Sunday, March 22, 2009

She Speaks!

If you have never heard of the She Speaks Conference with Proverbs 31 Ministries you need to check it out! It will be held July 31st - August 2nd in Concord, NC.

She Speaks offers tracks for Speakers, Writers, Womens Ministry Leaders, AND also a Next Generation track for those up and coming leaders of tomorrow. I had the privilege of attending last summer and it was amazing. I ended up doing a combination speaker/writer track as God has been cultivating both within my heart.

From the first session, it was obvious that these women were real, transparent, and had so much to offer each of us who were lifting our own stories and lives up to the Lord and asking if He was really calling us down these paths of ministry. A few things that God spoke to my own heart throughout the conference:

1. I don't have to "have it all together" before the Lord can use me.

2. God alone equips those who He calls and does it for His glory and to establish or grow His relationship with His children.

3. I needed to step out in obedience and faith to what God was calling me to.


Although I thought that I already knew those three things, God spoke it to my heart in a much deeper way than I had ever expected. It prompted me to draw closer, to trust deeper, and to take those first steps.

Here are some tangible ways that this conference has impacted my life:

She Speaks has prompted me to start this blog. (They have awesome break out sessions on blogging!)

It encouraged me to move forward with the curriculum that God had been prompting me to write for girls aged 7-9. I am almost finished with my book proposal to submit for possible publication. She Speaks has major Publishers on site to meet with individuals who are on the pathway to publication. You can sign up for face to face meetings with publishers and publishing agents!

I learned so MUCH about writing and publication in break out sessions and have been published in Proverbs 31 Magazine.

I would LOVE to attend again this year and submit my book proposal in person at the She Speaks Conference, but so far that is looking unrealistic with finances. I am praying that God will provide a way if it is His plan for me to attend. Lysa TerKeurst is offering a chance to win a full scholarship to the conference on her blog. You can also click on all of the links to read more about She Speaks!

What are you waiting for?! Go check it out!

4 comments:

joanofalltrades said...

Wow Shanda! Many blessings on getting published again. I really appreciate you sharing the 3 things that God spoke to you during the conference. I think we all need to remember and be refreshed that God can use us wherever we are as long as we trust in Him and remain faithful. Great post!

seesawfaith said...

Isn't it exciting? I entered too!

I have to admit, I have absolutely no idea where to get the button. I looked but couldn't find the link.

I hope you get to go! (and good luck on the publication!

Gretchen said...

I'll have to check this out. Awesome for you, Shanda. Cool about your writing!!!!

Lindsey @ A New Life said...

I really needed to hear what you had to say today...especially that I don't need to be perfect to minister and that I need to step out in obedience and faith.

Praying for your dreams & good luck in the contest!

Have a blessed and beautiful day!