Something to Talk About; She Speaks Conference Scholarship

Congrats to the winner of the St. Pat’s Day giveaway. She is: Polly; time stamp 6:42 p.m. on March 13th. Send your home address to me: [email protected]

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Oh…..I am soooooooo excited for one of you reading this just now!!!!

I love speaking.

And I LOVE giving things away.

Today, I get to combine those twin loves and offer one of you a scholarship to attend the absolute BEST conference for women who feel called to speak and who want to not only better their skills but make some important connections in ministry.

Okay, so I may be a tad bit biased since I am the director of the national speaking team at this fabulous ministry called Proverbs 31, but let me give you some background.

Ever since I was a blond-haired little tomboy with a pretty party dress on, I heard one consistent comment about me from adults—from my parents; my uncle; my grandma; my teachers and the neighborhood moms: “Man….can that girl talk” and “Does she ever stop yakkin’?”

Now at times my word-slinging has gotten me into trouble. It was usually the “needs improvement” box checked on my progress reports. You know, the whole “pays attention in class” category. Apparently my teachers wanted less chatter and more quiet from me.

But it has also helped me in life. Won me speech scholarships in high school, landed me the part in the play and even snagged me the foxy guy. (Yes…we said ‘foxy’ in the 80’s!)

Yep, my hubby says it was one of the first aspects he noticed of my personality. He loved the way I could work a room and talk to complete strangers making them feel welcome.

Then, about 3 days into our honeymoon he had this thought: “Is she ever gonna shut up?”

In fact, Todd’s decided, if I go before him, what he is putting on my tombstone.

A period.

“She’s finally done talkin'”!!!!

But buried deep within all this chit-chat was a dream. Ever since giving my life to Jesus in late high school I envisioned myself speaking.

Helping, inspiring and showing others something that would be of worth.

After over a decade of doing just that, I found the She Speaks conference.

It changed my life!

Not only did I have access to much of the information about speaking and writing that I had been seeking and discovering on my own for over 10 years all in one place on one weekend, but God showed up big at this conference.

He dealt with some issues in my heart that desperately needed His attention.

Well, how about you?

Do you have a dream to be a speaker?

Have you already launched out and begun the journey?

Or are you still waiting in the wings, unsure and hesitant?

I am offering an opportunity to win a Cecil Murphy Scholarship to She Speaks. Our president Lysa TerKeurst gave away two last week.

This week we at Proverbs 31 are giving away four more!!!

So, if you are a speaker or wanna-be speaker, enter here but also hop around and look here (at our Director of Writer’s site) and here (at our Executive Director’s site) and here (at our Women’s Ministry track director’s site) where women with various ministry dreams will have more shots at another one of these generous ministry scholarship gifts.

And tell your friends who want to either speak, write or lead about these opportunities too! And of course we’d absolutely love it if you Tweeted, Facebooked or blogged about the conference too! Seriously would love it!

Now, if you haven’t heard of Cecil Murphy’s amazing newsletter for writers, you’ll want to click here to subscribe for free! I had face-to-face time with this wise writing legend and man of faith last year at She Speaks to discuss my writing career and learn from his insight.

What an absolute delight!

I’ll get to the specifics about the contest at the end of this post.

First, let me tell you a little more about She Speaks and why you, as a speaker, should consider attending this year.

For Speakers:

Whether you are ready to take the main stage and start speaking at conferences and retreats or whether you want to learn how to more effectively teach a ladies’ Bible Study — this track is for you. After attending this conference you will be equipped to:

  • Know how to develop a great message from start to finish.
  • Understand what keeps an audience engaged and how to make your message memorable.
  • Deliver your message in such a way that not only inspires your audience but motivates them to make life changes.
  • Increase your number of booked speaking engagements by using proven marketing strategies.

The winner of this contest will be awarded a scholarship for the cost of one person’s registration for the 2011 She Speaks conference being held in Concord, NC (Charlotte airport) on July 22-24th.

~The value of this scholarship is $595!!!!! which includes your conference materials, conference registration, 2 nights at the conference hotel and meals associated with the conference. Please note it does not include any travel expenses. Also, you will be assigned a room mate or you have the option to pay the extra charge for a private room.

This scholarship is non-transferable and can not be traded for cash.

  • All comments must be posted no later than midnight (EST) on Thursday, March 17th (Saint Patrick’s Day!) to be considered.
  • The winner will be announced here on Monday, March 21st.

Now, those of you who know me from this blog know that for most of my giveaways I say, “If time is tight, just leave a comment saying ‘I’m in!'”

This is not one of those days!

I want to know this about you:

~ Your speaking dream–when it began; where it is now.

~What it is you feel God calling you to speak on: marriage? mothering? pushing past your awful past? issues for teens? surviving cancer? surviving an unwanted divorce? hospitality? true beauty? organization? What has He laid on your heart and why?

~Finally—and now this will be a stretch for some of you—why should I choose you to win this scholarship? Why do you want to attend? What do you want to learn? How do you hope it will assist you in your quest to serve God through speaking?

Okay ladies….leave your comments. I can’t wait to read all of your stories.

