Simply She Speaks

They say a picture is worth a thousand words...so here's the pic that says it all.  I was there! 

One of the greatest things about the conference was the chance to connect with some new friends that I have met in bloggers world. 

This is Amelia who is a blogger/writer from California.  There are people who come into your life that you hope will become a "forever" friend--Amelia's one of those!  (This is really cool, especially since she is so very Type A and I tend to fly by the seat of my pants!)

Okay before the next few pictures...I have to share a quick story.  Guess who forgot her curling iron and hair brush?  Very funny, God!  A women's conference...and one would have thought that someone who was bald the previous summer....hair would be important!  One can never have too many lessons in humility.

In this next picture is Cindy, who is not only a sister in Christ, but a fellow breast cancer sister.  Cindy has started a non profit organization called Cindy's Hope Chest, that assists and encourages other cancer patients.  I so appreciated getting to know Cindy better and appreciate her sharing her knowledge on starting a non profit organization, etc.  (Yes, the wheels in my brain are spinning on overtime.)

Many of you know that I never attended college, so I haven't ever had the privilege of experiencing a room mate that I didn't know...Too me, this was one of the best parts of the conference.  Oh, how I prayed that the Lord would be part of the selection process...and He showed up in a big way.  I was so blessed to share a room with Tanya from Kansas City.  What an absolute delightful and inspirational sister!  Please join me in prayer as Tanya works on her book, that God would help her complete her deadline and use her words to encourage and inspire others on their journey.

The last few pictures I have to share with you is that of the prayer room.  This room was such a haven to sneak into when the busyness of the conference became a bit overwhelming for me.  The Proverbs 31 team prayers for each of the women attending and they also put our names by a name of God.  It was interesting another breast cancer survivor and I were sharing how we were so hoping that our name would be on "God who heals."  Interestingly neither of our names were on this name of God, we are assuming it is because we are both healed.  (I am still exploring the message that God has for me regarding the location of my name.) For me, the prayer room was an intimate time with our Lord.

Blessings to you as you begin your week...hoping I will have time to post again in the next few days to share more of my delightful trip!

Recently I was blessed the chance to read an encouraging and inspirational book by John C Maxwell.  The Right to Lead, Learning Leadership through Character and Courage is a delightful, easy read that would make an excellent gift for anyone on your list.  Mr. Maxwell prefaces the book by asking the question, "What gives a man or woman the right to lead?"  He than shares guidelines that will help prepare you to become a better leader.  The book includes story's, antidotes and wisdom from many individuals on the character and courage that is necessary to be a leader among men.  Some of the examples of leaders that are shared in this book are US Army General H Norman Schwarzkop, Nelson Mandela, Eric Liddell, Harriet Tubman, Japanese Consul-General Chiune Sugihara, Eddie Rickenbacker and many more. 

Here's a quick glimpse of one antidote that really tugged at my heart:

In Germany the Nazis came first for the Communist, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.  Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.  Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.  Then they came for me--and by that time no one was left to speak up.--Martin Niemoller

This is one book, I will definitely purchase a few extra to have on hand to share with others. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

She Speaks, She Sits, She Shares

Last weekend I had one of the greatest blessings of my life.  Along with 600+ other women I attended the She Speaks conference in Charlotte, NC.  This week has found me with just having to "sit" with the experience and now my plan for the next few blogs entries is to share how God spoke to my heart through this incredible experience.

First, before I share on the conference, let me share that....I absolutely loved flying! (even with a few unexpected delays, setting off the security alarms and getting frisked!) 

She Speaks offered a preconference women's ministry leadership seminar.  Our opening session was lead by Wendy Blight called Taking Your Calling to a Deeper Place.  Here are just a few nuggets that I was blessed with from Wendy's message:

• Join God where He is at work
• We need to passionately connect with Christ.
• We learn by sitting at the foot of the cross.
• Jesus engaged the enemy and we will face the enemy too.
• We need to be prepared for the battle.

Here is a prayer that was shared in our handout from Wendy:

"Lord, I am not great.  But You, Lord, are very great.  In Your immeasurable power and greatness, in your absolute sovereignty take my little, insignificant life and make a difference far beyond my capabilities."

When I was preparing for the conference, my prayer was that I would meet God and hear Him, maybe even get a sense of the direction for His plans for my life.  While, I didn't have any "defining moments", what I did hear and experience was that God has a special calling designed for each of His children.  So, right now, I am going to continue on the same path....slowing down so I can hear Him speak.