allume vignettes // the Lord is there

this was my fourth year attending the allume conference, so i should know by now that God is going to do some work on me there in ways i could never anticipate. i should know by now that the atmosphere at allume is rich fertile grounds for my personal spiritual growth. i packed my bags, kissed my family bye-bye, and headed to the airport with no expectations of the weekend ahead; only grateful for the opportunity to go to greenville, sc representing the seed company, and excited to see friends. 

i've been reading the nester's "vignette me" series. 

"We create little moments. Small pauses. Little reminders of family, good times, vacations, faith, the simplicity of a few well placed, beautiful and useful items. Our mementos from life can be put together in a way to inspire beauty and to tell a quick little story–not the entire story, but just a little part… a vignette." -The Nester

the series focuses on creating meaningful vignettes in our homes - the physical sort with lamps and frames and branches in vases. yet, i can't help but think about vignettes in a virtual sort, meaningful moments in time, small pauses, little reminders, mementos put together to inspire beauty...Jehovah-Shammah. the Lord is there.

yall know God is so good. can i share some of the little moments from my allume trip when His presence was undeniable? can i tell you about these unexpected divine encounters and experiences? i want to remember these little vignettes i found at allume- the evidence of Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord was there.  

// the anxiety started before i even got on the plane. i flew out of dfw airport, recently famous for being the place where ebola first landed in america. it felt like such a risk to be at the airport and boarding a tiny plane with all the people and ALL THE GERMS. flu season and all. but i had my hand-sanitizer, my armor of God, and maintained a good 10 feet from every person who sneezed or coughed or looked feverish. in the security check line, the panic started to rise up in my chest as i watched people take off their shoes. i kicked myself for not putting hand-sanitizer on my feet. mercy. a couple filed in line behind me and i could hear their conversation: "did you hear about that nurse with ebola? they aren't even restricting flights! there was a pilot showing symptoms just yesterday. and i heard a passenger had to get off the plane because he had a fever..."  i tried to not hear them, focusing instead on the faint music i could hear in the background. the fear-filled conversation muffled and i soon realized the music wasn't coming from the overhead speakers; it wasn't piped-in airport musak. i looked around and discovered the song i heard off in the distance was coming from the ticketing area behind me, where an older woman was sitting alone, swaying side to side, wearing headphones and singing loud and proud: "How Great is Our God, sing with me How Great is Our God, and all will see How Great, How Great is Our God!" yes. name above all names. worthy of all praise. and my heart will sing, how great is our God. amen. and when i got to gate 31B, my boss was there with a handful of my favorite pens that he brought as a birthday gift for me. it was a vignette. Jehovah-Shammah.   

// i love greenville in october. the seed company team arrived a day before the conference started, so we had plenty of time to stroll around downtown and eat at my favorite restaurant in greenville: Tupelo Honey, not once but twice during the weekend. God knows how much i love good conversation, good friends, and good food. that smile right there? genuine joy. it was a vignette. Jehovah-Shammah.   

// on wednesday night, we worked on the prayer room. the seed company prayer room has been one of my favorite parts of allume since the first year i attended and first learned about the organization. i remember the room was quiet and candle-lit, i remember the ministry was involved with bible translation, and i remember the journal i got to take home after the conference. pages and pages of sweet notes and prayers from new friends and strangers...a precious memento from the seed company at allume. and isn't it funny? now i'm on the seed company team, inviting bloggers to help end bible poverty, helping set up the allume prayer room, personalizing journals and jotting prayers on their pages. we worked and the soundtrack was "You Make Me Brave," and i didn't feel brave but small and insecure. as i went down the list of allume attendees, personalizing bookmarks, i came across several familiar names. it was comforting and peace. i knew i would be seeing those friendly faces and meeting them with warm hugs soon. vignette. Jehovah-Shammah.    

