I’m excited to tell you about the SpeakUp Conference I attended in Grand Rapids, MI from July 7-9, 2016. It is difficult to decide what to share because I got so much out of my time invested. Carol Kent and the staff of SpeakUp did a fabulous job in every way.
Here are a few of my favorite take-aways from the weekend.
S – Sweet Worship led by Kim and Brian Tabor. Their love for Jesus showed through as they escorted us into beautiful worship each day.
P – Professional atmosphere in each devotional, keynote, and breakout session. Every session I attended was taught by highly qualified teachers and speakers including founder, Carol Kent, her sisters Bonnie Emmorey and Jennie Afman Dimkoff , Cindy Bultema, Anne Denmark and Suzanne Kuen (Suzy Q)
E – Equipping sessions for my future as a speaker. There were takeaways to implement right away.
A – Atmosphere of hope for the nearly two-hundred attendees seeking God’s vision for their writing and speaking life.
K – Key elements for a fabulous speaking career shared in every session I attended. Energetic and motivational speaker, Becky Harling challenged us to know our message is to be shared “For Such a Time as This.” Powerful!
U – Unlimited opportunities to meet agents, editors, life coaches, prayer warriors and mentors. I also made some wonderful new friends to encourage along the way.
P – Prayer covering over every participant and every need. The prayer corner was always available for any need presented. I enjoyed a session with HopeLifter, Kathe Wunnenberg who helps spread hope when life hurts.
This conference was truly a blessing at a time when I needed it most. When I arrived I was filled with questions about my future. “Lord, What is next for me? Show me how you can use my gifts and talents through the classes I attend and the people I meet.”
That question was answered in many ways as the weekend unfolded. The Lord confirm the desires of my heart and confirmed that I am a messenger of HOPE.
God is truly good.
As I continue to pray for wisdom and revelation, I know God is doing a work in my life to point me to the place where I can be used to bless others. He is doing the same for you, friend!
Life Coach Anne Denmark
Kathe Wunnenberg is a HOPE lifter!
My Wonderful Speaker Critique Group
I learned so much from Cindy Bultema!
Wow. SuzyQ was so helpful!
I hope to gather a contingent of friends for next year’s conference. I’m already signed up for the July 15-17, 2017 weekend.
We all have a story. Maybe you are feeling that nudge to use writing or speaking to share yours. Please pray about joining me at this conference next year.
Bless you as you write and speak for His glory.
With HOPE,
Gigi
Speaker and Author and Messenger of HOPE ]]>
Here is a link to the conference information: http://fathersnetwork.org/2012/10/04/last-blast-of-conference-information/
It is an honor to share our story with a group of fathers of special needs children.
Steve relates. He is one of them.
I get to go along and share encouragement from the wife’s point of view.
Raising a child with a disability is not easy as a parent.
It is even more difficult as a spouse.
Too often our special needs child demands so much of our time we neglect our spouse and marital issues arise.
We’ve been there. It has caused some difficult days in our marriage.
But there is HOPE.
We’ve learned that if our focus is first turned to Jesus, then we have clear direction for a Godly life where we love our spouse first and then our children.
Pray with us as we share our story with the hope to encourage these dads to trust that God sees their individual situation and has answers for their challenges.
We’re moving into exciting times where God is gracing us with more opportunities to share our story. We are seeing a flow of grace that is unbelievably amazing!
I am truly doing a HAPPY DANCE as I Praise God for recent miracles in our family.
God Bless your heart,
Gigi ]]>
Friday, October 14th, Gabe is speaking his C.L.E.A.R. message at the Philipsburg schools.
Gabe will be sharing his story right where my husband Steve attended school for elementary through high school.
Philipsburg School
On Sunday, October 16th I’ll be sharing a message titled “Courage and Care” with a group of women at an afternoon tea. If you happen to be in Philipsburg on Sunday, join us at the Granite County Museum at 4:00 PM.
It is always fun going back to our roots.
We are certainly learning about how those roots affected our ability to love in the How We Love small group study Steve and I are attending with a great group of people.
This week we discussed my most common love style – the Avoider.
As the eighth of ten children, it is not surprising that this is my dominant love imprint!
My second highest imprint is PLEASER style.
Makes sense. I avoid conflict at all costs so I am a people pleaser. It is hard for me to say “no.”
Can I say I’d just like to dig that root up and plant something a little bit healthier?
Through the How We Love book, I’m learning new skills to do just that.
I hope you have taken the time to take the How We Love Test.
If not, click here and take it. http://www.howwelove.com/hwlstylestest/HWLLoveStyleTest.aspx
Come back and tell me what your dominant love imprint style is. I’d love you to leave a comment on my blog.
It will be fun to dialogue about how this has affected our lives.
I’ve got a couple blogs drafted to share with you the jewels I’ve mined as I’ve dug up this root. So come back to learn more next week.
I’ll be flying the friendly skies tonight. That gives us more time to hang in Missoula and Philipsburg with my family.
I’m really looking forward to walking around the University of Montana Oval and kicking up a few leaves. Oh so many memories.
University of Montana Main Hall in the fall.
I love fall in Montana. And I love learning better ways to express my love.
God bless you today with an understanding that God wants to help you learn how to love.
Gigi
The How We Love book can be purchased at Amazon.com by clicking on this link:
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The topic today was “Encouraging Others in Discouraging Times.” Many of you took a card so you could encourage someone else. I’d love to hear about where your greeting card ended up. Thank you also for the generous donation to Gabriel’s Foundation of HOPE. Our nonprofit will greatly benefit from your gift. ]]>