Influence Conference 2014: Meet and Greet

In normal fashion, I'm a little late to the show.

BUT.

I don't care because I'm so EXCITED to spend 4 days driving, dreaming, scheming, talking, laughing, drinking WAAAY too much coffee, filling up and resting my soul.

Erin and I leave our beloved Des Moines early tomorrow AM to head to Indy for the 2014 Influence Conference!

This will be my 3rd year attending the conference (I'm a lifer at this point) and I am really excited to see all my old friends and make many new ones!

Without further adieu, here is a lil bit about me:

I love writing, reading and hot drinks.
I love cool mornings, long easy runs and hot yoga.
I love cooking, eating local and craft beer.
I love both my jobs- Arbonne Consultant & Think Digital Project Manager.
I talk better then I listen (I'm getting better!) and I love people. All of them.
Expect hugs.
I love woman empowerment and world-changers...like the ladies of the Influence Conference!
I love my God, my family, my friends and my boyfriend. <3
Also, I love this goofy face, my furkid, Roxy.

The theme of this year's conference is BUILD.

Each year I've come to the conference, I've left changed a little. I love coming in with an open heart and mind and just letting God speak to me in all the ways I don't expect.

This year, I'm particularly excited to see what happens AFTER the conference. God has been speaking to each of us in different ways in our lives and now is the time to take action. 
I can't wait to see what this group of powerful women will show to the world!

Every year, I find myself a little zapped by the end of the conference. Not just emotionally and mentally, but physically as well. Lots of late nights, weird eating schedules and just generally being in an unfamiliar place.

For me, that means I can't leave the house without my Arbonne Nutrition Essentials! Protein powder for smoothies and snacks,  Energy Fizz Sticks made with green tea for an afternoon boost, and Herbal Detox Tea for late evening chats. I love being part of a company that makes amazing pure, safe and beneficial products I use every day.
I'll have a few samples and I'd love to share so don't hesitate to find me. :)

But be ready, I might just hug you.

SOON, FRIENDS!! XX

What If.

For the month of October, I'm teaming up with The Nester to write everyday for 30 minutes. 

I just moved and I don't have internet at my new place (I know- it's terrible! #1stworldprobs), so you might be getting sporadic posts and some days with multiples.

This was my first day of writing. My thoughts on The Influence Conference. This was spell-checked and minimally edited. Enjoy. 

During worship night we sang this song called ‘Oceans’ by Hillsong.

The lyrics talk about the Spirit leading us out into the unknown. Our feet never faltering because he is by our side. I’ve been praying for God to help me. Tell me what to do. So many parts of my life seem unknown and unsure and I often feel like I’m barely keeping my head about the waves. Reeve told us that worship isn’t just singing, sometimes just listen and let the words and the voices wash over you. I sat there and listened and prayed and felt the power of those women’s voices rising in song together. I can’t think of any other words to describe it- it was so POWERFUL.

And I had this vision. Of me, standing among the flames. All these things in my life that are often uncertain and messy, sort of burning around me- slowly deteriorating and falling away and when I look up- that is where I see Jesus. Like water to flames, he is reaching out for me. He’s not saying anything. With his eyes, he’s telling me to take his hand. And that though the flames remain, he is with me always, through all of it. I just have to step out to him. Take his hand and lift my head in the strength he has given me. Trust without borders. Walk upon the waters. Wherever he would call me.

I can feel myself hesitate. I can feel myself lift one foot to walk and then set it down and look at him and the yank on my soul. I can feel my heart wrenching- wanting to keep one foot in the fire, not fully submitting to where he is willing to take me.  I’m scared. Really scared. I don’t know what the Lord has in store for me. Stepping out for him could mean change of jobs, relationships, location…all the earthly comforts I cling to when things get rough. I should CLING TO HIM. Call upon his name. Rest my soul in his embrace.