// our table, where attendees came to learn about bible translation, was situated at the end of a hallway where we could see all the other sponsor tables down the hall. when i walked to our table, i passed another table topped with propped-up books, some of which i've read, others on my to-read list. one book caught my eye. i did a classic double-take and saw MY FRIEND'S DONKEY on the cover! (nevermind that i can recognize my friend's donkey) and HER NAME listed as the AUTHOR! oh my goodness it's RACHEL ANNE'S BOOK! i blinked back tears- so thrilled to see rachel anne's God-sized dream tangible right there on the table. vignette. across the hall, i saw an unfamiliar brand, a new sponsor i hadn't heard of, so i looked closer. shazzy fitness. hmmm... shape what the Father gave ya! join the groovement! Christian hip-hop dance workout! wait - hold up - WHAT?! oh, Lord, you know me so well. i met kristy and apollo, truly gifted dancers who love the Lord. we found common ground and we danced on it early saturday morning, praising God for His goodness. Jehovah-Shammah.

// in greenville, i had a dirty chai and deep laughs with deep friends at an underground coffee shop. i danced and ugly cried with crystal. i shared decadent chocolate cake with my fabulous roommate laura. i prayed with britta. my friend kristin gave me a gorgeous necklace and tasty cupcake for my birthday. i hugged wynter and karina and kristen and brooke and stacey and christin and erika. and then there was vern. something you may not know about me: vern is a nickname my sister lovingly gave me when i was about 8 years old. it doesn't make sense, but it's special and i love it. in my whole entire life i've never met another vern. until i got to allume last weekend and met this beautiful and sassy chick who was matching me in her cargo jacket. she introduced herself as veronica from san antonio. so we have similar tastes in fashion, we're both texans, and then she said "call me vern." i about fell over. what are the chances?! the next day we were both wearing black tops and funky pants- her camo, me leopard. Lord, thank you for sending me to allume to be with my sweet sisters in Christ. vignettes. Jehovah-Shammah. 

// my flight home was before sunrise. i sat next to kristen howerton nbd. heather was in the seat behind me keeping me company with delirium-driven giggles and conversation. i joked that i hoped to remember where my car was parked at the airport. i got my suitcase off of the the baggage claim and stepped outside into the 90-degree sunshine. i headed toward the parking garage, thankful to have recalled B7 level B from way down in my memory bank. i maybe prided myself a little bit for remembering this since i didn't write it down like i should have. but the closer i got to garage section B7, i started to have an awful feeling. there were chain-linked fences and bright orange barricades blocking off that section of the garage. that wasn't there 5 days ago. suddenly nothing seemed familiar and i was second-guessing my memory of B7 level B. i walked as far as i could go before the restricted area. that part of the garage was under renovation and from my view, looked vacant. my car wasn't in there. so i walked into the next section of the garage, thinking maybe i parked in B17 or B14 or some other version of B7. i walked all the way to the other end of the garage, to section B31. if you're tracking with me, that's 24 sections of dark dingy hot humid parking garage. with a 50-pound suitcase and a backpack loaded with books on 4 hours of sleep. fun times. i called my husband and tried not to panic. finally i succumbed to the fact that i forgot where i parked and the only thing to do at that point was to ask the airport parking garage assistant for help. did you know there's a service for this sort of thing? apparently people forget where they parked at the airport all the time. and that's how i met this kind soul. of course her name is charlotte (my daughter's best friend's name) and she told me that she got into the job of helping people find their vehicles after one time she lost her own vehicle in the airport parking lot. she helped me retrace my steps and helped me feel less like a numskull. she drove me back to the garage entrance, the one i remembered going into 5 days ago with the ebola fears rising up in my chest, and when we reached the fences and barricades of the restricted section, she called for a special access code so we could drive into that part of the garage that was being renovated. the renovations started on wednesday, said charlotte. when did you park here? wednesday morning. the garage looked vacant, abandoned, and i was starting to fear my car had been stolen. but she pulled her car around to section B7 level B and there was my car! all alone in this dark dingy garage! any cars still here by friday will be towed, charlotte told me. i nearly cried for the grace, relief, exhaustion, and joy that i would be home soon with my family. i gathered my bags, thanked charlotte and prayed for her, that God would bless her abundantly. she thanked me and told me it was her birthday. we smiled and hugged and took a picture together to commemorate the occasion. to mark the vignette. Jehovah-Shammah.   

