Tuesday, March 24, 2009

31 Steps to P31

(This post is written as an entry for the "She Speaks" Proverbs 31 Ministry Scholarship Opportunity. Please link to Lysa's Conference Contest post and the She Speaks Conference Website for further information. Thank you.)

My 31 Steps to P31, She Speaks Conference :

She heard
She considered
She feared
She declined
She mourned
She received
She envisioned
She panicked
She prayed
She doubted
She decided
She trusted
She registered
She wavered
She listened
She obeyed
She went
She flew
She landed
She met
She hugged
She learned
She saw
She experienced
She surrendered
She embraced
She cried
She changed
She believed
She rejoiced
She remembers

For those of you who followed the chronicles of my journey last summer you know "I Found Joy in a BIG God". Enjoy my trip down memory lane if you desire a closer look or a deeper understanding of what this amazing weekend has in store for you by clicking on that link and reading my "She Speaks" 2008 experience. (It took me three weeks and 21 posts to describe all that God accomplished in my life over this weekend.)

Not only did I find joy in my BIG God, but I found real and eternal life as I stepped out in faith and trusted the Lord like I never had before. Prior to the conference my lips spoke empty words. Now my heart embraces The Word.

The general sessions were inspirational and uplifting. The break-out sessions were instructional and enlightening. The friendships made were bonding and everlasting. It was an incredible experience.

I feel like this is just a fun sampling of the weekend I enjoyed, but I hope just like the effects of eating a couple of potato chips or a mouthful of chocolate, it will have you yearning for more and that many ladies will be drawn outside their comfort zone, as I was, to taste and see that the Lord is good. It really is impossible to fully capture how personal the Lord became to me as I trusted Him, expected Him, called on Him and desperately needed Him every moment, every day. He is good. His mercies are new each morning. Great is His faithfulness.

I would love to return, knowing He who began a good work would be faithful to complete it. Last year fear almost kept me from following. This year finances are framing my freedom. I know God is able. There is no doubt in my mind that if the Lord wants me to return, I'll be there...somehow...someway...someday.

She waits.

10 comments:

Beth E. said...

Praying you will win the contest! :o)

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Fabulous, Joy. Just fabulous. You'd better let me know when you win, for VERY OBVIOUS REASONS!!!

peace~elaine

everydayMOM said...

Great post! I like it!

Chef Diane said...

Hope you will, because I want to finally give you a real hug. I'll be there.
Hugs,
Diane

Catherine said...

Beautiful Joybells!

Leah Adams said...

Sounds wonderful!! I feel the same way about CLASS. I grew so much from attending that.

Blessings to you!

Leah

Heather - On the Road... said...

Joy,
I love how you wrote this post. Beautiful writing from a beautiful woman! I love you, though I haven't met you face to face yet.
Thank you for your numerous prayers on my behalf.
I will be praying that you will win this opportunity to go to "She Speaks" or if God does have it in His plans for you to go, that He will open the doors one way or the other.
Nothing is impossible with Him!
God bless,
Heather

Lisa Smith said...

We share so much. I let fear keep from even considering it last year or the year before, even. This year, I will trust that if He wants me there He will provide a way. I know I will go just don't know when.

The Charm House said...

Thank you so much for this post... I realizing more and more why God wanted me to find the Proverbs 31 conference...

Lindsey @ A New Life said...

What a neat list!!! I love the thought and consideration put into each word!

Praying for your dream and wishing you luck in the contest!