When was the last time you attended a life changing conference?
I spent the last week of June at Carol Kent’s Speak Up Conference and it was incredible! I’ve shared many times before how God has used this powerful conference to significantly teach and encourage me over the past seven years, and this year did not disappoint. 🙂
Once again, my heart is so FULL! My mouth is actually still sore from smiling so much!. It was such an amazing, anointed, God inspired week! Yippee!
If I had to sum up my time at Speak Up with 3 quick, personal highlights, they would include…
1. Meeting so many wonderful women and hearing their personal stories.
I met tons of women with such beautiful hearts for God, and such a sacrificial desire to serve Him with excellence. I wish I could have enjoyed a cup of coffee with every single one of them!
I loved every moment of seeing old friends, meeting new ones, hearing amazing God stories, and cheering another women on their personal faith journey.
Woo Hoo!
2. Teaching my Red Hot Faith message and 3 different workshops.
I was super humbled (and scared to death) when Carol asked me to start the conference teaching Red Hot Faith.
Can you imagine?
I have long looked up to Carol and her team, and desired to put into practice the many skills and techniques they’ve taught me over the years.

I’m even smiling – although I’m clearly petrified! 🙂
Thankfully I made it through (Yay God! Yay praying friends!) & was extremely blessed by the positive feedback.
I tell you, is there anything better as a teacher than when someone sends you a note with your completed handout and says, “Look what I’m teaching my Sunday School class this week.”
Speak Up friends remember: Let’s Be Hot! Be Cold! Be Something!
3. My Roommates
Another huge highlight included having three very dear friends (Jen Ferguson, JJ Landis, & Julie Sanders) fly in to attend Speak Up and stay at my home, otherwise known as the Bultema B & B.
Although our time went WAY too fast, it was a huge JOY to start each morning praying with them, and end every night reflecting on the day’s bright spots.
I also loved having the JOY of teaching them first hand how to correctly use a confetti wand.
Here’s video proof (be sure to unmute the video in the upper left corner for full effect) –
See why they are the best roommates ever?
Speaking of confetti wands, I may or may not have also demonstrated the use of a confetti wand in one of my workshops.
Someone said to me later, “What were you guys doing in your workshop? I was in the classroom next door and it sounded like you were having a party!”
My response, “Who me?!” (wink.wink.) F
or more pictures of the amazing conference, check out my Facebook ministry page here. 🙂
Want to read more encouraging stories about the Speak Up Conference? Check out the amazing blog posts linked up below!
Mark your calendars! Next year’s Speak Up Conference dates are June 26 – 29, 2014. I’d love to see you there!
Thanks for stopping by *She Sparkles*. Have a joy-filled, day!!
Cindy! I just noticed that you are now a follower on my blog! What an honor! Thank you for linking us together today. It has been so much fun to read the conference stories and adventures! Each story makes me want to fire off a confetti wand! Sending hugs from Houston!
Great blog Cindy. I feel much the same way. God has used Speak Up to grow and bless me in many amazing ways.
Among so many other reasons I love having you for a friend … you introduced me to my first confetti wand! Never knew what I was missing 🙂 I was so blessed to be at the Bultema B&B, to be served by you and your husband, and to be so refilled and refreshed by a team whose hearts and truly all for God. SUCH a weekend was time well spent! I am so thankful. Will write my post and link up!
SO. Much. FUN. You teach me how to be fun (remember how we were really concerned about your floor after the confetti party). Loved being a part of Speak Up and for sure being a part of your life. Love you, friend.
Ok Cindy, so I admit I am not good at the winky and the linky…have no idea how to do it! But Speak Up was very encouraging and inspiring to a rookie like me!
Love you girl. Always enjoy seeing your smile and hearing about all of your adventures!