looking back, they were everywhere. in hallways and sidewalks and elevators and dance floors and photo booths and minivans... 

vingettes reminding me the Lord is there. i'm so thankful. 

"blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places 

where other people see nothing" 

-camille pissarro

Oh, that we might know the Lord!
Let us press on to know him.
He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn
or the coming of rains in early spring.
{ Hosea 6:3 }

here are the allume 2014 keynotes: http://allume.com/2014keynotes/ 

if you only have time to listen to one: sophie hudson spoke straight to my heart. like seriously. 

just 3 words

photo by Darcy

before dinner on the third day of The Relevant Conference, i sat next to my friend Erin on a comfy couch in the DaySpring Beach House. (why don't i have a picture of that!? *kicking self* thank God for Darcy!)

i relaxed, sipped another cup of coffee, and we talked about this amazing weekend we were having and what God was doing. ideas and dreams and thoughts and promises and hopes swirled around in my already-overwhelmed mind. which is probably why it seemed like the hardest thing in the whole world to do when sweet Jendi asked me to tell her 3 words to describe Relevant.

just three words? how can i possibly describe Relevant in just three words? 

friends

community

connections

support

inspiration

encouragement

acceptance

welcoming

warm

fun

relaxing

retreat

joy

grace

love

ministry

purposeful

intentional

   

engaging

prayerful

relevant

photo by Darcy

upside down
Spirit-filled
lovely

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high altitude praise

The Lord protects all those who love him, 
but he destroys the wicked.

I will praise the Lord, 

and may everyone on earth bless his holy name 

forever and ever. 

Psalm 145:20-21 NLT 

800. watching the sun rise from 32,000 feet above
801. watching the sun set from 32,000 feet above
802. Pam at the Cleveland airport Continental desk
803. a God-sent aunt mentor assigned to the seat next to me
804. fears faced with God's comfort
805. waking up in my own bed, the warmth of my "homeland"
806. a time and place to call out to God, and His instant response
807. books and more books, authored by women i know and love
808. worshiping in an intimate setting with 250 women led by Aaron Shust and Shaun Groves
809. hearing David Nevue on the piano outside my computer screen, the soundtrack to my prayer over this space
810. women broken and running to the One who heals
811. pen and paper; words pouring out of my heart faster than my hand can move across the page
812. fresh coffee
813. chicken quesadillas at the Dog & Pony
814. real conversations about real life with real friends: confidence in what matters
815. laughter, prayer, and conversation with strangers on airplanes
816. falling asleep talking about dreams and fears and journeys
817. a simple little prayer cube, a gift from Anna, turned and rolled in my hands the entire way home
818. all of the emotions that came with the snow- big puffy blankets of it- glimmering in the morning sun
819. finding myself tucked away in a corner and in heart-healing conversation with two amazing real life friends
820. eating a Hershey's chocolate bar in Hershey, PA
821. enough cell phone battery life to call home
822. a roommate who has what i need
823. having what my roommate needs
824. a real life friend for a roommate
825. my comfortable, easy Toms
826. dear sweet friends who help me carry a heavy load, and give me hugs to lift the burden of guilt
827. text messages from home: "i'm praying for your trip."
828. protection promised
829. The Seed Company Prayer Room at Relevant; pages of handwritten love... for me?
830. safe traveling, friendly pilots, and praying flight attendants
831. The Mercy House
832. The Homeschool Village and The Homeschool Post come to life to support homeschoolers at Relevant
833. an unexpected (but much needed) hug from unlikely arms
834. hard questions and the answers bubbling up
835. no headaches
836. four days of no television
837. a Kleenex pyramid for a room of tear-stained faces
838. going home with full bags, but an even fuller heart
839. sharing this online space with such wise, encouraging, and God-loving women
840. dedicating this space to God and choosing the ladder that takes me lower
841. the option to turn off comments
842. stepping off a plane into Dallas air
843. my husband's wide and warm smile welcoming me home
844. my little ones' arms tangled in a big group hug, our faces pressed together
845. goodnight kisses and home sweet home
846. the "Relevant hangover" and quiet anticipation of what God will reveal

