It's in My Genes

Some time ago Brian and I did one of those ancestry test kits, and now I receive occasional emails with exciting information and new reports (Yes, you may read those words with a hint of sarcasm.) which I usually ignore.
However I just got another of those messages, and this time I couldn't ignore it. Because I thought I had caught them in the wrong. That is, the message said:

You have a new Trait report available: Fear of Public Speaking.

And I'm all, Hold on a minute there, Sam! I am NOT afriad of public speaking.
So I clicked on the link to see how they came to the conclusion they had reached.
And this is what I found.

Oh, so that's the report. Not that I have a fear of public speaking.
Turns out, genetically I am less likely to have a fear of public speaking.
And there you have it.
My gift of gab?
It's in my genes!
Can't wait to tell my mom that all those years when she said I was talking too much I was just doing what I was made to do. *wink*

His Plans, Not Ours

So, I thought I was supposed to speak for a MOPS group in Taylor, Michigan this morning.
Like, I was really sure that's what I was supposed to do.
As in, it's been on my calendar since last September.
So I requested the day off of work. I made sure my schedule was clear of all other obligations. Got everything ready last night to head out the door bright and early this morning (Just kidding. It was "dark" and early!) and was fully prepared to share my heart with a group of beautiful moms who need encouragement. (And maybe a laugh, or two!)
As I drove, everything was going according to plan. Including heavy traffic and occassional stops along the highway. That's just the way it is in the morning on the way to Detroit. But I had planned extra time in anticipation of the traffic, and I arrived at the church with plenty of time to spare.

The odd thing was, there were only two cars in the parking lot.

And as I walked into the church I learned MOPS had been cancelled.
What???
Because Taylor schools are closed.
Double what???
It's May 1! I have never been concerned about a snow day in May before.
Ahhh, not a snow day. Seems it rained all night in Taylor last night and there is so much flooding around town that someone thought it best to cancel school.
Thus MOPS gets the axe for the day, too.
Which means I am not going to be speaking for these moms today.
Even though I thought that's what I was supposed to do.
Even though that's what I've been thinking since September.

The thing is, as I chatted with the MOPS coordinator (Who had texted me about the cancellation, by the way. But she sent the text after I had already left home, and I don't look at my phone while I'm driving! Actually, I play music and sing to warm up my voice while I'm driving - so I didn't even hear my phone, anyway.) I realized this change of plans wasn't a surprise to God, even though it was to us. When we scheduled this date last September, God knew about the rain which would be coming last night. He knew about the flooding. And He knew MOPS would be cancelled.
The best I can figure, we planned the wrong date and God is setting it right.
Maybe there is a young mother who needs to hear my story and the work God has done in the midst of my struggles with motherhood who couldn't make it today. Perhaps she is the one for whom I have been praying - who needs to be encouraged and needs to know there is hope even when times are really hard - but her kiddo is sick and she was going to miss today. Maybe she won't even be a part of this MOPS group until next year.
I don't know.
But I know God knows.
I know He is in control.
And I am trusting Him.

So, I guess I wasn't "supposed" to speak for this MOPS group in Taylor this morning, afterall.
We're going to re-schedule for the fall, and I'm asking God to lead us to the right date.

In what ways have you seen God change your plans so you do what you're "supposed" to do?

HE is Faithful

I just have to give God praise!
Last night I spoke for chapel at the women's shelter of the Lansing City Rescue Mission. Speaking for chapel is something I have been doing monthly for the past 2 or 3 years. (Another senior moment - I honestly cannot recall what year I began...) But I think this time I labored over the message more than I ever have before.
Which isn't a bad thing.
Actually, it has proven to be very good.
For the past several weeks I have been thinking about it, praying about it, and making notes about it. I've asked others to pray for me. I have been "on alert" for input, and have frequently felt God's Spirit nudging me in different directions.
Finally, Monday afternoon I had the opportunity to sit down and formalize what I intended to say.
Then Tuesday at the beginning of my Precepts class we were reviewing the previous week's chapters and somebody pointed out what God did to Ezekiel in chapter 3.

