SheSpeaks...The Conference I Almost Didn't Attend

SheSpeaks. The conference I've been running from for years. There. I said it. I've been running from it for years. For those of you not familiar with SheSpeaks...it's an annual conference for speakers, writers, and women's ministry leaders (or those aspiring to serve in those capacities). Years ago, I heard God's call to speak. No, this wasn't an audible voice, but it was so clear within me that I began to pursue it (just a little). When my pursuit produced dead ends...I stopped. However, God didn't let me get off that easily. His still small voice continued to speak to me about this - almost in a nagging way. Feeling very inadequate for the "job", I thought I must have misunderstood the call. So, again I ignored it. And again...God spoke.

I don't remember the first time I discovered SheSpeaks, but I thought it sounded like just what I needed. A place to gather with other women feeling called to do the same - a place to receive peer evaluations, to hone our speaking skills - a place to learn more about what it means to serve God in this way. It was perfect, but I would never sign up. I always had an excuse why I couldn't attend.

However, this past February, as I was preparing for a trip to Africa to speak to His Liberian daughters (that I just returned from last month), God clearly said...YOU. WILL. GO. THIS. YEAR. And, so I finally obeyed and registered to attend the event. My trip to Africa actually confirmed the call for me (although, I truly have known it for years).

So, here I am...two days away from being a first year SheSpeaks attendee, and I am basket of a emotions...excited, anxious, fearful, nervous, and yet hopeful. Will you pray for me? I anticipate many Glory stories to share in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

Thanks friends! Be blessed!

URGENT - Continue to pray for Baby Darlene Grace!

Friends...

Time is critical. I ask you to pray and to share this request with others in your church or circle of influence. I posted a little over a week ago about Darlene ("Dolly") Grace - a precious baby I was privileged to meet while in Africa last month. I'm not going to re-type her story here, but if you haven't read it...please do so by clicking this link or scrolling down to my June 30 post.

Several of us have been pursuing any and all leads to get help for Dolly, and my friend and partner in ministry while in Africa, Ginger, has recently received what could amount to VERY GOOD NEWS for this baby. A surgeon at Vanderbilt in Nashville, TN has agreed to do the surgery as a charity case and the hospital will underwrite ALL costs. However, Dolly's case must first be reviewed and approved by the International Charity Committee. The review will take place THIS Tuesday, July 13! Friends...please pray that Dolly's case is approved. If so, she'll be a candidate for surgery this fall. If not, we'll have to go back to the drawing board. There are other pieces of this puzzle that still need to fall into place...transportation, etc., however this is the LARGEST piece to figure out first.

I have no doubt that God can and will work ALL of this out for Baby Dolly, and He WILL get the Glory for all of it! Let's simply be obedient to prayer.