i scribble thanksgiving on a scrap notepad, bouncing in turbulence. my heart races with fear and gratitude at the same time. and i know the Lord is close...He grants me peace as i call on Him in truth... (Psalm 145:18-19)

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photo source 

photo source

while I'm at Relevant {a giveaway}

----------------- this giveaway is now closed. -----------------

 

while i'm at Relevant, i want to give away some Master Books books! 

if you are at The Relevant Conference, look for me and my little friends Flat Charlie and Trike.

aren't they adorable?! take your picture with Flat Charlie and Trike, tweet "I'm at #Relevant11 with @mamahall and Charlie and Trike! http://tinyurl.com/3eltmd9 #teachthetruth" to be entered to win a copy of Charlie and Trike in the Grand Canyon Adventure.

and! meet me at the Master Books Lounge in the hotel on Friday from 4-5PM and Saturday from 9-10PM where i'll be giving away books for you to take home and review! follow me @mamahall for more details.

if you are not at The Relevant Conference, you, too, can win a copy of Charlie and Trike in the Grand Canyon Adventure! but not only that - you'll also win a copy of Charlie and Trike's Green Notebook! a fun and interactive accessory to accompany the book. 

and! i'm also giving away the Big Book of History with the Teacher's Guide and Panels! this is a fantastic resource for teaching and learning the history of the world, from creation to current times. enter to win both of these giveaways by leaving a comment. you can tweet about it and post it on Facebook for extra entries. make sure you leave a comment for each entry, and your e-mail address. this giveaway is open to US residents only. two winners will be selected at random and announced here on Tuesday 11/1.

BIG THANKS to Master Books for sending me to #Relevant11! 

enter to win now! you will LOVE these books!

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readying

source

the other day, i was driving around running errands, deep in thought about the upcoming week. there is a lot to do before The Relevant Conference. i was making mental lists: groceries to get, meals to prepare, clothes to pack, and more. i was thinking about last year's conference, how it shook me up emotionally and spiritually, and how i want that again this year. i was thinking about the distractions that the enemy has tried to put in my way leading up to this year's conference: fear, illness, nerves, guilt, stress. 

all of a sudden, this song came on the radio, and it was as if God shut everything else out of my mind, cranked the volume up to crystal clear, and put my complete focus on the words coming through my car's speakers.

i've heard it before, and you probably have, too. but the way God had me hear it was different this time. i heard it as spiritual armor and a prayer for my purpose in going to the conference. i heard it for me, for us, as we get ready for Relevant.  "ready yourselves..." 

Lord, I want to feel your heart and see the world through your eyes.
I want to be your hands and feet. I want to live a life that leads.

Ready yourselves (ready yourselves)
Let us shine the light of Jesus in the darkest night.
Ready yourselves (ready yourselves)
May the powers of darkness tremble as our praises rise!

Until the whole world hears Lord we are calling out!
Lifting up Your name for all to hear the sound!
Like voices in the wilderness we're crying out!
As the day draws near we'll sing until the whole world hears...

Want to be your hands and feet, want to be a life that leads, to see you set the captive free,
until the whole world hears!
And I pray that they will see more of you and less of me.
Lord I want my life to be the song You sing!