"Moreover, I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you will be mute and cannot be a man who rebukes them for they are a rebellious house. But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you will say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD.'"

Ezekiel 3:26-27

She marveled at how God would shut Ezekiel's mouth and only allow him to speak when HE said so.
And that immediately became my prayer.
LORD, please shut my mouth except for what YOU want me to say!
I asked my Precepts sisters to pray thus for me, and I repeated that prayer for myself until the moment I walked into chapel last night.
And may I just say? HE is faithful!!!
The feedback I was getting from the women as I spoke told me that they were engaging with the message, and I could sense HIS presence among us. I had a couple of conversations with women after chapel at which time I found out God had spoken specifically to hearts and needs.
And I was so encouraged!
But it was when I was driving home - in the quiet of my van, with time to reflect - that I really became aware of God's hand (or mouth-glue, as the case may be). In my preparation Monday I thought it necessary to give instances of how we might be "like" the Israelites - though we don't build altars or worship statues of silver and gold. However, as I was driving I realized I had completely skipped over those examples, and it was as if God's Spirit said, That's because it's My job to convict hearts. I didn't need you to make suggestions.
Then it occurred to me I had left out some other statements from my notes, and I remembered a section I had completely cut out prior to putting the "finished" stamp on my talk. HE shut my mouth.
Honestly, I cannot even recall the exact words I used in several parts of the talk I gave.
But I know that I asked God to allow me to only speak the words HE wanted me to speak - and I believe that is exactly what HE did.

All glory to GOD!!!

Another Thing

Monday I told you about the wonderful thing God did Saturday during the retreat at which I was speaking. But there was more.
He didn't wait until the second break-out session to show Himself to me.
Rather, it began almost the moment I walked through the door.
As I entered the building and began looking for a staff person who could show me to the room in which I'd be presenting, I couldn't help but notice the keynote speaker delivering her message in the main auditorium. Couldn't help myself, that is, because she was speaking loudly and very passionately. In fact, at times I would say she was nearly yelling, and though I couldn't see them - I imagined the women sitting on the edge of their seats as they were listening.
As I made my way into the break-out room, I caught myself comparing my delivery style to that of the weekend's keynote speaker. I was having thoughts like, Since I don't present myself that way, I must not be good enough. And, If I want to be a sought-after speaker, I need to be more like her.

Fortunately, God stepped in right away and put an end to that foolishness before it got out of hand.

HE reminded me of my unique creation, and convinced me of HIS wisdom in the way He made me.
At times like that one, God admonishes me to quit the comparison and choose to trust Him, instead.
And I know He speaks truth in those moments.
I know He made me to be me, not "her" - whoever she may be.
But, oh, it can be so difficult, ya know? Because I think sometimes our enemy wants nothing more than to distract us from what God has called us to do. And what better way to fluster us than to get us to fix our gaze on someone/something else?

Nevertheless, Saturday God called my attention back to Himself and His work, and He led me down the path of trust. It was almost as if I could hear His words echoing through my heart. Karen, I made her to be her. I gifted her with certain ablities and I gave her a unique disposition. If I wanted you to be like her, I could have done that. But I made you to be you. Right down to the silly way you laugh at corny jokes. Dear one, will you just trust Me, and be the you I created you to be?

Anyone else need to hear those words spoken to your heart???

