON'T DO THAT. Drive through the gate, straight ahead. Follow the road around and up the hill to the top. Mt. Laurel is on your left. It's big you can't miss it. You may park in that lower lot, drive on around to the front where there is limited parking, or mosey on around to the other side of the hotel side parking lot. Remember, park your car. Leave your suitcases in the car! You'll get those after the early bird classes. 

It is important you follow these instructions. We can't have tons of luggage sitting in the lobby of the hotel. So please, leave your bags in the car. Take your pen and paper and go to the Conference level (C) on the elevator. Go into the auditorium and enjoy Edie Melson and Edie Jones as they do your early bird classes. After early bird classes are over, line up at the registration table and we'll get you into your rooms as quickly as you can say Jack Sprat. P.S. Be patient. Be kind. And we will get your keys, badges, and meal tickets to you quickly. 

Here is the link to your roster:
OOPS...unless you are a conferee...you don’t get this. Sorry!

If you look at this newsletter on the website the link to the roster will be gone. We do not want the world to know about your bio and photo. So you have the link here. Once you click on it, save it to your desktop or print it. But keep a copy, this will be the only one. We don't want the link hanging onto the website for spammers to grab. I will also send this to you in an email.

How should you dress?  We don't require professional dress. It's generally cold this time of year. So we tell you to wear nice jeans and sweaters. We want you warm. We do however, ask that your dress be modest. Leave the holey jeans at home and present yourself in a nice casual manner.

Social time - There is always social time in the evenings. We encourage this to be around the fireplace on level 1 or on the conference level in the lobby area. Please do not gather in groups in your rooms. Remember we are not the only group on campus and once you retire to your room, there are others who may be sleeping. Socialize in the lobby areas. It's comfortable and laughter doesn't bother those who want to sleep.

Do not place yourself in a position that is compromising with members of the opposite sex. Follow the Billy Graham rule. Groups of three. Never just a man and a woman unless you are married.

We run a tight schedule - Please be on time. It's easy to lose track of time in the cafeteria. But we ask that you be mindful of the schedule. Eat and move back to the auditorium as quickly as possible. Johnny will begin worship promptly.

Remember - we believe in giving back to others so we support Bob and Robin Hostetler as they work to earn money for the Cystic Fibrosis foundation. We have a box in the bookstore, loving called the Bob Box, where you can donate to help Bob's grandchildren who fight the battle daily of Cystic Fibrosis. Because of the money they help raise, their grands have received ground breaking medications that drastically improve their quality of life. At the end of the conference, Christian Devotions MATCHES what you give. Last year we gave $1500 for Bob and Robin's race to fight Cystic Fibrosis. Then that was doubled by his son's work. What a gift. So come prepared to donate even a dollar. God instructs us to care for those in need and I believe that is those who fight battles daily just like this.

MP3's and Pre-Conference Deposit can be purchased and made in the bookstore with Wendy Leech. Also, we have faculty books for sale and our faculty is great to discount the books. Please mill around through the bookstore and purchase some awesome books.

Don't worry about signing up for classes or appointments. We will give you all that information Friday night at general assembly.

If I have made special payment arrangements with you, please be sure to settle up at the bookstore. Just give your check or charge pmt to Bennie or Kevin and tell them you are setting up with me. I trust you will each one make good on your commitment. 

I think that is all. Come ready to work. We're gonna fill you up and send you out. I know you will enjoy our time together. 

 

 

Oh Lord, hear our prayers. I offer up our praise for this opportunity to serve You. I pray, Oh God, that You will inspire our faculty, speak through them, guide their paths and their words. Give them the necessary tools to serve You most effectively. Father, I pray for each conferee. We have asked for You to send those You would have attend and You have answered that prayer. I ask for your hand to be over them. For their hearts to be softened to direction and for their passion to rise. I pray, Lord, that they will be the hands and feet of You to the world through the words they pen. Give them good words. Do not let frustration bear down on them and if it does, strengthen them in Your name, that they would wear Your mighty armor. Use them Lord. Use us. May we work in harmony to bring glory and majesty to Your Name. Bring them safely to Ridgecrest and then return them equally as safe, filled to overflowing with the power of Your name and Your calling. 

You are mighty Oh God. We bow before You as the Master, Savior, Father, Provider, and Abba to us all. It is through You all things are possible and nothing, dear Lord, nothing...is impossible. May we mount as wings on eagles. May we walk not grow weary. May we be faithful to wait upon You oh God. 

We offer this conference fully to You. May it be a glory and an honor to You and only You, for You are worthy of all praise, glory, and honor.

In the name of Christ Jesus.
Amen and Amen
 

Blessings to you all.
Cindy Sproles
Director, Asheville Christian Writers Conference