Until the whole world hears Lord we are calling out!
Lifting your name up for all to hear the sound!
Like voices in the wilderness we're crying out!
As the day draws near we'll sing until the whole world hears...

hear the Casting Crowns song and see the video by clicking here

let's go. let's persevere in bringing hope to the world through our social media medium. let's go beyond the surface into intentional blogging and real life living, all to the glory of God. 

are you ready?

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10 Things My Relevant Roommate Should Know

The Relevant Conference is 2 weeks from now. <- I had to hold my breath while typing that because I'm a little bit freaking out nervous mixed with excitement.


Exhale...Inhale....

Okay. Back to business.

So, last year I had a big fancy hotel room all to myself. It was quiet. It was tidy. It was cold. A little lonely. This year, I have a roommate! I'm bunking with my friend Kristen! And I am very much looking forward to it. But first...

10 Things My Relevant Roommate Should Know About Me


1. I have never had a roommate. Other than high school dance camp where there were 6 girls to a dorm room for 2 nights. This will be kinda like that, right?

2. I will probably need white noise to sleep. At home, I sleep most peacefully with two big snoring dogs at the foot of the bed, a static-y baby monitor on high volume, and a bathroom fan on. Would it bother you if I brought my baby monitor? (kidding) (kinda)

3. I will definitely be brewing coffee first thing in the morning. I will save you a cup, or I will get you some sweet tea. :)

4. I'm ready to have fun. So feel free to talk me into doing something crazy, like going to Target at 10pm, or ordering a fudge sundae from room service, or making a karaoke video. I'm wild! And hyped up on coffee!

5. Master Books is sending me to Relevant. This means we will have lots of really cool books and swag in our room that I'll be giving away in the hotel lounge Friday 4-5pm and Saturday 9-10pm. I love Master Books. By the end of the weekend, you will love Master Books too. (wink)

6. My morning routine is quick and easy. I promise I won't hog the bathroom or use all the hot water. But let's get extra towels, okay?

7. I will miss my kids and husband like crazy. I hope I'm not obnoxious about this, but truly, my heart hurts when I'm apart from them. I know you, and I know you will understand when I need to call home "one more time." This makes me happy that you are my roommate.

8. I want pictures. When I got home from Relevant last year, I was bummed that I didn't have more pictures of me with my favorite bloggers. I'm just not very good at remembering to grab my camera when I'm in the moment (aka starstruck). I won't forget this year. Be ready!

9. I am tidy. The hotel cleaning crew might come into our room and think they've already cleaned it. My mom instilled in me a healthy fear of leaving something behind at the hotel as a result of being unkempt during my stay. Also, I can't turn off my Mommy-switch that picks up after a 3 and 6 year old all day every day.  

10. I have a feeling we are going to be THAT room. :) I am over the moon excited to be sharing a room and experiencing Relevant '11 with you! Love ya, girl!

Now you know what it'll be like to room with me!

I'm linking up my Top Ten Tuesday with OhAmanda.com, HomeWithTheBoys.net, and A Life in Need of Change.

Will you be at Relevant? Let me know in the comments!

Not going to Relevant? Courtney of Women Living Well has something fun going on for you! Check out Women Living Well and join in the fun.

Make sure you are following me on Twitter for live updates from the conference plus giveaways from Master Books! I am @mamahall and I'll be using #Relevant11. 

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big {fun} news

Master Books is sending me to The Relevant Conference! 

i will be {proudly} representing Master Books at the conference in October. i am overwhelmed with gratitude at the opportunity to go to Relevant again for the company. this is completely God working on my behalf and answering my "Your will be done" prayers. He wants me there. He made a way.

but wait... there's something in it for you.

every month leading up to The Relevant Conference, i will be reviewing one of Master Books resources for teaching the truth at home and co-hosting a Twitter Party with my fellow Moms for Master Books, where YOU can win fantastic prizes from Master Books! look for more Moms for Master Books who have this badge:

SAVE THE DATE: the next Master Books #teachthetruth Twitter Party is 

May 19 at 8PM CST

we will be sharing and discussing the Marvels of Creation series, a powerful teaching tool that brings the world of exotic animals alive! show up, participate, and win! more Twitter party details coming soon

well? are you excited? 

i know i am {smile}

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intro to messy me

i'm working up the courage to share something very personal. my life was a mess, but something very beautiful came out of it...