HE Knows Best

HIS Ways, Not Mine

Many are the plans in a (wo)man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21

Ahhh, sometimes I have to laugh at myself and the plans I make.
And sometimes I just laugh at myself - regardless of my plans. *wink*

See, Tuesday I spoke for a group of moms, and as I was wrapping up I invited them to visit my blog - as a way of keeping in touch and keeping encouraged. I *might* have said something like, "I try to post something every day Monday through Friday, to encourage and lift up."
And that really is my goal.
But obviously, it doesn't always happen.
Like this week, when Tuesday's and Wednesday's activities didn't allow me time to write. And I sit here laughing at the irony of telling a group of women, "I usually post daily on my blog" - the day before I'm going to be unable to post for two days in a row.
Yes. I do believe God enjoys a sense of humor.
(His own, that is. I am not sure He's so impressed with mine. Haha.)
So, there's that.
I make plans sometimes, and God has a different idea - and we go with His. Because I am not about to argue with Him. And His plans are always better, anyway.

Yeah. There's that. And there's also this.
The other side of the HIS ways, not mine equation.
A long time ago God called me to a speaking ministry, and I love it. Love, LOVE it!
In fact, there is nothing I love more than talking about Jesus. (I mean, I love God more than talking about Him, and I love worshipping Him more than talking about Him. But, you get my point, right? My spirit soars when I get to talk to women about my Jesus!)
OK. But there is one part of this speaking thing about which I don't get particularly excited. That is, the "marketing". The need to find women's ministries and introduce myself to them and let them know about what I do, blah, blah, blah. But it's necessary. I get that. And so I do it.
A few times a year I spend days searching for churches, reading their websites to learn about their women's ministry, placing calls or sending emails to make contact with them, and praying, "OK, Lord. It's up to You. I've done what I can. Now I'm waiting on You. If You want me to minister to the women at this church somehow, I trust You to make the next move."
And, honestly?
It gets discouraging sometimes when months go by and not a single word comes from anyone.
But then moments like this week happen, when I get an email from someone at a church with whom I have not been in contact for nearly a year. In the email she says one of the women's ministry leaders asked her to contact me and the next thing I know I am scheduled to speak for their Christmas Tea in December. And I could swear I hear God speaking to my heart something like, Dear one, remember? We're going with MY ways, not yours. You said you would wait for Me. You said you would trust Me to move. (Yes, I know you didn't want to wait so long. But, remember, My timing is perfect.) I'm moving now. And I will continue to move. All you need to do, dear one, is be faithful and wait patiently.
Just be faithful and wait patiently, He says.
That's all.
OK, Lord, but I'm gonna need Your help!

Are you waiting for God to show you His ways? How's that going???

Revenge of the Luddites

Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.

Are you familiar with that annoying "law"?
I feel like it's the story of my life, I tell ya!
But the good news is, God is bigger than anything, and He's in all of it. Good thing, too, or I might not have made it to the retreat for which I was speaking this past weekend.
See, the thing is, usually whenever I travel anywhere I map out my trip ahead of time, and write the directions down on an information sheet I keep for each speaking event. But since a certain significant person in my life often accuses me of being a Luddite, I have begun to change my ways. That is, I have begun relying on the GPS on my phone.
Instead of the old fashioned practice of using ink and paper.

