Pinching Myself

Welcome back!

I am still pinching myself because after this past weekend I realize dreams really can come true.  God not only confirmed in me but once again I felt him calling me to a higher purpose, a purpose only he can establish and a plan only he can orchestrate.  You see in the months before I signed up to attend She Speaks I began conversing with Leann Rice, Executive Director of Proverbs 31, and She Speaks Conference Coordinator, as well as Kristen Sigmon and Samantha Reed who work with The Next Generation, Proverbs 31’s teen division about becoming a part of the work of this division of Proverbs 31 Ministries.  After all teens are my heart.

Before coming to the conference these ladies said that we’d get together while I was there to talk about the possibility of my becoming involved with the Next Generation.  As a part of this I began back several months ago submitting devotions to them for publication on their blog for teens, A Radical Revolution.  I have had a couple of these devotions show up there already.

So, as soon as I arrived at the conference, I met Leann, mind you for the purpose of actually being able to stay there overnight as the hotel apparently thought I was coming in on Friday rather than Thursday, but sweet Kristen, willingly gave my husband & I her room, this only begins to tell you what kind of people these ladies are.

Leann assured me then and there we’d meet this weekend, but it might not be that night since her schedule had her working late.  I have to admit some doubts crept in as I began to worry, “do they really want to talk with me?”  But, at lunch on Saturday I sat pinching myself as I had lunch with Leann, Kristen and Samantha and was asked to share about the ministry God allows me to do with teen girls, my calling, my testimony and my desire to work with them.  It was an awesome few moments, one of the highlights of my weekend.  As I stared into the eyes of Samantha and Kristen as they obviously felt my same passion for youth, specifically teen girls I felt an instant connection.  As I shared with them, I had seen the Next Generation girls, those teen girls who attended the conference walking around and felt a strong urge to “follow them” as I have such a passion for sharing with and ministering to teens.

Not only did Kristen, Samantha and I have an instant connection, but I was also told by Shari and the other members of my speaker evalution group that they could see my passion for teens as I spoke.  Confirmation yet again, and I am sooo excited that Kristen, Samantha, Leann and I agreed to stay in touch as God’s plans for the Next Generation grow and come into being I will continue to be a part.  I can only imagine what God has in store, as just being able to be a part of this in any small way is a fullfilment of the dreams God has planted in me.  One thing is for sure, I will be back at She Speaks next year and I hope to be able to be a part of The Next Generation track there in some way.

Christian Writers, Speakers & Bloggers, Oh My!

She Speaks, was a conference for Christian Writers, Speakers and Bloggers, oh my! The worst part, feeling torn between all three. I have for a long time called myself a Christian speaker, for a shorter time however I have began to dub myself a Christian writer and blogger. Though, I have had a love for writing a long time and been a faithful blogger as well, I just didn’t realize that I really WAS ONE! Does that even make sense? But now, looking back on the conference I realize, I am …. really… ALL 3. Which is awesome, but challenging at the same time.

As I chose for the conference to go as a speaker, I chose to take the Speaker’s Track and mostly take speaker related workshops with a few exceptions here were my choices: Blogging: What Works and What Doesn’t, The Power of a Story, Marketing for More Bookings, Teaching By The Book and Balancing Marriage & Ministry.

I feel like God placed me in each of those specifically for a reason. The blogging one helped me, in addition to Friday’s blogging reception to connect with those ladies online who I only knew by face and words. It was amazing to meet someone whose blog you’ve read and pictures you’ve seen 1000 times. I told my husband it felt so weird because I felt like I knew them already in “real life” though I really did not, but now can say that I do.

The other workshops were amazing, I learned too much to even possibly post. And, in addition I participated in Shari Braendel’s Speaker Evaluation Group which was the most nerve racking of all the things I did this weekend. You see, I’ve been a “speaker” for 3 whole years. I have had no shortage of speaking opportunities, no matter how small to me, I felt I was prepared. So, why did I suddenly become nervous when I strangely never got nervous before about speaking?

Well, normally the 11 other ladies in the room aren’t “evaluating” me. I think that was the key. However, these sweet sisters, were very honest, yet critical, but just what I needed and Sunday afternoon I walked away with an even greater confirmation that I am a “Christian speaker”. I can do this with God’s Grace!!! Ironically one of the themes of the weekend was “grace, grace, grace”, the other, “Setting my agenda aside, for God’s Will to be done.” Something I want, now, more than ever, “for God’s will to be done in my life”.

I was blown away when Shari shared with me during my speaker evaluation session that I should write my “speech” into an article and submit it for publication in a Christian teen magazine. This confirming that I am a “Christian writer”.

And, as I sit her “blogging” this morning, I know, I am a “Christian blogger”. So, I guess God has only confirmed in me what I thought I knew, but now know for sure! Amazing, and as I said yesterday I am truly BLESSED!

Though I know for many of my readers it seems like I am going on on and on….there is more… so stay tuned.