I can feel big things are happening. They are all there- just under the surface, just waiting to break forth. I’ve hesitant and afraid of living the life I’m supposed to be. I’m less scared and afraid as the days go on. I know God is slowly giving me the strength and confidence to follow him fully. I’m not even sure what that life IS. I just know that this is not fully it. I have gifts that are not being used. I connect people. I bring comfort to people with my words. I have 2 hands and 2 feet that are capable of helping. I have a heart that is busting at the seams with love for people. All those who are hurt and suffering- I want to HELP THEM. I don’t know how. I want to see others grow and succeed and have a life full of Christ. A life filled with the love and peace of knowing HE PICKED US. I often think the thing we all struggle with the most is wondering if we have purpose. If anyone even cares what we do. But we do have that!! We have it in Jesus. HE PICKED US. Jess Thompson said there are times we may feel alone and isolated, but we shouldn’t. He is always with us. Always. (Remember that verse about God ‘never leaving or forsaking’ us? That’s true.)

I spent a lot of time with women this weekend who are moms- biologically, foster and adoptive. Their love astounded me. The heart they have for those kids- it struck me. Hard. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be a child without parents. In a place full of strangers and never knowing if you are loved. Never knowing where your next meal is coming from. Being so concerned about basic needs, you can’t even imagine a life beyond that.

I have been blessed beyond measure in my life. I grew up middle class in the Midwest. I had all my basic needs met plus some. I had 2 parents and siblings growing up. I had grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins and more who were always there to come to my birthday parties and t-ball games and school plays. I never wanted for anything. I never knew hunger or hurt or abandon. I think about these kids, all over the world- especially the ones in my own hometown- who don’t know that. Kids who have been shuffled from place to place. Kids whom have grown to be so damaged by the lack of love in their life that they have developed behavioral issues. To most potential parents, they are a liability. A lot of people adopt because they can’t have children of their own. But often they want a baby- a child not already tarnished and scarred by the evils of the world. One who hasn’t seen suffering like an older child could. My friend Lindsy said, “But even a new born baby who was left at birth has seen suffering.”

Who will help these kids, if not us? Who will open their homes and hearts and feed and clothe these kids, if not us? Who will throw them a birthday party and enroll them in soccer and read them stories and teach them about Jesus, if not us?

I was just bowled over by the thought of all of them who are left. Alone. Scared. Without hope.

And not just kids, people of all ages and circumstances!

I serve at a shelter in my hometown a couple times a month and I see people of all ages come through to get a free hot meal. Some of them are on drugs or drunk. Most are not. They are hungry. Not just for food, but for love. They talk and make conversation with me. Trying to connect in the mere seconds it takes for me to ask them if they want ‘Spinach or bread’? They just want someone to listen to them. Hear their story. Tell them it’s going to be okay. I can see the longing in their eyes for a life of normalcy. I think a lot of them just want a place to call home- a place with a warm bed and someone to talk to.

I don’t get a lot of time to interact with them, but I want to.

I’ve been thinking about this for a long time- how do I get more time to talk to them during the few minutes I’m dishing out food? I want to help them and tell them they are not alone. I want to tell them there IS HOPE FOR THEM. Jesus’ love is for all of us.

I have so many thoughts coming out of Influence. This year was even more emotional and raw for me. I have so much happening in my life and I was really frustrated the first day. I was concerned my own issues were clouding up my mind to being open and receiving to the wisdom being shared. By the time I got into the car to drive home- I was raw and open. So. Many.Truths. So many I don’t want to hear or acknowledge just sort of thrown in my face.

I don’t know what my calling is. I have zero idea where I’m going from here. I do know that just like you, I am called to do great things. Jesus is IN US, the building is DONE (Thanks Jessi- Galatians 2:20). I have influence. I just have to get out there and USE it.

I will never forget during worship when Jessi stepped up to the mic and was reading from the bible, her voice rising with passion. Her voice was cracking and crying and she said,

What if this wasn’t just a conference? 

What if this wasn’t just your blogging friends? 

What if we were a generation that was KNOWN and LOVED by God?

What if.

Sunday 7: Des Moines: God's Gift to Planet Earth

It's true.
I live in the greatest city in the world.

