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.

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.

This weekend can be summed up in the title of this post….BLESSED.  Yesterday without knowing I’d receive this card from the foot of a cross that the ladies of Proverbs 31 had set up at the conference I had written about the blessings I felt i had received throughout the weekend.  Then, I went to the closing session and was told to pick up a card from the foot of the cross.  On the card would be a verse and behind the verse in lighter print was a word for us. My word…..BLESSED. 

Girls, tell me something I don’t already know!  I am truly blessed.  Not only from attending She Speaks this weekend, but in everything I am blessed. It’s hard to know what else to say right now, as my mind whizzes back and forth, I have so much information from She Speaks I want to use and apply, but for now…. I’m VBS director for the next 5 days so I must go get dressed, whiz myself and my 2 kiddos off to church and then rush to a dr.’s appt. to assure that baby  #3 is doing what he’s suppose to be doing.  He is due in exactly 3 weeks. So I leave you with the verse that was on the card…

“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”

Ephesians 1:18-19

As I lay here in bed still this morning, this last day of “She Speaks” so many questions fill my head.  Ok what do I do about??  When do I do?  What does God want from this?  How do I apply that?  How can I really do that?  Am I really a blogger, a speaker, a writer?

Wow the questions that are whizzing through my head faster than I can even type, and I type fast.

This conference has been absolutely amazing. Better than I ever dreamed.  Something only God could orchestrate.  I have met bloggers, speakers. writers, leaders, women, all called, called out by God, and I am one of them.  Never before have I felt so much like I fit.  I’m not sure you’ll understand but I think some of the ladies whom I have met here will certainly agree.

Though many of them I have NEVER met before, while others I may have read their blogs are chatted with on Twitter, we all seem to have this special connection.  The connection I have always known as a “divine connection”.  The connection I have felt before but not often, because God only allows it to happen just a certain number of times in our lives.  This is one of those times.

So, whether or not I am leaving here with questions, it’s ok.  Because what is awesome is that I know GOD can answer all those questions, and I know that over time, he will.  So, just as I anticipated and looked forward to She Speaks for the divine appointments and possibilities it held.

I now look forward to going home, to experience the divine appointments and possibilities that God has….. so much to look forward to, besides just seeing God provide the answers for the questions he’s placed on my heart while I am here, but also to see him work in my daily life, as over the next few weeks. I have so very much to look forward to, so many blessings to experience.  As I lie here thinking about them, I can’t help but be overwhelmed with joy at the honor he bestows upon me by putting those blessings into my life.

Blessings like being able to minister to children in VBS tomorrow morning  (Monday) bright and early after I arrive home from She Speaks, blessings like birthing my 3rd child, whenever God sees fit (hopefully sooner than later), as he’s due July 14, and blessings that will come sooner, like this afternoon when I get to kiss my 2 precious babies that I am longing to hold right now as momma has been away for 3 days now……….

Thank you LORD for those blessings, even if they are sometimes questions that are whirling through my mind.

Ok, well this is going to be a fast one! I made it to Charlotte/Concord yay! The hotel didn’t have a room for the hubster and I but Leann Rice quickly came to the rescue. WHOO HOO! I can already tell these P31 ladies have Southern Hospitality. I am in good company!

Waiting not so patiently for hubster to dress for breakfast. This preggo lady is starved. I will update you all later as the made to order omelets here at the Suites are calling my name…… Don’t you hear them????

So, I’m at She Speaks but all I can think about is SHE EATS!

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!

I know the answer to this question before I even ask it, “Can I avoid him?” Who is him you ask? Well, Satan, Lucifer, the Devil, the Thief, whatever term you want to use, he comes only to kill, steal and destroy. However, somehow I seem lately to be avoiding him, which can only mean one thing….he’s still lurking. He’s still out there plotting to destroy me. Why do I say that you ask? Well, because that’s what he does and apparently he is trying desperately to do so.

Lysa T. shared in her blog this week that he is attacking the ladies of Proverbs 31 Ministries as they are preparing for She Speaks next week, and now I hear or read rather over on Lisa B’s blog, SImply His, that he is attacking the attendees as well. I share with her in her comments he hasn’t reached me yet. I am at peace. As you may have read earlier in the week I took over VBS this past week at my church, just two weeks shy of its dates. And though I used to stress about being in charge of VBS I was at peace. I am at peace. The same has been true so far with She Speaks. I have been at peace. I have been excited, ecstatic, ready! I still am. But, I am also now guarded. Guarding myself against SATAN, because since I haven’t felt him yet, it can only mean one thing, he’s still lurking. So, ladies. I”d love your prayers.

