Influenced + Influencer

Leading up to Influence, several thoughts were running through my mind. My brain wanted to attend strategy sessions, but I was fearful that my heart needed life sessions. As an extrovert, I am great at meeting people, less strong in building relationships. I was fearful of giving people the wrong impression, of them misinterpreting me. I was worried, preoccupied with me, me, and me.

And then this happened:







The ladies, in the order of appearance from left to right: Melody // Lena // Jami // Blair // (I am missing some of the pixie #teamawesome) // Raechel // John (the man) // Cally // Courtney // Meg // Kerrie // Sarah // Haley // Jessi // Jen // Cyndi // Julie // Blair // Kirsten // Brooke // Brooke // Amber // Alissa // John (again) // Lena // Sarah // Plus all the ladies I don't have photos with, but you should still get to know: Rebecca, Sarah, Moriah, Natalie, Rebecca, Amanda, Rachel and Kathleen.

Incredible women opened their hearts, their arms, and their love for each other. A few of their words (and a few smart guys too!) are already impacting the way I think about the balance of faith, family, and online presence.

When you are at capacity, to say "yes," means to have to say "no," to something already in your pipeline - John Saddington

Keeping your conversations in your head doesn't do any good. Talk to your spouse. - John Saddington

I am not in a movie, I can only bring vulnerably and the real me.  - Haley Morgan

If you are going to have social media streams, they need to be consistent. Spotty is worse than zero. - Haley Morgan

You can't continue unless your husband is on board.  - Nick Connolly

There is a process of learning our brave yes and our strong no. - Emily Freeman

Allow yourself the time to pour into your non-parenting activities guiltlessly. - Sarah Matheny

Have the type of grace for yourself that God has for you. - Sarah Matheny

What you worship is obvious to anyone who spends any time with you, or reading your blog. Can people see Christ through your blog?  - Jami Nato

To tell yourself you are going to wake up and do better is a disservice for the cross. - Jami Nato 

The beauty of a blogging conference over other conferences is bloggers don’t see each other as competition but community. - Will Bogel 

When you belong to Christ, you can't filter him out of your life.  - Sarah Matheny

My blog isnt enough to make me cut my hair. If 1,000 readers told me to cut it, it wouldn't be enough. - Blair McLeod

Understand what you are trying to do before using technology. Choose a few and do them well. - John Saddington 

Be strategic in your post titles. Stand out in feeds and readers.  - Casey Wiegand

And then there are these women, my roommates (+ one fine lady). The depth of conversation, their heart for serving the Lord, and their encouragement made it all worth it. It was all worth it.

I learned a lot of incredible things about strategy. I learned even more about the Sovereignty of God. Conversations that took place throughout the weekend have inspired and renewed me. A new set of goals, including my family, my faith, my marriage, and my blog are leading me forward. I have ideas about how to implement some of the things I have learned here. But even more so, I look forward to you engaging in the change. Welcome to the ride.

#InfluenceConf