It was a beautiful conference, God was present and I was greatly humbled by the spirit.
I spent a lot of time tearing up, trying not to cry and crying. In a good way. I was uplifted, rejuvenated...
VALIDATED.
I think that's what touched me the most. I was reminded, and not subtlety, that being a wife and mother are callings. VALID callings full of honor and beauty and grace and fulfillment and much responsibility. A calling not to be taken lightly.
I'm reordering my priorities, making quiet time with the Lord a daily priority and concentrating on putting family right after God. Blogging will come after all my other responsibilities are filled. And I have a strong desire to make this blog about Him rather than me, as it should have been all along.
Along with a new outlook, I came away from Relevant with new friends. I was able to make some bloggy friends into IRL friends, as well as reconnect with some ladies I'd already met IRL. Here are a few of the highlights...minus the lovely Stef of Layton Family Joy and The Homeschool Village. I managed to somehow spend half the weekend with Stef and not get a photo. Don't ask me how that happened!
(top left, top right, bottom right, bottom left; clockwise)
Amy, Blogging With Amy; Amy, Mom's Toolbox; Steph, Bowmania; Michelle, So I Married a Mennonite
Dawn, 5 Kids and a Dog; Tara, Feels Like Home; Jenn, Daze of Adventure; Traci, I'll Take Tea
Heather, Sprittibee; Kristen, We Are THAT Family; Jolanthe, Homeschool Creations; Carisa 1+1+1=1
I hope there will be a Relevant '11. And if there is, I hope you will prayerfully consider attending!
I am enjoying the posts from all the Relevant attendees! Thank you for sharing your heart and for the reminder, one that I seem to need more often than not, that God must come first, and all else will work out according to his perfect will. I am glad that you are feeling renewed! :O)
ReplyDeleteOooo! I am SO jealous! I LOOOOooove so many of those ladies! I'm so glad you got to go!
ReplyDeleteI wish I would have known you read!
ReplyDeleteI remember hearing your blog name...didn't you win something?
Thanks so much for commenting... I look forward to getting to know you better through your blog!
Sounds like a wonderful time. I would love to go to a conference like that!
ReplyDeleteYay! I haven't put any pictures up yet. I need to see what I have! (And WHO... Not sure I will remember who everyone is!) Except you Cheryl! :) And Kris, Heather and others... SO GLAD that I was able to connect with all of you. I will see you at Relevant 2011!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I did not attend Relevant, but in reading the host of links, I see that one point is clearly being made.... Don't let your blog/internet time consume you. Make God and your family a priority. I feel convicted. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt was so great seeing you again, Cheryl!! I can't believe we never got a picture together either! What a fabulous weekend it was!!
ReplyDeleteIt was SUCH a pleasure to meet you in person, Cheryl. It was truly one of the highlights of my trip. I was just telling my dad and step-mom at dinner tonight what a sweet, kind person you are and how much fun I had getting to know you. I am so there next year if there is a Relevant 11...and you'll be on the top of my list of people to visit.
ReplyDeleteWhat great pictures! It was such a pleasure to meet you this weekend! I can't wait to meet again...hopefully!
ReplyDeleteOff topic, my email to you failed...I have never gotten a reply from my matched pen pal. I mailed my letter promptly. :(
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