I have been invited to speak at a Ladies Retreat in Edmond, OK on September 8th & 9th. They are fIying me in and I will be giving 4 talks on “Unveiling Your Beauty (As a Woman Made In God’s Image)”. I’ve wanted so long to speak to women and I have waited for this opportunity for many years, so I am thrilled to be asked! I am honored that God thinks I’m ready to speak to others about what He has been speaking to my heart for the past year. This will be my first time speaking to adults instead of teen girls – though I hope there are some of those there too.
As the arrangements are being made, I’m busy trying to decide what to share and how. That’s where you come in. I would love to have your prayer cover and intercession for guidance with my talks. I could easily talk for two hours on this subject, but I want to share what is most important and most needed. Please join me in lifting this whole adventure up to the Lord. And also feel free to drop me a line about what YOU think these women might need to hear on this topic.
So now we’re just looking for airline tickets. 😉 The retreat is open to ladies everywhere, so if you live in the Oklahoma City area, or within decent driving distance, I’d love to meet you there. Unfortunately the only information I have at this point is the date and that it starts on Friday night at 6:00 p.m. with a dinner and ends on Saturday at noon. It is being organized by the Edmond Church of Christ ladies, though the location and cost is not finalized. I’ll give an update in a week or so.
I have this deep need to be heard. It’s one of the reasons I started blogging. There have been many times in my life that I was or wasn’t heard when needed and those times really shaped who I am today, and who I am becoming. The becoming part is that I know God wants me to speak for Him. So I’m listening for directions on when, where, and how. (The “Why” is a big DUH!) I have dreamed of speaking to an audience since I was a little girl. I’ve always loved acting and I’m sure that it ties in here. I don’t think I’m all that great at it, but I did win an award or two for it, so I must not be terrible at it. I’ve been singing to audiences for many years, but somehow singing and speaking someone else’s words and speaking my own (or the words God gives me) seem worlds apart. I love both, once I get over the nerve factor. I am constantly asking the question “Who am I?” Who am I that I should be the one invited to speak?, or sing?, or whatever?…then today I saw a sign. A real one on a door, not “a sign”. It said,
What if the thing you’re passionate about is the very thing God wants to use to reach people?
O.K. God, I’m listening! The things God has given me on my speaking topic since receiving this invitation are amazing. I’ve enjoyed getting feedback from my male and female friends alike, and it’s going to be hard to narrow it down into 4 – 30 minute talks. So I’ve been asking God to show me and tell me what to do. I think He gave me part of my answer today. He’s so good like that. I’d love some more feedback as I flush out the details.
Sometimes I Write 
Ahhhh, no fair! Just kidding, lol.
That’s a dream of mine too….maybe you can give me some pointers on how you got yourself made known 🙂
I have some friends and family at the Edmond CoC – small world, eh?
Prayers going up for you.
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Congrats! I’ve got prayers going up for you here too.
Maybe you could go back through some of your old Blog posts & see which ones have touched a nerve to find out what these Ladies might like to hear. I’m sure you could do a whole LOT on purity/modesty/sex/intimacy.
It would be great to find a way to get women to really open up & dump their “stuff” out to one another & be lifted up in prayer by the others. I think women need to feel safe in a world full of gossip that they don’t have to keep it all in all the time. (And what happens at the retreat STAYS at the retreat!)
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Niki! I’m so exciged for you! Last night we did a youth group thing where the boys honored and served the girls a nice dinner, entertainment (including but not limited to: poetry reading, violin playing and group singing). The theme was “A Woman of God is to be Treasured!” I was really impressed by our boys, but the funny part was the girls kept saying, “This is really awkward!” How much we are un-used to being treated like treasures and believing we are treasures. Even in how we cannot seem to graciously take compliments or really be served. As soon as the dinner was over the girls hopped up and started helping clean up, which of course was kind. But it was like a relief to them to be able to DO something finally instead of just sitting and being told they were beautiful adn worthy by the boys in our youth group that none of them were dating! It was very insightful to me. Good for you for talking on finding and owning our beauty from God.
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Thanks All for the prayers!
mommyham – Sometimes it’s who you know ;). My friend Natalie goes to that church and her mom is the head of the planning team for the retreat. I also have other friends there as well. It is a small world and bloging has shrunk it even more.
Beaner – great ideas. I do have a few small acivities planned that will probably unnerve some of the ladies. Sort of kick them out of their comfort zones. Wish you lived closer!
jhart – my dear friend – as always you lift me up. It’s true. My blogging friend Daniel once said, “you women want a Mr. Darcy, bu rarely feel worthy of one” or something like that. We are doers and not sitters. We don’t like to be served and doted upon – a false message we’ve received over the years is that women are to be the servers – not the other way around. Good thoughts, and glad you learned something from the teens. Amazing how that happens, huh? 🙂
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Heavenly Father must be so proud of you. I know I am.
My little blog friend has been called into something new. He knows you are ready.
I did ask the Lord what topics you were to speak on and the first word that he gave me was ‘submission.’ First to Heavenly Father then to husbands.
I have three daughters and see that they frequently stumble in this area.
Maybeyou can ask the Lord about this.
God go with you and give you the words he wants your audience to hear.
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I work in Edmond, and don’t live too far from there. I have a few friends who do attend or have attended at Edmond CoC. One elder there was the man who performed my wedding ceremony. I got to Wilshire CoC, a few miles away in Oklahoma City. Now that I know you are coming, I will make a point to be there to meet you! The movie “Six Degrees of Separation” is too many. My mom (and I) have it down to about 2.
Have they given you a topic that they would like to hear you speak on, or are you free to choose?
I am praying that you find just the topic we need to hear. I agree with Beaner about your special gift of talking about issues. You will do a great job, because it is what you are meant to do!
What activities, exactly?!?!?
(Just kidding, bring it on!)
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Mountain Mama – Thank you for your kind words and your thoughts on the topic of submission.
Michelle – I look forward to meeting you there. Thanks for your kind words as well. Yes, I can choose what to speak on under the topic of “Unveiling a Woman’s Beauty”. I’ve decided to nix the activity that would make everyone uncomfortable – there isn’t enough time with a retreat that lasts less than 24 hours to get everyone to a place where they will be vulnerable with each other. I know everything will work out though, and God is in control.
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