My Thoughts from Relevant…

The last few days at the Relevant Conference were absolutely amazing and God has spoken to me on so many different levels. I’ve laughed and sobbed, nodded my head in understanding and just soaked in the things that God was speaking to my heart.

I’m leaving the conference with a new perspective on so many things. While this was a blogging conference for Christian women, it truly felt more like a Christian women’s conference where we just happened to talk about blogging.

I roomed with Carisa from 1+1+1=1 and while it was a bit of a planning weekend for the two of us for the Totally Tots blog, it was also a time where we had much fun together and enjoyed our time along {minus kiddos}!

Crystal Paine from Money Saving Mom, was the keynote speaker on the first night. While I’ve visited her site, meeting her in person was wonderful. She is one of the sweetest women!

Here are a few things that I wrote down from her talk:

“If you don’t have time for God, you don’t have time to blog.”

“Don’t put guilt on yourself that is not from God.”

She also had some excellent ‘time tips’ for monitoring online time ~ and keeping the balance of family and God in line. Definitely some things that will be put into action {or already have} as Rick and I sit down together over the next week. :)

Probably one of the most emotional nights for me was hearing Angie Smith, author of Bring the Rain. She shared the story of loss their sweet daughter Audrey and it was one of the most powerful nights for me…and I was a complete mess looking around the room and standing up with the many women who have lost a child at some point through either miscarriage or later in life.

Laura from 10 Million Miles with Carisa and I

Sally Clarkson, author of Educating the Wholehearted Child, also spoke for one of the sessions and I was so encouraged by her also. She is a seasoned homeschool mom who has ‘been there, done that’ and had so much wisdom to relay. Here are a few of my favorite quotes from her talk:

“Don't allow someone else's law to put you under guilt.”

Her main point was an acronym for the word peace…

Purpose {know God’s purpose for YOU}

Expect criticism ~ it’ll happen, but don’t take it to heart. Allow it to teach you.

Accept your limitations

Cultivate a heart to God’s message

End well {rest in the Lord}

So much more…but I’m thinking that that will be a post for another day! So many fun pictures to share and amazing ladies that I was able to meet in person and put a ‘face’ to the online name.