PENSIEVE

Is there ANYONE else on the planet who hears God speaking through "SHOW TUNES"?Conclusion

Without reading the first part of this post, the conclusion probably won't make much sense.  Please click the link or scroll down a few :).  An invitation awaits those of you who read to the end!

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And show 'em how to dance to a new rhythm,
Whistle a new song,
Toast with a new vintage,
The fizz doesn't fizz too long.

In May, without fully knowing what I was getting into, I wrote to Megan, author of Velveteen Mind, about editing a channel for her new baby, Blog Nosh Magazine.  We exchanged a few emails with her asking which channels were of interest to me, and me responding with a half-mile-long list.

Ultimately she asked me to edit for Religion/Philosphy, which surprised me.  Though I'm an unashamed, publicly- professing Jesus Freak, I don't regularly blog about my faith.  I've often said I'm a Christian who blogs, not a Christian blogger.

Right about the same time, I read about SheSpeaks, a conference for women designed to provide "the tools and the confidence to answer God's call on your life."  As I shared back then, the attraction was "Three tracks--for speakers, women's ministry leaders and writers...iced with sessions specifically for bloggers.  The cherries on that icing?  Bloggers whom I'd been reading for years, Shannon (Rocks in My Dryer), Sophie (BooMama) and Melanie (Big Mama), were leading these sessions.  I was compelled to register."

I thought attending might provide direction for my new intentions and that I'd gain wisdom from the camaraderie of like-minded blog enthusiasts.  It accomplished that and so much more--meeting dozens of bloggers (and speakers) in real life was delightful--stimulating, encouraging and impressive, too.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago, when Alli aka Mrs. Fussypants approached me about writing/editing for Blissfully Domestic, an established ezine she founded with an already loyal following.  I had met the managing editor and creative director, Karla (Looking Towards Heaven) at SheSpeaks.  They explained Blissfully Domestic was under-going a huge re-design, it would be re-launched after Labor Day, they were adding several new columns...and would I be interested in joining their editorial staff?

Specifically, they courted me to shape Inspired Bliss, the magazine's new faith channel.

Again, the not-a-Christian-blogger being offered a role in editing and writing for a Christian ezine...definitely God's sense of humor (and grace!) showing.

It was then it finally occurred to me God was giving me a fabulous opportunity to incarnate Him through a medium I love: the written word.   My love language is "words of encouragement" and both these ventures allow me to share my voice to honor this amazing King o' mine, while simultaneously encouraging and challenging others in their faith.

HOW COOL IS THAT?? 

My concern was being typecast as a GodBlogger or Holy Roller, but really...all you have to do is read a few of my posts, and suddenly that concern vanishes :).

Throughout all this, the song referenced in this post has consistently played as ambient music, right over "there" in my mind's ear.  As each stanza bellowed out its bawdy lines inside my head, I heard them as God "speaking" to me, initiating a way for me to join Him in a work already in progress.  My blog....  No, I might not be a "Christian blogger", but I cannot divorce myself from my faith; "who" I am is centered in "Whose" I am.

There's only one way to make the bubbles stay,
Simply travel a new high way,
Dance to a new rhythm,
Open a new window ev'ry day!

Isn't that a wonderful way to characterize stepping outside your comfort zone?  Seizing opportunity?? 

What about you? Would you like to "dance to a new rhythm"?  "Open a new window"?  I'm looking for regular columnists and guest contributors for Inspired Bliss (launching shortly after the BIG debut of Blissfully Domestic next week).  If you'd like more information, would you email me (link top left corner of my sidebar) asap? 

It sure would be more fun having a few friends join in this sing-a-long ;).

 

Sisterhood of the Traveling Lappies (conclusion)

Continued thoughts from SheSpeaks, a comprehensive speaking/writing/leadership conference designed to equip women to pursue their God-given calling.  Please click here to read part one.

[5]  Lysa TerKeurst.  She would never, ever, EVAH want to be put on a pedestal, but there's no way to speak about the conference without acknowledging her!  I remember Lysa's early days with P31 Homemaker, when she was publishing their newsletter from her garage!  In 15 years, this international ministry has reached millions through Lysa's books, a guest appearance on Oprah, and eight years of conferences...not to mention the hundreds (thousands?) of speaking engagements during that time, both for Lysa and other members of the P31 team.

Words flow from Lysa's lips with grace, humility, emotion and encouragement; she's a gifted speaker who never misses opportunity to magnify the name of Christ.  Above all, she was faithful to remind us that it's all about loving Him and loving others.

