It seems like just the other day I was emailing Danielle nervously agreeing to speak at Hope Spoken. As I sent that email the conference was over a year away…it seemed so far off. And now it’s only five months away…and the tickets are sold out!
The Hope Spoken girls are hosting a link up today so that we all can get to know each other. Such a fun idea! Here are the questions:
– post your picture so that we can recognize you!
– introduce yourself!
– something that you are little timid or nervous about for the weekend
– something that you are hoping to take away from HopeSpoken
– share something fun/random about yourself
Post on social media somewhere and then link up on Emily, Danielle, or Casey’s blog (they will give you all the instructions on how to do that). I have managed to hold out on Facebook for this long…so you get to see all my answers here. 🙂
1. post your picture
Most of you have “met” me, but just in case you are new here…this is me. 🙂 The cuter one in the picture is my youngest, Griffin. He is a major mama’s boy and is usually close by my side. His older brother Levi was taking our picture…photographer in the making for sure.
2. introduce yourself
I have two rambunctious boys here on earth (Levi & Griffin) and one precious girl in heaven (Cora). The other day Levi looked at me and said we have three boys and two girls in our family, right mama? Yep, that’s our family. I am married to Joel and we live on a farm in Kansas. I am so thankful we get to walk through life together…he’s a pretty great husband and daddy! I spend my days at home with my boys and while some days I get tired of cleaning up their muddy messes, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I also love writing on this little blog and hope to authentically share my journey through grief, my life wrangling two boys, and my desire to live abundantly in all circumstances. I like to do crafty things every once in awhile too. And that’s me.
3. something you are a little timid or nervous about for the weekend
Ummmm, maybe the speaking in front of people part! My hands get sweaty and I can feel my knees start to shake when I think about standing up in front of people AND forming coherent thoughts. I was pretty certain my speaking career would be over after my speech class in college. It was pretty awful. But God had other plans. I’ve had the privilege of sharing my story a few times and what is so amazing is that somehow God uses my shaky voice and jumbled thoughts to speak truth to others. As I start thinking about my weakness as a speaker I cling to this truth,
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 2:9
So although I am crazy nervous, I am trusting God to use me and my story…which is really His story…for His glory!
4. something you are hoping to take away from HopeSpoken
Seriously, the women we are going to have the privilege to hear at this event are AMAZING! I can’t wait to meet and hear from each one them. But this conference is about so much more than our stories. I am looking forward to spending time in God’s Word, hearing Him speak to me personally, and growing in community as we encourage each other.
5. something fun/random about yourself
I always laugh when I have to answer these type of questions because my husband calls me the “fun hater”. But here are a few fun facts…I was born in Japan. I am the oldest of four (one sister, two brothers) and moved around every few years growing up. My last move with my family was to a rural farm community and after moving there I vowed that I would never marry a farmer. Well, of course I ended up marrying a farmer (ha,ha!) and it turns out that being a farmer’s wife is pretty great after all. 😉
If you are going to Hope Spoken, don’t forget to link up with us today. And leave a comment here too…I would love to “meet” you. I am getting really excited for this event as we anticipate what God is going to do in and through us. Can’t wait to meet you all!
Heather - Hey, girl, hey! Looking forward to hearing your talk even though it’s probably going to make me cry.
kimberly oyler - i’ve been lurking around your blog for almost 2 years now (how creepy does that sound?) and i’m SO excited to meet you in march! 🙂
Sarah D. - Fun haters unite! That sounds just like something Peter would say to me. 🙂 You’ll do great– what an amazing way to share your story! As your groupie, I really should have signed up. Haha.
Danielle - Hey! I’ve been reading your blog awhile now in anticipation of Hope Spoken and I love what you have to say and want to say that your message of living abundantly in all circumstances is an amazing one! God’s really used this conference already (through you all speakers/group leaders/bloggers who are going to be a part of it) to take me on a journey of finding my joy in him not in the world around me or my circumstances. Thanks for being willing to conquer your nerves and come and speak to us! Also, I live in Olathe. Didn’t realize you were a Kansas girl!
creole wisdom - Jess, I love this 🙂 I posted my introduction the other day. One of the big reasons why I’m even going to Hope Spoken is because of you. I can’t wait to hear what you’ve got to say and I know God is going to share something lovely through you. You’re wonderful and I’m glad we know each other through this blog world!