See?
I even have a t-shirt that says so.

My hood

But really, Des Moines is a pretty awesome midwest city.
In the spirit of Sunday 7 and my ever-evolving love for lists, here are 7 reasons I love this place:

1. Little big city. We have a downtown with bars and restaurants and music venues. But not so big that you have to worry a lot about crime or taking forever to drive somewhere. There is a great young professionals scene (voted #1 in the US for YP's!) and jobs aplenty with us being the insurance capital. It's a perfect size.

On the patio of the Hessen Haus enjoying a nice evening view of downtown

2. Music. We have an awesome music scene and get a lot of national acts in small venues here because we are sort of in the middle of some bigger cities

Greg Laswell & Ingrid Michaelson at Nitefall on the River 2012

80/35 Last Year

.

3. Proximity to bigger towns We are just a couple hours from Kansas City, Omaha, Minneapolis and Chicago. Can you say weekend road trips?


4. Food. Some of the best food I've ever had has been right here in Des Moines. We have a great local food scene with some pretty awesome chefs, including the one and only George Formaro- genius behind some of Des Moines best restaurants: Django, Centro, Gateway Market and Zombie Burger. Not to mention we have a fantastic farmers market.

5. Recreation. Des Moines is home to some fantastic bike paths that can get you from downtown to West Des Moines or to rural areas making commutes and Sunday Funday rides a breeze.

Des Moines is also home to Grays Lake, a 167 acre park surrounded by a 2 mile trail. There is a beach, picnic area, bird watching, rowing, etc. It's a great place to take a run along the water or meet friends for Yoga in the Park. 

It also boasts fantastic views of downtown at night. 

There are also great golf courses and parks a plenty. If you like the outdoors (and the weather cooperates), there is plenty to do!

6. The Culture. Besides being home to a pretty progressive music scene, Des Moines has a thriving arts and theater community as well. The Des Moines Art Festival is one of the biggest in the midwest (coming up at the end of this month so you should come check it out!)

And have I mentioned craft beer? We have quite a few local breweries here in town and next weekend will be hosting the 2013 Iowa Craft Brew Festival. Yum. 

Last but certainly not least....

7. The People. It's true, I'm a born and raised Des Moinesian, which makes me a little partial, but I really think some of the nicest people in the world live here. I've made some incredible friends and if it wasn't for this place, I never would have met T. So...definitely a reason to love this city a little more. :)

I'm linking up over at the Influence Network today- sharing a little bit about where I live with all the other fabulous ladies. Check it out HERE

Sunday Seven: 4/7/2013

Even though I had to work almost all weekend....

I didn't let it get me down.
It was absolutely beautiful!!

1. If you follow me on Instagram, you probably saw a barrage of pictures Saturday starting with 1st shorts and tshirt run of the season!

 It was awesome. I got in 8 miles with my girlfriends before I set off for breakfast with this guy before work:

He's my favorite. <3

2. Also, I know not that many people care, but our teams played each other in the NIT tournament this week.

 The Hawks prevailed, but then we lost the championship. Bummer.

3. I'm sort of obsessed with eating everything out of a mason jar.

Tomorrow, read about all the best Mason Jar Foods.

4. Favorite screen shots of the week:

Apple Pie Smoothie- I def want to try

Avocado fries?? Yes Please.

HA! I love this. 

I definitely want to try this

5. I've read Andie's blog for a couple years and I revisited it this week looking for a recipe. These posts: losing your fear of food and being constantly hungry, definitely gave me some food for thought. (pun intended). I yo-yo with food and it's about time I strike a healthy balance.

6. If you haven't gotten your ticket for Influence Conference 2013, you should read this post. I have a little blurb!

7. This week finally felt like spring. There were so many signs of warmer days to come:

Iced coffees

New run shoes!

YELLOW

Patio dinners

How was your week? Are you finally enjoying some signs of spring? Morning and evening walks are good for both me and Roxydog. 

A Girl Named Nicole

Hey ya'll- I'm linking up over at the Influence Network today to meet and greet with all the ladies new and old to Influence. Check it out here.