[4]  Awkward "Hey-I-know-THAT-blogger" moments melt into The Natural.   Because so many bloggers registered for SheSpeaks this year, they added a reception just for us.  Close your eyes and imagine walking into a full room full of people you "know" but don't know!  What is the "best" and most "proper" way to introduce yourself to someone to whom you've been reading and commenting to for months?  years, even??  Mix together a small room, sweet tea and sugary snacks?  Pretty soon you're meshing.

And, Lord help me, I started taking pictures of women's feet!  Does that sound bizarre and socially unacceptable "best" and "proper" to you???

[3]  Speaking of feet, let's go there again. Saturday night, we skipped dinner and the final session, not just to play hooky, but because several of my friends were "allergic" to seafood.  We ended up at the mall.  Dinner was less than delightful, but it wasn't about the food, it was about the friendship.  Two of my companions were Tina (Antique Mommy) and DeeDee (It Coulda Been Worse) and meeting them was a treat.  Though I've seen them around the b-sphere, apparently I was in the minority for not having already bloglined them...probably because I don't have enough blogs in my  reader.

After dinner, we wandered into a few stores.  Is this really a surprise?

Left to right:  DeeDee (It Coulda Been Worse), Missy (It’s Almost Naptime), Dawn (My Home Sweet Home), Tina (Antique Mommy) and moi; the price of those shoes totaled well over $1,000.  Insane, I tell ya.  More insane?  These:

They're a pair of Jimmy Choos and the "discount" price was almost $400; they didn't come close to being my favorite pair, either in style or comfort.  These were much closer: 

[2]  Hanging out. All the SheSpeaks sessions were helpful, inspiring and motivating, b u t, spending time with the Girlie~Qs outside of a formal setting?  Delicious!

I spent time with bloggers with whom I've never crossed paths--Missy (It's Almost Naptime), mom to FOUR, ages four and younger, and Annie (Taking a Step.  Towards My Dream)--both precious and OH-SO-YOUNG but with wisdom beyond their years; Dawn and I must have like minds, 'cause in addition to sharing a certain affection for Clooney, we signed up for identical sessions; Lisa B. and Valerie were a welcome friendly face when I needed that very thing; and hanging out with Shannon, Sophie and Melanie and talkin' "off the record" was not just fun, it was encouraging. 

   

And my #1 MOST FAVORITE HIGHLIGHT--

[1]  They weren't axe-wielding serial killers!

Sarah (Genesis Moments) and Jo-Lynne (Musings of a Housewife) crawled out on a very thin branch and invited me--A TOTAL STRANGER--to join them for the weekend.  They knew I regretted my initial decision to stay with friends almost an hour from the conference venue (with the price of gas and travel time, it didn't seem like the "good idea" it had three months ago).

Obviously, we thought we'd get along--Jo-Lynne was my competition for "Most Talkative" and actually came away the winner--but it was beyond "getting along"...friendship was born :).     Sarah and I simultaneously broke into "ta-da" moments every time someone brought out a camera...  Their company was delightful and any blogger would understand how n i c e it was to talk "all things blog" without eyes glazing over :).  And LAUGH!  OH, MY, we laughed and got along amazingly well--they travel "like me", casually.  Everything does NOT have to be perfect and I needed that. 

Oh, my word, my intention was NOT to write the LONGEST SHESPEAKS RECAP OF THEM ALL, but I might win that crown :/.  I guess this is one of the times I need to write for myself, so I can REMEMBER, ya know?

Plus, it's never too early to begin campaigning for NEXT YEAR'S "Most Talkative"  planning for NEXT YEAR'S SheSpeaks conference:  July 31-August 2, 2009 :)

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Laptops

Timing is everything.

Months ago, I saw a post about SheSpeaks, a conference for women designed to provide "the tools and the confidence to answer God's call on your life."  Three tracks--for speakers, women's ministry leaders and writers--were iced with sessions specifically for bloggers.  The cherries on that icing?  Bloggers whom I'd been reading for years, Shannon (Rocks in My Dryer), Sophie (BooMama) and Melanie (Big Mama), were leading these sessions.  I was compelled to register.  Compelled.

Having blogged for over two years, only recently have I felt the gentle nudge to "do something more" with my writing.  Honestly?  I'm scared to admit that out loud.  What does it mean exactly?  I'm not sure.  Learning about SheSpeaks collided with my internal stirrings, and I couldn't NOT go...perfect timing.

I do know "words" mean something to me; they're powerful.  They can build up and tear down, heal and wound.  They can alter a child's life--for their good or to their detriment.  A kind word can chart the course for my day; from a friend or from a stranger, spoken or written, sometimes words have been a touch of the Divine--even when (maybe especially when) the person behind them had no idea of their significance or balming.

