Lysa Terkeurst and Me
Notebook – check. Proposals – check. Bible – check. Name tag – check. Room Key – check. Excitement – check. Anticipation – check! Walking down the patterned carpet halls with pink tote bag in hand, my smile couldn’t get any bigger. I’m here. I’m really here were the thoughts swirling in my head. Faces I only knew from pictures transformed into real life as I met blogging friends and the P31 team.
The room, filled with laughter and expectation, silenced as Lysa took the stage. “Welcome to She Speaks 2008!” She greeted each of the 500+ faces. I’m here. I’m really here was running on repeat as I glued my eyes to the “face” of Proverbs 31 Ministries, thinking of meeting her only moments before. The conference aptly named She Speaks, perhaps could have been He Speaks, because “HE” spoke.
I have chosen you. I have a plan for you. I am all-powerful. Give me your all. I will use whatever you have. I will equip you. I will give you the words. I will open the doors. I am the I AM.
God’s presence was undeniable. His words echoed in hearts throughout the room. Surrounded by hundreds of women with a heart for ministry, hundreds of women who had exchanged their will for His, I was in awe. Together, we laid our crusts and crumbs at the foot of the cross to walk away with something whole. The whole picture. The whole truth. The whole story. The whole ministry. Some would see it as they walked away. For others discovery would come in the car on the way home. Still others will unearth their “whole” weeks from now, neatly folded and tucked. As I walked away in the shadow of the cross, I knew. I would never be the same. Thank God, I will never be the same.
The conference was wonderful, my friends. Thank you for your prayers. They were felt. I’m sure you’ll hear more details in the weeks to come. Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure!
Me, Boo Mama, Amy
Amy, Marybeth Whalen, Me
Me and Glynnis Whitwer (Sr. Editor of P31 Woman Magazine)
Me, Amy, Carol Davis (morning radio show host 106.9 The Light)
A.K.A. The Pink Ladies (No, we didn’t plan this!)
Me with Missy from It’s Almost Naptime
Kelley (Aroma of Joy), Amy, Me, Missy, Linda (2nd Cup of Coffee)
Kelley, Missy, and Lelia getting a lift to the mall!
Love it! How awesome for you all!
Sita
Carol-
I am thrilled about your experience at She Speaks. God is with you and directing you…even down the patterned carpet hallways.
Can’t wait to hear more on Friday!
-Janet
Girl, have you been shopping? I don’t recognize ANY of those clothes you are wearing, lol! You look FABULOUS as always and I am so excited to hear more about the trip. What an AMAZING experience, I am so excited for you!
Blessings,
Amanda
What a thrill to meet all of those ladies in person, and to have the joy of sharing in worship together. Looks like you had a great time!
Xandra
How great to get to meet all these women!!
Oh my gosh that is so funny! How did we miss each other? We will definitely have to get together sometime soon. 🙂
OH!!!! It looks awesome! I was praying.
And I’m so jealous you got to meet Boomama! 🙂
steph
Oh girl, wait till you hear about our ride from the mall to the airport! I have never in my life had an experience quite like it! If nothing else it is blogging gold!!!
I had so much fun meeting you, we need to have more weekends like that one….
Love,
Kelley
I am so glad that you have a fabulous time. A friend of mine got to go at the last minute. She said the conference was wonderful. I am looking forward to hearing more.
Sounds like it was a wonderful conference. I was sooo hoping to go. Maybe next year. Your post was very good! Very encouraging.
Have a blessed day!
Carol,
I had a blast meeting ‘you all’ as we say it back home! 😉
Awesome weekend! Same time same place next year?
Blessings,
Lelia
What? You mean there’s not twelve parts to your conference post like mine?? I am so happy to have met in person. I’m still reeling from the thrill and the plane ride.
Fun to read about your experience! I think everyone (including me) is posting lots of group pictures.
You were so friendly. I wish we had had time to talk!
I’m so glad you had a great time!!! I can’t to hear all about the whole trip!
Girl, you made my day that day! I’m still laughing, and I needed it right before going in to meet the publishers. What a great experience, though. I’m going to wear your pin and wait for the book. Tomorrow I’ll have to tell our story on my blog!
Thanks so much for breaking the tension.
Forever indebted,
Amy
Hey Carol!
I am not sure where we met or when, but you seem familiar to me, too! Oh, now this is gonna bug me! 🙂
Regardless, I am so happy we got to meet. I hope we will have more occasions in the future to meet up. Until then, we will both still be trying to figure out where in the world we have met before! Glad you had a great experience at SheSpeaks. Too fun!
Lisa 🙂
How I loved hangin with you, girlfriend.
Carol,
It was so great to meet you at the conference. You are wonderfully innovative and I was blessed to watch you help Kelly polish her talk.
You are a gifted and amazing woman. I pray the Lord will continue to use you and your ministry for His glory.
Zoe
You described She Speaks very well. It will be very interesting to see the paths God takes attendees down in the months and years to come, won’t it?
Looks like fun was had by all…….a little jealous over here….in a Godly way of course 😉
What great pictures of all of you together. It must of been quite amazing to be there with so many women of God.
Hi–we met after the conference ended in front of the info desk. I waited all weekend to hear Godly advice and I believe it came from you and Missy regarding an on-line book. Thank you! By the way, no mention of Moses getting off the ark…or did you just need a reminder? I’ll let you know when my book is up and running! Thanks again for being there. Sue
What an incredible weekend! I know you were blessed, as was I. It will take me awhile to get my thoughts around this one.
May God continue to guide and shape you for his many kingdom purposes.
peace~elaine
Wasn’t it wonderful? Lysa is as real in person as she is on her blog. It was such a joy to be a guest speaker there and meet very cool women who love writing and speaking. Thanks for sharing your experience!
It was so nice to meet you at She Speaks. I’m glad it was such a cool experience–for all of us!
It was a great weekend, wasn’t it? Great pictures – love the pink lady thing!
Thanks so much for sharing your beautifully written post on your experience at She Speaks. It is so nice that you let those of us who couldn’t make it vicariously share in the conference.
Great pictures! I loved the Pink Ladies!