...read more about it tomorrow.


-------------------------
mentioned in this vlog:
The Relevant Conference: www.therelevantconference.com
Sally Clarkson: http://www.itakejoy.com/
WeAreTHATFamily: www.wearethatfamily.com
Serena Woods: http://www.graceisforsinners.com/
Crystal Paine: http://moneysavingmom.com/about
Ann Voskamp: www.aholyexperience.com

relevant snapshots

relevant gratitude

"No eye has seen, 

no ear has heard, 

no mind has conceived 

what God has prepared 

for those who love Him" 

-1 Cor 2:9

who am i? this little mommy blogger tucked away beneath layers and layers of other, greater bloggers. blogging about my life, completely content with the blog's size and scope. and then to be sent to The Relevant Conference? it doesn't make sense, except that it is God's plan.

i was on Twitter one morning when i first heard about Relevant. i've never been to a blogging conference before and only a little bit did i ever really want to go to any of them. but something was different about Relevant. the mission "to bless our families and engage the world by using our blogs"?  well, how could i not want to be part of that? 

later that same evening, after the kids were tucked in bed, i followed more #Relevant10 chatter on Twitter. on a complete whim, although it took a lot of courage, i sent a tweet that was something like this:

"would love to go to #Relevant10. need a #sponsor!"

it was an hour later when i got a reply from MasterBooks. MasterBooks is an imprint of New Leaf Press, a leading Christian book publisher that "endeavors to publish books that will bring the lost to Christ and balance to the body of Christ." as a Christian, homeschooler, book nerd, and wannabe evangelist, i could definitely see myself promoting this company naturally. over the next few days and weeks, i got to know the company, they got to know me, and the sponsorship was approved. a partnership was formed, and it is a perfect fit. 

i owe immense gratitude to MasterBooks for having faith in me and sending me to The Relevant Conference. i pray that i was successful in spreading the word about the company, products, and authors. i am forever grateful for the opportunity, and consider the partnership a divine connection prepared by our mighty God.

i also want to thank HipTogether for providing me with stylish shirts from their line of mom-wear to show off at the conference. it blesses me to be able to tell others about Christian mom-owned companies. (and all the compliments i got while wearing the shirts blessed me, too!) 

thank you to my husband and family for supporting me and my blog, and for encouraging me to go to Relevant. (and for the new laptop!) i never would have imagined leaving my family for 4 days to go to a "blog conference." but God did.  

thank you to Sarah Mae, Jessi, and Dana for putting on and pulling off such a wonderful event. thank you to all of the speakers that came to share their wisdom, experiences, stories, tips, and tears. thank you to all of the women who were in attendance. we're now IRL friends! seeing you all with such passion for Christ gave me hope for the future of our families and for the future of the blog world! God has great things planned for you!

thank you to all the families who let their wives and moms go! thank you to all the companies who sponsored a blogger or the event. this was big. and the bloggers who were there are going to do big things for God thanks to you!

most of all, thank You, God, for showing up at Relevant.

there is still so much to say about my relevant experience, what i left behind and what i brought back. (and i'm not talking about swag, although there was plenty of that- thanks DaySpring!) i plan to share it all here because it's now part of my personal mission to bless my family, engage the world, and glorify God here on my blog.

