Next weekend I have the wonderful opportunity to attend the Proverbs 31 – She Speaks Conference (for speakers, writers, and bloggers), right here in NC.
I was going to share my explanation, but Lysa’s vision is straight from the heart.
I know, I know…pretty amazing all that the Lord is going to reveal, isn’t it? I am so thankful for the vision of these women and their hearts of servant leadership.
Most of you reading only know me as a blogger.
A year ago, I could barely define ‘blog’. In a ministry sense, I would have considered myself a speaker and worship leader. Little did I know how much I would grow to love connecting with women through this on-line virtual coffeehouse known as blogland.
Hearing your heart through comments is wonderful, yet I would love nothing more than to have you right here, sitting in my trash to treasure family room, sipping some Starbucks while I listen to your story.
So when I attend a conference with 600 women, there are a lot of stories to hear.
Listening to them all is an impossibility, but breaking down the large group barrier and meeting new friends is a very real probability. That is my desire with this post – to connect a few of the women attending She Speaks ’09, and hopefully ease a few nerves of people going alone.
I know that the Lord is using this time of preparation to reveal His glory through the weekend.
I have been visiting blogs of those attending the conference and there are a lot of tentative women getting ready for this weekend. Somehow it brings back all those Junior High “cool club” feelings of fitting in, first impressions, let alone the “what do I wear?” dilemma.
Guess what? I hadn’t even thought one little bit about my clothing choices until I started reading every one’s blogs. Now you ladies got me all nervous. 😉
Since I am frugal blogger, I have to put in my two cents…I am devoting a whole Frugal Fashionista post to this weekend’s conference. Yes, I am committing to wearing all thrift clothing…all weekend. If I’m wearing someone else’s cast offs, you have no worries. 🙂 So let’s feel free to shop our closets, ladies. It’s just not worth it to charge up those credit cards. It’s amazing what gems can be found under all those piles in our closest.
Can you describe to me the outfits of ten women from church this past Sunday? Neither can I. Doesn’t that put it in perspective? No one is attending to critique fashion finazze…we are going to share our hearts. (Climbing down from my soap box now, thank you). So please come find me if you have any Frugal Fashionista attire on at the conference. My camera is going to be ready to click and feature you right here. 🙂
Since the conference time frame is jam packed, we wanted to make sure there was a scheduled time for all bloggers to connect and meet in one location. Friday evening there will be a Blogger Meet and Greet after the speaker evaluations are finished. On the schedule it says “free time” (9:30pm) and I invite you to join all the bloggers on the veranda. (Doesn’t that sound so “Gone with the Windish’…join us on the veranda? ;). At the registration table, I will have a reminder sign about our evening, but make sure to check in case there have been any last minute location changes.
For those of you not attending, you have an introduction right here to some wonderful ladies down below. For those of you joining us at She Speaks 09, please link up below to a specific She Speaks post or to your blog home page. Then, visit the new friend above and below you on the link list. Peruse their blog, leave a comment, and during the Friday meet and greet we will spend a few minutes finding our new friends. Don’t worry, I won’t make you do any “forced bonding” games such as clucking like a chicken to find each other. I gave that up with my youth ministry days. 🙂
This will allow you to put an instant face and warm body with that blog header/avatar picture.
Want to go a step further? Share one thing in your comment or by email that we can be praying for in this final time of preparation. It takes a lot to get out the door for a weekend, so let’s lift each other up as we anticipate all that the Lord will do through our time together.
For those of you on Twitter, we are using the hashtag #shespeaks throughout the week to keep updated. Many of us will be tweeting throughout the sessions/weekend, so come join in on the fun.
When we return, I invite you back here to share the stories and pictures of all that we have experienced. Are you getting excited?
Now come, link up and pass the word to other She Speaks 09 attendees. I can’t wait to visit your blog this week, and then meet you on Friday evening. 🙂
I too have committed to not buying any new clothes and to put my focus out and up. Looking forward to meeting you!
