I can’t begin to tell you all that has been going on in my
mind since this time last week. I have
driven on new roads, met so many amazing new people, and had so many new
thoughts. All this newness has me
spinning and scheming. I’m trying to make
sense of it all and determining how to settle it all down into relationships
and words and projects.
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Some of the responsible parties for this space existing! The Better Writers! |
I’ve laughed, taken notes, hugged, mugged, and cried. There may have even been some ugly crying –
IN PUBLIC! Some may have even happened
on videotape that might be shown to thousands of others. I experienced to full range of me last
weekend. I think many others also
experienced the full range of me, too.
Bet you weren’t prepared for that if you were the recipient! I hope though that none of it came as a shock.
I hope that I was exactly who people expected.
If not, then I need to do some serious
self-examination on the places that I am wearing a mask or putting on a show.
I was asked by one speaker, “Am I going to be a learner?” Would I take everything I’d been given and put
it to use? When I showed her the title
of my blog she said, “What a horrible name!
Now you HAVE to do it.”
Here are a few of the things I learned:
Bloggers with more readers are just that. They aren’t bigger bloggers. They don’t have stylists or entourages; they
stand outside their hotel room at night in pajamas and bare feet. Their jeans get faded and frayed. They show the same enthusiasm for seeing the
distant, separated friendships shrink to mere inches. Some may even be as excited to meet you as
you are to meet them. (This was a huge
shock and one that had me totally taken aback.)
Only truly good words come when good time is spent in The
Word. I can’t write out of a life that
is hanging on by a thread and my own efforts.
That is a poor reflection of a life and will show dimly. This doesn’t mean that life has to be easy
and cheerful, but it does need to be lived out grounded on knees and scripture.
I need to do the hard work before me. This includes the dishes and laundry, but
also includes planning, clarifying my purpose, and being diligent to provide
something worthy of your time. This work
will require all of me – mind, body and spirit.
Pray that I am up to the challenge.
There aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything that
crosses my mind to do, and some of that time needs to be given to those tasks
that I don’t want to think about.
Priorities need to be set and followed.
Only then will I have freedom to be flexible.
Many more will take the shape of my words, plans, and daily
life and will be known only be me, but will affect all that you see from me. I have much more to process and this is all I’m
really able to share with you now.
I want to begin November with an offering of daily
thanks. This day I am thankful for
having come through a week of extreme highs and lows and still standing with my feet on the firm foundation that is Christ and His love in times of storm and
times of refreshing.
What have you learned lately that is changing your life in
some way? What are you giving thanks for
today?
Linking up at Debi at FunkiPlanet.com with all the other amazing Allume gals.

Linking up at Debi at FunkiPlanet.com with all the other amazing Allume gals.

Amy this is a beautiful summary! I loved meeting you, and I can't wait to see all that God does with your willing heart!
ReplyDeleteYour sweetness in person was just beyond what I had imagined. I can't wait to see what happens with everyone!
DeleteI would just like to say, for the record, that it was not ugly crying in public. It was lovely and real. I had so much fun being with you. Thanks for sharing and linking up!
ReplyDeleteCan I say that your name is now my most favorite word to say - Staaang - e - laahnd. Love it!! But, it was pretty ugly - just dark, thankfully. :)
DeleteI loved what you've shared here, Amy. How you were affected--and for the long term. I loved that the bloggers with more readers were excited to meet you too. I never considered that before! What an encouragement. Blessings to you as you continue on your blogging journey.
ReplyDeleteHave to say that I caught myself looking around for you a time or two! Thank you for your encouragement.
DeleteWhen I think of how we have been able to walk this journey together, I am overwhelmed with thankfulness. You are so dear to me and it is such a joy to be your friend. I know that you know this, but it is worth saying again and again!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts- love how God hit you right where you needed!
And oh my word- I loved being your roomie!!!! Thanks for putting up with me. :)
By the way, did you really have to use THAT picture?!!! Oh, my word. Me in all my goofiness! :)
DeleteAll of us in all of our goofiness. Of course, I had to use that picture! Thank you for not throwing up the whole weekend. I hope that has continued to be the norm. :)
DeleteWonderful post! You are such a JOY Amy! It was such an honor to be your roomie. You have a heart as big as the WORLD! Never ever change.
ReplyDeleteI am the lucky one. I got to meet a new and amazing woman that just added to my already wonderful weekend. It was so much fun sharing a room.
DeleteIt was amazing to put your beautiful real life self with who I've been connecting with online for all these months. I'd say the real life matches up perfectly and we can all use a good ugly cry in public. I know I've had mine. :)
ReplyDeleteI would have to say the same to you my beautiful fabric-loving friend!!
DeleteLove you, Amy!! Your heart is precious and I loved getting to meet you and spend time learning with you. Thankful for humbled hearts and peace that flows freely.
ReplyDeleteTalk about precious!! It was wonderful to meet not only you, but the whole Branch clan. From now on I promise to call you at 5:45 AM if I'm in your neck of the woods at Cracker Barrel! Your heart and funness (yes) just make me smile!
DeleteI loved your take away....and what you said about bloggers with MORE followers...SO true, right? Good reminder!!
ReplyDeleteLove reading your words after MEETING you...so fun!
I was so in love with how the whole weekend everyone was on this level playing field of giddiness and friendship. I never knew where the speakers were because they were just there like all the rest of us. So glad I figured out who you were early on. :)
Deletei LOVED meeting you my friend....LOVED LOVED LOVE it! Let's do it again...mkay! Love and hugs!
ReplyDeleteYou know exactly where to find me - approximately one weekend of every month!! You must be exhausted. Thank you so much for all of your amazing work making the experience even more than I could have imagined. Sometime though we need to seriously just hang with NO BURLAP! and there must be Cadbury creme eggs (or trees, or pumpkins...)
DeleteI love how you talk about giving daily thanks! Wish I could've met you at Allume but I had to follow from afar. God Bless!
ReplyDeleteMonica
http://happyandblessedhome.blogspot.com/
Thank you. I stole that idea from another blog. I thought it was a really good one. Maybe one day our paths will cross. You never know. ;)
DeleteGreat post, Amy! It was so great to meet you... and many thanks for letting me hitch a ride with you. :)
ReplyDeleteYou made the trip so much fun. Can you believe we didn't have a single second of conversational lull the whole way there and back!! So wonderful to meet you and know you are so close! We'll always have Yocumtown!!
Delete