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Clearly, an indication a) I have too many blogs in my reader; b) I'll NEVER catch up; c) I'm the eternal optimist thinking "One day I'll have time to read 'em all," d) it's past time to "tighten" Bloglines.
Cleared...whew, that feels good!
This feels a lot like finally getting that "last load" of laundry done, only to walk upstairs and see the hamper's on its way to full.
Yep, I just checked--"three unread posts".
And so we begin again....
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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.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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!).
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Before I share my thoughts from my conference weekend, first things first--
Happy Birthday to my favorite-oldest son! If ever there was a child who seizes LIFE, he's the one :).
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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.) :)
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More soon....
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So, I'm at the SheSpeaks conference in Concord, NC, rubbing elbows with the Mamas Big & Boo, and hanging with a lady who has Rocks in her head Dryer. Day one sessions have been fruitful, and it's a BLAST talking all things blawg with those who actually want to.
My roomies for the weekend are Jo-Lynne and Sarah; we met officially 10 hours ago, but I'm pretty sure I've known 'em for a lifetime.
I'd love to show you all the pictures I took today; however, due to technical difficulties, most of them are gone. Vamoose. Which sorely disappoints me 'cause I was cataloging everyone's feet--clearly a loss for footwear fashionistas.
Instead, I offer you the few shots that were recorded...I'm sure, they'll make you wish you were here.
Our luggage cart; the conference is for the weekend...we're planning on staying 'til August.
Tonight's (yummy) dessert--
That's all I've got, folks...it'll get bettah tomorrow...pinky promise ;).
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Yesterday, I drove about six hours from Tennessee to South Carolina.
By myself.
The day couldn't have been more beautiful, and I e n j o y e d the solitude amidst verdant mountain views and river-winding roads.
I listened to the silence.
I silenced the silence with prayer.
I blasted a fun, diverse and eclectic play list--from Paul Potts popera to the glory days of the Boss to Casting Crowns ('cause I never get tired of listening)--and I sang like no one was listening (because, if you're paying attention, you know no one was ;) ).
I also mentally composed poetry for today's Friday's 40-or-less Photo Challenge. Can I just say this: I AM SO THANKFUL I REMEMBERED MOST OF WHAT I MIND-WROTE!!! Cause otherwise? Mr. Linky would be here all by himself.
So...let me know what YOU think about any of my three offerings and be sure to link if you've written a post for this week's challenge. Please note, while I often respond in poetry, don't feel pressure to follow suit! The only guideline is a 40-word limit to MAKE IT EASY FOR YOU!! If your response is a clever three-word photo title? Your readers will LOVE you and I will bow to your awesome brevity-in-writing skills!
"One man's trash is another man's treasure"
Many times I've heard this said.
But it you think garbage is precious,
Then I think you're touched in the head!
(Another, with a different take...)
"One man's trash is another man's treasure"
Many times I've heard this said.
Why not turn your garbage to "useful"
Don't toss it, recycle instead.
(This takes a somber turn. I had another stanza, but it exceeded the 40-word limit; I wonder if it makes sense without it....)
Carelessly discarded,
Used then tossed aside.
Clearly, ill-regarded
"Forever", but he lied.
At first, satisfying
Fulfilling primal thirst
In time, less gratifying
Promises reversed.
Salvage found in gentle hands
Picking up the pieces
Illumined, now she understands
New love that never ceases.
Chop, chop! Comment and link away!!
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Conversation overheard at the pool today--
Stephen (11): "Awwww, Mom...you're CHUNKY! That's soooo cuuuuute."
Me: "I'M FAT??? YOU'RE TELLING ME I'M F A T???!!!"
Stephen: "No, Mom, I said it's CUTE."
s i g h...
Guess that's a sign I have no business in a two-piece anymore, even if it's just around the family.
And the kid? Restriction 'til college.
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This is a scene I encountered at my son's track meet a few weeks ago. Having begun a home-recycling program in earnest last year, when I see a trashcan over-flowing with plastics (and aluminum), it sends me over the edge!
For Friday's 40-or-less Photo Challenge this week, share your response to this photo. You don't have to be literal, although that's fine, too. Does it make you think pollution? Needing to find a bathroom after drinking mass quantities of liquid? Can you see a spiritual correlation? Does a snappy caption come to mind? Are you challenged to step up your environmental stewardship? And, I dare anyone to wax poetic over TRASH!
Give it your best shot, post the photo (if you'd like) and a 40-or-less word post on your own blog, then link that post here on Friday. I can't wait to see your interpretations...it's always fun to see how similarly AND how differently we think.
New to Friday's 40? Please! Join us! Just click the badge for details.
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