2009 Ligonier Conference Pics

In March I attended my 6th annual Ligonier Ministries National conference in Orlando, Florida with my mom, my two sisters, my mother-in-law, my friend Cbass, and a new addition who is a friend of my sister's, Donna. This conference is always one of the major highlights of my year. I love the Bible teaching, the speakers and their banter, the beautiful music of the Westminster Brass, the bookstore, and of course sharing all of this with my family and friends. After the conference each night we go out to eat at our favorite restaurants and when the conference is over we relax by the pool, shop, and eat more. It is always a good time. This year's conference was extended a bit in order to celebrate the 500th anniversary of John Calvin. The pre-conference, on Calvin, started earlier in the day so we had a few more lectures to take in than usual. The actual conference, on the Holiness of God, also went a little longer than usual. It was great to have all the speakers and to hear all their awesome teaching but I have to admit my brain gave out well before it was over. I listened to all the speakers but suffice it to say I am glad I have the mp3s so I can listen again!

This years speakers were:

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  Al Moler
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  Ligon Duncan
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  Sincalir Ferguson
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  Steven J. Lawson
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  R.C. Sproul Jr.
• 
  
  Derek Thomas
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  Alistar Beg
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  D.A. Carson
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  Thabiti Anyabwile
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  Robert Godfrey
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  R.C. Sproul

R.C. junior and senior are always among my favorite speakers at the Ligonier conferences as well as Sinclair Ferguson. This year I was surprised to be blown away by the first sermon of Steven J. Lawson on the legacy of Calvin. This lecture was so awesome the audience gave him a standing ovation. It was my favorite lecture of the conference. If I can find a way I will post it for your listening pleasure!

Bruges, Belgium

Not too long ago Matt and I went to Belgium for the weekend. We visited Bruges and Brussels. Bruges was a pretty cool city and we had quite a fun day there. We started out by walking to the edge of town to see the old windmills. Then we toured Choco Story which is museum on the history of chocolate. The museum was very interesting and ended with a chocolate making demo and tasting. After that we walked through the city square where we had some frites under the famous bell tower. Then we walked around a little more and had a Belgian waffle. After this we we toured the Blue Moon Brewery which was very entertaining. The tour guide ripped on German beer makers the entire time claiming that Belgian beer is superior. At the end of the tour we were given a Belgian beer to try. To be honest I am not a big fan of Belgian or German beers. After this we headed over to the The Flemish Pot where we had Flemish food for lunch. I had a pancake (which was really a crepe) with a huge hunk of goat cheese wrapped in bacon with apple. It was very tasty but so rich I could not finish it. Matt had Flemish beef stew which came out in a little black pot. He was given a large bowl which the waiter filled with frites and covered with the stew. Matt's dish was also very rich. After lunch we took a boat ride around the canals where we saw many beautiful views of Bruges. Then we headed over to the Famous Chocolate shop, The Chocolate Line, where we tried Cuban Cigar flavored chocolate and peanut butter chocolate. We then stumbled across a cigar bar where we settled down for a while so Matt could have a cigar and I could have a hot chocolate. The hot chocolate came with a side of amaretto and we were also given a cup of mussels already out of their shells- I can't believe people eat these! We wrapped up our day by visiting another famous chocolate shop, Dumon, where we tried more tasty Belgian chocolate. Bruges is a fun place to visit and is worth one full day of sightseeing. It is a beautiful city full of stepped-top buildings, horses clip-clopping down the cobbled streets, and some of the world's finest chocolate. Enjoy the show!