September 20 was the Saturday before this year’s Pursuit 31 Conference.  It was also supposed to be our due date for our first baby, so of course when we found out we were pregnant in January, I texted Karen to tell her I wouldn’t be at the conference, but it was for a good reason!  But when we found out that there wouldn’t be a baby, I texted her again to see if my deposit was still available and if I could still come.  It was so bittersweet, but clearly, God wanted me there.

So, going into this year’s conference, I KNEW without a doubt that I was supposed to be there.  I had no idea what God’s purposes were, what I needed to learn, what He intended to show me, but I was there and open and ready to listen.  And oh my heavens… it seems like He came at me with so many things and is still revealing Himself to me to show me why I was there.  But not in an overwhelming way.  As I write this, I realize that even though it seemed like God kept piling things on me, it didn’t create too much weight or too heavy a burden.  It’s almost like the more insight He gave, the lighter the weight on my shoulders felt.  And only God can do something like that.

First and foremost, the speakers knocked it out of the park.  The theme of this year’s conference was JOY and it could not have been more fitting.  In the midst of HOPE being my theme for this year, “joy” would probably be close behind it.  Mary Marantz talked about taking off our super hero capes to stop trying to do it all on our own, to stop believing the lies that Satan likes to feed us, and to find joy in who God is and what He’s doing.  The thing Casey Wiegand talked about that really stuck out to me was how “a candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.”  Oh my gosh, how right was she??  I lose nothing by showing others the light of Christ.  I lose nothing by sharing my gifts, talents, and knowledge with others because I wouldn’t have them if not for God so why keep them to myself??

And Bob Goff… if you don’t know who he is or have never heard him speak, you need to change this immediately.  His love for the Lord and people is like nothing or no one I’ve ever seen.  And he’s HILARIOUS!  He talked mostly about remaining in love and helping others do the same and it kind of blew me out of the water.  It’s hard to remain in love, but by choosing the way we see people, the way we talk to them, encourage them and love them, we can help them (and in turn ourselves) REMAIN in love.  Just brilliant.  Not only that, but he stayed for a little while after his talk to just sit and hang out with us to tell more stories!  But, he finally had to leave so he could get home for dinner that night… in California.

Not that I want to skip over any of the speakers or what they spoke about or what God used them for in my life, but I don’t know that my words are ever going to be adequate enough… if you’ve never heard of Hannah Brencher, go check her out.  Now.  It’s ok, I’ll wait.

God has given her such a gift with words and with people and reaching others in a way that not everyone can.  Just sitting and listening to her brings life and purpose into a room!

And oh Jane Johnson… she’s as real as it gets.  She’s the sit down, let’s have some coffee, talk about REAL life and our REAL Jesus, kind of girl.  And she has a new bible study out, called Treasures of Darkness, that is going on my wish list for Christmas.  No really, it’s on my Pinterest Wish List Board right now.

Katelyn James spoke on the last afternoon about how God doesn’t call us to perfection, but we are supposed to be a reflection.  And oh my goodness, how hard is that sometimes?!?  Especially in your work.  Especially at home with your family.  Romans 12:1-2 talks about how our bodies are a living sacrifice and that we aren’t to conform to the ways of the world, but we’re supposed to be transformed by the renewal of our minds.  And the only way that can happen is with Christ in us.  Her entire talk just hit me with how I live my life, run my business, interact with my husband and my family.  Talk about conviction…

Finally, she ended with this one statement that almost made me do a 180° turn with how I view my business… “God is the greatest artist of all time.  We aren’t the artist, we are the canvas.”  I may be “creating” the photos I take, but in reality, I’m simply capturing what God has already done.  And that is a huge honor and privilege!

I didn’t take a lot of photos this year.  In fact, the first time I pulled out my camera was for the dinner they treated us to on Tuesday night.  Isn’t it beautiful though??

Gorgeous women!

And this girl??  She is one of the most joyful and servant hearted people you will ever meet.  Kristin, you are a treasure!

It was just all so pretty!

Oh, this sweet girl?  Caroline was 16 the first time I met her at Katelyn’s workshop a few years ago.  Now she’s 19 and running a thriving photography business!  And she took some new head shots for me that I can’t wait to show off next week!

This set of photos is from our last night on Wednesday (told you I didn’t take my camera out much!).

Worship with this group of women was amazing.  And with Gabrielle and her husband Stephen von Heyking leading, it sounded like a slice of heaven.
You can check out the worship playlist on Spotify here.

And then Bianca took the stage and we. had. church.  And somehow, even though she hadn’t been there and heard them all, she brought together everything all the speakers had been saying during the week.  This woman is passionate about the Word, her family, and ridding the world of human trafficking through the A21 Campaign.  Her stories will break your heart and make you cling to God but then praise Him for all He’s done.

The last morning of the conference was really just for goodbyes.  So, I woke up, got ready, and went for a prayer walk around the lake and with my camera.
The Winshape Campus is beautiful and so special and I wanted to capture it while my heart was still raw from all that was (and is) happening.

“…And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” Genesis 1:2

It’s been amazing to see how God is still using this conference in my life… I feel like I haven’t fully had time to process since we’ve been so busy (and not really home) since the conference ended.  But the relationships that began are still growing.  The words from the speakers have not gone silent.  And God is continuing to move.  It was obvious that I was supposed to be there for the 2014 conference, but I’m amazing that He continues to show me reasons I was there, met the people I did, and heard the words that were spoken over so many of us.

I already can’t wait to go back next year!

PS – the winner of the Intentional Home giveaway is Sarah G!  Be on the lookout for an email from me!

Thank you to our amazing 2014 Pursuit Conference sponsors!

The Organic Bloom | Stout Tent | Daylin Skye Designs | Intentional Home |Rachel Brenke: The Law Tog | Jordanne Marie Paper and Design Boutique| Puddleduck Paper Company | B is for Bonnie Designs | Carrie Grace Shop | Read Between the Lines | bPaperie | Thatch and Thistle Company |Aubabi78 | Kal Barteski | The Ruffled Stitch | Chasing Lockets | Black River Imaging | Epiphanie Bags | Bloom Theory Straps | Blogstomp | Albumstomp| Kelly Moore Bag | Fotostrap | Stampington and Company | Justin & Mary |Tiffany Farley | Hannah Brencher | Katelyn James | Bob Goff | Jane Johnson Creative | Casey Wiegand | Elle Danielle | Ike and Tash | Julie Story | H.H. Boogie | Artifact Uprising | Peach Linen | Amy Cornwell | Beba Photography | Life Lived Beautifully | Tieks | Grace and Salt | Whitney English – The Day Designer | Two Little Fish | Angelsea Urban | Kristin Ungerecht | Lily Jade | Lace and Loyalty | ShowIt | PASS | Love Gives Way| Deeply Rooted Magazine | Shutterbag USA | Market Colors | Eye Heart World | Mercy Child Care Ministry