//Story From a Sister: Nicole//

I wanted to allow for several other encouraging young women to share with you on Sundays, friends. Ladies who I feel will really encourage you in your walk, your pursuit of things you are passionate about and seeing how the Lord can use those who are willing. Seeing areas where those pieces are coming together...

I'm so incredibly excited to share with you this precious friend I met right here in this beautiful online community. She is a gem! Has such a gift with words, a way of convicting while encouraging at the same time & a gorgeous little baby. 
Anyway....I'll let her share some of her story with you.
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I love love love to write.
Stories, memories, journals, letters, and blogging.  Blogging blogging blogging.

When I really started blogging just after we got back from our honeymoon in the Bahamas, I was all amped up to grow a blog like sweet corn on a hot summer day.  Big, fast and tasty.  I had seen plenty of people do it.  How hard can good pictures and a few witty lines be?!

It quickly realized that I had set myself up for massive disappointment.  My regular old blog growth felt less-than-turtle speed as I watched bloggers I admire sky rocket into fame along with a plethora of popular products to review for free.  What was I doing wrong?!  

Suddenly my identity had become how quickly I could reach a destination instead of celebrating the way God's story would look for me.  You can read about how I almost gave up here.

Then I got pregnant.  Life suddenly became one huge attempt at survival as I nannied two little kids during the peak of morning sickness, then went on to drive a school bus through the winter.  Quitting just five weeks before our little Emmett was born.  Blogging took a back seat to the back seat of my life.  Turns out those nine months was just the detoxing my soul needed.  

God began to show me the incredible need for authentic, real community.  The beauty that happens when you approach the overwhelming world of social media with a heart to connect,  to encourage, to bless.  I slowly began to write and be just me.  I began to actively pursue the dreams and passions God has planted in my heart.  I began to reach out to girls and truly build relationships.  I began to see the expansion of my online community as a way to bless and build up those in my circle of influence, rather than just a way to make my own name great.

Best of all, my heart is so overjoyed.  So grateful.  Because in God's economy, we rise up only as we allow ourselves to stoop down with the beautiful heart of a servant.  As we give with generosity that is wild and free, our own needs are met in big and wonderful ways.  And most of all, as we realize even if I become the biggest and best blogger, I'm still only that.  A blogger.  The real value of life is living in a way that brings so much glory and attention to Jesus.  Because He is only and always the Greatest, never me.

//Nicole's Blog//
//Twitter//
//Instagram//

This post is part of my 31 day series for the month of October, 
fighting through the fears and sharing the confusing passions I have. 
Hoping to figure out the bigger picture of all these interests.

Learning From Wise Women.

Sitting down on the first day of the Conference listening to Anne Bogel following the Emily Freeman session was the first time I had felt my head was clear since arriving. She offered some amazing advice and joked with the room about being in love with Anne of Green Gables. Woman after my own heart right there.

{Via}

I love Anne Shirley and her dramatic nature, her love for bosom friendship and the fun she and Diana have together. So right from that moment, Anne Bogel had my attention.
She talked about society and how there seems to be a right of passage to becoming an adult, you graduate college, then get married and have a baby. Then you buy a home and life continues through this pattern. When you don't meet the normal pattern, you feel as though you have failed.
Anne talked about how we don't have to be in a set place to be an adult, how life is about learning and growth, that the path is winding not linear.


She talked about real growth and how that can look a lot like being lost. That it takes time to put it all together!


She told the women in the room about how we should not please other people. That we shouldn't deal with the expectations of others as though we don't have God to turn to. As though we don't have value in His eyes.
She spoke about the importance of dealing with baggage. How we shouldn't ignore junk that is there but deal with it. Have a person we can talk to should the need arise from the events in our life  which have affected us. Remembering that we all grow through the hard times in life!

I learned about the importance of not being a complainer, which is why I am cautious about what I write on this little space. No-one really likes to hear complaints, I need to be careful with my words, to encourage not tear others down. I don't want to ever regret things that are written or posted. So my plan is just to not write them.
My blog should be a safe place for those who love me. So for that reason, I won't write anything that would hurt them or make them feel unsafe. Just throwing that out there for clarification.


I understand now what Anne meant by growth can look a little like being lost. Because that's how I started the conference off. And I am still processing and growing from all the events and speakers' messages. Hopefully I won't end up sounding like a broken record as I unpack it all slowly for you.


Let me throw some cake in.

Yep that was after lunch both days. Cake really helps when you are feeling sensitive and vulnerable from being trained and taught so much in a short space of time.

After Anne's session and an amazing lunch.....we had the life panel.

This panel was another one of the most influential sessions for me. Gather Jessi Connolly & her husband, Hayley, Emily Freeman, Sarah Matheny, Rachel Kincaid and there is such wisdom from so many different walks of life.
We had Jessi and her husband talking about how you can't really minister to others online if you aren't both on board. How we should invite our families into what we are involved in online, like the She Reads Truth community, its not an isolated thing when doing ministry through your blogging. Our families need to be on board and even involved. We need to protect them and make them a priority!
Emily reminding us that something it takes wrongly agreeing to do something in order to realise we need to actually say no. Saying a....

Brave Yes, Strong No. 

'If Christ is in You, then He wants to come out.

The Gospel is good news, no matter where you are!'

~ Emily Freeman

I have never wanted to quote anyone more than Emily Freeman whose every other sentence was said in a way I could only hope I might someday be able to communicate.

I have also never heard anyone talk and automatically want to be friends with as much as Rachel Kincaid, who is just an awesome woman! Her inside beauty just came pouring out as she answered questions in the session. Challenging each of us to live a poured out life with whatever the Lord calls us to.    

I walked in wanting to know more about strategy and how to build my blog.
But spent my entire first day meeting God in sessions about life and His Gospel. Encountering some amazing women with incredible God-written stories along the way.