So, Friday I spent the night with my daughter, because Wheaton is a short distance from where the retreat was being held - and I really didn't want to drive 4+ hours on Saturday morning. Anyway, I was bunking with my girl Friday and after going out to dinner with Elizabeth, her beau and a couple of her roommates, I was ready for sleep. I got my jammies on, plugged in my phone (but didn't turn it off like I usually do, because it was serving as my alarm clock) and snuggled up on the couch.
Saturday morning I woke up before my alarm (Guess I could have turned my phone off over night after all.), got ready for the retreat, and was on my way. Of course, before I walked out the door I entered the address of the retreat location on my phone so I would know how to get where I was going. However, somewhere between walking out the door and pulling out of my parking spot I must have inadvertently touched the screen and changed the location on the GPS. At first I followed the directions even though they weren't what I was expecting because I figured, the phone knows. But when, "Continue for 112 miles," came out of the speaker, I knew something had gone terribly wrong. So I pulled over to the side of the highway and re-entered the address I needed.
Got turned around, was heading the right way, and felt especially thankful that I tend to plan too much extra time for trips such as these. Until...
I glanced at my phone to see how far it was until my next exit and - and, for some reason the screen was black. So I swiped it, but nothing happened. And I pressed the little button on the front, but still nothing happened. So I picked it up and tried the power button. And it came back to life.
*Phew!*
Except, instead of going to the usual screen, it was all white and said something like, "Low Battery warning. Battery at 5%. Charge now, stupid!" And I'm all, Whaaa???? I plugged it in last night. What happened? Which was just about the moment I realized I never actually looked to see that it was charging. Didn't have the presence of mind to also realize how good it would have been to have the foresight to know I didn't need to leave it on all night, because I would wake up before the alarm, anyway.
Yeah, didn't think about the irony of that circumstance. Instead, I began praying, God, I need you to get me to this thing. And I threw in a plea for my phone battery.
Buuuuut, the phone died before God had a chance to answer that one, so I was left with my thoughts - and the deep regret that I'd opted for the non-Luddite plan for getting to the retreat.
Which is when I decided to go ultra-Luddite.
That is, I stopped to ask for directions.
I had no time to waste, so I stopped at the first place I could find. A retirement center. The irony was dripping all around me! Unfortunately, the first person I encountered couldn't help me. Fortunately, the second one could. In fact, she led me to a row of computers (Which are apparently for the use of the residents. More irony.) and let me check in with my faithful friend, Mapquest. I wrote down the directions, Luddite-style, and made my way back to the van. (Obstacles totaling approximately another 10-15 minutes surfaced, but I'll spare you the details. *eye roll*)

The good news? I got back on the road and this time felt assured I was heading the right way. (Though I wished I could call the retreat coordinator and let her know I was coming - since I originally told her I would aim to arrive 90 minutes prior to the current time. But I couldn't because, um, dead battery.)
Regardless, I had my old-fashioned, hand-written, Luddite-style directions and - with them - I made it to the retreat.
With a little time to spare.

Guess who has now committed to ink-on-paper directions, from here to eternity and beyond?

Where I've Been, and Where I'll Be

Confession: I haven't been thinking much about blogging this week.

Actually, the blog posts which made it up were created last weekend.

The thing is, I am speaking at a women's event Saturday morning and I have been concentrating on my preparation. So I've been a little MIA in the blogosphere.
And, the truth is, I am going to be speaking at women's retreats for the following two weekends (Oct. 6-8 and 13-15). Sooooo, for the next two weeks my focus will be on preparing for those events and the blog here will likely get ignored. Please don't take it personally. But I believe the women at the retreats deserve my best effort.

Most likely I'll pop in here now and then, as God leads and gives me opportunity. I just didn't want to leave you wondering where I was. *smile*

Please pray for me as I speak at these events. I want to be HIS vessel, bringing HIM glory.

Just for Moms

I am super excited to have the necessary information to share with you about a Moms' Night Out coming up on May 13. The MOPS group at Faith Church in Valparaiso, Indiana will be hosting this event, and all moms (of all ages!) are welcome to attend. Doors open at 6pm and as I understand it there will be yummy desserts available at that time for you to savor while you enjoy fellowship with other moms - sans kiddos! The program will begin at 7pm - at which time I will be speaking and singing and offering lots of hope for overwhelmed moms.
Tickets for the program are $5 and proceeds will be donated to Hannah's Hope, which is a non-profit organization in Northwest Indiana serving children with special needs.

Tickets and additional information are available here.

I would love, LOVE to see you there!

HE is Faithful

Whew!