...oh, relevant. please don't ever stop throbbing in my heart. 

seeking relevance

words still escape me, yet there's so much to say.

this is my platform. this is an altar. this is my story, but for His glory. this will be used for good, for God.

tears still fill my eyes when i remember God's powerful presence at Relevant. my heart is still overwhelmed. the Holy Spirit swept through the ballroom, the hallways, the conference rooms, leaving a sea of women healed and broken in His wake.

yes. healed and broken.

walls were torn down. boundaries were defined. hearts were filled. souls were emptied.

there is a change happening here in the blogosphere, and by God's grace i am part of it. i love Him so much it hurts. i crave His presence now more than ever. is this what Sarah Mae intended? this is what God intended.

i want more of You, Lord, and less of me. i want to rise from the dead and shine a light here. not just making the most of it for myself. making the most of it for Him, and for my family, because it is His will. this blog, this space, this platform, has a renewed mission.

"...everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is..." -Ephesians 5:13-17

every word i type, every blog post i start, begins with this simple prayer: Lord, lead me. grant me relevance for Your glory.

my little superheroes

superhero: having extraordinary powers; also : an exceptionally skillful or successful person

...brave, mighty, strong, resilient, light of the world, highly favored, covered by the protection of God, exceptional, trustworthy, successful, skillful, helpful, positive, happy, loved, fearfully and wonderfully made.

while i am at The Relevant Conference {thanks to MasterBooks}, my little superheroes are being well-behaved and helpful, hopefully not missing me as much as i miss them. and probably keeping DaddyHall on his toes.

happy birthday to me

my birthday is today. i got a really great gift. i asked for it, but i never thought i’d get it. it’s not even something i would have ever thought i’d want. but deep down inside, i wanted it, so i asked for it. and i got it.

MasterBooks is sending me to Relevant! my first ever blogging conference!

MasterBooks is the publisher that brings us Charlie and Trike and the Grand Canyon Adventure, and Transforming Church in Rural America. both awesome resources and favorites on my bookshelf.

and as if that isn’t sweet enough? HipTogether is dressing me for Relevant! HipTogether, founded by two moms in my community, is custom trendy designs for moms, tweens, little girls, and little boys. i'll be rockin' some of their funky t-shirts like these. {ps: that's not me in either photo}

so...to recap, here’s what i get to do for my birthday:

1. travel by myself. 
2. meet a bunch of my favorite bloggy friends in person, and make new friends, too.
3. stay in a hotel room by myself.
4. give away awesome books to promote a Christian book publishing company.
5. learn how to use this blog intentionally to glorify Christ, to bless others, and to bless my family.
6. wear cool clothes to promote a local mom-owned clothing line.
7. see my long distant best mommy buddy, TFlo.
8. sleep in a king sized bed all by myself.
9. meet my MOB Society and MOD Squad sisters.
10. help Kristen raise money for The Mercy House.  

happy birthday to me, right!?
ten things i get to do for my bday is linked up with OhAmanda.com's Top Ten Tuesday

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i have more than i could ever ask for, and i thank God every day for His continuous blessings. in lieu of gifts, please make a donation to Gorbella's Nonprofit Organization or The Mercy House.

my Relevant packing list {top ten tuesday}

16 days! 16 days til Relevant! 


and i'm going! thanks to my fabulously "relevant" sponsor, MasterBooks. it's relevant that they are sponsoring me because MasterBooks is a Christian publisher for homeschool, creation science, apologetics, Bible study, Christian living, and current issues resources. i've found some excellent homeschooling resources on their website- uh, hello Ken Ham!- but really they offer so much more. MasterBooks is a perfect fit for MamaHall.

so...back to me getting ready for The Relevant Conference. lately all i can think about are the very detailed and specific instructions i need to leave for DaddyHall to help him out while i'm gone. but it's time i start thinking about packing, right? what bags will i bring? what will i wear? what will the weather be like? what do i need?

i don't know.

i wrote on my To Do list for this week, "Relevant packing list."

i don't have a Top Ten list of things to pack for my first ever blogging conference. so you tell me...what do i need to pack? HELP!