The icing on the cake for me truly was dinner that evening which would take a whole other post to write about how it came into being by the Lord's hand. But I spent the evening eating, talking and sharing encouragement with Stephanie, Mackenzie, Megan, Brooke, Erin & Brittany.
Talk about bosom friends. I love these ladies. Definitely a God-ordained highlight.
I didn't get to spend anywhere near as much time with these ladies as I would have liked.
So you should head over and say hi to them for me, and let them know they are awesome! =)

Thankful//For Day One of the Influence Conference. 

Much Love,

L

DISCLOSURE: COMPENSATED AFFILIATE LINKS USED

(At Checkout Use code: welcomejournal) 

cheesy blogging pickup line.

So you know all those cheesy pick-up lines pictures going around.

Isn't this totally like one of those.

Yes, I wrote that to a potential sponsor this week.

And all I could think about were those pickup line things.

Then I laughed at myself, like hysterically.

*sigh*

What has coffee done to me.

I never used to like it. Like at all.

Then several bloggers got me into Starbucks lattes. (Thanks Ladies!)

Lets just say the effects of being hyped on coffee and up late are rather amusing.

Well, at least I find myself really amusing anyway.

That's all for today.

Much Love,

L

{On My Heart} Why I Blog.

I set out this afternoon to write a post about something the Lord has been teaching me for a few weeks now. 

I still hope to share that content with you later in the week.

However as I was rereading the material which had been heavily placed on my heart I felt myself drawn to an article written by Leslie Ludy on blogging.

You can read the article HERE. (see p.8)

In fact if you are in love with Jesus & a blogger, I recommend that you do.

There are a lot of personal details about my life which I do not share on my blog.

Over the past few months I have wondered if I should change this about my blogging style.

After reading this article I feel personally convicted that actually keeping some mystery about my dreams & identity is a good thing.

I don't want my blog to read like a personal diary.

I am certainly not perfect & I don't claim to be. That is not why I keep mystery about myself.

But there are some things which I should share with only the lover of my soul, and the husband He has provided me with.

While this might make me unpopular in the blogging world.....I feel the need to make that clear.

My goal for my blog is to share Jesus.

To share things He has been teaching me.

To edify.

To encourage you in your own journey with Him.

That's it.

If I am not blogging to bring attention to Him, then I have not achieved my goal.

My blog, like my life....

Should be more about Him, Less about me.

I do share a lot of pictures.

That's probably one of the first things people who know me have learned about me.

I Love photography.

A lot of my pictures on my blog are of me.

I'm not totally ok with this.

So it may change in future.

If I lived near a sister or Kindred Spirit, I would probably use pictures of her.

(I have not figured out what Lord is wanting me to change yet in this area)

I just want to make it clear that I am not trying to draw attention to myself through this.

That is not my goal. And please feel free to email me and tell me if you see this pattern in me.

 'Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.'

{1 Peter 3:3-4}

I have gone back and forth a little lately about how content I am with the way my blog may be portrayed.

As much as I don't want my blog to be known as an 'all about me' blog....I equally don't want to be known for 'fake preacher' blogging.

So I really want to make my heart clear.....

I share here what the Lord has been teaching me personally, in the hope that you would be encouraged (edified). 

So that together we may spur one another on in our mutual love for the Lord.

I want you guys to test everything I write again the Word of God.

I am an imperfect person sharing from a sinner's perspective.

So please do not take what I have to say as truth.

Test it against the only true truth we have, God's word.

 I get things wrong.

A lot.

But there is grace.

And I am thankful.

For now, I do not feel the Lord calling me to stop blogging.

But He has made it perfectly clear to me, that I need to not hold onto this should He ask me to stop completely.

If I feel that I am no longer on a good path with influence in the blogging world, I will make a quiet exit. 

I Love meeting all of you beautiful ladies, I never knew that there was such a community out there of godly women who encourage me & really spur me on in my pursuit of Christ.

As much as I value getting to know you all.

I need to make sure my heart is right before the Lord.

Always.

I have not been questioned by anyone or asked to reassess whether I should blog.

I just felt a nudge to share my heart for why I am doing this.

Once again to encourage you.

I don't keep up with all the comments posted on here, 

and I am truly sorry but I can't make a committment to do so.

I would love to be encouraging you personally & know how to be praying for you, so if that is the case feel free to email me.

But comments, followers & pageviews need to not be so heavy on my radar anymore.

For they are not helping me with what I am trying to accomplish.

So I am not trying to be rude if I don't reply to you.

Just email me instead.

Or add me on twitter.

Much Love In Christ Sisters,

L

 

Liebster Blog

{Liebster in German means dearest, beloved, or favorite, and it is for bloggers with under 200 followers.}

Precious Katelyn, over at Inner Vision was a real sweetie & awarded me the Liebster Blog award.

I am totally flattered =) 

Made me beam from ear to ear all day long.

I am so touched that someone actually likes what I write enough to give me an award.

Thanks Katelyn, you are awesome!!!

If you havn't checked out her blog, you totally should.

Love these ladies....go give them some Love.

Much Love,

L

The Rules Are:

1. Link back to the blogger who nominated you :)

2. Copy and paste the award to your blog

3. List at least three blogs (with less than 200 followers) you would like to award.

I'd Like to Nominate:

1. Chelsea over at Happy Bow Lucky

She is engaged =) =)

Love the happiness that comes from her blog, as well as her precious heart for Jesus.

2. Chantal over at BeVirtue

A beauty inside & out. 

This girl has God's heart for young women and shares her adventures with her King over on her blog.

3. Amber at Replicating His Love

 Sweet girl pursuing God's plan for her life in becoming a nurse.

I love the way she shares her struggles on her walk with the Lord, so encouraging.