Oh, I wish I was going!!! Ya'll have fun, I know you will!!!
Suzanne
What a great idea!! Thanks so much for organizing this. 🙂
How wonderful for all of you to meet each other. Wish I could be there too! I love your encouragement and perspective on dressing from the closet. Can't wait to hear how it all turns out – and will be praying for everyone as you prepare to leave town and families. One of these days, I'll join you, too! 🙂
Blessings… Jennifer
WOW, I wish I was going. Honestly I must live in the dark ages because I did not know anything about this conference. 🙁 Oh well, I am sure there will be another time.
I pray everyone has a blessed time!
Great idea!
Thanks so much for planning it and yes, I've got second hand shoes, pants and shirts I'll be sporting this weekend!
See you there girl!
Can't wait to meet you!!! Thanks for organizing!
Thanks for posting the meet and greet (or should I say "tweet" and greet"?) Looking forward to meeting all of you 🙂
Thanks for the 'tweet' invitation to the blogging 'hook up'. I guess I'll be able to find the veranda?? Yes, indeed, it sounds very Gone with the Wind-ish! Thank you, also, for permission to shop from my closet because that is all my budget will afford.
Looking forward to meeting you!
Interesting fact: my hair is about 10 inches shorter now than this picture…
Just saw this on Twitter and will help spread the word, Jen. I'm looking forward to meeting you and many other bloggers on Friday night!
How I wish I was going to this! I'd rather go to this one than any others, but alas–registration was full by the time I could really consider going! Ya'll have a wonderful time, and share, share, share, with those of us left at home!
Oh, how I wish I were going! I KNOW y'all will have such a good time, and being the Sanguine otter that I am, I HATE that I'm going to miss out! I can't wait to read the stories!
I am looking forward to meeting all of you ladies on Friday! Thanks so much for arranging this!
Have fun!
Have fun!! Can't wait to see you post about what outfits you come up with!
I'm looking forward to meeting folks. Can't wait to see you again, Jen!
Thanks for taking the time to create an opportunity for connections and added prayers. With that I'll put one out there – I'm almost 27 weeks in my pregnancy and over the last week have had some trouble with my back, so praying God would provide comfort for that before I leave. I'll be praying for all of you as well. Blessings, Jill
Hi! I was so excited to link to your post that I made a mistake in typing my URL and now it will not link to my blog…any ideas about changing that?
Thanks!
Connie @ LockShock
Since I am new to She Speaks and Blogging, this sounds wonderful! Thank you for putting it all together.
Looking forward to meeting everyone "in real life". I am holding firm to not buying anything new. I was helped along by some hand me downs from family who outgrew quite a few outfits 🙂
My main focus though has been preparing my heart. That has been more amazing than any outfit!
My prayer as we get ready is that each of the 600 women coming will remember where (or rather on Whom) her focus should be, and that He will use the conference to transform our lives!
Do we just show up on the veranda? Or is there a sign-up? 😉
Can't wait to meet you all in person! I am so afraid I'm going to go blank on names and totally embarrass myself. As far as new clothes, we all have P31 "outfits" we'll be wearing to the party!
Wow! What fun! Looking forward to meeting you. Thanks for organizing this! I too am sporting some "new" clothes that a friend who just lost all of her pregnancy weight gave me…
Great idea Jen! Lots of emotions this week, but I think over-excitement is winning out! I had a chance to met you in Greensboro when I visited with my friend Leah who had a conference at her Dad's church. I'll be praying for you this week. See you soon!
So wish I could be there! I had so many things hindering me from signing up (mostly, my house not selling prohibited me from justifying spending money on travel), but now that I just had surgery last week I am extra grateful I didn't spend that money!
Nevertheless, I am sad to miss out on the opportunity to meet up with my blogging friends, learn and grow! I'll learn from what you all bring back to us!
blessings,
melissa
you will be so blessed ….I will wait to hear all about it…
it's hard to balance summer and blogging, but I'm out to change all that today
missn ya
I can't wait to meet you! Thank you so much for putting this together! I'll see you on the veranda!
