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.

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Today is the day and we are on our way.  I pre-posted this post to let everyone know I’m on my way to She Speaks.  We fly out at 1 pm.  I hope to find time to blog at the event and let everyone in on the excitement, but if I do not have a chance you know I’ll fill you in when we get home.

This opportunity has been one I’ve been looking forward to for a LONG time.  I know it is God appointed and that he has much in store.  I covet your prayers not only for my husband and I as we travel but for all the Proverbs 31 Ministry team and the other ladies attending this conference.  Thank you!

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If you’ve read my blog lately or for any length of time you’ll see I”m normally rather long-winded. I am a chatty Cathy as one might call it and I do love to talk. In just 8 days now I am going to She Speaks in Charlotte, NC a speaker and writer’s conference put on by Proverbs 31 Ministries. I am super excited!

One of the things we have to do in preparation for the conference is to create a 3 minute speech to introduce ourselves, tell our story or testimony to the group we are in, if you signed up for a speaker’s group that is. I, of course, did and I’m looking so forward to the feedback. I have been doing public speaking now for quite some time. I have been speaking in churches and at clubs and other organizations as a part of my ministry to girls, Beauty by Design Ministries, since I founded it in January 2005. But I have NEVER, yes you read that right, NEVER, been to a speaker’s conference, had any training, other than speech class in college and the school of hard knocks called life and teaching youth and children Sunday School and etc. This I often I prepared for more than once per week for 5 years, I taught Sunday School, Wednesday night Bible studies and more a part of my position as youth /children’s minister.  Needless to say, I am not one of those ladies who this is my first time, so I don’t have the right to be trembling in my shoes.

In fact, I am not nervous, I am one of the few strange people in the world who does not have the fear of public speaking. This is even more odd because I was such a shy child! My fear does not lie in the arena of public speaking. In fact, I am just the opposite and energized by it. My adrenaline is flowing when I am up in front of others speaking, especially if it is an opportunity to speak about something I am passionate about. So, my dilemma is a little different. My dilemma is “How the heck do I introduce myself and tell my story or testimony in ONLY 3 minutes?” Can’t they give a girl 5?

So, any tips or advice on “shortening” my speech? Any thoughts on what you’d want to hear about me if you were in a group of ladies who are meeting me for the first time?

I am excited though and look forward to some “constructive” criticism as I have NEVER been evaluated and know that this can only help me to grow!

Leave me your thoughts folks!

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