Here’s what I want for myself, and for all the ladies of Proverbs 31 and the attendees that like me are preparing to attend She Speaks next week. For those of you who are attending we must prepare for battle. We must put on the “full armor of God”. I am getting ready. I hope you are too. Remember the words written in Ephesians,

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”

Ephesians 6:10-20

I am going to focus on these verses the next few days. This will be my preparation to battle Satan, if he does try to rear his ugly head!

Several weeks ago I believe it was, and then my timing may be completely off, Heather, one of my favorite bloggers over at Desperately Seeking Sanity creating a blog carnival and contest entitled, Where He Met Me…. I might be completely and totally late doing this, but my point really wasn’t to enter the carnival or the contest, but to give you my testimony. So, Either way, I’m accomplishing that.

I am preparing to attend She Speaks in just 8 days now and as I blogged about yesterday, part of that is going to be giving my testimony or sharing my “story” in 3 minutes with my speaker evaluation group. As stated in yesterday’s post, this is going to be difficult for me. Reading this post you’ll be able to see that , because it is LONG. So, part of the reason I am posting this is I’m hoping to gain some ideas and insight into what I should talk about in that 3 minutes and to also give those in my group at She Speaks a place to go for the “rest of the story” as they say because apparently I’m going to have to leave a good bit out to make my speech ONLY 3 minutes. So, here it is, my testimony….it’s more than just Where He Met Me, but also How He Got Me Here, to where I am today, enjoy:

By the way, this is adapted from a testimony I gave to a ladies group regarding my ministry:

I will begin with my testimony of how Beauty By Design Ministries was created, my inspiration I guess you would say for having a ministry to girls and their moms. Let me give you a little background, I have to begin at the beginning as they say. I grew up in a Christian home; I was saved at the age of eight and was very fortunate to be one of the kids that was at church every time the doors were open. During my teen years I was involved in everything the church offered from Youth Choir to serving on the Youth Council to attending Church camp and going on mission trips in the summers. Growing up in Winona, I lived a pretty sheltered life. Therefore, I did not realize that others out there didn’t have the same situation that is until I attended Modeling School in Memphis. There I met girls from many different backgrounds and lifestyles. The situations were as different as they were numerous, and they were all very eye opening for me.

After attending Modeling school, I was chosen to attend an international modeling competition in Miami, FL to represent Memphis. There I saw and met even more people from very different situations than myself. I was also put in the situation where I had to choose how I would present myself, The girls in line with me at the competition were all wearing what appeared to be tube tops for both their top and their bottom, revealing was more than true! There I stood in line with these girls clothed from head to toe in my flare legged suit and boots. I was stylish but I was completely covered!

Ok, you may be wondering, what does this have to do with ministry? Well, a lot, I realized through these experiences that I was fortunate and that I was different. My experiences growing up in Church had made me who I was at 17 years old. I was a confident, bold, Christian who didn’t mind telling those girls about my faith or why I had on more clothes than they did! I understood that being a Christian meant being like Christ, honoring God with my body and my actions. This began a passion within me to help other girls to understand why it was important to be modest, and to make Christ a part of their lives and their decisions for their future. I had seen so many girls that were going down the wrong road that I wanted them to realize that they could choose a different path.
The girls I attended modeling school with looked at beauty much differently than the Bible speaks of beauty; they also found their self worth in a much different place than I was taught to find mine, in Christ. I wanted them to have the relationship with God that I did and the hope for my future that I knew could be theirs.

A ministry for girls became a dream of mine way back then. I also began sensing a call of God on my life back around that time, and even before that time. In December of 1998, at a youth service I committed my life to full time Christian service. At that time, I was unsure of what God was calling me to do. I just continued to follow God’s guidance. In 2002, after I was married and had moved to Carrollton two years prior I received the opportunity to do youth/children’s ministry with Carrollton Baptist, as many of you know I served there for over 4 ½ years. God truly stretched me and grew me in this position and I developed an even great love for ministry, for teenagers and for children as I served there.

There came a time in my heart that I knew the girls ministry was what God was calling me to do. BBDM was actually born in January of 2005 when I began pursuing speaking opportunities to speak to girls and their moms on my favorite topics of beauty, etiquette, modesty, fashion, etc. I only did a couple of speaking engagements that year but God continued to inspire me with ideas. One of which was to make the topics hands on where the girls would not only hear me speak on a topic such as beauty from a Biblical viewpoint but also be shown how to properly apply makeup so that she could look great without overdoing it. I also created a pampering session, a fashion show, a tea party, each paired with a topic.

