Mandatory conference attendance and God's strength

         Friday night I just started feeling it. Saturday morning, tired, but no other problems. Saturday late afternoon, exhaustion arrived. Didn't get much done. Sunday morning I had to really push myself to go to church. After church I had lunch with my daughter. Part of the conversation dealt with doctors; when to call them; appointments; new insurance and actually making the phone call.  Then it was time to go to my classroom and make sub plans for two days so that I can attend the Special Populations two day conference. Sub plans done, headed home.
         After a few texts to firm  up Monday morning meeting time and place, it was early to bed. I was ready. I could hardly keep my eyes open. Then it happened; the cough started! I would get up, and I would be fine. I would lay down, and it would start. I was supposed to get plenty of rest before driving to the conference!!!! 4:45am....I had to get up. Thought that maybe a cup of tea would soothe my throat and easy my cough. Come to find out, all the teabags had gone with my daughter! Really??? Oh yeah, I found candy cane tea bags, but they just did not tempt me that early in the morning.
        Little before six I texted my coworker and asked if she could drive instead of me. I felt that my reflexes might not work as fast after not really sleeping much. I was also thinking that I could have possible called in sick if I did not have this conference to go to. Well, a trip to the CVS and a chat with the pharmacist equipped me with the right kind of medicine--with promises that it will start working in an hour.
       My coworker and I met at a dark commuter lot (why they don't have even a single light there is beyond my comprehension). She drove and we chatted! (Translate: I am staying awake!) About 45 minutes into the trip I noticed that I am starting to feel better! Thanks Mr. Pharmacist! The trip went fast. We had not really had the chance to talk much since school started so this was a great chance for that. Now I am at home again, thankful for good friends and coworkers who care! Getting ready to go to sleep early, so that I can wake up again early. After all, I am planning to post this before I leave for the conference!
       What is my lesson learned? God will give you strength when you feel week; He will sustain you with energy when you feel yours is disappearing; He will provide friends and coworkers for this journey that education is; and He will help you stay awake even if the speaker (or speakers) are not the most engaging!  And remember, He will walk with you, before you, and at times, He will even carry you! I really think He carried me for a while today!