Influence Meet Up!

I am so excited that it's Influence week! This weekend was so refreshing for me last year and I know this year won't disappoint!

First, I have to share God's goodness, because it's all because of Him I get to go again! Because I am in support raising mode I'm focused on spending as little money as possible, so the ticket to Influence seemed to be completely out of reach. Yet, there was so much of me that really really wanted to go. As I was praying about it I told God that He would need to make it possible if He wanted me to go, and I left it at that. The next week I was scheduled to sub for the whole week (pretty much unheard of for the beginning of school!) which would more than pay for the ticket! So, God is good and I know He has something awesome in store for me this weekend!

A little about me: 

I'm 27, single, and living with my parents (it's not as bad as it sounds!) I'm super passionate about orphan awareness and love China, which is why I am preparing to go serve at a foster home in China starting this fall! So, I'm busily support raising and preparing for that! I love reading, cooking, the great outdoors, and really love long conversations over coffee! I'm a major introvert who is constantly amazed by the community of God! I may freeze in huge groups, but thrive in small group conversation.

What I'm excited about:

First, Lara Casey! Her talk really convicted me last year and has impacted this past year in huge ways! She has so much wisdom and grace and I can't wait to soak it up again! Also, last year I didn't know a single soul who would be attending! (crazy for a mega introvert!) I'm so excited to be attending with some great friends this year and to meet new ones!

What I can't leave home without:

Journal and pens are huge! And not just any pens will do! Pilot precise v5 if I'm feeling black or lePens if I want a little color in my life! Also, chapstick, a water bottle, and boldness!

Excited to see you there!!!

Truths From Influence Conference

This past weekend I was blessed to attend the Influence Conference. It was such a sweet time of fellowship with Jesus loving women and so much truth was spoken. I am still processing a lot of what God taught me throughout the weekend, but I can't let another day pass without sharing some of the the truths that were spoken into me.

The Tiny Twig

• work=gifts+resources, that's all, we go astray when we want to add something other than Jesus to the equation
• the Lord has good things for me and they are different from the good things He has for other people
• God doesn't give me passions without a way to use them 

Lara Casey

• Follow your dreams Him!
• Follow me is not just a command, it's an action
• the goal is not happiness, the goal is His glory
• Do something, the right thing, one step at a time
• Hold yourself to a standard of grace, not perfection
• we are born to make manifest the glory of God that is in us
• He is working something in you bigger than you
• progress...not perfection
• you can't being everyone to Jesus, but you can bring everyone Jesus

Shauna Niequist

• sometimes it takes a couple of false starts to get there
• don't do their thing well, do your thing
• love the good life God has given you
• you don't have to wait for a lightning bolt to write-live so you always have inspiration around you
• the world needs you!

Naptime Diaries

• God doesn't want to heal you to use you, He wants to heal you because He loves you
• Sarah sinned big, she was a mess-God still used her in huge ways
• the entire trinity is on my side-and will always be
• the building is done, God isn't waiting for you to be finished, it is finished
• when the Lord is working in you there is something to say, even if it is a mess
• the building is done, influential women, not it is our joy to walk forward with our eyes on Christ alone 

Annie Downs

• Proverbs 18:21 the tongue has the power of life and death
• words are more powerful now than ever before because of the internet
• we are called to speak kindness and love to everyone
• you never know who will read what you write, how people will find you, and who will stay around
• He will never speak anything but love to us so we will never speak anything but love to others

Like Annie said, I may never know who will read this site, I may never know how these words will impact you, but I pray they do. I pray that these truths will work their way deep into your heart and above all you will know you are loved. You are loved by the creator who created you for even better than you could ever imagine.

So I'm Going to the Influence Conference

You know the times when God puts something on your heart and won't let you let go. Even when you try to forget about it. Even when you convince yourself there is no way you can afford it. Even when you say this is way out of your league. Yeah, that was the Influence Conference for me. But, like most things God puts on your heart He makes a way for them to happen, so I am super excited to be going to the Influence Conference this year! It's all last minute but it's amazing for me to see how everything has come together in the last day. So, I am linking up to get to know some of the attendees I have the privilege to meet next week!

                             

 

2 things I'll be sure to have packed in my bag

• Like so many others I'll be sure to bring a cute notebook and good pens. I am super ocd about pens so it is extra important for me to have a few extras in case I lose them or they run out of ink!
• Can I say an open mind (I guess I can say anything, it's my blog, right!) But really, this is kinda a huge step for me so that will be a great thing to ave. (Oh, I'll have coffee, snacks, and will have my nalgene on me at all times!)

2 things I am looking forward to

• Community!!!! Since moving back home one thing I am desperately missing is community and the idea of 2 1/2 days packed with it is super exciting, even if part of me it terrified because I don't know anyone!
• Learning, or at least beginning to learn, why God wanted me to attend

So, that's it. I'l so excited to meet new people, make new friends, worship, and learn more about what my influence means for the kingdom of God!