you know?? when you just…know. THIS was one of those.

you know??

when you “just… know.”

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this past weekend I joined up with a few old friends, a new friend and hundreds of other women at the DotMom conference in Chatt-town.

it was amazing, affirming, refreshing, convicting, emotional and TONS of FUN

I’m not sure if I went to the conference looking for anything specific but while I was there God did a work in me. This I KNOW.

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Rewind a month or so back….

I’ve been praying for God to help me prioritize my “to-do” list.  I have asked the Lord specifically to affirm OR NOT the things that I am currently involved in or feel passionate about and with discernment help me mark the “nots” off my list.

Two things in particular that I have been seeking affirmation on:

#1 This blog.  To keep or not to keep?  I have asked the Lord, “Have I made this about me?” “Is this something that I simply enjoy? or is this blog a tool for ministry?  Let me know Lord.  Affirm the blog through others, your word or circumstances I pray.”

#2 Speaking/teaching women.  Over the last several months I have spoken to various groups and most recently  have been leading a book study to a great group of women.  I have LOVED-LOVED-LOVED BOTH SO VERY, VERY MUCH.  But I don’t want either to be about me.  So I have pleaded with the Lord, “Speak Lord for your servant is listening.  Is this something you want me to continue to do? Are you pleased? Are others drawing nearer to You because of our time together in your Word? Affirm my efforts Lord I pray.  To God be the glory.”

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Fast forward to an hour or so post arrival of DotMom.

A dear friend and I were browsing the banquet hall viewing the various Lifeway vendors when we stumbled upon a crowd questioning this woman about her cute scripture cards.  I was tippy-toeing over the crowd trying to read the sign that said “Featured on The View” .. and at the bottom of the sign I saw “lil light of mine”

okay.  I know that means nothing to you but just wait.

For me. I felt like Dory on Finding Nemo when she bumps into Nemo after departing from Marlin and her memory flashes as she’s trying to retieve his name.

******

Rewind one year + nine months ago

When I first began to sense the Lord was up to some BIG changes in my life.  My lifelong friend, Deana sent me a link on Facebook with a woman’s testimony and said, “Check out this girl’s story. It’s great!”  So, I visited her blog,  read it and was indeed very moved.  Actually more than moved.  Inspired.  I liked the page, her story, her words enough to email her some basic questions about her blog.  I knew very, very little ( like NADA=nothing) about blogging at the time.

“I would love to know about your blog? your contributors?  How did they (referring to the contributors)  join your blog? I am new to the world of bloggers and would love to know more about this site.  Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.”

The author of the blog was very gracious in answering my random email so I sent her one more. Here is a clip from our last exchange.

“I don’t believe in accidents.  And I’m not sure whether I saw your blog simply to stir my heart, to join your efforts, find a new friend or ask one more sister in Christ to pray for me….Let’s just pray about our coincidental meeting..”

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Fast forward back to DotMom in the vendor hall to my memory flash.

I saw “lil light of mine” at the bottom of the card display and remembered our email exchange from one year and 9 months ago

and then like I was in slow-mo

I excused myself right through the crowd and gave her a BIG ol’ HUG!

Courtney DeFeo, the author of  the blog “lil light of mine”

I introduced myself, hoping she would remember our brief email exchange -and she did.

I quickly (like a spaz) recapped my months worth of prayer request

told her I had started blogging only a month after our email exchange and was currently seeking the Lord’s affirmation to continue or not

and she said “Yes… keep blogging..”

As I stood there listening to her speak all I could think of was how God was answering my prayer

in. that. moment.

She went on to share with me how her scripture cards that she markets from her blog have taken off after being featured on The View and it was more than obvious her life has not nor will never it ever be the same…to God be the glory

*********

so what??

that providential meeting affirmed to me this blog will continue for now.

I covet your prayers.

#1 for this blog.. For God to use this platform to keep me and draw others closer to Him.

#2 for traveling grace.  I am leaving the later part of this week for my very first BLOGGING CONFERENCE.. Join me in praying for wisdom , for eyes to see what He would have me to see and ears to hear what He would have me hear.

#3 and finally to remove me from me as I write to you, my dear friends.  That you see more or hear more than the details of the story whether happy or sad..more than the trial or tribulation..but instead that you would hear from Him and allow the words you read here to stir you- inspire you …to know Him better so that YOU may SHARE HIM with those within your realm of influence.

until next time

blessings to you and yours:o)

PS -Here are a couple of the PHENOMENAL women who spoke at DotMom