I experienced a myriad of emotions. I was anxious. Fearful. Happy. Sad. Afraid. Tearful. Tired. The list. Goes. On.
At times the conference was overwhelming. So much information. So little time to digest. More than once I went back to my room for some quiet time to let the Lord speak to me about the things I had heard.
Thursday afternoon I arrived at the Sheraton. I checked in. Freshened up a bit, then went to the registration area. I got my name badge and my tote bag. Almost like the Academy Awards…or at least what I have heard about the Academy Awards!
When I got back to my room and looked inside…it was FULL of stuff.
Books, blankets, notecards, jewelry…
I did not know anyone attending the conference in REAL LIFE. I had contacted two bloggers I knew online and asked about arranging a “meetup.” Meetups were scheduled for all kinds of groups, Moms of Boys, Moms of Daughters, Homeschooling Moms, etc.
One of the two people I arranged to meet was Stefanie…she is also sharing some of her thoughts on the conference. You might want to check it out.
She is as warm as that smile is big! I loved meeting her inRL (in Real Life.)
After visiting with Stefanie. I met a few other women that were Newbies, then I went back to my room to get ready for dinner and the opening of the conference.
At dinner, I walked into an already crowded banquet room. Noisy. Seriously noisy. Where was I going to sit? Who would I meet? Stefanie and I had parted ways and Michelle had not yet arrived at the conference. I chose a table and sat down by…
Shannon. Shannon immediately put me at ease. And guess what!?! She didn’t know anyone either! She had gotten her ticket late when someone couldn’t go at the last minute. Her husband drove her down with the family. I saw Shannon several times during the weekend and she was always wearing that beautiful smile.
There was one other person I connected with that evening. Christine. I don’t know how it happened, but I didn’t get a picture of her. She is a lovely lady that just radiates Christ’s presence in her face.
Stefanie found me. She said she had saved a seat for me. How sweet. We had not arranged that. She wanted to make sure I was OK. I was…God has sent me Christine & Shannon.
After the keynote address, I started back to my room. Someone sees me in the lobby and says…”Mary!” It was Michelle. I have been reading Michelle’s blog for sometime. She was the other person I had arranged to meet inRL. She had lost my number. It was somewhat comical…but she found me and we CONNECTED. I spent a lot of time with Michelle and I learned alot from her. She introduced me to two other women that were a joy to meet.
This was a truly amazing experience for me. I hope you enjoy reading about it.
What a blessing to be able to attend this event! Sounds like a great time and the pictures are awesome! I have never had the chance to meet another blogger in real life (guess I might have to wait until heaven, lol).
Grrrr….my comment just got erased! But anyway, was just saying that I love these pictures from the conference. And an absolute highlight for me was meeting you in person, Mary!
You are wonderful, WRITER friend (and I'm going to keep calling you that until you embrace it as the truth!!).
so thankful you were able to attend this conference ~ hopefully one day I can and we can meet too! You have been an inspiration to me. Your faithfulness to share God's word & your heart.
Mary, It was so nice meeting you at Relevant!! I loved hearing your stories and hearing how you are trying to be a blessing where you are. I'm glad we connected. Blessings to you in your writing and blogging!
What a blessing to be able to attend this event! Sounds like a great time and the pictures are awesome! I have never had the chance to meet another blogger in real life (guess I might have to wait until heaven, lol).
Well, I enjoyed living it–meeting you in real life! Thanks for writing this so I could re-live it. Blessings, new friend!
Grrrr….my comment just got erased! But anyway, was just saying that I love these pictures from the conference. And an absolute highlight for me was meeting you in person, Mary!
You are wonderful, WRITER friend (and I'm going to keep calling you that until you embrace it as the truth!!).
Mary, it was such a privilege to meet you at the newbies meet-up. Thanks for the tears and sharing your story. God bless you.
so thankful you were able to attend this conference ~ hopefully one day I can and we can meet too!
You have been an inspiration to me. Your faithfulness to share God's word & your heart.
Mary, It was so nice meeting you at Relevant!! I loved hearing your stories and hearing how you are trying to be a blessing where you are. I'm glad we connected. Blessings to you in your writing and blogging!
There was a newbies meet-up???
LOVED meeting you, Mary! You are amazing! Why am I not following you? What is wrong with me?? Fixing that right now!
Hey Mary,
I loved reading about "what could have been" and "what really did happen inRL for you at least.
Your blog is getting better and better and I too hope yu will embrace who you are as an anointed writer for the Lord.
Love you,
D.