Wow. That is all I could say about the SheSpeaks conference up until this morning, and still I have rambling thoughts going through my head! You have got to go next year if you can, it is so worth it. (And remember to take pictures because well, I took two… and they both were fuzzy) When I first was asked to go by Lisa, I thought “Yeah right… Me, there, there is no way!” I actually thought about ways that I could back out because I let my insecurities get in the way. But I am so very very glad that I went because I met so many wonderful people (more about that in this post) and had such a sweet overwhelming time with the Lord.
First, I want to tell you about what the Lord did in my heart, yet it is so difficult to put into words. I swear, I was mush by Sunday. He really spoke to my heart about being still and just listening to His voice. I have such a hard time saying “no” to anything and anyone. I am so honored when someone asks me to be a part of something that I automatically say “YES!!!” and then I get home and think “OH NO!!” He convicted me of that. Really convicted me. He showed me that when I say yes and it is not His will, I am taking the spot of someone that He has really called. That sunk in… like deep.
He then spoke to my heart about my feelings about this blog. I am such a “don’t notice me please” type of girl that sometimes the comments that say anything resembling “you are awesome and inspirational” make my brain go numb. It is not that those are not encouraging, but instead that I put pressure on myself to live up to those type of comments which makes me leery of posting on my really bad days. I know in my heart that you guys don’t mean that to go through my head… but my head tells my heart otherwise and my head usually wins. He really nailed down in my heart that I do have an amazing story, and that He is doing what He wants with it. He is using me to minister to you, and that I just need to rely on Him when I read my comments. Does that make sense? I think of a conversation that I had with The Nester at this conference about this very topic. She told me that it is on those bad days that the Lord does so much work through my story. I really needed to hear that (and to cry with her!)
Then there was the prayer room. Lisa has a great description of it here. “On the 3 tables there are the many names of God printed on a letter size sheet of paper. Everyone who is attending the conference has their name printed on a slip of paper. Names go out to prayer teams way before the conference, but these printed slips of paper are prayed over the night before. She said the names are placed on the pages in accordance to how much that person needs to realize God is that for them.”
Mine was on Jehova Jireh. “The Lord will provide.” I cannot describe to you the emotions that flooded my body. I will not try to describe to you the emotions that flooded my body, because it was so very precious and just between me and my savior. I will say though, that “The Lord will provide” was a key phrase that I had heard in my heart up until I entered that prayer room, and was fulfilled the second I left. I left my mascara on the alter along with my wants and desires for my life and turned what little control I had clinged to over to the One that was really in control to begin with. It felt so very good.
I have to tell you about {in}courage! I was approached, along with Dawn about being apart of this wonderful new website that DaySpring is putting out called {in}courage. Both Dawn and I are beside ourselves with joy, even though we have no idea what we are doing going to be doing! More to come on that after our conference call this week! Squee!
I have something else in the works, but will tell you about it more as I know more. I will tell you that it is awesomely awesome and I am overjoyed to be considered.
Then there was the editor meeting. She loved the book idea. She loved the concept and the writing. I, on the other hand (with much much prayer), don’t feel like it is the right time for this even though I want it so very badly. I am only a year out of chemo (ended last August), I am homeschooling full time with a very full schedule. I have committed to write this devotional over the next year and then present it again at SheSpeaks next year. I feel like I just slapped it together, called it God inspired and handed it in, and I don’t want to feel that way even though she loved it the way it was. I felt like it was bubble gummed up, and not super glued together, if you know what I mean. I am so afraid that I will disappoint someone with this news, but I have to listen to my Savior and when He tells me it is ready, I will present it. Not a moment sooner.
Now on to the fun part… THE GIRLS! I met so many amazing bloggers!
Lisa Boyd at SimplyHis: She was such a doll. Seriously, we shared the same brain! She encouraged me to take off my wig and be myself, and it felt so good! I have another post about my trip at her house and rooming with her a little later!
The Nester at The Nesting Place
: She could make a MooMoo look cute! I am telling you, she has the heart of gold and is such an encourager. She is also part of the {in}courage team of bloggers and I am so very honored to call her my friend!
Dawn at My Home Sweet Home
: She homeschools 8 kids. EIGHT KIDS! She is funny, charming and awe inspiring. I hearted her. She is also part of the {in}courage team of bloggers.
Emily at Chatting At The Sky: She is The Nester’s sister and oh so very cute! I loved her heart and her smile. She is also part of the {in}courage team of bloggers. (do you see a theme here)
Jen at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam: She is such an amazing person. She and I just clicked. And guess what…she is also part of the {in}couarge team of bloggers!
Amy Bayliss at AmyBayliss: She has a heart of gold. She and I had so many laughs! She puts on the Woman Inspired Online Conferences.
Lauralee Shaw at Selah: She laughed at all my stupid jokes! She was such a hoot and a joy to be around.
Mari Taylor at Mari’s Morning Room: She rode down with Lisa and I to the conference and we laughed the entire way! She has a heart full of love for the Lord and I was honored to meet her!
Whew. That was alot for my brain to unravel and I am sure that I am missing something or someone. If you didn’t go this year, I highly {in}courage you to go next year (don’t you love how I just snuck that in there!). It will knock your socks of and bring you to your knees.
Really. :heart:
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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Well put, my friend!!! Can’t wait to have a front row seat for all that God is getting ready to do in and through you!!!
.-= carol´s last blog ..Flat =-.
It was such a privilege to meet you and get to hear your story. I love what you said about honoring God’s timing and not your own desires or the expectations of others. It’s hard. But you are wise and I know He has plans to prosper you.
