What is Your Dream?

I've been tagged by Karen for a meme called "What is Your Dream."
According to Karen,

Leigh from Speaking Thru Me got to thinking about a sermon her Pastor recently gave about promises and speaking the Word and Believing!! And came up with this meme: What are your dreams? Not things that God has promised you, but things you dream about or things that you whisper in His ear. What are you believing God for? Be bold, Be Honest, Be courageous!

I think God's timing is so interesting. Karen let me know early last week that she'd tagged me for this meme and I knew I wanted to participate, but I also knew I wouldn't be able to "get to it" right away. So it's been in the back of my mind for several days, and God's been mixing it up with another new thing for me.
You see, the same day I heard from Karen I had just started a book my mentor encouraged me to read. This new book is called Developing Intimacy with God. It is an eight-week prayer guide based upon the Spiritual Exercises of St.Ignatius, and the very first exercise was determining our "Basic Want." The objective for that day was to, "Determine what you want at the core of your being." For me it is simply to be close to God. Over the course of this week, working through the spiritual exercises and contemplating the idea of this dream, I have enjoyed seeing how they can work together.
I have realized that when I am speaking and writing, I feel especially close to God because I am even more aware of my dependence on Him. I pray for the women who are present listening to me. I pray for the women who will read my words. I ask God what He wants me to say. My desire to be an instrument He uses for His glory increases with each opportunity He gives me. So I'm seeing my basic want - to be close to God, has fueled my dream - to have more opportunities to speak and write.
As far as speaking goes, I absolutely love going to MOPS groups and sharing with the moms there. But as a dreamer I would love to speak for larger audiences, perhaps in conference or arena settings. Actually I am going to be speaking in November for a break-out session for a small women's conference here in Michigan. I guess that's a start!
Another part of the speaking dream would be to go places where some of my blogging friends live so I could meet you personally.
Regarding the writing, my dream is that more and more women would find and read Confessions of an Irritable Mother, and find the hope within it which God has given to me. I'm also starting another book which I'm praying will be an encouragement for women to seek and enjoy God in the daily-ness of every day.
When I'm speaking and writing I really feel like I'm participating with God by ministering hope to mothers. My dream, to speak for larger audiences and to publish another book, is to be an instrument He uses for His glory.

I couldn't find any specific directions for tagging on this meme, so I'll just leave it to you. If you would like to particiapte, please leave me a comment so I know to come by and read about your dreams!