She Speaks 2012 ... God Spoke Loudly

Hello everyone!

It has taken me a little over a week being at home to absorb how life-changing the She Speaks Conference 2012 was for me. I am so happy that I can share my thoughts with you.

I really have ignored God's calling on my life. Yes. I freely admit it. I turned a deaf ear to my Lord. I allowed the enemy to get inside my head, telling me that no one really cares what I have to say. And I bought into his lies. ICK! You see, Satan knows what buttons to push with me. I battled clinical depression since I was a little girl (thankfully, I have been in recovery for years and am doing REALLY well), but I still sometimes give in to that negativity that he peppers over my thoughts. So I left my writing and speaking alone for years. And you know what? I have felt a huge void for the past five years - until the last year or so. My sweet Lord lit that fire in my belly again to write and to speak, and He made She Speaks happen for me. I married a wonderful man who supports my writing, so off I went to Charlotte! My man and my stepson even came with me for moral support - love those boys! :-)

I met some of the most AMAZING ladies that weekend, and I would like to introduce some of them to you:

I see Nicole, Michelle, Beth, Dawn and me!! Oh my goodness, I sound like Miss Sally from Romper Room (I have totally dated myself with that comment, but for those of y'all in your forties, you know what I mean!). Kelly, MaryBeth and Britta were not in this shot, but I want you all to know their names, too. Special, special ladies!

I feel like I have known these girls my whole life, and the Lord knew that I needed to meet them. We all spent Thursday evening, all day Friday and Saturday and Sunday morning laughing, crying, worshipping and learning. God is so very good! He knew that I needed encouragement, and He gave that to me through these friends and the Proverbs 31 Ministries family.

I have not had a chance to look through the pages and pages of notes and information I learned about blogging, creating blog sites, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, agents, book proposals, etc., but I feel the Lord working and moving within me. The excitement I feel to serve Him through writing, speaking and blogging is INCREDIBLE! I do not feel overwhelmed - I feel overjoyed!

Thanks for allowing me to slowly unpack my thoughts to you. For now, it's bedtime! Blessings on each one of you. Nighty-Night!

Blessings,

Lara <><

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." --Hebrews 4:12