Hi there.

I'm Nicole.

Known as NicMarie on the interwebs and to my favorite IRL people.

Here's 3 things about me. 

1 I love my soon-to-be husband T 

and my furbaby Roxy.

They get a lot of press on the blog my instagram feed. 

2 In one single day last October, I ran my 1st marathon, got my 7th tattoo and got engaged to the love of my life.

Go big or go home. 

3 I'm still figuring out 'me' everyday. I'll never have all the answers to life's conundrums. EvenMe is all about finding balance the meantime and foods/goals/books/coffee/travels/music that I enjoy along the way. 

The forums on the Influence Network have been invaluable. There is so much good happening there - women sharing their tips and strategies as well as their hearts. I'm grateful to have been one of the founding members of the network and I can't wait to see the amazing things this community of women will do together!

Don't forget to check out all the awesome women of Influence!

#30DaysofThanksgiving...AKA Nutty November

I can’t speak for everyone that attended, but I’m still feeling the after effects of Influence.

When I first got home, I felt inspired and energized and full of ideas.

Now I just feel a little bit stretched and burned out and overwhelmed.

Where do I start?

 Mug and contents lovely courtesy of Jill at Ernestine Edna

 

You know how sometimes you have all these amazing ideas and it seems so easy to just fit them into your life and somehow it will all work out? Then when you ACTUALLY try to do that everything just sort of gets mucked up?

For instance, one of my post-influence goals was just to write MORE. Set I up a couple of sessions a week where I work on my blog and write- however that looks. So far those 2 writing sessions barely seem like enough for me to do all the posts I want (I have a list a mile long and a head bursting at the seams with ideas), follow up on all the social media (my goodness!-my twitter feed and email is out of control post Influence) and learn all the techy things I need to make my blog more attractive to readers (buttons, graphics, stuff I don’t even know I need).

I tend to think I need another 20+ hours a week to work on my blog and all my IDEAS.

I make it sound like work.

But really it’s not. In fact, it’s the opposite of work for me.

I can go to the coffee shop and spend 2-3 hours writing posts and planning future posts. Sorting through all my pictures and conjuring visions of what the final post will look like.

I can stay up all night reading through the blogs of all the ladies I met (or met post conference through Twitter), delving into your lives. Into the details of marriages and babies or of world travels. Of your happiest moments. Of your woes. Of your 5-minute Fridays, or Friday favs or OOTD or WIAW or 31 day series.

I am simultaneously in love with and completed bewildered by the sheer amount of women out there I can connect to.

I have tried to follow everyone on twitter, follow all the blogs and keep up on most everyone’s life. I’m afraid that may not be possible. As much as my people-pleaser personality wants everyone to feel my love through blog comments or ‘favorited’ tweets- it’s just not going to happen.

(With that being said- please don’t feel slighted if I haven’t reached out to you yet and we exchanged business cards. I’m still working through my pile of 75 or more. You are all AWESOME. Hugs!)

I’ve also been trying to read through everyone’s influence posts and can I say…ahem...

Ladies.

For reals.

We have GOT to start giving ourselves more credit.

It’s interesting to me how many of us felt that we were somehow ‘unworthy’ to be in the same room with the celebrity bloggers. Or how many of us thought we weren’t ‘trendy’ enough or ‘pretty’ enough or ‘mommy’ enough or ‘jesus-y’ enough.

Maybe interesting is not the right word. It might be ridiculous.

And reading Becca’s post on gossip just about made me cry.

Made me wonder…was I ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE? Did I make a comment out of my own insecurity just to make me feel better? I’ll admit that’s happened before. I’m not proud of it and it’s definitely something I need to work on…something I’m guessing we all need to work on.

All I’m saying is this:

·         I STILL need to learn how I can’t do #allthethings (buy the t-shirt at Influence 2013!)

·       I STILL need to learn that I’m okay with just being ME- even if that means I’m not the trendiest, mommiest, jesusiest, etc. God loves me the way I am. And heck of a lot of other people too.

