On July 20th I kissed my sweet hubby, Pat, goodbye, hugged my family and hopped in the car to begin my drive 125 miles to Montrose, PA. I was on my way to my first Writer’s Conference, ever. I was hesitant to leave and to say that I was nervous might have been an understatement. I was beyond nervous. I was about to embark on a new adventure, by myself, and I wasn’t certain I would make it. I reviewed, daily, my responsibilities at home and counted the reasons leaving was not wise. I remembered thinking back to my youth when Camp Findley was going to be a blast, until I discovered I had not been placed in a room with my bestie, Janette. I was heartbroken and ready to leave. Thankfully, my mom understood if I weren’t with Janette, homesickness would probably ruin any possibility of my making it through the week. She asked for a room change and all was well. I am much more comfortable in the safety of close friends or family, aren’t you? Having to attend something new alone, even at the age of 50, stretched me, pulled me and if that wasn’t enough, I think there might have been a yank involved as well. Still, there was one thing the Lord brought to my mind every time I made an excuse for why I shouldn’t go. I had a strong sense that If I allowed fear to keep me from attending I would miss what God had waiting for me in Montrose. I was sure He had blessings waiting for me there- I just had to go and find them.
That is just what I did and some of those blessings were Divine Appointments. I would have lost the opportunity to meet Cindy, Debi, Jayme, Ruth, Cris and Mary Kay, if I had chosen to stay home. These are women I loved getting to know and am certain the Lord brought us together for a purpose. I clearly see that it was for His divine purposes and they weren’t just for me, they reach others in my life. I wouldn’t have met my roommate, Connie, who gave me advice and encouragement each night before sleep took over. Connie and I shared some great late night laughs and chats. I met beautiful people, Writers, who all love the Lord and carried with them a wealth of knowledge they were willing to share so freely.
I was able to sit and learn under Cecil Murphey, Kathy Ide and a host of others. I also soaked in workshop after workshop by Shaun and Suzanne Kuhn, otherwise known as SuzyQ, who shared wisdom on marketing yourself and your book. I met Larry Leech, who helped me by encouraging me to pursue the dreams in my heart. He thought my ideas were good and he urged me to share them with Eddie Jones of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolina’s. Eddie gave me Godly advice and instructed me to take care of the baby I had birthed, The ABC’s of Who God Says I Am, before I began the process of another. Now, I know the timing of the next book and I believe there will be more.
I arrived on Sunday doubting myself and doubting that God had really called me to be a writer. I thought, quite possibly, I wrote a book and any day now I would hear God say, “Ha! Just kidding!” After all, what could I possibly say that anyone really wanted to hear? However, when I left on Friday morning, I knew that I was a Writer, a Speaker and an Author. I knew that God had placed me at the Conference to encourage me, educate me and edify me. He set before me a clearer understanding of what He desires for me to do, and a better awareness of how I can do it. Now, I’d like to encourage you to pursue the dreams God has placed in your heart. Don’t allow the fear of being the new kid, or the fear of being without your friends and family hold you back from the place God has called you to go. There are blessings waiting for you that can only be attained by going where God asks you to go. Invite Him to show you where He wants you to be, who He wants you to meet so He can use you, and them, in His plans and purposes. He has good things waiting if you are willing to embark on a God adventure.
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28).
That is just what I did and some of those blessings were Divine Appointments. I would have lost the opportunity to meet Cindy, Debi, Jayme, Ruth, Cris and Mary Kay, if I had chosen to stay home. These are women I loved getting to know and am certain the Lord brought us together for a purpose. I clearly see that it was for His divine purposes and they weren’t just for me, they reach others in my life. I wouldn’t have met my roommate, Connie, who gave me advice and encouragement each night before sleep took over. Connie and I shared some great late night laughs and chats. I met beautiful people, Writers, who all love the Lord and carried with them a wealth of knowledge they were willing to share so freely.
I was able to sit and learn under Cecil Murphey, Kathy Ide and a host of others. I also soaked in workshop after workshop by Shaun and Suzanne Kuhn, otherwise known as SuzyQ, who shared wisdom on marketing yourself and your book. I met Larry Leech, who helped me by encouraging me to pursue the dreams in my heart. He thought my ideas were good and he urged me to share them with Eddie Jones of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolina’s. Eddie gave me Godly advice and instructed me to take care of the baby I had birthed, The ABC’s of Who God Says I Am, before I began the process of another. Now, I know the timing of the next book and I believe there will be more.
I arrived on Sunday doubting myself and doubting that God had really called me to be a writer. I thought, quite possibly, I wrote a book and any day now I would hear God say, “Ha! Just kidding!” After all, what could I possibly say that anyone really wanted to hear? However, when I left on Friday morning, I knew that I was a Writer, a Speaker and an Author. I knew that God had placed me at the Conference to encourage me, educate me and edify me. He set before me a clearer understanding of what He desires for me to do, and a better awareness of how I can do it. Now, I’d like to encourage you to pursue the dreams God has placed in your heart. Don’t allow the fear of being the new kid, or the fear of being without your friends and family hold you back from the place God has called you to go. There are blessings waiting for you that can only be attained by going where God asks you to go. Invite Him to show you where He wants you to be, who He wants you to meet so He can use you, and them, in His plans and purposes. He has good things waiting if you are willing to embark on a God adventure.
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28).
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