I feel like I fell off the planet, but I didn’t.
And although I’ve been quiet, I have NOT forgotten about you!
It’s just that it’s She Speaks week… the biggest, busiest, spirit-filled week of the year for us at Proverbs 31 Ministries! {And we love it!}
It’s a really special time when all of our staff and speakers come in town for training and development for two days, and then we all lead, serve, and teach at our She Speaks Conference in Concord, NC.
We’ve been been here since Wednesday morning and tonight I’m up in my hotel room praying over and finalizing my devotion message for our opening morning session. God has gathered 650 women from over 45 different states and 5 countries to seek Him together in their writing, blogging, speaking and church women’s ministries.
I’d treasure you prayers for a new message God is weaving into the fabric of my heart. A new message is the hardest to give. But I know He’s got me covered. I just want to get out of the way so Jesus can speak His words through me – and so that each woman can hear from Him just what they need leading into this important day that they’ve been praying and preparing for – for months.
I’ll check back in next week and share a little announcement about a big contest coming up!
Happy weekend friends!
~Renee
Hi Renee,
I didn’t get to officially meet you at She Speaks, but adored your warm smile and genuine heart. I did get to meet Leila Chealy on Sunday and know that she knows you well! The conference was a huge encourager for me to move forward and confidently share my story of overcoming in the midst of loss. I lost my 4 year old son seven months ago to a sudden brain tumor and God has used my husband and I to encourage others that, in Christ, our lives are unstoppable, hence the name of my very new blog. Thank you for being a role model to me as I move forward because I feel very similar to you! Thank you!!!!
She Speaks was a wonderful conference. All the speakers and educators were outstanding. The attendees were kind, gracious and giving. The meeting planning was as flawless as that job can get (as an old back-in-the-day planner).
I just wish there were more writings for the 60+ women like me. I relate to all that is written, but only in a past sense. You have a large following from my generation. I seem to relate best to Liz Higgs on SO many levels, but she is from the Baby Boomer 60s generation. Just a thought.
Thanks again for an inspiring weekend. Already met with the non-existent Women’s Ministry in my church.
Hi Donna, I would love to hear your ideas of topics you’d like to see us write about based on your season of life. A lot of the spiritual topics apply to us at all ages, but I know there are specifics that would be good for us to address. We’d love to hear your suggestions. 🙂
Hello Renee!
It was such a pleasure to speak with you at She Speaks! I had no idea of your background when you gave your AMAZING talk (Praise God for your words!). I battled clinical depression since I was a child, but I was not diagnosed until I was in my early 30’s (I am 44 now). From that depression, I walked into a minefield of anorexia nervosa for over a decade as well as abusive dating relationships, and I constantly thought that the Lord made a mistake when He created me. Thank goodness he delivered me from my lifetime of despair! I have felt his call almost a decade to speak, write and minister to girls and women who feel broken. Thank you and the rest of the P31 staff for the Kingdom Work that you do for us!
Blessings,
Lara Sadowski
P.S. I bought “A Confident Heart” at the conference and am starting it this week!!! YAY!!
hey renee! loved meeting you at she speaks! i’m the one that told you (and barely avoided the ugly cry) that I felt God was laying adoption heavy on my heart during your message (and that did involve a very ugly cry – but a good one). i loved your message, and i loved she speaks! thank you for all your hard work! i was blessed by it!
God bless you!
kimberly
Renee, God has used you and is using you to grow my faith and confidence in HIM every day and in myself every day! I was amazed at how every message I heard this weekend took me back to “A Confident Heart”! Love the message He has given you! Thanks for blessing my heart and my life with not only the message He gave and lived through you, but thanks for your amazing gift of friendship, sisterhood, and mentoring. Thanks for saying “yes” to God! Love you and so blessed to have you in my life!
And about Aster — she has gotten so tall …… so thankful that I got an up close and personal view during your message and yes, so bummed that I missed her at your table….. :0( but I know God will cross our paths again soon! :0)
Thanks for an amazing conference!! And for sacrificing your family time and spending it with us. Praying for God to continue to bless you, your ministry and P31’s ministry as only He can – In dream sized ways so that you will know it’s all Him!!
Love ya,
Donna
The new message was awesome! Feeling to privileged to hear it in person. Blessings today! Get rested. 🙂
I just know you did great and God used it in the lives of so many women. You have been a blessing to me so many times here on your blog, at Rise & Shine ’09 and through your book “A Confident Heart”. God is using you, to Him be the glory!
Neat story: my big sister rededicated her life to the Lord back in Dec. She is growing and searching and overcoming some major obsticals and challenges. Last week we were talking on the phone. At the end of our conversation she said, “Oh, I’ve been meaning to ask you, have you ever read a book called ‘A Confident Heart’.” I said, “Why, yes, I have!” I was overjoyed! She proceeded to tell me that she thought it might be a good one for her to read. I mailed my copy to her right away! I am praying. I know it’s going to be a real blessing in her life as God speaks to her through your words. THANK YOU, Renee!
Well if She Speaks is anything like it was last year…and your presentation is anything like last year’s…all will be abundantly blessed. So wish I could be there with y’all (even though I’m a Jersey girl). It actually took me years of planning before I got there and it was a beautiful time in every way, from the teachings to the inspirational talks to the speakers groups and the pitch sessions. Oh what a blessing. So Lord, have your way with She Speaks. Please soak the time with You, bless each and every one who gives and receives. And let the words of everyone’s mouths and the meditations of their hearts be pleasing to you!! Give Renee that blessed assurance that you are with her. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
I heard you Renee and your prayers were answered! So good to hear God speak thru you again in person, YOU are a display of His splendor and an encouragement to all of us!!!!!
One of these days I will make my way to NC and attend the conference…
I know that God will give you just the right words.
Praying for you, Renee. God is going to use you mightily this morning. Take a deep breat and rest in His peace. You are such a blessing to all of us.
In His Steadfast Love!
Well its early in the morning, and I am praying that you wake up refreshed and well rested. May God open your heart and may His words flow out of you to this group that you have before you. May many hearts be touched and hear what God has for each one of them. You are such a blessing to so many of us and my prays are with you.
I am just down the hall our a floor or two away…..with great anticipation of what the Lord wil bring me through your obedience! I pray you find the encouragement and lead of Gods anointing to embrace the empowerment message He has waiting for you……AND all of us!! See you tomorrow!
Father,
Allow Your peace to rest on Renee tonight. Create in her a pure heart, renew her spirit. When she opens her mouth may the words flow from Your throne like honey. Open the hearts and minds of each woman in the room. May we be receptive to Your message, even the hard lessons. Mold us into Your obedient children. Shape us into the likeness of Your Son. Thank for this opportunity, gathering together worshiping Your Name above all others. Thank You for going before Renee for lighting her path with Your Word. Your Spirit resides within her heart, continue to pour Your confidence into Renee. Confidence to speak with power, authority, and wisdom. Amen.
Amen never means “the end” so I also ask You to grant her peaceful sleep tonight Lord! AMEN!
Praying that you can calm down and allow God to ease your spirit. Also, praying that you know without a doubt that God will be speaking through you. I know this is an important day, but you know that God is already there and actually already knows the outcome. So just a thought, Breath in, breath out. Let God’s all-sustaining Spirit fill you with peace.
I wish I could share a picture with you to help put a smile on that face running a thousand miles an hour. Just have to think about how to do so.
You are in God’s hands and I will be praying. This is my assignment for tonight and the next 2 days. I knew He had something in mind other than caulking my bathroom and now I know what it is. Love you sweet lady. Ronda