And I can’t wait to meet the winner in person at She Speaks!!! I’ll save a spot for you at one of the meals so we can chat it up together.

Although if you like to talk as much as I do, we may not come up for air and miss our next session!

Now remember, there are more scholarship giveaways so if you are a women’s ministry leader visit my friend Renee.

A writer? Visit my friend Glynnis.

And an event planner? Visit my friend LeAnn.

Speaking Truth to You Blessings,

184 Comments

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  4. I saw that you were giving away a scholarship to the SHe speaks conference. I tried to win the one that Lysa was giving away but did not win. I know it is after the dealdine. I was on a mission trip to Lima Peru from March 10-18. We arrived back in the states on Friday afternoon. Oh well…just wanted to let you know about my story. I came across the proverbs 31.org website in March 2010…I can’t even remember how I came across it but I was sharing it with one of our agents who was struggling with trying to balance between work, being a mom and being a wife. I then found myself drawn to the SHE SPEAKS link. Let me backtrack a little. We had just moved to Mississippi (where my husband is from) after being in the military and moved in with his parents because our home in TN did not sell….if you are wondering, yes we are still living with them after 14 months but god is good. We have 4 year old twins (boy and a girl). This past year has been filled with lots of eotion, tears, frustration, little patience, and humility all at the same time. I love to lead and as my husband says have the gift of gab. I wanted to attend the conference last year but we did not have the money and t be honest I never mentioned it to my husband because I thought he would think I was crazy. Well over this year he has had a calling from God and he is in school at William Carey for Biblical Studies and wants to go to seminary next year. Back to last year again…we joined our church and they did video testimonies and my testimony was played for the church and then on tv for the hattiesburg and surrunding areas to see. Nothing like everyone knowing your life and where you have been. So when I came across the She Speaks site my testimony had already been shared with a lot of people. The night I shared this site with a friend I prayed that if God wanted me to share my testimony that he would open doors. Well the next morning I got a message from the women’s minstry team about sharing my testimony before a women’s event the next week. I always knew that God answred prayers but this was the first time that my prayer was answered so fast. God is opening doors now and I want to learn how to speak insuch a way that Women will be drawn to our Heavenly Father. Can’ wait to meet you in person at the conference! I could go on and on but that will be for another day.

  5. Survival.

    Simply put, that’s how I began speaking. Three older brothers, youngest & only girl…you get the picture.

    My mother got the picture also, and let me “speak my mind”. The ruling may not have always been in my favor, but I sure got lots of airtime.

    It may have been a lot of useless noise making & chatter, but it did earn me the nickname of “Little Ukrainian Spitfire”!

    My high spirited personality helped me win high school speech contests and the lead role Annie, in the play, Annie get your Gun. And in case you’ve ever wondered, “you can’t get a man with a gun” ?.

    A degree in communications and a career in public speaking and training & development gave me years of professional joy. People paying me for… useless noise making & chatter!

    After a degree of worldly success and professional growth, I was longing for spiritual growth. After over 20 years of religion, I was ready for a relationship.

    Not the marriage kind, not the parent kind, the “I am the way the truth, and the life” kind of relationship!

    Surprisingly enough, I wanted just one, but I got all three.
    A husband and 5 adopted children, 3 by name, all by the Holy Spirit.

    After years of broken dreams and break-ups, God provided a path of restoration and hope. He gave me my very own audience!

    Opportunities to serve and lead in women’s ministries and discipleship encourage me in my walk. And during my physical walks, Jesus gives me my best ear and laughs at every one of my jokes.

    Feeling restless and longing to use my gifts to serve Him, I asked for direction.

    It was 3 years ago during an energetic walk- n- talk with God, that He offered me the promotion. I remember saying, “I’m not leaving this track until you tell me what you want me to do!” (humbleness understood). And He did. (Thankfully it was less than 10 miles before He answered.)

    Question answered, I waited. I walked. I waited some more (patience – clearly part of His refinement plan).

    I learned about Proverbs31 ministries when Sharon Glasgow spoke at a Girlfriend’s event at our church and the seed was planted.

    Money, time, God’s timing…three years I’ve dreamed about going to this conference to continue the refinement process. To connect with other’s who are sharing the same dream. To see God (I know He shows up there!); to continue our conversation of where/how He wants me to speak for Him.

    Last year I came close…I got the husband’s support, made arrangements for the kids and…missed the deadline for registration. Rats!

    This year, I began emailing in December, making sure I wouldn’t miss it again. And here we are.

    I write this to you to demonstrate my commitment to God, to myself. If it’s His will for a scholarship – fantastic. If his provision will be something else or in some other way, I’ve learned to trust. I am grateful.

