Women of Faith - Over The Top!

The Women of Faith Conference this year was themed "Over the Top" and it truly was, over the top! I had great seats, and got to enjoy the likes of Mandisa, Selah, Andy Anderson, Lisa Whelchel, Patsy Clairmont and many more! I learned some great practical things that I can apply to my life immediately. I learned things that will help me with my relationship with God as well as my relationship with people. Andy Anderson, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Gift, spoke about smiling while we talk, how it helps us relate to others in a positive way. Teaching your sons to shake hands and be respectful, things they can take into manhood.  He said "When you invest in yourself, you can control the return".   He also said that "Fear is a misuse of the imagination God has given you". Another great quote "How we act controls the cookie flow in our life"  Love it! Soo many great insights!

Patsy Clairmont, Author and Speaker, said to be deliberate and purposeful in your legacy - stop blaming others.  Great Advice!  She advised that we should harness our thoughts, refuse any negative thoughts, replace them with pure, lovely, etc. thoughts, and repeat the process!

Lisa Whelchel, child actor and author,  spoke about friendships, making and keeping them as adults. She really spoke to my heart, I have so much to learn from her, and can't wait to get her new book, Friendship for Grownups! She spoke about the difference between being transparent, and being vulnerable.  Transparency is openness with distance, while vulnerability is an open heart.  This has really resonated with me. 

Sandi Patty was there, and both performed and spoke, along with Marilyn Meberg.

The group Selah performed, and their music spoke to me on the first day, their hearts on the second. My new favorite group! Thank you for your vulnerability! There was so much incredible speaking, acting, singing, worshiping! Always such a joy, and such a life changing experience!

Mandisa!

Thousands of people worshiping God!

I saw this in an old Parenting magazine and just had to share....love it!

Top Ten Signs You're a Tuned-Out Mom

1. Gaga still makes you think of a toddler instead of a woman with a zipper eye patch urging you to just dance. 

2.  Pink reminds you of nurseries and tutus, not nose rings and tattoos. 

3.  Coldplay is how your kid learns to stop forgetting his gloves everytime he leaves the house.

4. Black Eyed Peas are alas, tragically unpopular with tweens.

5.  The Pussycat Dolls sound like the perfect holiday presents for your 5 year old niece.

6.  Eminem?  A sheer delight, proven to inspire kids to act more politely.

7.  Vampire Weekend was that time your 12-year old saw Twilight then spent all her waking hours pining for Robert Pattinson (and all her bedtime hours afraid to go to sleep!)

8.  Nickleback is the cry your hear after the supermarket gumball machine fails to dispense the Mike and Ike candies to your preschooler. 

9.  Maroon 5 must be that crayon that replaced Burnt Sienna.

10. Linkin Park sounds like an educational family field trip. Why isn't it in the GPS? 

source: Parenting Magazine 

Women of Faith - Over The Top!

The Women of Faith Conference is coming to Sacramento again October 14th and 15th! This is an amazing conference that travels all around the country, teaching, preaching, and inspiring women with the Word of God and the grace of Jesus. I went to this conference last year a little speculative, but my heart was quickly moved by the women, the singing, and the sharing of the women. This conference is a life changing experience. It changed my life, and I believe the lives of women I was with. I encourage you to see if there is a conference in your area!  

Courageous

I just saw an advanced screening of the movie Courageous. And, since I drank caffeine too late, and I was soo moved by this movie, I have to tell you about it. If you haven't heard of it, check it out here.
This movie moved me like few movies ever have, if any.  It is a movie about fatherhood, and a father's responsibility to raise their children, and lead their families.

There are not words to describe how amazing this movie is. This movie calls men, and families, to action.  It inspires and challenges our men to take action and ownership.

I was so grateful to be able to see an advanced screening, as it doesn't come out until September 30th, and it is all my husband has been talking about for months!  He was incredibly moved by this movie as well.  This is a movie you definitely need to bring your tissues to, and leave your pride at home.  Great job!  

Enchantment by Guy Kawasaki: A review

I received this book from Bzz Agent, to review and create excitement about.  I really like the way this book is broken up, easy to read and easy to find what I'm looking for.  I sort of feel that they way its broken up disrupts the flow of the book, but I agree that this book is a great resource not only for business owners and managers, but just for the everyday average Joe or Jane like me.  It has great insight into how to be a positive influence in the lives of others.
I would recommend this book if you are looking to work on your people or business skills.

BzzAgent and Kindle!!

So I am a bzzagent...what is that you ask? Well, go to and you get the opportunity to try products and services and tell others about them! Its the best kind of marketing if you ask me! And now they have a great new campaign involving the Kindle! Wouldn't that be great? I cant afford to buy one, but would loooove to have one, so I can only hope I'm chosen! They have some great campaigns...everything from lipstick to software! I have been a member for years and I love them! So pick me BzzAgent!

Harvesting a Heart

I just finished a book I wanted to share with you. It is by one of my favorite authors, Jodi Picoult. The book is called Harvesting the Heart.
. I happened to come across this one at a "Friends of the Library" sale for a dollar! It isn't typical of her writing, but while it was a little hard to get into, I really enjoyed it and couldn't put it down once I started reading it. It is about a woman and a man who fall in love, one from a poor family, another an aspiring surgeon. It is an intensely emotional book, not a romance novel by any means, (I wouldn't read it if it was!) But an exploration of a relationship and what happens when a woman must discover who she is before she can love another person. It explores marriage, motherhood, family, in-laws and hurt in a captivating way. I would recommend this book!