·        I STILL need to learn to not put others down just to make myself feel better. I pray EVERYDAY for the capacity to love others fearlessly. You know what that means? It means loving others the way Jesus does- without judgment, without shame, without anything but PURE LOVING KINDNESS.

None of these things are going to be fixed overnight.

Or even in the next week.

But I can try. I can continue to ‘run the race’ (Hebrews 12:1- one of my favorite verses) and work towards becoming the best person I can be- balanced in body, mind and soul- Even Me.

Sometimes, I get frustrated that I can’t make my schedule work the way I want. That sometimes life gets in the way. I keep saying ‘next week I won’t plan as much’ or ‘after this I’ll stop committing to stuff’ but it never seems to happen.

I made some goals at influence and I intend to enforce them.

To quit making excuses for my life being ‘so busy.’

To make time for the things that matter and put the rest to rest. Literally.

To quit feeling guilty about the stack of books I haven’t read, the stack of magazines I haven’t perused, the hours of twitter updates I missed, all those TV shows I haven’t been watching, all those naps I haven’t been taking.

And focus on the things that encourage me to grow and stretch ‘my tent’ (Jessi mentioned this verse at Influence…maybe somewhere in Isaiah? If someone knows...please comment!) - writing, reading, running, cooking/reading/loving/talking/laughing together with those people I can’t live without. Those are the things that I should focus on.

So how do I do that? How do I balance my vocation and my avocation? My passion and my purpose?

Sign myself up for more stuff!!

No, seriously- I wrote the first half of this post on Tuesday and last night at 11:30, I was signing myself up for NaNoWriMo and committing to writing a 50,000 word novel in November.

This is how I roll.

If I’ve learned anything about myself recently, it’s that I THRIVE on being stretched and challenged. That being ‘busy’ IS how I stay balanced.

So what if my laundry isn’t done, there is toothpaste in my sink and my there are random piles of dog hair floating around my condo?

This week I:

-          Spent time in community with my church family

-          Made some connections online with a fabulous nonprofit (More to come!!)

-          Started reading a friends book (More to come- review and author interview!!)

-          Went trick or treating with my youngest niece and nephews. Shared laughs and candy with my mom, sisters and brother in law

-          Had a Halloween date with T, my wonderful fiancé - complete with homemade chili and a marathon session of The Walking Dead

-          Met with some amazing local people of influence in my community

-          Drank a lot of amazing coffee- Pumpkin Chai lattes anyone?

-          Started a NOVEL (bucketlist item!)

-          Got in a run every day- even a couple times with my Roxydog (if you didn’t know, it’s Run every day till New Year’s so you can eat Holiday treats without guilt time. See my post from last year HERE. I started after Thanksgiving last year)

-          Connected with a local organization on leading a volunteer effort for a large scale festival next summer

-          Joined a link up with Sincerely Amanda and all the other Influence ladies for 30 Days of Thanksgiving

 

So in honor of Day 1 of 30 Days of Thanksgiving I’m saying ‘goodbye’ to an empty calendar and idle time.

Hello to a full heart, an energized mind and a soothed soul.

This Thursday I’m thankful for:

...Being blessed with the resources and opportunity to experience life in all the amazing ways I have been privy too

...The most handsome cheerleader a girl could ask for, my future husband, T.

...My family- no matter what we can always share laughs together. (AND when my sisters make me homemade candy necklaces and roasted pumpkin seeds- SCORE!)

 

...My job- I work with some amazing people and each day is opportunity to learn and grow

...My town- I love you Des Mo.

 

Coffee. For sure. Coffee.

 

Make sure you:

- Link up with Amanda over at Sincerely Amanda.

- Pick up the beautiful button she made- it’s so classy and festive (check it out on my sidebar!)

-All month long use this hashtag #30daysofthanksgiving to share what you are thankful for

-SHARE in the comments

 

What are you thankful for this week? Friends? Family? Cookies?

All good things in my book.

**This post brought to you by ridiculous amounts of Caffeine for the first day of NaNoWriMo**

7 Things I Learned at Influence

Hey there friends.

