Two years ago, I showed up for Carol Kent’s Speak Up Conference with knots in my stomach, weak knees, and a bag stuffed with printed-out talks bleeding with hand-scribbled revisions. I hadn’t done any formal speaking for years unless you count the rehearsed lines of, “Pick up your dirty clothes. Hang up your towel. Please don’t get toothpaste all over the cabinet and floor.”
I had never been published anywhere, and I was walking into a conference filled with strangers, alone. Yet, some unseen force propelled my feet forward and gave me just enough courage to smile and say, “Hi,” a hundred times over three days.
I covered my notebook pages with ideas and thoughts. When asked, “What do you write?” or “What topics do you speak on?” I mumbled responses like, “I’m just starting. I’m here to figure that out.” Then I reversed the conversation to get them talking about themselves.
When I left the conference, I wrote this on my blog:
I left encouraged that God can use me, even if my story isn’t dramatic and even if I only have an audience of one. He has a purpose for me, and I have a reason to Speak Up, because of the things He has done for me. I have this “creative stirring” as Carol describes it. And even though I don’t know what exactly God is stirring me to do, I’m willing to grow and be ready to walk through any doors He may choose to open for me. I know I was where I was supposed to be that week!
Had someone told me that within two years I’d return to the same conference with a published book, teaching a workshop, and a growing portfolio of published pieces, I wouldn’t have believed them.
This conference was the tipping point for gathering courage, receiving practical training, and making new friends who’ve walked this path with me.
If you are involved in ministry, or considering a ministry of writing, speaking or leading, take a look at the Speak Up Conference, held at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI June 27-29.
Part of your conference experience (at no extra cost) includes the opportunity for one-on-one appointments with agents, editors and publishers such as:
- Revell
- Zondervan
- Discovery House
- Kregel
- Somersault
- Blue Water Ink
- Credo
- NavPress
- Bold Vision
I’m linking up with Cindy Bultema’s blog today (who I met at that very first conference and has become a dear friend!). She’s sharing another author’s story about how the Speak Up Conference opened doors for her. You can also win one of ten partial scholarships to the Speak Up Conference this year. Check out her post on how to enter to win! You don’t want to miss it!
I’m so glad you courageously came to Speak Up two years ago. Meeting YOU was a huge highlight that year….and now I can’t imagine life without you! You are loved! 🙂
It was one of the highlights for me too! So thankful for you!! I can’t imagine not doing life with you!
Oh, how I can relate to your story, Amelia.
It’s that willingness piece that God honors. We don’t have to have it all figured out b/c He does : ) You go girl!
May I just tell you that one of my most favorite things about being at the conference that year was your “after-hours” help with social media? It made a HUGE difference for me as I added many of the tools you taught to my toolkit : )
Oh thank you Shelly! Your comment gives me courage as I get ready to re-vamp that workshop for this year! God is good. I’m glad He has it figured it and just shows me step by step. I’m sure I couldn’t handle the whole picture at once 🙂
; )
I wonder how many of us were stepping out of our comfort zones that first time! I felt like I was stretching myself as I went to that first conference and I can’t believe not only what encouragement I received, and training that was so valuable I continue to share with others but also the friendships I’ve made! Priceless! Thanks for sharing your story! So glad you came so we could connect!
Probably most of us were way out of our comfort zones! It’s funny to see when we admit something like that how so many others say, “Me too!” Nice to not be alone 🙂 Yes, it’s not just the practical training, but the encouragement and friendships that make this such an incredible experience. So glad we connected too!
I am so excited reading each of these posts and praying that Speak Up is my tipping point this year!
Melissa, you won’t regret coming! Looking forward to seeing you there!
All I know girls is that God is in it and when He’s in it…anything can happen! Hang on! Look forward to meeting everyone!!
Lori, so true! When He’s in it anything can happen. Looking forward to meeting you too!
Love how you write, “…God can use me, even if…”. It’s so easy to forget He can use us/me because I also tend to forget my focus. Thank you for the reminder. God’s blessings on you, yours and the work of your hands and heart.
Thank you Sandra!
Amelia.. I just loved reading this. Thank you so much for your transparency in sharing. I am pretty sure I met you last year at Speak up. Thank you for your beautiful words here. I pray I get to come again! Blessings!
I think we did Jenn! I hope to see you again there sometime. Blessings to you!
Amelia, I have to confess — I think we didn’t meet last year because I was signed up for your workshop and then I didn’t go. But it was nothing to do with you!! God was really convicting me about pride and how this was not the season to be promoting myself (and it was the social media workshop I bailed on) and so I didn’t feel like I was strong enough to just listen to the (I am sure, fabulous) information contained in the workshop. I am in a much better place (I hope!) now about all of this (praise God). I would LOVE to connect again this year! I watched the trailer for your new book and I am so excited. Will you have copies at Speak Up so I can buy one and you can sign it???
Jennifer, that’s ok! I’m just surprised I didn’t bump into you anywhere else that weekend. I totally get the issues with the social media stuff. It’s a very tricky thing to balance. I will have copies of the book at Speak Up! I can’t wait to read yours as well!