Not a spirit of fear

I remember in 2006 I joined the Songbirds, directed by the wonderful Cynthia Ruchti. The last day of conference the Songbirds sing a song during worship.
So we get on stage, and I was so scared. I covered my face with my music book and prayed it would be over soon. Some stage presence eh?

2007 I was elected as Vice President and at the conference I introduced the Operating Board, then Robin and I introduced the Faculty together. I made a few mistakes since I couldn't read my own writing. :D And then spoke at the banquet handing out certificates to the Past Officers. I didn't faint or choke on my own tongue. I had notes and I did well.

2008 I talked to the faculty (even made a joke that people in the front laughed at). Alas, my voice didn't carry so they handed me a microphone so the people in the back of the room could here me. I skipped the joke that time. LOL. But then I introduced the faculty (with printed out notes, see I do learn from my mistakes). Then came time for the banquet where I needed to speak twice. Only problem? My notes were sitting at home with my camera. Sigh. So I got up in front of approximately 600 people and spoke without notes.

I got up on the platform without mishap (a miracle in and of itself) and looked out over the crowd. Made eye contact with several people and spoke.

Guess what? I was not even nervous. I liked it! Isn't amazing the change God can make in us in just a few short years. Several people came up to me afterward to tell me how poised and gracious I had been on stage. That meant so much to me to know that I seemed as comfortable as I felt. I know God knew I needed to hear that I'd done okay.