I spent the weekend with some incredibly inspiring women, both onstage and by my side. The speakers were fantastic. I want to share a little of each of them with you. (Please excuse the poor iPhone photography. I definitely should have lugged my good camera along.)
Friday night, I heard for the first and hopefully not last time, the infectiously joyful Margaret Feinberg. One of my favorite things she said was: You will become what you proclaim. Since I fight depression often in my life, I couldn’t resist buying her book for myself and a special friend.
After Margaret, we were entertained by the hilarious Anita Renfroe. If you ever get a chance to check out her comedy, don’t miss it. She sang funny songs, made fun of g-strings and yoga pants, and had us all laughing to the point of tears for the rest of the evening.
Saturday morning, we got there earlier to get better seats. I have no decent pictures of Margaret or Anita because we were so far away from the stage Friday night. We didn’t make that mistake the rest of the weekend…
One of the reasons I chose this particular conference was to hear Lysa TerKeurst and she did not disappoint. As always, words of wisdom flowed from her, including this important piece of advice:
We are to re-present God everywhere we go, which means we represent God everywhere we go.
If you have not heard of Katherine Wolf, I would highly recommend visiting her site, Hope Heals. She is one of the most inspiring women I have ever come in contact with.
As a young, married, mom of an infant, she had a stroke that nearly took her life. Her story is shocking and overwhelming. She continues to deal with so many obstacles, yet her faith and attitude are nothing short of breathtaking.
Saturday night, the always fabulous Mandisa entertained us with an unforgettable concert. I wish you could have seen all of these crazy middle aged women, such as myself, standing in line for hours to get good seats. That’s something I haven’t done in ages, and it was worth every painful moment.
Sunday morning, Angela Thomas wrapped it all up for us. This is the first time I was introduced to her as well. She shared so much encouragement that my hand cramped up writing notes.
What stood out the most to me from Angela was a question she initiated. What would we look like if the Spirit was set free in us? She wisely advised we must push ourselves down to set the Spirit free.
My beautiful traveling companions have come to mean so much to me. We started doing online Bible studies together a couple of years ago, and I’m honored to now get to hang out with them in real life too. Here we are in our matching “He is strong” t-shirts:
I wore those boots all weekend thinking I would be sitting most of the time. That mistake won’t be made again. I can’t wait to print that picture out, put it in this cute frame I made for us, and get to see my girls every day:
Have you been to any conferences lately? I’d love to hear about your experiences or favorite moments!
It’s a bucket list kind of thing for me, Candace. I would love to go to one, but it’s not going to happen for a while.
Thanks so much for providing info on the speakers at the conference. Now I’ll be able to check out their websites, etc!
And this is not related or anything, just want to send out a huge praise up for keeping my in-laws and their animals safe when their house burned down yesterday. People have been coming out of the woodwork with offers of help. It’s very heart-warming.
Wow, LuAnn! I’m so sorry to hear about this, but praising with you on the incredibly positive aspect that your loved ones are safe. Also praying for continued support for you all. XO!
Christian conferences have always been a bucket list thing for me too. This is my second and I’m hooked. JenniferDukesLee.com is having a giveaway right now for Women of Faith. I think it ends soon though. You may want to check it out!
Filled out the Rafflecopter over there. Trusting God’s plan. Have a great Wednesday, Candace!
Great! Good luck,my friend :).
Hello! It was a FANTASTIC weekend and I was so glad to finally meet you in person! I love you, girl! And thank you for my picture frame. I can’t wait to get a group shot of us printed out and in my frame and on my desk! If you ever need anything at all, just let me know and I will be there. 🙂 Also, I REALLY wish you had gotten the pic of all of us running before the mean security guard made us stop! LOL…unforgettable memories!
Hi Kim! I miss you so much already, my friend. How I wish I would have gotten that running picture too. I couldn’t compose myself enough from laughing so hard to snap it in time :). I can’t wait for our next one! I’m going to be camera ready at all times.
I want to read “Fight Back with Joy” – it’s been on my list for awhile now. This sounds like a fabulous weekend. So glad you got that time to be refreshed and gain new perspective on life.
I can’t wait to read it, Kristin! She was so wonderful. I felt really blessed to meet her and get her books. I also bought her audio version of The Sacred Echo about hearing God’s voice. It was a truly amazing weekend! It’s tough to get back in the swing of real life though :).
