I simply could not let another day pass without writing a special post to say a special hello to my soon to be new friends who are diligently preparing for the She Speaks conference that will soon be upon us. I must say thank you to Kimberly Jones Simpkins from Mining for Diamonds for jump starting the She Speaks blogroll on the conference attendees Facebook page. I know that I’ve already had many visitors from the blog roll, and I look forward to visiting your blogs, as well. Thanks to Kimberly’s brilliant idea we will all get to do some meeting, greeting and reading even before the actual event. Pretty cool, huh? I think so.
For those of you who have no idea what She Speaks is all about, click here to see what all the online fuss is about.
Last week, I listened in on the first of two conference calls held for the sole purpose of preparing conference attendees who are writers, wannabe writers, and all writers in between for our Publishers Appointments that will take place during the conference. That’s right, my friends. I will have my 15 minutes of fame – an opportunity to sit down in front of people who work for real life publishing companies and pick their brains, ask them questions and propose a book idea.
I was overwhelmed by the wealth of information and encouragement we received from Glynnis Whitwer (Author, Speaker, and Director of the Writer Team for Proverbs 31 Ministries). To be honest, I believe I’m still overwhelmed. Even as I type these words one week later, my knees seem to knock together (though I am seated) with excitement accompanied by that old familiar spirit of fear. I tell you, old man fear just has to be the “who invited that guy” guest to every God party in our lives, doesn’t he? I always have to call on my bouncer friend, 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind” – and out on his keister he goes.
As I consider the opportunity that lies before me, I am reminded of two things:
1. There are two verses of scripture I’ve written atop the pages of so many ideas – whether for books, blog posts, or ministry organizations. They are:
Habakkuk 2:2,3 NKJV – Then the LORD answered me and said: “Write the vision And make [it] plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it.
For the vision [is] yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.”
2. The first topic of our conference call, last week, was prayer. Glynnis gave us specific areas in which to pray leading up to the conference and wisely encouraged us to ask others to pray for us as we prepare for this event.
So, will you pray for me? As I spend the next few weeks preparing for what I know will be a great moment in time, and at the same time toiling over the fact that I feel like I know ABSOLUTELY NADA about how to prepare, picking myself to pieces as a writer, and narrowly missing the many comparison traps that are set for me, knowing that you’re praying for me is sure to give me the strength and courage to plow forward. No matter the outcome, I’m absolutely thrilled about the journey, the opportunity, and my traveling companions – YOU!
Bye for now!
Completely me,
Hi Monica, praying for you. I’m sure you will make the most of every moment of the conference.