Assighment 5 - From Larry Leech

Assighment 5 - From Larry Leech
Monday, February 13, 2023 by Cindy Sproles

Four weeks to go???? NOPE, only ONE!

I must have fallen asleep for a week. That or some weird oddity happened and a week just vanished. SO, people! We are one week away from from our conference. Let me look at the calendar again.

Yep...it didn't change. Today is the 13th and NEXT FRIDAY is GROUND ZERO.

All that to say, your assignment for this week is assignment five, and it's done by the amazing Larry Leech. Get in the Mood to Write! Larry is an awesome mentor and teacher, and you're sure to learn quite a bit. He's given you an assignment to practice at home. I do hope you are taking the information our faculty is giving you and putting it to good use. Check out Larry's post here and practice.

Now, down to business. Since I'm a week behind...by sheer accident. Let's make sure you have the details.

You can go to the Conference Update page for last-minute changes. Please keep checking this page. It may or may not change, but if it should, this is where you'll find your information.

PRINT BEFORE YOU COME - We cannot print critiques or proposals for you. Print copies before you come. There is no account for conferees to use printing at the Cove. Please print what you think you may need and bring it with you. This includes the schedule, faculty photos if you need them, etc. If you think you need it printed, then print it before you leave home.

When you arrive, go to Shepherd's Inn and get your name tag, then walk next door to the Training Center. Take the elevator to the 3rd floor. Classes begin at 1:00 p.m. (NO, you do not register for classes). There will be time to check in after Early Bird classes.

Our schedule is locked in (I HOPE!). Pray about that, that it doesn't change.

Off-Campus folks, drive up to Shepherd's Inn and get your name tag, then go to the training center. If you arrive after 5 p.m., you will get your name tag at the office in the Training Center. Go in the door, make a fast left, and the office in is that little cubby.

I honestly can't think if there is anything we haven't discussed in previous letters. Remember when you get your name tag, you will also sign a liability release.

*Our bookstore will open on Friday after supper. Feel free to browse, but our staff is not ready to sell until after supper. They are checking in inventory, adding it to our inventory in the Square, and making sure things are priced. Keep in mind there are times the internet will be slow at the Cove with the hundreds of folks using it. That does, at times, affect how quickly our charge cards run. Don't grow frustrated with our staff, they have no control over the internet speed. Just chat with the folks next to you for a minute, and things will go through.

*Remember, check-in is NOT UNTIL 3 p.m., BUT you go to Shepherd's Inn to get your name tag. Our staff will meet you at the door. You can leave your luggage in your car until check-in. If you are being dropped off, you can park your luggage in a corner of Shepherd's Inn.

*Please do not try to come on campus before 11:00 a.m. You can come on campus at 11:00. Classes begin at 1. That leaves you time to visit the Cove bookstore on the first floor of the training center or to visit the Billy Graham Chapel. You must get your name tag from Shepherd's Inn, or you cannot enter the 3rd floor to the conference in the training center.

*Please do not ask the Cove staff if you can rent your room for the day after the conference. Long story short, NO, you can't. You can only stay on campus when your conference is in progress. The Cove sets a contract in place with us for housing, and we cannot veer from that contract. Save yourself the embarrassment of being told no, and just don't ask. I wish it wasn't that way, but this pertains to their 501c3 compliance as a "retreat center."

*Keep in mind the Cove is Alcohol and Smoke-Free. If you are caught with these things, their security will ask you to leave. You must go to your car if you are a smoker.

*Our dress code for the weekend is casual. It's cold in February, and we want you warm. Jeans and sweaters are perfect. But please, allow the holy factor to only apply to the Holy Spirit. Dress with dignity, and though the conference is casual, be wise.

Believe it or not...I think this is it.

The Heart of a Servant

And he has raised up for his people a horn,^[a]
the praise of all his faithful servants,
of Israel, the people close to his heart.

Praise the Lord ~ Psalm 148:14

Writing is important to us all. After all, this is why we are coming to the Cove. To learn writing. However, the truth is, we have prayed you here. Now, you can choose to take that with a grain of salt, but I would reconsider. For a solid year, we have been praying that God would send those to us, He would have attend. Folks that He has placed a call on your heart. You've felt the nudge, and perhaps you're already writing and paying attention to that nudge. I hope so. BUT, you may be one of those who is timid, unsure, and confused about whether or not you belong in this crazy writing business. Let me begin by saying this:

Everyone will not gain publication.
Everyone may not be surprised at what God has in store for you.
Everyone may not be 100% all in.

And that's okay. God's call isn't always obvious to us in the beginning. His timing comes into play, but His preparations for you have long time begun. You are here because God called you to come. You may not realize it, but you are. And so, let me be clear. Your call may not be clear to you yet. God may just now be beginning His work in you. What we know for sure is that you've been issued the call. That's why you are here. That's why 91 of you are brand new. We only have space for 119 folks, and only 8 of you are returning conferees, 23 are staff and faculty, and that leaves 88 of you as brand spankin' new to ACWC. 91% of you are new. See where this is going? Each year we may have 8-10 returning conferees that we are happy to welcome back, but every single year, over 85% of you are NEW. God keeps sending us NEW conferees. This solidifies to us that you have been called.

This doesn't mean there is an unnecessary pressure on you. It simply means our job is to help you begin to realize that call. Let it start to percolate in you. We want to help open your heart to what God is asking and preparing you to do. If we can encourage you to be open, to listen - then you too, will hear the horn that was raised for His faithful servants, the people close to His heart.

I don't think I'm alone when I say I believe our world is winding down. Now, more than ever, the world needs our words. God is calling us to take heed, step up, put on His armor, and be ready for battle. And we know the pen is a mighty sword.

We welcome you into open arms at this conference. Our desire is to make you feel loved, to encourage you, and to offer you direction. You have and will make friends for life here. We are always available to you, with you and for you.

Welcome into the ACWC family. We know God dwells within us. We can't wait for you to hear His call.

Much Love,
Cin