What a FANTABULOUS weekend it was! So I never heard ya’all got in trouble for running! Love the memories I’m making with you girls! I love you sweet friend!
It was so funny, Tonya! I felt like a teenage girl again :). Security guards made everyone stop running. I was of course just walking because you know, I’m far too lazy to run. Love you! I can’t wait to hang out again. Let’s meet for dinner soon!
Hi Candace! My word for 2015 is ‘joy’ so I love this post! I wrote down the name of that book by Margaret Feinberg, it sounds perfect for me. I would love to have heard her message too. Love those boots! You might have been uncomfy, but hey, you looked stylish 🙂
Conferences are a great way to refresh and renew. Thanks for passing it along to us!
Ceil
I love your word, Ceil! I really need to pray about that one for next year. Joy is something that has always escaped me. I’m learning a better place to find it these days which is helping tremendously :). I agree about conferences. They really do refresh us on so many levels. This was my second, but I see many more in my future.
Oh. My. Goodness! I’m so excited, as I’m attending the Women of Joy event in Louisville, KY in May! AAAACCCCKKKK! I can’t wait! Thanks for posting your feedback here 🙂
I’m so excited for you, Michelle! You will love it. Have a safe trip!
That sounds amazing! We just finished Margaret Feinberg’s study and loved it.
By the way, love the boots 😉
Thanks, Sarah :). I would love to do her study with a group. She is wonderful. I can’t wait to start her books. I bought The Sacred Echo as well.
Candace looks and sounds like you had a blast! Thanks for inspiring share:)
It was awesome, Mari! I wish I could send everyone to this event. There were so many inspiring and encouraging women and stories.
looks like a wonderful weekend. and that’s awesome that you have an online bible study group.
The weekend and company were perfect, Roaen. We started this group through Proverbs 31 Ministries a couple of years ago. These women have blessed me tremendously. We just started getting together in person over the past year. It’s been really special getting to hang out together.
Candace,
I rejoice with you sister. This past weekend I attended The Surrender Healing Retreat at Black Rock Christian Retreat Center in Pennsylvania. It was truly a life altering experience and I am not one to use those words lightly. The spirit of God was SO HEAVY in our retreat. Women were literally being healed and delivered, myself included. Since, I have been walking around in a fog because I’m still basking in His presence. I pray the word you received while there will resonate in your heart and produce a bountiful harvest.
They really are life altering, Tyra. I wish I could go to one every month for an adjustment :). I’m so glad to hear you had such a beautiful and inspiring experience over your weekend, my friend.
What a powerful and inspiring weekend you had! I am so glad you were able to attend. We forget as women that our buckets need to be filled too! You look super cute, but were your feet sore from the boots?
I will definitely be in tennis shoes at the next one, Jen :). I didn’t even wear my Fitbit because I thought we would be sitting most of the weekend. That was a huge misconception!
Oh my goodness! This sounds amazing!!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Margaret Feinberg. A few years ago I participated in a Bible study of hers… Wonderstruck and it was life transforming. I should really get her newest book. I just adore her optimism and her work. I would have loved to have heard her speak.
Thank you so much for sharing. This was such an exciting read for me!
xoxo
This was my first introduction to her, Jennifer! I’m a big fan now too. I almost bought Wonderstruck, but I got Fight Back With Joy and The Sacred Echo instead. I guess I’ll have to put Wonderstruck on my list too :). A couple of the girls I was with bought that one. She was an incredible speaker. She just exudes joy!
I highly recommend Wonderstruck and yes, she DOES exude joy!
Thanks for sharing and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop.
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
xoxo
I have been wanting to go to a woman’s conference for a very long time. But haven’t seen any close by. I know it would be so much fun and inspirational.
It has been hard to get back into the swing of life this week, Tammy. It feels like it lasted longer than a weekend. This is only my second conference and I’m hooked. Women of Faith is coming to Louisville in August. I’m hoping to make it to that one too. This is their final year and I love that group of speakers: Sheila Walsh, Jen Hatmaker… I think Women of Joy will be around for a while though.
This sounds like a really wonderful conference. I would love to attend something like this. Hopefully, it will be easier to do once my kids are older.
I hope you get a chance to attend one, Sonya! They are full of much needed refreshment :). It is easier to leave your kids when they get a little older, but sometimes it’s when they are younger that we need to get away the most ;). Have a wonderful weekend, my friend!