It's been a really long day. And we have dance class tonight. And I'm kinda feeling like crashing.
But there's laundry to start.
Nahhhh! I'll get to that tomorrow.
And dinner. Gotta make dinner.
And Josh's Jeep is ready to pick up. Gotta get that done. *ahem*

And so, you see, there is really no time to post a blog entry.
Except this morning I spoke to a group of wonderful mothers, and their leader gave such a nice plug for my blog, and encouraged them all to visit. And now if I don't have something posted for them, well, what good is that? *no pressure*

Ahhhhh, I jest!
Not about the list of things to get done, that is.
Rather, about writing this post.
You see, this morning I was blessed to experience God's faithfulness yet again, and I am so delighted to tell you about it.
As this particular speaking engagement was approaching, I was under the impression that it was my first time visiting this moms' group. Because I didn't recognize the name of the church, and I didn't recognize the driving directions. For that matter, even when I drove up to the church - it didn't look familiar to me.
But when I walked inside I thought, Woah. This really looks like a church I've been in before. And when someone was leading me downstairs to the meeting area, it sure felt like I'd been this way before.
But for the moment I thought, Eh? Maybe they had the same architect?
And I continued on.
Right into the meeting area, when I could not possibly deny - I had spoken for this group before.
No question.
Everything was familiar.
Except my recollection of how long it had been.
Well, at least three years, because I was "new" to the coordinator. *wink*
But I honestly had a moment of panic. Should I completely change my talk today? Nobody is going to want to hear what they've heard before, are they???
Yet, as I sat with a table of moms before the meeting got started, God assured me through their conversation that this was HIS plan all along. As in, some of what they were saying nearly sounded like it came right off my notes. And when the meeting was over, I spoke with several moms who told me the message God brought through me was exactly the one they needed to hear.

Yes, once again - God showed me He is in control. HE knows the last time I was at that church. HE knew so when today's talk was scheduled. HE knew who'd heard it before, who needed to hear it again, and who would hear it for the very first time.
No redundancies in HIS plans.
Just faithful perfection.
And I am so thankful.

How have you seen God's faithfulness in your life this week?

Doing the Hard Stuff

When my kids need to conquer a task which challenges their comfort level, I cheer them on and tell them, "You can do it!"

At other times, when the exercise is one they simply don't want to do I might empathize for a moment, but ultimately the words coming from my mouth will sound something like, "C'mon. Let's get 'er done!"

Whether it's registering for college courses, preparing for a class speech, or just washing the dishes - sometimes I have to give my almost-adults a gentle nudge an extra push OK. Sometimes I have to shove pretty hard. *wink*
The point is, I know - and so do they - that we have to do the hard stuff, too.
And recently I have been reminded there's hard stuff for me, as well.
See, now that I am committed to pursuing speaking on a full-time basis I have to do hard stuff. That is, I love just about every aspect of speaking: dreaming about topics, sensing God's lead as I craft talks, watching Him put things together, and - of course - the speaking, itself.
But there is one part I don't like.
The part which makes this a full-time endeavor.
That would be the phone calling I need to do to introduce myself to women's ministry and moms' group leaders, to tell them who I am and what I do.
To find out if there is a need in their ministry which I might be able to fill.
Yeah. I am not real fond of that facet of this gig.
I guess it's the introvert in me, who is much more comfortable communicating over email - where I can think about my words as long as I want to, and if I don't like how I've phrased something I can just delete it and start over. That form of communication is waaaaaaay more attractive to this girl.
And, yet, I am perfectly content - delighted, even - to take the stage with a room full of women to speak and sing my heart out. I know. It doesn't make sense to me, either.

So, I am taking the advice and encouragement I so willingly dole out to my boys, and I am sitting down and making the phone calls. I'm doing the hard stuff.
Because my heart wants to reach women with the hope of Jesus - and I know I need to do this, to get there.

By the way, if any of you wants to save me from some of this agony, please feel free to tell women's ministry leaders about me - and send them this link to my website. *grin*

Women's Listening Retreat

Follow this link to my website for more information and to register.

Oh, I forgot to mention in the video...If you want to take a walk with me during our free-time at the retreat, I'll show you the spot where Brian proposed marriage to me on April 25, 1992. *swoon*

The Wait

Be Still: Mom Edition

So, next week I get to help out a friend.
She leads a moms' group and had a speaker cancel at the "last minute".
Er, two weeks before the last minute.
Anyway, my friend asked if I could fill in. I had room in my schedule, and was happy to oblige.
So, next week I get to speak to this group of moms.