Scripture teaches God spoke the world into existence--there is no more convincing argument for the power of words!

Far more than a conference of idle words, SheSpeaks touched the lives of over 560 women this past weekend, who will in turn touch the lives of others, who will in turn touch the lives of others.  Thousands will be affected.  Whoa...!  That's a thought that didn't occur to me until just now.  Thousands will be affected as a result of the conference, as women honed their skill in the spoken and written word and gained insight and wisdom in leadership.  (Bloggers identified on this post.)

Let's see if I can narrow down weekend highlights to a list of ten:

[10]  Off to a good start--l-r, lunch with Dawn (My Home Sweet Home), me, Valerie (Valerie at Home)  and Lisa (Simply His).  HUGE thanks to Dawn who shared her photographs with me (since my beloved is in the hospital); George Clooney united me and Dawn a while back, and I'm thankful the conference gave me opportunity to meet Lisa (my favorite biker chick-friend) and Valerie . 

[9]  The entire Proverbs 31 Team. Lysa TerKeurst and LeAnne Rice amassed an amazing group of women to serve conference attendees.  Easily identifiable by their "beaded necklace badges", their countenances exuded grace and friendliness.   Their hospitality assured a warm welcome for everyone.

[8]   Lindsay Kane.   Oh, sweet mercy, this girl doesn't just sing--she can flat SANG!  As soon as she opened her mouth, I was a fan, and when she saw me walking by later, her "I LOVE THAT JACKET!!" gave me reason to mosey over.  Unbeknownst to me, I looked like a HOBO but no one was kind enough to tell me.  Pictures don't lie.  Lindsay does--but give her a listen anyway ;). 

Oh, and we shared a moment when I gave her a business card (oh, my!  that's worth mentioning--and laughing AT, too--blogging callin' cards??  Commence to ROFL and I will join you!); the back of mine says "It's all good...eventually" a reference to Romans 8:28.  One of her favorite verses, when she checked into her room, her key said, "Rm 828" and she was flippin' out...she flipped some more when she saw my card.

[7]  Shoes.  What is it about me and feet?  What is it about women and shoes?!  The deepest, heady thinkers can be rendered shallow in the presence of a cute pair of shoes.  Meet Big Mama, BooMama And Rocks--from the ankle below:

Don't believe for a second this is the last time I'll mention feet relative to SheSpeaks ;).

[6]  Diverse, comprehensive sessions.  This conference is one-stop shopping for those who aspire to write and speak professionally.  Conferees chose from about 30 sessions, among them:  The Pathway to Publication, Magazine Writing 101, Working at Home: The Possibilities and the Practicalities, and The Power of a Story.   Peer reviews, speaker evaluations, appointments with publishers for book proposals, submitting query letters (in person) for magazine publication--this conference is not just about telling you what to do, it equips, encourages and provides real opportunities.

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See?  Me and the feet...I saw these shoes on Laura Boggess and she didn't bat an eyelash when I asked to photograph them.  See?  Bloggers GET bloggers, even if there's a touch of insanity!

To be continued....

My baby's birthday and technical difficulties are keeping me from finishing this; I'll complete my "Top Ten" tomorrow (which will be no easy task!).

 

SheSpeaks ~ Come and get it!

Please scroll down for newer posts!
This will remain at top for SheSpeaks bloggers to find easily :)

Hey y'all!

Can't wait to hear blogger recaps on SheSpeaks.  Lysa and the entire P31 team brought excellence to the conference; blogging sessions were added this year for the first time in the conference's eight-year history, a shrewd decision that piqued my interest (and the interest of over 100+ bloggers of the 560 attendees).  If you have a summary post, please spread the word so everyone can find it easily.

It's been a treat meeting so many bloggers IN REAL LIFE!  It changes the dynamic of the blog relationship in the nicest of ways...

Mine'll come soon...in the meantime, yours will make for good reading :)  If you're visiting from one of my SheSpeaks sistahs, by all means, SPEAK!  I'd love to know you stopped by!!

(Be sure to link your permalink, not your main page--just click your post title or the "permalink" tag and it'll pop up in your browser.) :)

It's like partying with rockstars, but without the booze, and you know, rockstars

The uber-famous Big Mama, BooMama, and the infamous, Pensieve

Dawn (My Home Sweet Home), Shannon (Rocks in My Dryer), Jo-Lynne (Musings of a Housewife & one of my RAWKIN' roomies), Melanie (Big Mama), Annie (Taking a step towards my dream), Sophie (BooMama), me, Valerie (Valarie at Home), Lisa (Simply His) and Sarah (Genesis Moments & my other awesome Philly roomie)

What bloggers do at a writer's conference when they're on break...

More soon....