Hi, loves! Sorry I’ve been MIA all week. It’s been a crazy, beautiful, full, overwhelming week of precious women, handmade goodness, little sleep, fun fashion, and a whole lot of hashtag-ing (yes, #influenceconf was a worldwide trending topic… for about 5 minutes… but still!!).
Right now I’m sitting at my gate at the Indianapolis Airport and, well… processing.
Processing photos.
Processing conversations.
Processing business cards and twitter handles and all the new names and faces.
But mostly (and I think this will take more than the time I wait at my gate to get through), I’m processing the heart stuff. What does God want me to take and keep from what I heard? Where does he want to mess me up and make me new?
I’ve got a lot of notes on blogging strategy – how to monetize, how to engage readers, how to cut the fat and be efficient and intentional with my time. Really good, solid advice from people who know what they’re talking about. I’m learning how to expand and leverage my circle of influence and all that fancy business stuff.
But the heart stuff? Goodness me. The sweet circle of influence that matters most to me are the people that will pick me up at the airport late tonight in their jammies. I will influence them with my attitude as I clean up their spills and step on their Legos and clean their coffee mugs tomorrow. As I settle back into real life and the all kinds of messiness that comes with it.
And I can make much of Christ in their lives, only after I make much of Him in my own.
I’ve processed a lot of lovely photos from the weekend (oh, it was a priceless, exhausting, thrilling time!), and I will share more soon. I’m still processing new friendships and names-with-faces and all the really useful business-y stuff. But the process that I’m looking forward to most is sitting quietly (because quiet didn’t really exist for the past 4 days) with the Lord and just listening.
Until then, would y’all enjoy a few photos?
Favorite Quotes from the Weekend:
“your hair might be too short for a sock bun!” – Jessi Connolly
“Doing the right thing at the wrong time is the wrong thing.” – Jessi Connolly
“Real growth can look a lot like being lost” – Ann Bogel
“Say ‘no’ before you say ‘yes'” – John Saddington
“I’m so glad the internet is real!” – everyone
“Sometimes we’re in a place of suffering because of our sin… Sometimes God puts you there so you can see Him.” -Jami Nato
“this has been a soul exfoliation. feeling so raw!” -@soZealous
“if it’s not a messy, winding road, you’re doing it wrong” – Ann Bogel
“When we minister out of ourselves, we will bleed out. The problem? Our blood is no good.” – Jessi Connolly
“perfectionism is the mother of procrastination” – John Saddington
“Don’t let the healthy desires of your heart turn into GOTTA HAVE IT NOW. Learn to embrace the seasons” – Nick Connolly
“The beauty of a blogging conference over others is bloggers don’t see each other as competition but community” – Will Bogel
Have a favorite memory or post from the Influence Conference? Link up here!
I’ve tried to keep the messiness to a minimum while you’ve been gone ;-) You should be set up nicely to start the week. I can’t speak for the kids though.
Love you! See you soon!
Raechel!! So glad I got to meet you and learn from you at Influence this weekend. Goodness, I understand the processing thing…but in the meantime, this collage is fantastic! And yep, that first one was me :)
I was sooooo blessed by you this week, Raechel! I’m so thankful that I got to connect with you more, and I look forward to the next time we meet!
Thanks for posting the quotes Raechel! I definitely needed to read Nick Connolly’s quote.
Of all the memorable parts of this weekend, I know that I will forever remember your sweet smile of encouragement! I am with you on needing a little quiet time with the Lord to start out this week. Hope your journey home was safe and that you have a great Monday.
Pretty sure I’m majorly regretting my decision to stay home. I SO wish I could have come! NEXT YEAR- I”m THERE! NO EXCUSES!
Sounds like y’all had a great time!!!!
PS- Fellow Nashvillian here! :)
Hey Annie! Well, its pretty safe to say you would have loved it! But that’s okay! Next year will be here before you know it! And in the meantime, yay for Nashville! Maybe we can bump into each other between now and next September! (ps – did you know they are selling 10 super cheap 2013 tickets today?)
LOVED meeting you sweet friend. Your heart is just as precious as you are!!!
So thankful to call you friend. Like a REAL friend. A friend who gives me grace when I don’t deserve it + covers me with love when I deserve a swift kick + provides patience when I’m being anything but.
love you, dear friend.
Even though I heard a lot of those with my own ears, it was so nice to read them again.
It was nice to meet you this weekend :). Thanks for the post.
So glad I was able to meet you this weekend. you are an amazing child of God!
Yes, great to connect! And, right back at you, sister!
What an amazing time! This is a GREAT recap post– loved being there!
I love the quotes at the end. They are very representative of the weekend. (I aslo love what you’ve done with the photos — very cute)
I hope this weekend stays with you as I believe it will me.
And.. thanks for the Starbucks!
It was great to meet and get to know you a bit Eyvonne! So glad you came and – always glad to grab a hot breakfast for a buddy! ;)
Your post is my fave! Love it! ANd, love your pics. But, most of all I love YOU and your sweet heart and kind spirit. You rock girl and I’m so honored to know you and I’m so glad I was a part of this FAB conference. Can’t wait to *meet* again! xoxo, cat
Love! So great to get to know you too, Cat! Looking forward to all your lovely photos and getting to see you again! xoxo
Glad you had fun at your conference…where did you get that cool bag in the middle picture? :)
Hey Alicia! It’s a Better Life Bag – the Brynnda.
thanks for sharing your thoughts, quotes and pictures. so great to be reminded of it all. like you, God also reminded me where my most important influence is….at home. sometimes i forget what a high calling i already have in the midst of pouring juice, wiping noses, and kissing cheeks. BLESSED. we definitely should get together for coffee since we live SO CLOSE! :)
Thank you for sharing (your heart and your room!) So glad I got to meet you!
And one of my favorite quotes from the weekend:
“I love a good, efficient pump!”
-Raechel Myers
Haha – it’s true!!!
Such a great recap Raechel! Thanks for serving as community leader and thank you for such insightful thoughts on the panel discussion! Excited about things to come! ~Bri~
That quote by Nick just punched me in the gut – in the best way. Learning to just BE where God has me is the hardest thing for me because I’m always dreaming up new options.
i loved the quotes you shared – especially the first by Jessi! I’m so glad I got to meet you, and thank you for sharing the StitchFix love! I’m hoping to get my first fix soon!
Hi lady! Thanks for including my “quote”! It was super nice to meet you (& talk Stitchfix;). I think I’m gonna take the plunge…