I spoke for the same group last year and presented Confessions of an Irritable Mother, so this time I'll be doing something different. My friend looked at the topics on my website and asked if I would speak on Be Still: God's Got This. And, since I am still fill of joy from presenting Be Still at a retreat last month I was only too happy to agree. But I will be doing it differently (as in, one 45-minute talk rather than four separate talks) and I want to focus on the needs of moms.
That said, I have a couple questions for you.
*What do you perceive as the greatest need (or needs) you have as a mom?
*How would you finish this statement? "God, when it comes to (your situation), I need You to fight for me."

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

When God Says, "No"

She sounded apologetic in the voice mail.
Hi, Karen. This is Missy. The XYZ committee has chosen another woman to be the speaker for their event. She is from North Carolina and I'm sure travel costs played into their decision. That's how it goes sometimes...

Missy had called me out of the blue a few weeks earlier, after seeing my website. She asked if I was available on a certain date, and would I like to be a candidate for a speaking event in Raleigh, NC?
I could make the date work, and I told Missy I would love to be considered.
It would be a totally new setting for me. Moms, but not a Christian group. I wasn't given a clear direction regarding the focus/theme of the event, but I figured that information would come when/if I needed to know. Being chosen for this event would certainly be a boost for my speaking career, and - to be perfectly honest - I was quite excited about the possibilities. Excited, with a healthy dose of nervous mixed in. What if I wasn't the right fit for this group, and they ended up disappointed that they'd chosen me?

So, I prayed. Knowing God knew all the details about this event, I asked Him to direct the decision makers. If God intended for me to speak before this group of mothers - providing encouragement without mentioning His Name - I trusted He would make it happen. I believed He would give me the words to say, that He would speak through me - even if I couldn't mention Him. With a combination of excitement and nervousness I laid this speaking opportunity at His feet, and I waited for His answer.

His answer, which came in that voice mail from Missy. No.

I sent a quick email off to Missy, just to let her know I'd received the answer, and to thank her for calling me. She responded with an email which sounded apologetic, like her voice mail. And I felt compelled to send her one more response. I told her:

I trust God to open the doors through which He wants me to walk. Raleigh wasn't one of them - and I'm OK with that!

And I mean that with all of my heart. One of the most valuable lessons I have learned over the past eight years - through speaking, and life-in-general - is that when God says, Yes, it's a very good thing. And when He says, No, it is also a very good thing.
God always does what is best, and I see no reason to be disappointed with His best.
Are you with me?

Please Pray

I am very excited about today - particularly, this evening. I will be speaking for a Moms' Night Out at the United Methodist Church of Ludington.
Over the past months, I have spent much time praying for this event. I've been asking God to bring women in who need to hear about the hope HE has given to me. I've been asking HIM to make a way for each mom who thinks there is no way she can make it. And I would like to ask you today to join me in prayer for tonight.
Please pray that every scheme of Satan to keep women away would be foiled. Please pray for child-care to be found, and for schedules to be cleared so moms can come. Pray that God will be preparing the heart of each woman who will be there - that she may be ready to hear everything HE wants to say.
And pray for me - that I may speak everything and only what HE wants me to say. I want to be God's instrument of grace and hope to mothers who need encouragement and peace.

The program begins at 6:30 tonight. If you can make it, I'd love to see you there! (More details in the sidebar to the right.)

Oh, and I'll have a long (late!) drove home after the event, so I'd appreciate prayers for that time, too. Thanks!

Three weeks from today...

...I will be speaking for a Moms' Night Out event in Ludington, Michigan.

On April 2, at 6:30 pm, I am scheduled to speak for a Moms' Night Out at the United Methodist Church of Ludington, and I.can't.wait!
I enjoy any opportunity I have to speak with moms, but these Moms' Night Out events are - by far - my favorite.
I love that we have extended time together and are able to go deeper than at a typical moms group meeting.
I love the prayer time at the end of the program.
And I love the fellowship afterward.

