Influence Conference 2013...a weekend that changed me

I came back from the Influence Conference with a heart full of emotions (and an extremely tired body thanks to Ford's growth spurt and a bad case of mastitis but that story is saved for another time). Full yet craving more, healed yet understanding where my brokeness lies, and determined yet crying out for direction. I just kept telling Jon I couldn't believe all these women who were doing such big things. Moving across the US to be missional in towns that haven't heard the gospel, starting companies that financially benefit women in poverty and make the name of Jesus known, women adoption children out of sex slavery. These women are wives, mommies, suburbanites just like me and they are letting God use their lives for His glory. And it hit me. I have that same influence. I feel like I am on the brink of something big. I am not sure what or how or when but ever since becoming a mother I feel like the Lord is going to use that in a big way for my life and for His name. Those 3 days were exactly what I needed to build my confidence and truly believe in my heart that my gifts are enough. Enough to make a difference, to change a life, and to speak the truth. 

Sole Hope shoe cutting party
As I try to sit here and think of the things I want to share with you, the things that wrecked my heart and were medicine for my soul, my mind is spinning. Femininity, inspiration, freedom, healing. My heart was pulled and filled in a thousand directions so I thought I'd share tiny tidbits that as I read over, are the littlest fuel I need to remember my identity is in Christ alone. 

• Satan wants us to hear we are condemned and unloved. -Haley Morgan, The Tiny Twig
• God doesn't give gifts to people equally but He values ALL gifts. -Haley Morgan, The Tiny Twig
• Like Romans 8:35-39 states, nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. God's love for you is based not on your own performance but on the performance of Jesus on the cross. -Jess Thompson, Give Them Grace
• If you know the good news, you are equipped to share it. -Lara Casey
• Luke warm faith doesn't cook anything. -Lara Casey
• As women, God made us to fill needs. It's okay to be needed but be needy to Christ. -Jessi Connolly, Naptime Diaries

I was fearlessly and wonderfully made by a God who continues to love and cover me with grace. He's provided me with unique traits and talents and I am fully known by Him always and forever. I am fully equipped to share the gospel and need to learn to step out of my own comfort zone and use my gifts for His glory. I pray I can stop looking at the internet and other vices to fill my happiness and remember that my life purpose is to point to Him. It's okay to feel needed and fill the roles I have as wife, mother, and friend but always returning to God my Father to fill my emptiness and need.  I pray to be intentional, to be inspired, and to point to Him. 

  Jessi/Jess/Amy/Teressa

 Kara Kae/Sarah

 Jenna

 Ashley

Jessi/Teressa
P.S. Just have to add that internet friends are real y'all. To be honest I held a lot of anxiety and nerves about "fitting in" and those worries were put to bay as women I was anxious to meet, women who had no idea who I was, and women from all walks of the blog world loved on me and my baby. Hugs, prayers, laughs, intense conversations baby bouncing... my tank was full by the genuine love we were shown. I could have never dreamed of what God has provided me in my blog and internet friends. I have full faith that I was meant to blog for stuff like this. Sisters in Christ banding together to make His name famous. 

I'd love to meet you...

...at the Influence Conference!
T minus 12 days until our family of 3 heads north to Indianapolis to experience something God has been so kind to put in our lives. I could have never imagined my blog would allow me to travel across the US, be in community with other women, and use it as a platform to further His Kingdom. 
Today I am linking up with the Influence Net Blog for a little pre conference meet and greet....
2 things I will pack in my bag -Non maternity clothing...it's been almost 5 weeks since I had Ford and truth be told I am still wearing maternity pants to protect my incision and house my postpartum bump. I never realized that lots of non maternity clothes aren't nursing friendly but I am excited to bust out outfits that have been collecting dust in my closet for 10 months!
-My cell phone/laptop- I plan on using the conference as a way to unwind and focus my heart on what God has in store for me over the weekend but I will absolutely be documenting everything! As a first timer, I've read so many posts and recaps about how powerful this weekend will be and I don't want to forget anything
2 things I am looking forward to -Hugging my bloggy friends in real life! I have had the pleasure of meeting so many bloggers thanks to work travel before I had my son and it feels surreal that I will finally get to meet some of the women who have made such an influential impact on my life
-Kara-Kae's Mom+Blogger workshop. As a new mommy whose full time job is feeding, changing diapers, and being the COO of our household, I can't wait to learn from one of my favorite veteran mamas on how to calmly balance blogging, family, and life while pursing Jesus. 
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I'd love to know if you are going to the conference and look forward to meeting you! I will be the short brunette next to the beefy man with a faux hawk ... oh and baby with a faux hawk in the Ergo too!