  6. I WAS A CHURCH GOING GOOD GIRL, WITH A PHARISEE HEART!

    A big thank you to you, your staff, and Cecil Murphy for the blessing of these much needed scholarships! I have only recently fallen into a speaking desire, and that is because it has been pointed out to me by some of my loved and respected mentors. Thankful that they have allowed me to lead the teen girls for the last three years, and to now teach the women Bible studies on occasion, these experiences have truly started to shape and feed this desire. However, at a young age, the Lord did put His desires in my heart. Crazy to only me, but I knew when I was five years old and asking “Jeshush in my heart during our traditional Spaghetti Sunday,” (we are Italian and I still have a lisp) that He would do great things…and with my life at that. I will say- similar to the prodigal, I ran the wrong way for a long time…Thankfully, I could never escape the plan He already had for my life… Please help me learn, utilize, and develop the gifts God has so graciously, and I mean that, so very graciously has put on my heart. If I can share/put in your hands and hearts, what He has put in mine, you would never give it back to me… He is so good…

    Fear and shame for a long time, kept me 28 years quiet! By the grace of God, He has opened my heart and mouth to swiftly get me through ‘The Transition.’ From world to Righteous, He has changed how I live. It is my desire to reach the women in ‘The Transition…’ That could be any age, any sector of life- the ‘Transition’ is, that point when a woman comes to full realization that she is ready to truly live with an eternal focus and a God-centered perspective (we may profess for a long time, that we are ‘Christian’ women, yet truly many still have to make this transition.) He drove a passion down deep into my heart- I, for a long time, sat comfortable knowing that I said the ‘magic’ sinner’s prayer, which guaranteed my seat on the bus to heaven! When the Lord finally revealed my life of ritual instead of real relationship to me, it was at a time that the world truly had my attention. Not to lack humility, but I was a pretty popular girl, I had my own small business (still have but with a better attitude :0), and a really cool boyfriend (so I thought) Anywho, this added up to much in the eyes of my peers. I was a church going good girl, with a Pharisee heart! Hence my passion… I broke up with that boyfriend, lost many friends, and was finally ready to get right. My transition started. Thankfully, my beautiful Jesus revealed my ugly heart to me, and I cried for three days.

    I knew all the Bible verses, I talked all the lingo, hey- I even shared a time or two about how to be a Christian, “just say this prayer… “What I was gravely missing, was a life altering real encounter with a Risen Savior! Wow… I needed relationship in the worst way- and so do many of the teen girls I work with now, and sadly some of their ritual driven momma’s! (Not to be judgmental).

    Gratefully, I have now been married ten joy filled months, and I have even more so seen my ugly heart in the reflection of my husband’s predominantly God-centered one. The transition from single and slipping by, to married and accountable is a rough one filled with humility, grace and mercy. This is when the Lord put something on my heart. In learning more about relationship with Him, how to be a wife, and how I had changed from worldview to WORDview- Over a three year period, He did the changing while showing me every step along the way (and we are still walking). I noticed that so many of my ‘Christian sisters’ may have unconsciously accepted actually being proclaiming ‘Magic Prayer Say-ers.’ We all have fallen underneath the umbrella of ‘safe because I know I am going to Heaven’ living. My passion is to stir urgency in our behavior. Purposefully living with eternity as our focus- for our families, our friends, at work, everyday! I pray to share this vision by creating/speaking/writing about a curriculum the Lord put on my heart.
    (Should copyright this- another reason the conference would sure be a blessing;-)
    My idea is— ‘Molding Modern Mary’s’ (Jesus mother, and Mary of Mary and Martha)
    An in depth look at how to be intimate, obedient, and transparent, out of devotion to the heart of Jesus- A thorough understanding on the lives of these women and how to apply their principles to our modern day…Making being ‘Mary’s’ cool to every generation of ‘transitioning’ women-prepared teen girls with character, homemakers with spunk, delighted to be servants of the King, in love with a Savior that intended to have an intimate relationship with us- The problem- I have no idea how to get this going! He does and that is why, since the first scholarship came out, I have created my first blog, wrote many a’ stories, applied to all the scholarships offered so far and am continuously learning how to manage a small business, finish paying for my recent schooling- A Master Degree in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University (thank you Abba), while providing, by the grace of God, all we need while my husband cannot work as he is now in his schooling. I share all of that to illustrate this.

    Here is the Recipe of My Heart:
    ½ cup- creativity, ½ cup-ability to speak, ¾ cup craze for hospitality, + 1 cup over flowing with a yearning desire to encourage women about the importance of eternal focus + a Whole Bag of Longing to bring Glory to our Father= My heart!

    I have been an avid Proverbs 31 Ministries fan for quite some time. Within the last few months I have read your magazines at lightning speed, with a yearning heart to one day be one of its articles authors… I have downloaded your ministries principles and carry them in my purse as an inspiration for the one day that I will… Well, the one day that I will write a book, speak at a conference, teach a cooking or workout class, write a cook book, sing with my husband, or at all follow through on what Christ has called me to do.

    The She Speaks Conference will help me understand how to fine tune (and tone down):
    My ministry ideas (I have many), network with Sisters who share these passions,
    Learn how to write with focus, speak with precision, and above all else, how to accurately-
    REFLECT HIS GLORY & SPREAD HIS STORY…

    This conference would help me learn so much and make available so many helpful resources. I truly would be so blessed, thankful, and humbled by the opportunity.

    So thankful for your careful consideration and the offer of this blessing. I will be praying for you, your staff, and the hearts of the applicants. Thank you again.

    Psalm 34:3

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