10 Takeaways from Allume and 1 Big Highlight
So, I wanted to reflect on Allume, the writing/blogging conference I got to attend in Harrisburg, PA.
Can I start by saying Harrisburg is a beautiful city?!
Hills and trees and old churches and brownstones and white farmhouses… beautiful! Fall and all its glory were in full effect when we arrived. I got to see the East Coast dressed for Fall! (Yay!) My travel buddy, Allume roomie, new friend and definitely a kindred spirit went exploring with me on foot before the conference started.
I was pretty excited to be in the capitol city right next to the capitol building. (We got some crazy looks when we asked if it was the capitol building. Um... what else would it be?? Yeah. Okay. I guess it's a little obvious.)
10 Takeaways from Allume:
T H A N K Y O U ! ! !
By Grace,
Amanda
PS-yesterday my comment moderator bugged on me yet again (on the Wrecked. post). I had responded to all of the comments, but I have no idea if you got my responses. Do know I am working on fixing this (and it may take a while because I am technologically clueless), I did not delete your comment on purpose, and I cherished each one of your sweet words! I am sorry and a big thank you for your grace. I suppose it's good to be kept humble and in need of grace. ha! xo
Can I start by saying Harrisburg is a beautiful city?!
Hills and trees and old churches and brownstones and white farmhouses… beautiful! Fall and all its glory were in full effect when we arrived. I got to see the East Coast dressed for Fall! (Yay!) My travel buddy, Allume roomie, new friend and definitely a kindred spirit went exploring with me on foot before the conference started.
I was pretty excited to be in the capitol city right next to the capitol building. (We got some crazy looks when we asked if it was the capitol building. Um... what else would it be?? Yeah. Okay. I guess it's a little obvious.)
10 Takeaways from Allume:
- “Real life friends don’t learn anything new from my blog.” <--that was from Annie Downs session. I need to treasure my real life family and friends more even if it means waiting a week to post something.
- I not just a little introverted... I am super introverted. At a conference that was all about networking and meeting new friends, I discovered that I am not actually shy and can be quite loud. But I also discovered that I wear out quickly and require large quantities of re-charge time (by myself—just me, God, my Bible, and my journal). By the last day of the conference, I sat by myself and let other people sit next to me and start conversations. I just didn’t have any small talk left in me. Perhaps it makes me lame, but I seriously met some of the neatest people that way. (Big shout out to those willing to sit by the quiet loner and start conversations with her!)
- "Where you feel like you don’t fit, where you are the most uncomfortable… that’s your writing voice. “ <-- Denise Eide’s workshop. (Pssst… if you have children learning to read or struggle with reading or if you’ve ever wanted to understand things like why we have a silent “e”, check out her book Logic of English.) There are some places where I have been hurt, where I so haven’t wanted to write… but I can sense God calling me there. This blog might just get a little more controversial… but I think that’s a good thing. How do we bridge gaps, if there is no one willing to stand in the uncomfortable places??
- I am a jelly fish! <--from Phil Vischer’s talk (the creator of Veggie Tales). He shared his testimony and how jelly fish can float around, swim up or down but the only way they go anywhere is when they get in the current. Stop trying to go places, Amanda, and just simply get in God's current and let Him take you where He will.
- "Your Impact: The size of the heart of God for your audience.” <--Kat Lee. God loves YOU so Big! And He is the One that makes the impact. If I can just touch but a piece of the passion God has for who God wants me writing to, God can impact the world!
- Writing benefits my family. <--from TriciaGoyer’s talk. She listed off so many positive ways me being a writer can benefit my family. She talked about structuring our days better so that writing can be a positive thing for my family. I was struggling with mom-guilt over the way writing kept creeping into my life (or more like the social media side of blogging). Tricia gave some great tips on how to structure one’s day and made me realize being a writer is a gift that can bless my family.
- My Small is Big Enough <--Darren Rowse and this theme carried through many other speakers like Trina Holden. I don't need to be big for God to use me. Just love Him. Love His. And be listening and obedient to His voice.
- “Why would God give you a map, when He has given you Himself?” <-- Ann Voskamp “God didn’t give Abraham a map, he gave him a RELATIONSHIP.” “A calling listens to the One Who calls.” “God’s calling isn’t that you would do more FOR him, but that you would do more WITH Him.” “Lean in close to God’s Word and listen”<-- SOOO many great takeaways from AnnVoskamp’s talk. If you have 55 minutes, this is a great way to spend them! (All the other key-notes are here too).
- The gift of community. I got to meet some AMAZING women at this conference. And what made each woman amazing wasn’t the size of their readership, their niche, their denomination, their age, their number or age of children, their relationship status, their experience… it was the love of Jesus and a heart of compassion. This conference had everyone from whole-food-loving Catholics, green charismatics, faith-writing fundamentalists and mommy-encouraging Methodists… and the differences between us all just didn't matter. It only added to the beauty of a diverse community of women. I loved it!!
- The heart-felt talks I got to have with these women: Jacqui, Melanie, Becky, Jesenia, Nellie, Karen, Anna, Sarah, Karis. (and I know I missed a few). Dear kindred spirits. Instant new best friends. And seriously if you get tired of reading my stuff or want to add more to your reading list… their blogs! What a treasure these women are!
One SUPER big highlight:
Yep. I got to hug Ann Voskamp. Author of the book, 1000 Gifts—the book that totally changed the way I view my relationship with God and how I worship Him. Of course, as you may also notice from my red face, I fell apart when I met her (lots of tears people!). I got to tell her my very cool story I told you about yesterday, told her how wrecked I felt, and she so encouraged me.
I definitely have more un-packing to do (like mental and spiritual content from the conference... I did get all my clothes cleaned and put away... for the most part! Ha!) I am so SO thankful God opened the door for me to go. A seriously BIG thank you to Granma and Gramps for sponsoring my trip, my mom and sister who helped with my munchkins, my husband's support and belief in me, Jacqui for being willing to travel with this non-flyer and terrible decipherer of PA signs, the beautiful Allume team that worked to lavish on us and make the conference incredible, and all the prayers and support I got from all of you! |
| Melanie, Nellie, Jacqui and Me in the Smilebooth. LOVE these dear sisters!! |
T H A N K Y O U ! ! !
By Grace,
Amanda
PS-yesterday my comment moderator bugged on me yet again (on the Wrecked. post). I had responded to all of the comments, but I have no idea if you got my responses. Do know I am working on fixing this (and it may take a while because I am technologically clueless), I did not delete your comment on purpose, and I cherished each one of your sweet words! I am sorry and a big thank you for your grace. I suppose it's good to be kept humble and in need of grace. ha! xo