You are so blessed to be surrounded by such women. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Let’s set the world on fire, girls on fire. 🙂
“Girls on fire” for Jesus is such a beautiful thought, Lux! There was inspiration surrounding me over the weekend. I’m truly blessed :).
Our denomination, the Assembly of God, has a couple of women’s conferences in our state. Both are really awesome! My ladies and I go every year and are so blessed. They are affordable and easy to get to.
I’m hoping to make this a yearly trip too, Debbie. How wonderful you are in that habit. The weekends away are so encouraging and helpful. My daughter just joined an Assembly of God church :). She is absolutely loving it. It’s a beautiful group of people!
Candace, I was not familiar with this conference at all. It sounds wonderful! You are going to love Margaret Feinberg’s book. I read it recently & have gone back to portions since to reread. I am also in the middle of doing the workbook study which goes along with it which I highly recommend. So glad to have stopped here this morning!
I will definitely have to check out the workbook, Joanne. Thanks so much for the recommendation! I don’t know how I have never heard of her before the conference. I was so blessed to meet her and her sweet husband after. They are really great people.
Sounds like a wonderful conference! I love the thought that you will become what you proclaim.
I loved that thought too, Akaleister. I struggle with anxiety and depression a great deal. I’ve been saying that sentence over and over in my head ever since the conference :). It really helps!
So beautiful! Love, love, love! I have heard almost all the speakers you mentioned except for Katherine Wolf. I know now why you were so filled with the Spirit when you came home. God loves to use these women to break through all of our mess, doesn’t He? So glad you are linking up at The Weekend Brew. I love seeing you there. Any chance you might want to go to Allume???
Katherine Wolf was new to me too, Mary. I highly recommend checking out her story on her site. It’s truly inspiring in the highest sense of the word. I would love to go to Allume! I’ve wanted to go for a while but didn’t want to go alone. I hear you have some free time coming up ;). We should try to go this year!
Oh, I wish I could have joined you…sounds like it was very inspiring and powerful!!
It was incredibly powerful, Karla! I wish you could have been with us too :). Those weekends are much needed!
I NEED to do this…. Oh how I would absolutely love love love all of those speakers and performers!!! Especially my fave… Lysa. Oh Candace, how I wish I went with you!!!
I went to ONE women of faith conference with some sisters here, and I ended up with the stomach flu and couldn’t even go after I came home from the Friday evening performance. Saturday I was in bed crying and moaning… SO BUMMED!!!
Thank you for sharing all the details of this one- reading it all inspires me and totally motivates me to look around and see what’s going on this summer to attend.
I’m SO glad you were fed so well there… nourishment for the soul is the best kind. Right? YAY!
Oh Chris, your experience just breaks my heart, my friend. I’m sure you were devastated. The speaker list was amazing. I was really surprised at how many of these encouraging women were new to me. Another one you may want to check out is Women of Faith. They are in their farewell tour and the speaker lineup is awesome. “Nourishment for the soul” is absolutely the best kind!
Sounds like an amazing conference, Candace, and time with friends. I would so love to see Lysa T. speak. What a treat that would be. I haven’t attended any conferences this year but I now have my heart set on attending the Storyline Conference by Donald Miller again this November. I attended last year and LOVED and he just announced they are doing again in Chicago. Yippee!! Thanks for sharing your joy with us. Blessings.
I’m new to the conference scene, Beth. They are truly addicting :). I’ll have to check out the one you are talking about. I so wish we could all attend one monthly. What a difference that would make in the world! Blessings to you, my friend!
Oh man Candace, this sounds like so much fun. I only wish I could have been there with you. Thanks for tuning me in to all of the awesome happenings. Thanks for cheering up my day as I live virtually through you!
How fun it would be to hang out with you at a conference, Kelly! It was definitely a great one. So glad to cheer up your day, my friend :).
It sounds like you had a great time. I am a fan of Lysa. Her words of wisdom are often featured on the Proverbs 31 Ministries Facebook page. I’m going to get to know some of these other women you mentioned via their websites. Blessings to you! Visiting from the #RARA link up.
I would highly recommend visiting those who are new to you, Laura. They are all truly inspiring women. Blessings to you as well. It’s so nice to meet you today!