I woke up at 3:17am Thursday morning. I took a shower, swallowed my fear of getting on an airplane {once and for all, right?}, and got in the car with Zack. He drove me to the train station. We kissed goodbye with the chill of the October air dancing around us. I arrived at the airport, passed through security {and noted the 7,000+ kids in line behind me who were traveling to D.C. via a scholastic trip}, and then met up with a few blog friends for coffee.
And I drank tea.
No need to give my nerves something to chew on…
We boarded the plane; everything was good. I reminded myself that God has a plan, that there’s no reason to be afraid, to worry, to think “what if…?”. Have more faith, Gussy, I said to myself. God has faith in you.
However, I will add that when I rode in a prop plane I did in fact squeeze Allison’s hand the. entire. time. She loved it. I know she did :]
Soon there I was, in Pennsylvania. I was registered. I was at Relevant.
The conference was amazing:
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The sessions were heartwarming, real, funny.
I met new friends…
Caught up with old ones…
I took breaks when I could hear my thoughts louder than the thoughts being spoken around me.
I was reminded, for the Nth time, that I can’t but He can.
There are so many women that blessed me that weekend. Friendships, prayers, questions, hugs, laughter, chatting, smiles, answers — it was soooo incredible. I want to list some of the women that shared with me their light…
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Kristin — LoveFeast Table
Melissa — The Inspired Room
Ann Voskamp — A Holy Experience
Molly Rainbow — Pastor’s Wife Redefined
Angie — Bring the Rain
Arianne — To Think is to Create
Sara Sophia — tout-est-des-roses
Allison — O My Family
Nish — The Outdoor Wife
Ashley — Heart & Home
Jenny — Southern Institute for Domestic Arts and Crafts
Kimba — A Soft Place to Land
There was enough chatter about not needing to do it all, about not needing to be “________” person for so-and-so. About not needing to be online all the time. About not needing to check this, or that. There was enough chatter about these things that I felt like God was really trying to speak to me.
I want my blog to be a place of encouragement, a place of honor to God for the gifts He’s given me. A place where people leave feeling proud, inspired, happy…
[pause]Umm, so two times over the weekend I burst out in tears.
{Did you go to Relevant? Did you see that?}
{Sorry if you did.}
Self-employment isn’t for the weak, boy am I learning that. I’m just feeling very inspired now. Relevant was a beautiful conference ~ it was like a power session of encouragement through the Word. If you didn’t make it this year, shame on you ;]
Look at all the fun we had & the people I hung with ~
…And now I miss everyone that I spent that weekend with! :]
PS. When I flew home Sunday, I feel like I flew home with a lighter load — yeow!
PPS. My flight home Sunday was rescheduled for a later flight, which meant that I got to have lunch with Nester in North Carolina!!!! It was amazing ~ it was so wonderful to see her again. I heart her.
Share with us: what is your favorite bible verse / quote that offers you encouragement?
mmm sounds like a great time for the heart, gussy! glad you got to go & sit in the presence of lots of godly women!
my favorite encouragement is this ((isaiah 40:31))
but they who wait ((or hope)) for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
when we put our hope and trust in anything but Him, we will be let down immensely. we will screw up and we will be hurt/possibly hurt others. but when we wait on Him and His promises, His will, His new mercies…He will renew our strength.
love.
i love the serenity prayer:) sounds like a fantastic time:) i will put it on my list for next year possibly:)
smiles,
gina
Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you. He will never let the righteous fail.
Psalm 55:22
LOVE your blog!!!!!! You are an encouragement and inspriation to me!
Sounds like such a blessed time! So glad you got to go! :]
I’m camped out in Revelation right now… my church started going through it on Wednesday nights. At first I was apprehensive. I’ve always thought of Revelation as a doom and gloom book, and I’ve tried to avoid it…. but I’ve come to see it in a whole new light. We get to see the end of the story, and God wins! I’ve found tremendous encouragement in Revelation 5 this week… it puts my cares [the things that I exalt as “most high” in my life] in such a different perspective. Specifically vs. 11 has been on my heart:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”
It’s so easy to make life about us… but we were created for His glory. Which makes it all the more unfathomable that Jesus would sacrifice Himself for us, and yet He did! Praise God! [seriously, Revelation 5 is a must read! :]
Gussy girl -*
You are simply magic. You make everything sparkle.
I love you oodles. And I really really really really miss you. Three months!
*~Ash
i ran across this verse the other day, and it really resonated with me:
Isaiah 30:21 (New International Version)
21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
i always find your blog to be so beautiful and such a great place of encouragement. & i thank you so much for that.
Gussy, I loved meeting you! You-along with your runway long eyelashes-were pure delight! Have a great weekend.
‘Twas simply beautiful to meet you- you are truly such a sweetheart!
(I did see some tears, don’t apologize, they were precious, from the heart. I’ll get you some pictures soon and very soon, k?)
I love these pictures! How is it that we didn’t end up in a picture together? Crazy. Loved meeting you lady. :)
i’m sure it was a blessed time!
the verses that have been on my heart lately:
dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 1 John 3:18
come to me. get away with me and i’ll show you how to take a real rest. walk with me and work with me, watch how i do it. learn the unforced rhythms of grace. keep company with me and you will learn to live freely and lightly. – Jesus. Matthew 11:28-30
I think I was crying the whole weekend. I have always wanted to do a cleanse and now I have…no special diet required.
p.s. Standing behind you as we waited for Angie to sign our books was torture, i just wanted to grab your bag and run. :) I am waiting to see the new fabrics and I am ordering something pre-Christmas–I’m thinking the vacay bag is in my near future :)
Relevant sounded really wonderful. Is it in Pennsylvania every year? We are in driving distance…cool
my fav verse
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10
glad it was an encouraging weekend for you maggie and that you heard God’s voice!
It was so awesome to see you again, my dear!! You light up my world! ;) I meant every. single. word of my “bragging on Gussy” speech too! Love you bunches and am so super proud of you!! :) {hugs}
What a great and encouraging time – love the pics – and all the sincere smiles. :)
For me – a classic:
I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
Sounds amazing! I’m really hoping to make it to a blog conference someday!
Thanks, Gussy, for the beautiful photos. I’ve enjoyed reading about Relevant from some of the blogs that I read regularly.
One of my favorite verses: The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me.” Psalm 138:8
I think i have the same pinkish/redish shirt you are wearing in that pic.Your wearing it under that green sweater.Huh,cool.
It sounds like an amazing conference! And I do leave your blog feeling inspired, so you’re doing a great job :)
Relevant was such a blessing! I am so glad God made a way for me to go. I wish I could have connected with you there. Hopefully we can meet at Blissdom, r u going?
My favorite verse is the one that was my mom’s favorite, especially when she faced terminal cancer last year.
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid.” John 14:27
Bless you!
I so wanted to be at Relevant this year! It was the closest possibility too as Im only a couple hours away from where it was held!:(
Over the summer, I felt really convicted about the amount of time I was wasting on Facebook. SO I gave it up. Cold turkey. It was a tough decision b/c it was really helping my business but I knew if I was obedient, God would bless me in time. He’s been faithful to sustain me and my business. It was just a personal thing for me; but Im glad I obeyed:)