What a weekend.
5 weeks ago I stepped out and decided to go for it. I didn’t want to spend my life waiting. I didn’t want to let fear make decisions for me. I didn’t know how it was going to go. I still don’t know where it will lead but after this weekend I feel inspired, motivated and ready to move forward. I need to listen to God and be open to His plans for my life.
So what exactly happened this weekend? The Declare Conference occurred. It was a weekend spent with exceptional keynote speakers who shared their stories, hearts and knowledge. Jill Monaco, Mary DeMuth, and Jeff Goins anyone? Okay, so to be honest, I may have never read anything by or heard some of these individuals before but I left blessed by their messages and wanting to learn more from them. (A separate post might be coming on what their keynotes taught me.)
I attended breakout sessions to help my skills and writing voice (I can’t wait to listen to them all). The most delicious tangy key lime pie ever entered my mouth. There were crazy generous sponsors, a wonderful hotel, and dozens of great bloggers all wanting God to use them. From the minute we pulled up in front of the hotel and were welcomed by the Declare sign inside and the smiling faces at the registration an amazing experience was had.
See what I mean? It’s hard to top that.
The old me would never have stepped foot outside of my house to spend a weekend with people I didn’t know. Sure, I agonized over whether or not to attend Declare for so long that I bought my ticket on the last day possible but I did do it. There was no turning back. I pretended that I wasn’t nervous those 5 days leading up to the conference so that I would hopefully not feel nervous. (I think it mostly worked.)
The old me could have missed out on this powerful weekend. The old me would have missed out on sweet conversations. The old me would have missed out on what God wanted to speak to me.
Follow me. Step out in faith. Don’t worry about what others think. Get out of your comfort zone. These are all things God has been teaching me the past years. (Goodness, am I a slow learner.)
He blessed me this weekend for going for it and I’m so grateful. May I not hesitate to follow His leading.
You are going to want to head over the the great link-up to read all the amazing stories!
Linked to Fellowship Friday and Essential Fridays
I’m so glad that you went! I’ve found that He often speaks to us in unexpected places through unexpected voices. His plan was for you to be there, so your voice can be heard.
Thank you for your kind words. I’m excited to use my voice for Him, however that might look.
Hi Deanna —
I LOVED hearing about how God met you at Declare!!
What a sweet gift it was to see you and your precious little man throughout the weekend. Thank you for letting me hold him while you wrote out your nametag. 🙂
I am so excited to see what God prompts and leads you to DECLARE… and I absolutely LOVE your blog. It is just so calm, and soothing in design. 🙂
It was wonderful seeing you and your amazing smile as well. 🙂 I think Spencer enjoyed having lots of people to look at and coo over him. Ha ha.
Thanks you for your sweet words. I’m totally winging it when it comes to this design thing so I’m glad it looks semi-decent! Have a great week!!!
Yay!! So glad you went! “Follow me. Step out in faith. Don’t worry about what others think…” Yes! I’m joining you in that! Blessings to you…
It was amazing!!! It’s been a hard lesson for me to learn. God wants more from me than to be a people pleasure. (And life is much more enjoyable when I realize that’s not what it’s all about. :-))
I’m so glad that in being brave enough to step out of your comfort zone you were blessed. I wish I could get to the Declare Conference but live in the UK. I pray that what you experienced, learnt and shared will bless your blog and your readers.
Thanks for sharing at Essential Fridays.
Blessings,
Mel from Essential Thing Devotions
It was an amazing experience! Thank you for your kind words. That would be quite a trip from the UK. 🙂
I’m so glad you ended up coming even though you were unsure. I felt the same way too.
Oh, and that key lime pie was fantastic. I have thought about it several times!
Oh, I’m soooo glad too! I learned tons and it was a great experience. I’m glad you enjoyed the pie as much as I did. Yum!
Deanna, I am so thankful to meet you and talked with you at the conference. Indeed it was an amazing weekend. Stepping out of our comfort zone a.k.a. Home is not easy, but God is powerful enough to make us do it. Glad he did!
Thanks for the reminder to step out in faith! Blessings to you!
I was so glad to meet you as well! You are so right, He is powerful enough. Thank goodness. 🙂