The next January 2006, God blessed me even more. He gave me the opportunity to have a website created and send out flyers to churches to let them know about my ministry. This created more opportunities and in 06 I spoke 6 times. During that year, God created in me a desire to do this full time. I did not know how God was going to make it happen, but I had the strong feeling that he would. In March, my pastor at our church resigned, and I began questioning whether I should stay on staff. I prayed more in those months surrounding his resignation than I think I have ever prayed in my life.

During that time, I read the book “If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat”, I began to realize that my “boat” or comfort zone in my life was my job at the church. I knew God was calling me to be like Peter and step out of my boat on faith. However, I didn’t do it immediately. Even though I was unsure of my position at the church, I still hung on to it. I went through the days in a fog, constantly wondering what God was doing and what I should do next. I pursued other ministry positions in other churches, even in other towns, only to find dead ends. I had at this point forgotten about my girls ministry because I didn’t think I’d ever be able to do it.

It was over in the fall before I began to think about girl’s ministry anymore. It was at the Women’s Conference held every September at my church. Becky Brown of Little Brown Light Ministries was the speaker. I had prayed to God that through her speaking her would speak to me and show me what I was suppose to be doing. God answered my prayer. Anyway, through her speaking that Saturday and my thoughts and prayers I realize that God was saying, “Alyssa, you’re not prepared.” I began spending more time studying God’s word as a result. God continued to pull at my heart, giving me a longing to speak and minister to girls and their moms. He also gave me the inspiration to write and to create products.

During a sermon on the first Sunday of January 2007, that our interim pastor preached on change I knew God was saying, “you have to make a change, you have to trust me and step out on faith.” That day I told my pastor of my plans to resign after my baby who was due in March was born. It felt as if a weight was lifted off me, God continued to bless. He began filling my calendar with speaking opportunities and he inspired me to write. Since January, I have been able to write countless articles, as well as a prayer journal devotional guide for teens.

Beauty by Design Ministries is off to a fabulous start. God is doing what I knew he would do if I took that step of faith and that is he is paving the way. He is giving me opportunities to minister to girls and their moms from a Biblical perspective on things that they enjoy but also maybe some topic that they struggle with. Today’s society has a much different view of such topics as beauty, modesty, and abstinence than the Bible teaches. My programs teach these topics from a Biblical perspective while giving participants the opportunity to have hands on fun in the activities that they love. Each of my programs has a theme and topic that go together. I’ve had the opportunity to do Mother Daughter nights and retreats, girl’s nights and retreats as well as be the guest speaker at community events.

I am blessed to be able to use the Internet to reach an even broader market. I publish my articles online to many places visited frequently by moms, and I offer a weekly newsletter moms can receive via email with articles, devotions, tips and encouragement.

I am blessed to daily stay home with my children, but to also do what I love and that is speaking, writing and ministering. I can truly say that I am where God wants me to be.

By the way, this needs updating too. This was written in July 2007. Since then much more has happened that God has done. The ministry is still thriving, I”ve added a new branch, Organized Life by Design, and God has blessed me with a writing business as well. God is good!  I’ll blog the rest, since there still is more to the story another day, so check back!

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!

Yes, that is the only word that could in anyway describe me at this point.  You see my church’s Vacation Bible School is in 2 weeks.  The VBS Director has resigned 2 weeks prior to VBS.  I served as VBS Director not last year, but the three years prior to last year, as a part of my position as youth/children’s director.  So, I felt like I needed to help out my pastor in some way when this came up at the last minute.  A friend of mine and I went to talk with him last night and together we are taking over Vacation Bible School.

This might not seem so crazy, but if you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time you know that I have a lot going on right now.  Not only am I 34 almost 35 weeks pregnant, but I am also running a ministry and writing business from home, taking care of a 4 year old and a 14 month old, and attending the She Speaks Conference in North Carolina the 4 days prior to VBS.

Needless to say the next 2 weeks will be nuts.  I covet your prayers.  The odd thing is, normally I’d be anxious and uptight about all of this, but i have a strange sense of peace.  It is as if God is saying, “you do your part and I”ll do mine.”  I know He’s going to bless this.  I just can’t wait to see how!  AMEN??