Thank you.
Thank you for supporting and praying and cheering for what God had called me to do this year.
- love these gorgeous signs made by Andrea Howey
If you’re wondering how the Declare Conference went, I can’t wait to share everything with you.
But there are only two problems. One is I think God did so much more than I am aware of. I’m pretty sure I only know about 5% of the stories. I look forward to reading what attendees came away with and what God taught them (link-up on the Declare Conference site Wednesday if you want to read the stories too). The second thing goes along with a post I wrote a couple months ago about the challenge of capturing amazing. I wrote:
Have you ever had a spiritual experience? An incredible time in the Word or worship (whether it’s art journaling or a walk on the beach) and you try to share your experience with a friend? Isn’t it hard to put words to it? The more you try to capture it with words the less spiritual the experience feels?
Yep.
His Spirit dwelt among us. It is hard to type out words to adequately capture all He did.
I compare the time and efforts we put into planning Declare to the Israelites planning and building the Temple. They gave their best…craftsmen, materials, efforts…because they knew God’s presence would dwell in that place.
But it was more than the four hostesses who “built” this conference. Amazingly, over the past few months, “randomly” someone would contact us and ask if we needed up with a specific area. And then asked if they could donate their time/equipment/talents.
From having a friend of Eryn Hall‘s (one of the hostesses) cart all the A/V equipment late Thursday over to the hotel for us to use. Then stay the entire conference to manage the equipment (thank you Lord!) to Michelle Acker’s home church worship band loading up trucks full of instruments and more A/V equipment to lead us through incredible times of worship. To Rachel Anne Ridge volunteering to decorate the space with sweet vignettes to give a personal experience. All these lovely people (see pic below) who took time to dwell on what God wanted them to say and then shared their wisdom and inspiration with our attendees.
We hoped Declare would bless others. We prayed those who needed confidence would find it. We hoped those who needed more technical skills to share His message would learn something new. We carefully crafted spaces and time to allow those who needed community to make new friends.
Since the hostesses had surrendered the conference to God months ago (when we realized this event was bigger than our experience and skill could handle), we couldn’t wait to see how He showed up. Well, He knocked our socks off.
the “criers”…aka “sensitive spirits” (with Michele-Lyn and September)
All throughout the weekend someone would come up to me and share a personal story of why/how they got to Dallas and how God had specifically called them to act. Uh-mazing.
Instead of leaving the weekend depleted. I was filled. Humbled. Inspired. Focused.
Then there were the oodles of ladies who came up to me and blessed ME. Complimented. Encouraged. Prayed. Spoke truth over me.
For today I want you to know…
Heather, I love your post this morning. And I truly agree that it is difficult to put into words what God did at Declare. Thank you to you and your team who worked so hard to put it all together. I felt so pampered, loved, and prayed over all weekend. All of the women who I met were just so amazing and on fire for the Lord. I was definitely one of those who came with little confidence, but I left changed. The only thing I would have done differently…..I should have worn water-proof mascara. 🙂 Words can’t express my thanks to you for inviting me. Can’t wait till next year!
ha…definitely water proof mascara. You being there–>sure grace. Keep telling your story and how God brought you there and how He moved mightily. Can’t wait to go read your post!
Yea!!! Praise God! He does immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine!! I can’t wait to live vicariously through your posts, and hear all about the conference. I so hope I can go next year. Thank you Heather, again and again, for encouraging us rookies in the blogging world. You are a gift!
Jacki I’m soooo sad you missed being there. Would have LOVED to introduce you to Amanda. It was such a blessing. Definitely put it on your calendar for next year. For real, I think you will gain so much wisdom and encouragement! (and make great connections).
I’m so thankful to hear this Heather! I was praying all weekend and hoping that it was a big blessing to each of you there. Praise the Lord!
Wow Amber, thank you!! Thank you for being a part of Declare team through your prayers. God was there. His Spirit moved in mighty ways. The women who gathered honestly wanted to know Him and serve Him. Such a blessing.
Wow! Your quote at the end has me tearing up – craziness – did not see that coming :). Needed to hear that today. Beautiful – always in aww of how God takes care of us and meets us and graces us with his amazing presence to where there are just no words. I look forward to hearing more about your time at Declare.
so thankful God spoke to you in this. thank you for your email. Hope we get to meet in the future.
Heather, I am so excited that the conference went well! You are such an encouragement to me and to so many others! I’m glad you were blessed too!
oh I wish y’all could have come (actually you probably could have and been totally blessed…not really about blogging but about following God!). Thank you for your dear friendship and constant encouragement. love.
It was seriously the best weekend ever. I had the best time, and I love you and Eryn and Kristin and Shell so much that my heart may seriously burst.
Thank you, and expect more prayers… because girl … God is just getting STARTED!!! 🙂
oh friend. Thank you. thank you. thank you. You are faithful and you were critical in the success of the event. When we got weary near the end you came in, without being asked, and lifted us up in prayer. May God bless you for your faithfulness.