I have sat down to write an introspective recap post about my trip to the Relevant Conference many times now.
The words are not coming. The mind and heart are still at work.
I’ve decided the “take aways” will be reflected in posts for some time and just one recap won’t tell you what God worked in that meeting of women.
But I CAN tell you what I was thankful for those several days…
Women. Words. Hugs. Reality. God. TRUTH.
These women and these words in particular…
(Please head over to the MOB Society to read about the joy of FINALLY meeting Brooke (I LOVE that girl!!!) and many other MOBs!)
My dear friends and writing buddies: clockwise, starting top left) me and Stef; me and Stacey; Teri Lynne, Cherie and I; Stef, Marci and Amy
Ladies who make smile: Michelle, Rachel and I; me and Maggie (Gussy!); Molly and I – we discovered at Relevant that we went to the same high school! How crazy!
Beautiful souls: me and Nish; Allison and I; me, Ashleigh and Sara Sophia
Major inspirations in my life: one of the founders of Relevant, Sarah Mae and I; me and Kat; Lisa-Jo, me and Holley (the (in)courage gals!)
Speakers who touched my heart: Kristen, Courtney, Sarah and Serena
Something supernatural happens when you commit your work (blog) to the Lord. Kristen Welch
The things that can change eternal lives are the things no one wants to talk about. Serena Woods
The Lord is never going to call me to do something that comprises my parenting. Angie Smith
Do what you need to do to get into God’s Word and stay there! Courtney Joseph
We are held accountable to God for how we treat our family. Kristen Welch
And the women who spoke to my soul: Sally Clarkson (photo from Relevant Flickr stream), Ann Voskamp
If you really want to be great…be around people who make you better. Sally Clarkson
A mother duck plucks feathers from her heart to line her nest. This is what your home, children, husband need of you. Line your life, blog with bits of yourself. Scraps won’t suffice for your children. Ann Voskamp
You can’t live your life for other people. If you don’t make God your audience, you won’t ever please anyone. Sally Clarkson
The Christian needs another Christian to speak God’s Word into their life. Ann Voskamp
There is a cost to every commitment you make. Weigh the cost. Sally Clarkson
God doesn’t need me to be perfect. God asks me to praise. Gratitude in all things. Ann Voskamp
Don’t allow another person’s law put you under guilt. God redeems! Sally Clarkson
I am a mess and you are a mess. But I hope you will keep telling your stories in the middle of your messiness. Ann Voskamp
Deal with yourself graciously when you make mistakes. Satan wants us to quit because we’re discouraged. Sally Clarkson
Jesus only had 12 followers, and he lost one. If he only had 12 and he was God, how many do we really need? Ann Voskamp
And this. If you blog, you must read this. I now read it, and pray it, daily.
And for all of this, I am truly, deeply thankful.
I am linking up to The Outdoor Wife‘s Thankful on a Thursday today, but from now on will be sharing my gratitude on Mondays with Ann‘s link-up! Please join me!
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You are always welcome at Home with the Boys – please join us on the journey!
I'm Erin, a wife, boy mom x 3, writer, and runner in Nebraska! I'm excited to share all my favorites relating to faith, family, fashion, and fitness in this space! Enjoy! 
It was a wonderful and inspirational conference!
I am re-living Relevant as I read this post. You are right. It is hard to put into our own words. So many great words were spoken. I’m excited to see what they birth in our lives! So blessed to finally have mt you in person! Can’t wait to meet up again – hopefully soon!
I just couldn’t figure out how to get you home with me! Because you are adorable!
And P.S. I love what you did with the pictures!!!
Such fabulous pictures, Girl! 🙂 The quotes are amazing too!! I am so grateful to have spent some time with you as well! {hugs}
It was an amazing experience, wasn’t it? Words seem so small for the heart-world that we encountered … soul-stirring isn’t conducive to putting on paper or screen … but oh how our souls were stirred! And, while the words seem stifled, lumped in my throat still nearly a week later, I know the love and the grace and the mercy that flowed ever so freely will find a place in posts and tweets and status updates in the days and weeks and months ahead.
So thankful to have shared this experience with you!!
Ack, I just realized I didn’t get a picture of us! Oh, Erin, it was so great meeting you! You are as lovely & spunky in person as I had imagined! So honored to serve women with you on the M.O.B. Society!
How awesome! So glad that you were able to go to Relevant. Thankful you are sharing with us.
So fun to meet you- I loved your energy! 🙂
Great collection of quotes, and I totally agree, it seems impossible to sum up and will be trickling out for weeks and months to come…
These photos are SO fun… lovin’ the one of you and Stef! 🙂 These quotes are amazing. Thought provoking and amazing. Thank you for sharing them with us!
I’ll never forget taking the chance at the airport and asking if you, Lisa and Ashley were going to Relevant! It was a bit like long, lost friends finding one another. I’m honored the Lord chose to start knitting us all together for His larger plan. I’ve been undone and yet have a depth of joy from it all. May the Lord continue to reveal Himself to you and the rest of us as we walk out what He has placed in our hearts. It was so much fun meeting you!
traci
xoxo
You have a picture with Ann Voskamp! WOW! The jealousy continues… 🙂
It was such a pleasure to meet you sweet Erin~ you are truly a joy to be around and such a bright ray of light!
Blessings,
Lindsey