If you're going to be in northern Michigan on April 2, I would love to see you there. And if you know any northern Michigan moms-who-need-encouragement, please tell them about this event!

Please contact Kristen for tickets, or if you have questions.

Cran-Hill Report

Ahhhhh. *happy sigh*

I had a fabulous weekend at Cran-Hill Ranch with the Fall Women's Conference. What a delight to be with those women to share life and struggles and the goodness of God.
It was the first time I had presented the Don't Make Decisions While You're Running Uphill material in a conference setting, and I was pleased with how it went. God was present - speaking to hearts and touching lives. And I am forever thankful.
Looking forward to the opportunity to do it again!

Here's a picture of the group from Saturday night. Aren't they lovely?

Another very fun part of the weekend was the time I was able to spend with my new friend. That is, the mother of Elizabeth's goooooooood friend, Nick.
Also known as her potential future mother-in-law.
See, Nick and his family were spending the weekend at Cran-Hill, too. So Elizabeth wanted to come with me to the conference - in order that she might spend time with Nick. Which meant...Kaira (Nick's mom) and I were able to have some good hang-out time. (Including shopping for pants Friday afternoon. Since I forgot to pack mine. *eye roll*)
Kaira sat in on my speaking sessions and we spent time together talking about mothering and life and God and mistakes and grace...and, of course, Nick and Elizabeth. And what I discovered is - while Elizabeth has the joy of a new and special friendship, so do I! I love the relationship which is developing between Nick and Elizabeth, and I love that it means a new friendship for me, too. *smile*

Lessons From the Edge

I can't do it all.

Of course, I know this lesson is true. But this past week, I lived it.
I stayed late at work Wednesday, getting things ready for the rest of the week because I wasn't going to be there Friday. (Taking the morning off to finish getting ready for the conference at Cran-Hill this weekend.) As I was driving home, I remembered something I didn't do and figured I would need to work that into Thursday's plans. Then I remembered I had a voice mail on my phone, so I grabbed my phone and listened to the message.
It was Elizabeth - asking me to stop at the store and pick up a couple things for her. Which reminded me of other things I needed to do and... The result is, I was quite late getting home from work, my feet were aching, and my mood was less than pleasant.

I pondered why things were so hectic and my first inclination was to "blame" Edgewood. After all, I had just spent the entire day at work and was still thinking about things I needed to do.
But I quickly realized, the reason I had all this extra stuff to consider was because I was taking time off for the conference. If I wasn't going away to speak this weekend, I wouldn't have the added pressure to get work things lined up and family things situated.
BUT, then I thought, If I didn't have to work at Edgewood, I would have all kinds of time to do the other things I need to do when I'm going to be gone for a weekend.

And the back-and-forth battle began. It's Edgewood's fault. No, it's because of the conference.
No, it's because of work. Speaking!
Until I realized this week's lesson: I can't do it all. And I began to think differently. I stopped dead in my tracks and started to pray, asking God to show me where HE wants me to be.
*I love the men and women at Edgewood. Love loving them!
*But my passion is speaking the heart of God to mothers and women. And if I could make a living doing that, I would turn in my Activity Director's hat in a heartbeat.

So my prayer is that God would lead me. That HE would open or close doors according to His perfect knowledge. And I would welcome your prayers for me in this regard. I need to hear from Him, because - truly - I can't do it all.
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Would also welcome your prayers for this weekend's conference - that God would speak through me, and the women in attendance would have an undeniable encounter with HIM. Thanks!

Chicago-area Moms

I am so looking forward to traveling to Crete, Illinois on October 12 to speak at Crete Reformed Church. These evening events are one of my absolute.favorite.things.to.do!

If you're in the area, I would love to see you there. If you know other moms in the Crete/Chicago area, please invite them to attend.