AWARE Blessings- by Carolyn Schaub

The first time I went to an AWARE conference (which stands for Anglican Women Alive Renewed Enriched) it was at Camp Iawah, in 2006. I brought a great friend along and we both came just expecting to enjoy times of worship, prayer and hearing from a speaker who would inspire us in our journey with Jesus. As we walked into the dining hall the first night we heard women laughing, talking, getting caught up with each other. I remember breathing a huge sigh of relief to be away from responsibilities for a while, to sit down to delicious meals and to talk with my friend and others at the table. I remember feeling ministered to already, and I had just walked in the door. When I went I knew I really needed fellowship and for God to continue to show me He was with me.

That weekend was amazing because I had a chance to worship God with other women who were pursuing a deeper relationship with Him.  At AWARE you can stand, sit, dance, wave a flag - you can worship God joyfully and without fear that someone will look at you strangely. God ministered to me through the music. I was so relieved to be in His presence and worship God freely with others. His presence is sweet, and at AWARE, these women are praying for His presence to be felt and to nourish everyone there.  We laughed and we cried in the services. From Joan Acott’s hilarious jokes to funny incidents the speakers and others shared God ministered to me through laughter.  We listened to a wonderful woman speak about how God had been working in her life, from the time she was a child through many hardships and happy times. God ministered to me through her story.

During a workshop offered about the Holy Spirit we heard another woman’s testimony of what Jesus had done in her life. It was riveting and hearing her story boosted my faith and hope.  It is so amazing how God takes people’s thinking and their lives and turns them right around—turns them toward Himself.  In the prayer time afterwards as worship music played those who wanted to stay behind listened and prayed. God touched me through personal prayers and scriptures that were prayed over me and for me by this beautiful woman of faith. And in this way, God spoke to me about the depth of His love for me through someone I had never met before. I was grateful that this woman cared enough to minister to me like that and I still meditate on those scriptures.

On the car ride home, my friend and I shared and prayed with increased passion for everyone who was on our hearts. We had been truly blessed and replenished by being at AWARE and finding that the promise is true -“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8) It can be a little scary to do a new thing like going to a conference with people you haven’t met before or who may seem different than you and yet, when we step out of our comfort zone God meets us and does something wonderful.

That is the story of the first time I went to AWARE. I have been back as many times as I have been able to go since and can tell you that every single time I go I am blessed and refreshed by the Holy Spirit and the fellowship with other women pursuing Jesus. Last year I took my mother as well, who was attending for the first time but who has loved and served Jesus since she was a young woman.  God touched my mom in a marvellous way there too.

I hope you will know when you read this that the AWARE planners are praying for you to come and to be blessed and refreshed too. If you decide to come, whether on your own or with a friend, I know you will not regret it. I now have friendships with many whom I met at AWARE whom I can laugh or cry with and who encourage me in my walk with Jesus throughout the year. I hope to see you there.