From Survival to Revival

So I am physically, emotionally and mentally tired. I never knew attending a women's conference could completely were one out! I had the pleasure of going to a Women of Faith Conference http://www.womenoffaith.com/ yesterday and today. The tour topic this year was From Survival to Revival. The name itself is enough of a tag that fits my life... however the speakers at the conference - man! Were some of the most amazing, inspiring and God-filled women I've been able to witness.  And the music!!! Hmm-mmm-mmm! I rocked it out to the likes of Natalie Grant and Matthew West - both of which just made me feel and like there music even more than I previously did.  And more than that there was the comradery of worshipping God, not only with the almost 40 women from my own church attending, but the nearly 6,000 women attending.

Here are just some of the notes from the speakers that I just have to jot down and share...

From Sheila Walsh:
"Sometimes when things are broken, when brought together they make something beautiful."
"Declaring Gods name can drag you from the dark places"
"Guilt is ok. Guilt tells me I've done something wrong, but shame tells me I am something wrong."
"...living on borrowed time..." (This last one is just a snippet of a story she told - but the sentiment is always something that has followed me - and because she said it on Friday night - I ended up breaking open my story a bit for a friend in the car as drove home late last night and got stuck in construction traffic at like 11 at night! I write it here as a reminder so that I someday share the sentiment details...)

From Patsy Clairmont:
"You want some revival - be willing to change!"
"God gave his word to know what to do in our moments of weakness."
She quoted poet Mary Oliver: "Are you breathing just a little and calling it life?"
"Sometimes we are enamored with the sound of our own voice when we should be trying to listen to the voice of God."
"Fix yourself before you fix others."

From Lysa TerKeurst:
She talked about the saying IMPOSSIBLE and how you can break it down into I'M POSSIBLE which I've heard before but then she took it further and said I'M is really I AM and I AM is another name for God so really IMPOSSIBLE = GOD's POSSIBLE.
"Go where wisdom gathers not where wisdom scatters."
"God takes your offer of service and gives it back as wisdom."
"Your identity is that of God's Daughter. Let your identity lead you not your insecurity."
"Life doesn't tie up in a nice neat bow!"

From Christine Caine:
"God is in the midst of it with you."
"We are on assignment from God."
"Fear paralyzes us and cripples us from Gods designs for us."
"God has always used broken people to do his will!" (AMEN!)
"When you are given an assignment - the devil sends in the fear to stop us. New levels = new devils!"
"We should not be afraid of dying but that we didn't live the life God wanted us to live!"
"Impossible is where God starts - Miracles is what God does!"
"It's not about my smallness but his bigness!"
"Step from comfort into the promise."

Lisa Harper:
"Don't forget your first love! Jesus!"
"Don't just do good works, they are nothing out of the context of a loving relationship with Jesus."
"Revival is the love child born out of an authentic reunion between a sinner and her savior."

All of these women are amazing speakers (and it looks like they each have books - I love that!).  I had moments where I laughed, cried, was humbled, was encouraged and overall just moved to step out and do something!  For me it was more confirmation that I need to continue on the path I am with this blog, with my possible book someday and overall the journey I am on to figure out God's plan for me.  I'm more excited than ever at the possibilities before me. 

I am so blessed with the people in my life, the church I have found here, and the beautiful and amazing women I attended the conference with tonight.  In particular I got to sit in between two of my most favorite women who have reached into my heart and inspired me each in their own way.  I am truly grateful for every word of encouragement they have spoken into my life.

And here's a few photos from the event!

I'm too tired to figure out how to make them pretty and put a caption under each to describe (I just tried and it did something weird and changed my font :( ).  So...
Photo 1: Pre- show!
Photo 2: My two favorite gals K and J! (and a photobomber K(2? lol?) )
Photo 3: My favorite speaker Christine Caine!
Photo 4: My current favorite singer Matthew West! I couldn't believe I actually got to see him - basically in a mini 40 min concert today! A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!