I SO want to go to the meet and greet, but I think I have to be at the speaker's track session after the main session on Friday night. I'll try to get there.
You're going to wish you hadn't asked for prayer requests because have I got a boatload for you! All three of my daughters went in different directions this week, which is weird for me in itself (but also gives me time to prepare for She Speaks). My oldest (17) is hiking in the Tetons, and I got a call yesterday from one of the leaders that she's having trouble breathing–like asthma except she doesn't have asthma. So if you could pray for Kate, I'd appreciate it.
And second, I am not feeling well today–dizzy, feverish. I never get sick, so I feel very much like Satan is trying to get me to not get my work done. GRRRR.
I won a devotion contest that paid for SheSpeaks. I'm so excited! This will be my first writer's conference!
Hi ladies,
Last year it was so neat to put real faces with Bloggy names.
I will be real easy to spot. Watch for the zippy red scooter to fly by you. Then you'll say there went Chef Diane. tee hee.
Believe it or not my biggest struggle getting ready is my clothes. I have lost 40 pounds and while I should be celebrating, nothing fits. So I am shopping the second hand store, friend closets thing. I know I shouldn't complain, but I went down from pushing a 16 down to a 10. So see what I mean,
See ya'll there.
Diane
I so, so, so wish I could be there!!! I have wanted to go before I ever read a blog. Maybe another time. I know you will all have a blessed time!!! Blessings!!
I will be wearing some secondhand shoes (my mom passes great shoes down to me when she tires of them!) But I do confess to buying new clothes– mostly because I lost 32 pounds and nothing from last year would fit me anymore!! So that was a great problem to have!!
Looking forward to seeing you Jen, and all the rest– thanks for organizing this fun event. As for prayers, I just got diagnosed with a sinus infection yesterday so I am praying for complete healing by the time I speak on Saturday!! And also protection for my family from this cold that got me in this predicament!!
Wishing I could be there just for the meet & greet! I'd be wearing my frugal fashions right along with you, girlfriend. 🙂
Can't wait to meet everyone there. I promise it will be a weekend to remember! What fun, frigid fun, but fun nonetheless!!!
Ok, I had to purchase new clothes, because nothing fit. BUT everything was 50-75% off, and what I couldn't find, I borrowed.
But wait, there's more! I needed a brief case, but wanted something stylish. Everything was way overpriced, so I took my husband's black pleather walmart case, took some nail polish and doctored it up! Polka dot fashion at a whopping $1 for a bottle of white "I Love My Nails."
If Jesus opted to be born in a manger, then second hand clothes shouldn't be so hard for us. I pray that as we gather together, we focus on the inside of our sisters. That's the only part that we need to be concerned with anyway! 🙂
Hey, Jen! Thanks so much for organizing this! It will be fun!! Looking forward to meeting y'all on the "Veranda!!"(How many syllables can you put in that word??)
Are you through with your talk yet? I'm gettin' there!!
Hugs!
Susan
**Anyone wanting to run on Sat. morning(not sure the time yet), let me know! I'll be in the parking lot of the hotel, and we'll run 3-4 miles at a talking pace! It will be FUN!!!!
Jen, thanks so much for organizing this little bloggy get-together. I am looking forward to meeting you.
Hi! I am really getting excited now. My suitcase is packed, my talks are (mostly) done, and I have food in the freezer for the family. I am soooo ready to go!
Thank you so much for organizing this for us! : )
One of the things I'm looking forward to the most at She Speaks is the wonderful people I will get to meet. I've been following so many of these blogs and can't wait to meet the people who have been inspiring me.
See you soon! : )
Thanks for the fun idea!
Love you already!
Tammy Nischan
Oh I wish I was going. I have been getting the Proverbs 31 daily devotional for about four years. Can't wait to hear all about it. What are you speaking about?
Cynthia