Last week was one heck of a WOW week.

I got engaged.

I ran a marathon.

Yep- I cried.

And then I drove 8 1/2 hours with my friend Erin to Indianapolis for the Influence Conference.



I was super pumped about attending a blogging conference where I was going to learn about blog design, buttons, widgets, sponsors, ads and a host of other techy things I know nothing about.

What I was NOT prepared for is how much I would learn about Jesus.
What I would learn about the power of grace, forgiveness and  2nd chances.
What I would learn about friendships and the bonds of women.
What I would learn about myself.

As my friend Erin put it- we got a 'soul exfoliation.'

And since I love lists, especially lists of 7 things...here you go: 7 things I picked up at the conference:

1. I like hanging out with women.

Yes, I'm a woman. Do I have girlfriends I chat with? Yes. Is it like those TV slumber parties where we all throw pillows and talk about boys? Nope. Not in the least. I've always been the girl with a lot of guy friends so the idea of spending an entire weekend surrounded by 200+ women, 5 of which I would be rooming with...actually terrified me. I knew Erin from church but we hadn't spent a lot of 1:1 time together so I was also worried about that.

What would I say?

Would we run out of things to talk about in the car?

What if we end up not having a lot in common?

What if our roommates suck?

What if it's really cliquey and like high school all over again?

 

 

Turns out- none of that happened.

Erin and I talked NON-STOP from Iowa to Indiana and back again.

In fact, we connected all weekend.

 

 

We also connected with our roommates and tens of other women at the conference.

 

With our roomies, Amanda,  Erin, Adri, and Jill on the way to the Stripes party

 



With our new buddy Courtney

 

Not only did I have an amazing time, I really bonded with a new friend in a way I never expected.

 

2. Not all women bloggers are part of the 'mommy club.'

 

I'm a little embarrassed to admit this.

 

After seeing some of the posts on the facebook page for the conference I made some quick judgements that I was going to be the only single girl with no kids that also wasn't in college. And that I was going to have to listen to a lot of diaper, poop, breast-feeding talk all weekend and feel like an outsider.

 

That didn't happen either.

There were moms. And yes, there was the occasional diaper-poop-breastfeeding-kid talk, but I never ONCE felt like I was an outsider to an exclusive club.

In fact, I was honestly taken aback by how many of them wanted to know who I was, what I write about and what my life is like.

Again, here is me drudging up old insecurities about not fitting in and being completely surprised by the amazing things God does when he puts a bunch of women together.

 

3. Celebrity bloggers are just regular people with a past too.

 

I'm ALSO embarrassed to admit this.

Okay I'm surprising myself with the amount of preconceived notions I had about this whole thing.

 

As I've probably mentioned on her once or twice or 15 times, I'm a big fan of Mama Pea. I've made a lot of her recipes and posted them on here. She's sort of my blog idol.

One of the reasons I decided to come was because she was going to speak and I thought 'OMG! I could MEET HER. We could become FRIENDS!' (again- inner celebrity crush coming out).

In fact, I found out before the conference that she was coming to the morning run group and I actually posted on her facebook wall like a creepy stalker fan.

 

So fast forward to the Stripes party. I see her across the room and actually end up right next to her at least 3 times and do not say hi.

I do not know what came over me. I just felt so out of place. Like- here I am, some random girl from Iowa, who writes a blog that only gets read by a few friends- I'm not really at that level. And also, as extroverted as I may seem, it's not in my nature to just strike up conversations with people I don't really know.

I see Mama Pea 3 more times after that and still don't say hi.

Then I went to her Saturday morning Life session.

 

And I heard her story.

 

I saw her cry.

 

I saw her bare her soul to a hundred women, most of which she had never met, and who, like me, blog on the Internet and most likely would share her amazing story of grace and redemption with their readers.

 

She shared things like:

 

I was asking God for a truce, and he wanted a surrender.

I could gain the world and forfeit my soul.

In order for his kingdom to come, I had to let my kingdom go.