.-= Antique Mommy´s last blog ..The Ubiquitous Jacket =-.
Heather, I’m so glad you shared your heart, and YES, you have an amazing story to tell, and from the unique personality that God has given you. Have you ever noticed that most of the time, when Paul was sharing the gospel, he told his own story? I think that sets an amazing example for us when it comes to communicating with others.
One of the highlights of my weekend was meeting the “blogging expert gals,” mainly because you are all walking blogs–for real, for Him.
Can’t wait to read more of YOUR story as you God shows you how to open up your heart, even in the raw times.
Much love,
LauraLee
.-= LauraLee@Selah´s last blog ..Runnin’ on Empty =-.
Simply . . . Thank you! This touched my heart.
.-= Pam´s last blog ..Winner of Blue Like Playdough =-.
How precious you are for sharing a snippet of your She Speaks journey. It truly is life altering every single year.
It is an honor to pray for each name placed in the prayer room. You are an answer to my prayer because I asked God if we could hear the blessings that come from that room so we could be encouraged to ‘keep on, keepin’ on’ – and today, He blessed me with you.
May God rain down His blessings until you absolutely overflow with His goodness and spill it onto all who surround you.
In His grip,
Luann Prater
.-= Luann Prater´s last blog ..Fresh Words =-.
Heather, my new oh, so special friend in real life…thank you for being faithful to share your story…all of it. What a blessing you are to SO many.
I put a Mr. Linky up so everyone can easily read each others story. It’s now three posts down…ugh. Come link up so everyone can fall in love with you like I did. Hmmm, does that sound bad? Can I say that about a girlfriend?
.-= Jen@Balancing Beauty and Bedlam´s last blog ..(in)Courage – take hope to heart =-.
The conference was awesome! God is awesome! You are awesome! Really
I wish I’d gotten the chance to talk to you!
.-= Sarah Rupp´s last blog ..Off to the Conference! =-.
The prayer room sounds amazing.
So glad you were blessed by your trip – you (and HIM!) give so much to others through this blog, great to hear you received also.
Praying one year (maybe next?!) I make it from Ireland to She Speaks conference.
.-= Janmary, N Ireland´s last blog ..GIVEAWAY – win £50 of kitchen equipment =-.
Praise God! I am so happy for you. Thank you for sharing your experience at She Speaks. I pray that one year, I can go, too. In the meantime, I shall bask in the experience that each and everyone of you had.
.-= ~Grace & Peace´s last blog ..On Being a Mighty Warrior =-.
Getting to meet and spend time with you was a highlight of the conference for me. Listen to God’s voice and you’ll make the right decisions. I can’t wait to see what He has in store for you.
.-= Dawn @ My Home Sweet Home´s last blog ..How HE Spoke to Me at She Speaks =-.
Oh girl, I just love you. Meeting you made my heart smile. You have such a story to share and honey, I am willing to serve you in whatever capacity to be sure that will happen. I am beyond proud and excited to call you a friend.
.-= Amy Bayliss´s last blog ..She Reflects… =-.
:biggrin:
.-= Dad´s last blog ..A “Latter-Day” Appeal =-.
Heather: It was great running into you even if we only got to chat a moment. I admire your decision to wait on God and rework your devotional book instead of trying to rush the process now. As you work on it over the next year please know I would love to help you in any way I can. Maybe next year we can actually hang out at She Speaks too
.-= Shannon Primicerio´s last blog ..What Are You Afraid Of? =-.
Heather… don’t let your brain go blank on me here, sister, cause I have to tell you… You Are Amazing!! You are beautiful and kind and sweet and Jesus shines in you!
If Lisa is the one who suggested you taking off your wig, then I am glad. You looked amazing! His presence is all around you, and that’s all that matters.
I know we all look forward to your devotions, but it will be all the richer in His timing, not ours.
.-= Danielle´s last blog ..Jehovah Makaddishkem =-.
I love so much of what you said here… I want so badly to go next year… (Please somehow, God???) God is showing me also how badly I need to be still and listen to Him – and I don’t even have a busy schedule to blame right now! :pinch: But, I’m grateful that He’s such a good Teacher – so I know He will help me as long as I cooperate!
.-= Melissa May´s last blog ..My Times are In Your Hands =-.
Hey girl, yeah all you have to do for (in)courage is write 8 posts per month, read 4 books of their choice per month, learn how to belly dance, and host a dinner once a week at your home.
Just kidding. You simply need to write a post once a month in your great writing style that has to do with a topic they give you.
I adore you so much and one of the highlights of the weekend was hanging out with you. You are inspiring but I hate to break it to you, it’s not because you are perfect or handle cancer so well or choose to praise God {on the good days} through all this junk. It’s because you are real.
So glad you gave yourself the gift of time for the devotional. Wow, you just gave yourself the gift of time. What a precious gift.
Love to you. Aren’t you glad that “life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful”?
.-= The Nester´s last blog ..She (in)courages =-.
oh, I so loved meeting you, Especially Heather
I say bravo to you for giving yourself permission to take your time with your writing project. Now you can relax and let it breathe a bit while you work on it throughout the year without feeling pressure to just get it done already. I am so glad to know you in real life!
.-= emily´s last blog ..define your bloggy purpose: take two =-.
I’m so jealous I have to confess coveting. You got meet all the people I want to meet. Maybe next year. I’m excited for you having such a special time growing in the Lord. May the Lord continue showing you His awesome love.
Bless you.
Robin