Hey Friends –
I’m curious…what is it you are most afraid of?
For me, for many years I joined the millions of people in the world with a fear of public speaking.
When I was in elementary school, I peed my pants at school often. Why? I was too afraid to raise my hand in class. The thought of everyone looking at me was just too much for this shy, insecure, red haired girl.
Lovely, huh.
After I came to know Jesus, I sensed the Lord wanted me to share my story of addict to overcomer.
I was terrified.
The thought of getting up in front of a room full of women and talk about my former rebellious lifestyle made me want to lose my lunch. Literally.
In 2003, I first heard about Carol Kent’s Speak Up Conference. I knew I should go, especially if I was going to follow God’s lead and speak in front of people.
However, the thought of going to this conference TERRIFIED me, and I chickened out. I couldn’t do it.
Friends, it took me 4 years to gain the courage to face my fears, until finally in 2007, I attended the Speak Up Conference for the first time.
Can I just tell you….the Speak Up Conference changed my life. Literally.
(Recap here.)
Would you believe I’ve been back to Speak Up every year since?!
You betcha!
The tools, instruction, encouragement, and presentation pointers have been crucial to me in my ministry and personal life.
Me, Carol Kent, Jennie Dimkoff
And not only do I attend every year, for the past four years I’ve been a part of Carol’s Speak Up leadership team, and have the joy of teaching workshops and encouraging fellow speakers.
You can tell I don’t have fun with this amazing group of leaders at all.
Speak Up Conference Leadership Team
Kidding. It is a highlight of my ministry year always! (I may or may not bring confetti wands with me.)
Sweet friend, if you dream of speaking or writing, I’d love for you to prayerfully consider attending the Speak Up Conference this July 23-25, 2015 in Grand Rapids, MI.
Whether you sit in PTO meetings, share at your MOPS group, write blogs, dream of writing a book, or simply want to be more comfortable talking in front of others—I think everyone can benefit from the principles at this amazing conference. You will learn, laugh, network, and come home equipped, inspired, and empowered!
You can learn more about the details of the amazing Speak Up Conference here.
If I could, I would pay for everyone I know who senses God is calling them to write, speak or lead in ministry to attend. Since I’m not able to do that (bummer), I can go to Bonnie (the Speak Up Administrator) and ask how we could help interested participants attend.
Drumroll please…
I’m thrilled to announce I have a $100 partial scholarship to giveaway!
Can I get a woo hoo?!
To Win my Speak Up Conference $100 Scholarship Giveaway: Please leave a comment in the comment section answering this question:
Why would you like to win a $100 scholarship for the Speak Up Conference?
Extra Entries:
•Follow my blog *She Sparkles*
•Share about this giveaway on FB
•Tweet about this giveaway including a link to this post
Please be sure to leave me a comment to let me know your extra entries.
RULES: Starts today, Monday, May 4th and ends Monday, May 11th at 9 PM. Winner will be announced the week of May 12th.
If your email address is not connected to your ID, please leave your email address with your comment or email it to me at cindy@cindybultema.com with the subject “Giveaway”.
Want to read more encouraging stories about the Speak Up Conference? Check out the amazing blog posts linked up below!
Thanks so much for stopping by *She Sparkles*! God’s richest blessings to you!
Disclosure: I was not compensated in any way for this review (I just love the Speak Up Conference) and, as always, all opinions expressed in this post are fully my own.
I would really like to win a one hundred dollar scholarship to ‘Speak Up.’ As someone who truly loves to write from her heart and share God’s truths, this would be a tremendous gift and encouragement to ‘step out’ in faith to use my gifts for Him. My prayers to be led by God are being answered with much positive confirmation to keep moving toward the dream of writing. I’ve been encouraged by several godly women in my life to write. To be honest though, I have no idea where to begin or what is my next step. I have asked God to keep me from stepping out in this flesh…only by His leading and through His Spirit will I take this risk. I want to write for Him and be a vessel of hope and encouragement…always pointing others to Him.
So, with the ‘faith of a mustard seed,’ I pray, “God if this is YOUR path for me, will you show me how? I only want my dreams to be yours. My heart would feel so humbled to write for you . God, I am so aware of what I don’t possess in and of myself, BUT YOU..YES YOU, oh God can fill in all my gaps and provide EVERY tool and resource needed to fulfill YOUR purposes in my life and in the lives of those around me. Your will be done! I will wait upon you and trust in your perfect timing. Thank you, Lord Jesus!”
So, this is a ‘desire of my heart.’ This is why I would love to win a $100 scholarship to the ‘Speak Up’ conference.
Thank you, Cindy for even allowing me to share. Sally Bolthouse has encouraged me to talk with you regarding the next step in my writing journey. I never approached her. She private messaged me via Facebook one day and encouraged me to prayerfully consider becoming a writer. I sharred my desire and yet my lack of ‘know how,’ she said that you may be a great resource. I will pray for God’s direction and see if He would merge our paths. Even just through a phone conversation.
Blessings dear sister!
Sara Dakoske
Oh Sara,
Your comment makes me so happy. I’m thrilled to hear how God may be leading you, and applaud your obedience to step out in courage and faith! It sounds like the Speak Up Conference would be a super fit for you. And yes, let’s see if we can’t sneak in a phone chat some day. I’m glad you entered the giveaway! 🙂
I would love to attend Speak Up! I live in MI & have been praying that God would provide a way for me to go if it’s His plan for me this year! I have a book proposal ready to go and a heart ready to learn. 🙂
I would like to win the $100 scholarship for the Speak Up Conference because well I am just terrified yet want to be obedient to the Lord. I follow many blogs, Instagram, and Facebook posts and dream of being that confident with my writing of words. I am a deacon at my church and I get so much anxiety about leading my meetings that I can not even make eye contact with my people. I know I followed God’s will in taking this role at my church but I have been running these meetings for a year now and it hasn’t gotten any easier. I want to be a blessing with my God given gifts but I need to learn to have confidence in sharing my voice. So I believe this conference would be very beneficial for this stay at home mom whose trying speak up.
Cindy,
I have never thought of attending a SpeakUp conference until my sweet friend Jen mentioned it in a quick message on FB. And to be honest, I haven’t thought about it till now, because I just wasn’t sure that my schedule or finances would allow it. I think I would LOVE to attend the conference, though I still not sure I actually, ‘can’. Winning a scholarship would, obviously help that decision.
Thank you for sharing your excitement about the conference and for offering a scholarship.
Many Blessings,
Dawn
Oh how I’d love to win a scholarship to come to the conference! Another pee in the pants woman? Seriously!? I’ve just overcome the shame of much of my childhood and would love to dig in to more! I’m in Alabama and would love to make the drive or fly up! I’ve got a great Southern accent and great shoes for most occasions. I’ve even peed in a few recently over joyful laughter. I love to laugh at inappropriate times and say crazy things at the wrong times. Yup.