Finally fill my God-shaped hole with a personal relationship with Jesus.

I found a new purpose- Jesus is the filter for my life.

 

Then I sort of felt like a chump.

I was so excited about meeting Mama Pea, but I realized the person I really wanted to meet was Sarah. 

 

Sarah, the woman who discovered no amount of success or fame would ever fill her the way God's love does.

 

So I talked to her after her session.

Got a picture.

 

 

Then we chatted via Twitter.

And then before we left Saturday night I gave her a hug.

And she said 'Email me anytime.'

And I realized I didn't meet my blogging idol, I made a new friend.

 

4. It's okay to say 'no' sometimes.

 

If you've been coming to Even Me for any time at all, you probably are well aware of how much I overschedule, overplan and overstretch myself.

On Friday, I listened to John Saddington's strategy session. His theme was 'Entreprenuership and You.' There was a lot of practical business advice, but the best advice he gave was 'Yes, No.'

He said learn to say 'no' before you say 'yes.'

IF you are going to say 'yes' to something, then you have to be willing to say 'no' to something in your current pipeline.

He talked about margin versus exhaustion. That, as writers, we need to have time to have no one to report to and nothing to do and that is OKAY.

That the saying 'yes' can only come out of your margin.

 

So...this week I started something different. I scheduled time for myself.

Novel idea, right?

I decided since I love blogging so much and I'm always feeling like there isn't enough time, I'm scheduling 2 writing sessions a week for me to blog, journal, whatever. Just time for me to decompress and do something that I love to do.

 

 

Of course the minute I schedule this writing session someone asks me to do something.

and guess what, people?

I said 'I'm sorry, I have blocked off that day for some personal time. Maybe we can do something later this week?'

And it felt good.

 

 

5. No matter how extroverted you are on your blog...most writers are introverts.

 

We arrived at the conference Thursday night. They had a quick opening session, then we were headed off to the Stripes party.

You know what happens when you put a bunch of bloggers who don't know each other in a room together?

 

We stand around with the people we know or are rooming with.

It was a little like a middle school dance. Ha.

 

I read the book Quiet: The Power of Introverts a couple months ago. It talks about how introverts value personal, one on one connection and maintain high levels of empathy and sensitivity.

I found this to be so true in many of my encounters with other writers. There were a few extroverts or good 'fakers' as some of them openly admit, but most of us play our cards a little close to the chest until we feel comfortable.

 

 

 6. We are broken people. We all need to receive the Gospel everyday.

 

I heard the words 'broken people', 'grace' and 'redemption' often during the course of the weekend.

I heard so many stories of salvation through receiving God's forgiveness.

Stories I could relate to. Stories of finding peace through Jesus.

 

In her session, Jessi talked about how believing and receiving the Gospel are different things. We may have believed the Gospel years ago, but we still need to receive God's grace and redemption everyday.

 

Often, I think we forget that.

Forget that we are gonna mess up. And the only way we can 'fail well' is to learn through God's unending grace.

 

7. When you invite God into a place, he shows up.

 

The days and weeks leading up to the conference were filled with women (and men) all over the country praying.

 

Praying for guidance for our conference leaders.

Praying for safe travels for attendees.

Praying for logistics.

Praying for the speakers.

Praying for families being left at home.

Praying for tender hearts to show up and be INFLUENCED.

 

And you know what?

Those prayers were answered.

Jesus was present in the way complete strangers shared rooms, meals and hearts. 

He was present in the way new bonds were formed and old ones forged stronger.

He was present in every story, tear, hug and 'I love you.'

We asked him to hang out and he SHOWED UP.

 

 

I have so many thoughts on how I'm going to use my Influence to share Jesus with the world. I have plans for discovering my passion and purpose.

Leaving Influence was a little like when I left church camp as a kid.

High on Jesus and expectant of the future.

I hope and pray that this weekend will always be a constant reminder of what we can do when we become a force for good.

I'm grateful for the many women I met who are now blowing up my Twitter feed and inspiring me every single day.

