Thursday, October 3, 2013

Influence Conference PART 2 || The Experience



The room was simmering with anticipation.
I made my way through the crowd, my eyes falling on all the beautiful faces,
as I dished out nervous smiles - wondering: are my butterflies showing?
This was it. This is the conference God so clearly called me to attend.

Opening night, brought us all together. You are welcome here. You are loved.
And so we loved other people. We sat in a ballroom, in the heart of Indianapolis,
that has probably seen its fair share of extravagance - sipping coffee, chatting,
laughing, sharing, and cutting out SHOES for Sole Hope in Africa.

We had all come to be served. Our ticket said we were to receive information, inspiration,
business wisdom, but in true Christ-like fashion we put that on hold and SERVED first.
I traced dozens of patterns onto jean material and my fellow sisters traced and cut
alongside me. Hundreds of hands touching cloth that would kiss the sweet feet of
children in Africa. WHO AM I to sit here and receive such an honor?
_____________________________
Sole Hope is currently in need of a full time Ugandan nurse to assist in their mission.
Please see the LEFT SIDE of my page here and pray about making a donation to help the cause.
_____________________________




I was surrounded by women with such tender hearts for the Lord - understanding
that their mission in blogging, writing, creating, sharing - sharing music, art,
handmade creations that reflect the God we serve -
is SO MUCH BIGGER THAN THEMSELVES.
Than me.
Humbling.

Use us, Lord, to share YOUR life in the circle of influence You've called us into.

This past weekend I learned...

that being a mother, giving Jesus Christ to the next generation, is ENOUGH.

that I need to be true to my fashion style AT HOME - not just at blogging conferences
where floral and stripes are the norm.

that being vulnerable is definitely the way to go.

that taking a weekend away (to enjoy things for ME) really blesses my family.

that although blogging may seem narcissistic - it's NOT. we all have Facebook, don't we?!
yea!? i am curating a community here. let's put the narcissism myth to bed.


Jeff Goins, Shauna Niequist, Lara Casey were definitely highlights for me.
((Will share more on them SOON!))

Literally, I kid you not, God was shouting, waving, dancing circles around me as a
golden thread of the truth I most needed to hear was wound through EVERY SINGLE SESSION
I chose to attend. *insert skeptical eyes* It seriously felt rigged!
_____________________________
YOU ARE THE STEWARD OF A DREAM. // DON'T WAIT. //
THE IDEAS IN YOUR HEART ARE THERE FOR A REASON. //
IF YOU DON'T - NO ONE WILL.

_____________________________

I have a list of EXCUSES as long and wide as the road to perdition.
I am too young. I have no experience. No one will listen to me.
My house is too small. I am not a millionaire. People will think I'm crazy.


And so my resolution is to begin. To start. I don't know exactly what that
means, but I know that the dreams that were given to me as a little girl are
still on the mind of the Father.

I don't know when. I don't know how. I seriously thought God had forgotten
about this call, but this past weekend proved otherwise. And it scares me to pieces
to even share this, but there it is.

God busted up my heart, calmly excused all the lies, and told me to BEGIN.
I didn't cry about it at all until I got in my car to drive back to Chicago.
One hour straight of ugly tears. Lord, Your will, Your call, is heavy and
burning on my heart. Use me.

______________________

You can catch Influence Conference PART 1 here

Please excuse all the iPhone pictures - it was just so easy

Ooooh and I am hosting a GIVEAWAY this week!!! Don't miss.



The Influence Network does community well. New friends everywhere.
And a cupcake truck!? Shut the front door. They had gluten-free!


(Lily & Light || Nadine Would Say || JMNway)

Can I just say how much I love the Influence girls!?!
I also had the opportunity to help with a photoshoot for Ginger Lane Goods!
Will share all the details as soon as the ducks get in line.




God showed up in Indianapolis last weekend.
And 250+ women ran out to meet Him.
Can't wait to do it again next year.














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21 comments:

  1. Seriously I loved the floral and stripes and thought I need to find an outfit like that, it's just so being you!

    It really was an amazing experience, starting out serving and then having all my prior expectations of the conference being thrown out the window.

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    1. hey thanks, Katie!!! i love wearing stuff like that, but sometimes feel like it's too LOUD for the every day. but NO MORE! i'm doing it. lol.

      so glad that you were touched by God at the conference too!!! He was busy busy!!!

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  2. How awesome! That conference really caught my eye and I loved that the shoe cutting was on the agenda! Hopefully there are more to come!

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    Replies
    1. YEA! they are planning one for next September already!!! you should check it out... and GO!!!! X O

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  3. Ohh my goodness. Your report makes me soooo excited for you!! and it honestly makes me excited for me! The reason is because I know without a doubt that there is a call over me and my life...these words that you wrote: I have a list of EXCUSES as long and wide as the road to perdition.
    I am too young. I have no experience. No one will listen to me.
    My house is too small. I am not a millionaire. People will think I'm crazy.
    And so my resolution is to begin. To start. I don't know exactly what that
    means, but I know that the dreams that were given to me as a little girl are
    still on the mind of the Father.

    This inspires me soo much...to just begin, to take action...to push in and listen to what he has for me!

    Still so excited to hear more about your weekend, and excited to see what lies ahead for you!

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    Replies
    1. GOOD! thanks for sharing that, Shannon!!! i knew this message was not just for me - but for so many other hearts!!! to BEGIN - doesn't sound so stressful... but inviting, no?! can't wait to see what awesome things God has you BEGIN!!!

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  4. "You are the steward of your dream" WOW. Love that.

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    Replies
    1. own them, girl! they are for you TOO! X O X O

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  5. You reminded me about the nurse and I'm so glad. By the way, late last night, in bed (awkward) I realized that you and I never got a picture of JUST US TWO and that makes me so sad! Next year (if you go also) it's the first thing I'm going to do. I wish we had been able to have more one on one time because I really feel like you are a kindred spirit! (that's a reference to Anne of Green Gables.. which, if youve never seen, might sound kinda weird ;)

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    Replies
    1. LOVE that you reference AOGG haha Greatest movie ever :)

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    2. Aww haha a little awkward - but I talk about you and your mission all the time like I'm your proud parent or something! if you heard me - THAT would be awkward! lol. LOVE Anne with an E!!!! You are definitely "kindred" in my book, Kerrie Williams <3

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  6. Love this so much. This really was such a beautiful weekend. I loved every moment that I didn't even know was coming. I loved just being ready to do anything.. like go for a bike ride, what?! :)

    I am sooo hoping I can go next year. Hoping to see you in the meantime! xo

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  7. THANK YOU for sharing your favorite bits from the weekend. I feel so blessed to be reading through so many IC recaps tonight. My heart is overflowing.
    I need to email you because I want to hear all that God did in your heart that weekend. You are so beautiful and I can't wait to see what Jesus does through your life.
    xo

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    Replies
    1. it is MY honor to share, Nicole!!! please come next year! be my roommate?!?! i feel like i'm in high school and asking you out... and that's weird! haha.

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  8. Loved meeting your for the brief-est moment! Loved reading your beautiful re-cap! Hope to see you next year! Blessings sweet sister XO

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    1. Sybil - the girl with the beautiful name!!! Yes, hope to see YOU too - next year!!! Such a blessed weekend. XO

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  9. love that you ugly cried on your drive back, because that only means to me the Spirit was moving you in an insanely awesome way! i'm excited to see you chase that calling girl!

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    Replies
    1. ugly cries are the best, aren't they?!?! they seem to pour from the deepest place in our hearts - and bring so much healing and clarity!!!

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