Neck Deep in Dreams

The waves lapped over my toes years ago, tickling my senses and awakening a calling. The genie was out of the bottle -- or the pantyhose out of the egg -- never to return.

I stood before a group of women, asked to do a "book review" for a group of young mothers at church. I had never in my life heard someone give a book review, nor knew what components should be in one. So I told how God had used the book to change aspects of my life -- a testimonial of sorts, I guess.

I can still picture the precious faces in front of me: eyes locked on mine, nodding and understanding. Souls connecting, each of us mothers simply trying to make it through this world to get to the foot of the Father's throne. Looking into the eyes filled with tears before me, I felt the refreshing knowledge of doing what I'm called to do -- as stepping into the cool ocean after a trek over the hot beach.

I stood there at the edge of the ocean, the waves barely tickling my toes for years, having no idea how to go any further. God blessed me when he sent me The Coffee Group -- a group of ladies who have traveled together speaking at retreats and ladies' events. I felt that I had waded knee deep into the ocean, speaking 3 or 4 times a year to groups of women. Every trip left me so honored to share God's story in my life, and so HUNGRY to tell it again... and again... and again.

I finally scraped together enough pennies in 2009 to attend She Speaks, but spent weeks agonizing over going as a writer or a speaker (why do some parts of my life feel like a week ago, and some parts feel like decades ago -- that was less than 2 years ago? Really? A lot has happened, I guess). That time, I chose writing. This time, I choose speaking.

I am also applying for a scholarship this year. You can, too, by going here. Because I am soon to be moving away and getting a fresh start in a fresh town, I am ready to move beyond knee deep in this thing. I long to be neck deep in my call, and I know She Speaks has the tools to get me there.

Last year being blind-sided by unemployment was tough. This year, living 200 miles from my husband waiting for a house to sell hasn't been a walk in the park, either. At the beginning of 2011 I claimed Joshua 3:5 for all of my family:

"Then Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you."

AMAZING things. I'm claiming it. Our family has had a difficult desert season. We will soon be moving to a new town. I've got stories and testimonies of His faithfulness to proclaim. I hope to attend She Speaks to sharpen my tools and be among that godly group of encouraging women again.

I would love to have any of my bloggy friends join me at She Speaks. Anyone else thinking of going? Who's with me?

She Speaks, But She Can't...

There's too much to say. What an amazing weekend.

My first experience at She Speaks Conference, and it was quite amazing. I would love to tell you all about it, but a) it would take a full 72 hours and neither of us wants that b) I'm not sure I have it in me to put into words all that it meant to me.

Some highlights, or my own personal "Top Ten Things I Learned at She Speaks"

10. I am further along in a writing business than I realized (I've even done a few things right, too!)

9. I still have a LONG way to go...

8. Writers and speakers? Just about the most encouraging group of people I have ever encountered. Maybe that's too broad of a brush -- we were all women, and believers in Jesus Christ, so writers and speakers that are women who believe in Jesus Christ -- awesome.

7. Antique Mommy? Even more kind and wise and gracious in person than I imagined her to be. And just as cute (she couldn't have possibly been any cuter than I imagined her to be. She was just equally cute).

6. North Carolina? Or perhaps just this particular hotel... did things to a steak that my Texas-born-and-bred husband would have considered blasphemous. I considered it odd, but tasty (pineapple rings on steak, really?)

5. Cheri Keaggy? Totally rockin' worship leader. Man, oh man. And besides her sweet voice is her authenticity/ transparency. Yeah, you KNOW that's a big deal to me!

4. God didn't give me this dream to be cruel; God gave me this dream to pursue!

3. Jennifer Rothschild? Amazing keynote speaker with a heart for God and encouraging fledgling writers and speakers. One of many women I heard from this weekend that allowed me to see how a heart crazy for God cannot be camouflaged (or faked) in a speaker.

2. My writing and speaking ministry won't work unless I work it.

The number one thing I learned at She Speaks this weekend is:

1. What an amazing blessing it is to be in community with women who "get it" -- and the speakers SAID that would be one of the benefits! I am occasionally around writers, I am frequently around Christians, but to be around 600 women who understand a NEED to write and speak out of the outpouring of what God has laid on your heart. I am blown smack away at the thought of it.

And I'm now home and off and running -- our family leaves for a vacation in the mountains this week. Can. Not. WAIT!

Would you like to know what one of my fantasy/ dream prayers to God is? That He would provide a little mountain cabin for me to sneak away to do my writing, thinking, and praying. Maybe the Proverbs 31 ladies have the right idea -- they live about an hour away from the mountains. Doubt I could convince Texas-born-and-bred to pack up and move there, though.

If you're stopping by from She Speaks, leave me a comment and let me know how to find your blog. If you're just stopping by, tell me where you saw God this weekend! Would love to hear it!

Quick Hello!

Ola, blog friends!

Blogging VERY late today. So much going on, but I have my list. I love a good list, don't you?

I am getting ready. Tomorrow is the day! I fly out of here to go to She Speaks. The family will drop me at the airport, then Troy will take the kids to "camp" (in quotes because it's about 50 hours -- grown-ups would call it a retreat). I think Troy is very excited for a weekend to himself. I hope he is, anyway -- sounds GLORIOUS to me!

So today is a day of packing, laundry, itineraries, interviews (still have a few articles out!), and running to and fro! AND -- I still think I'm going to try to get to the pool for a bit. I've just started doing the math... Let's see... we paid how much for that yearly membership? I've been there how many times this year? So I'm paying about $25 every time I go there so far? Yeah, about that! Trying to beat the averages!

THEN next week is more exciting laundry, packing, whathaveyou, and finally a family vacation. Ready and SOOOOO not ready!

Anyone else still traveling this summer? What's up with you folks?