 

God is awesome ya'll.

 

 

Influence Conference: Getting to Know You Part III

Here you go friends (yah! I caught up on the blog posts!)- round III of 'Getting Know You' blog series created by This Healthy Endeavor.

Today is 'ABC's' about you. So here goes:

A- Accent you wish you had

Probably southern- I think they sound so sweet and nice. Plus, I like their made-up words like ya'll and fixin'.

B- Baking or Cooking?

Cooking. Always. I love all the foods.

C- Can't Get Enough.....

Of this guy.

D- Drink you can't go without

Coffee. I drink it hot, cold, espresso'd...however. Nothing helps the last few hours of work than an afternoon coffee walk!
And water. I seriously drink at least a gallon a day.

E-Emotion you get when those Hallmark commercials come on

I don't have cable...so I don't see many commercials! However, I can say, depending on my mood, I'd either think they were cute or cheesy.

F-Fictional Character you relate to

No one in particular comes to mind here. Maybe Meredith Grey? Shes smart and driven, but also a family person. I can relate to her struggle to find balance between all areas and relationships in her life.

G-Guilty Pleasure

Candy. Specifically Laffy Taffy. It's a sickness.

H- Hometown

Des Moines!! I love my city.

I- Ice Cream Flavor

Mint Chocolate chip. Or anything cake batter. YUM.

J- Jumpstart Go To (aka how you get your day started)

Exercise! And coffee. Lots of black coffee.

K- Keepsake Item

I like to collect memorabilia of good times. My favorite is a set of mini salt and pepper shakers from the first trip T and I took together out of town.

L- Life Verse(s)

Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of wiintenesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

Ephesians 1:16
I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly.

M-Memory that makes you smile

T was leaving for a trip out of town and I met him to say 'bye'. He came bounding down the steps, tanned and lean. He saw me and his face lit up. I remember feeling like exactly what I was feeling was reflected in his face. :)

N- Non-fiction writer you want to have dinner with

Laurie Notaro. She's HILARIOUS. If you haven't read any of her stuff, check her out here.
First author that I literally laughed out loud reading. I remember being at the pool, laughing so hard I had to set the book down.

O- Opulent Item You Want (something that is way out of your price range)

Everything in the J.Crew fall album. Ahhh...italian leather ballet flats!!

P-Pattern You Love

Stripes. And lately- lace.

Q- Quirk You Have

I count things. Usually things in patterns- like tiles, window panes, etc. I don't know why or when it started, but I find myself doing it when I'm thinking really hard about something.

R- Relaxing Spot

Curled up in my trusty orange chair- reading or watching old seasons of Grey's Anatomy. :)

S- Snow or Sun?

Sun. Although I love a quiet snow around the holidays.

T- TV show you miss


I loved this show.

U- Unique Fact About You

I have 7 tattoos. Most recent was to commemorate my first marathon!

I love getting new ink and someday hope to have a full sleeve.

V- Valentine's Day ...big deal or not?

Not. Everyday is a day to celebrate LOVE.

W- What's Your Love Language?

I heard this is a book, but I've not read it.
I can tell you that I have a lot of love language- I'm a hugger. And a gift-giver. And a doer. And a sayer.
So if I care about you, you will probably get regular compliments, hugs, help and CARDS (I have an obsession) from me.

X- X-Factor Song You Would Sing (sidenote: I don't watch the show...)

I also do not watch...are there specific songs they have to choose from?
I have a horrid singing voice...but I can rock karaoke to 'Just a Girl' by No Doubt (after a few cocktails...)

Y- Yoga or Not?

Yoga. It makes me feel tall. And thin. And strong. I love challenging my body in a different way with yoga.


Z- Zealous Dream You Have
I want to own and operate my own local coffee shop. I want it to be locally sourced ingredients, anything else fair-trade and organic. I want it to be nestled in a neighborhood that would support it by being regular patrons.

Hope that helps you learn a little bit about me...I'm definitely a mixed bag...variety is the spice of life!
So, so, SO looking forward to the conference in just 3 days!!