What's Your Influence?

I am a huge believer in spiritual gifts and the notion that each one of us is given a unique gift, from the Lord, that enables us to successfully complete and live out His plans for our lives. Some of us are given stronger voices than others or more powerful platforms but nonetheless, our humble God planted a seed in our hearts to allow us to build His kingdom and share the Good News. We are all given the chance to make a change, a difference, and to be an influence. (I wrote a post last year about spiritual gifts and being The Body)

Some of you may be familiar with The Influence Network, and some of you not, but if you haven't, you're in luck. A group of strong willed, Christ focused women started The Influence Network as a way to , support, connect, be a resource, create community, and encourage Christian women to use their influence. When I think of the birth of The Influence Network and how successful it has become, I can't help but to think, "these ladies were in my shoes at one time, and they are using their gifts!". The network offers web based classes on everything from succeeding in your small business, grammar and public speaking, managing life as a busy mom... all while using your platform to further the Kingdom. 

Let's face it friends... life is hard! I remember hearing a sermon earlier this year where the pastor said that it is naive to think becoming a Christian will make your life perfect, or easy. Nope. Choosing to follow Jesus will probably be one of the hardest things to do, but the most rewarding, fulfilling, and worthy things in your life. Right now I am almost 9 months pregnant, still working full time, trying to maintain my blog, along with friendships, family time, church, community group, setting up baby gear. I can't even begin to imagine how my life will be turned upside down in just a few weeks. But with my heart and head in the hands of the Lord, I am free. Y'all should see the lists I have stored in my phone right now. Things to do before baby, everyday to do list, grocery list, Target list, list of blog posts to write, lists of people to email, things to do at work before my baby is born, house project lists... yeah I am one of those people! It's so easy to stray our minds to focus on the minuscule details and forget to ask God for guidance. 

My prayer has been throughout this entire pregnancy and especially these last few weeks is to be a positive influence, shine a light on where I am struggling, yet show how God has redeemed me. If you've followed my pregnancy, you'd know it hasn't been easy. I've struggled with chronic sickness and every bad/random symptom you can imagine but not once have I struggled with understanding that this experience is such a precious, fleeting gift from our Lord. Yes there have been times over the past 9 months where I've been on the bathroom floor begging God to heal my sickness and make me well, but after a quick refocus of my heart, I am reminded of the gift He's given me. He's not only given me this precious baby but strength and positivity to truck through the pain, and the platform of my blog to share. 

And so many of you reading this have blogs too! Think about it for a second... is your blog where God has given you your voice? You may only be comfortable with blogging about recipes, parties, and crafts but I encourage you to pray and ask if it is God's will for you to use your blog as a platform for the Gospel. I bet the answer will be yes.

I feel so humbled and blessed to be a part of this group of ladies and only have scratched the surface of what God is going to do in my life with The Influence Network. Today I encourage you to sit and spend quiet time with the Lord, talking about your influence. What has He gifted you in this life that can help you successful bare the name of Jesus?

I also encourage you to check out some of The Influence Network resources...

The Influence Network Blog- women sharing their thoughts and hearts on many different subjects. You don't want to miss one of the most recent posts about what we can afford.

The Influence Network Classes- like I talked about above, The Influence Network offers a wide variety of classes that I promise will be worth every little penny (they are cheap!) and second of your time

The Influence Network Prayer- need prayer? Look no further

The Influence Conference- the 2nd annual Influence Conference will be held in late September in Indianapolis and the Hart's will be in attendance! What an answered prayer this has been for us, I can't wait to share more about the conference as it nears.