Wow! What an incredibly awesome experience. I’m not sure where to start. So while I let my learnings ruminate, let me share an affirmation from this weekend:
I am passionate about writing. Absolutely, one-hundred percent, in-this-for-the-long-haul passionate about writing.
Until I share more of my thoughts, here are some pictures from the awards banquet last night(which was the only night I took pictures…how awful is that?). It was an absolute joy getting to meet so many of my blogging buddies face-to-face. Spending time with such a fun, encouraging, uplifting group of women was definitely a major highlight of the weekend!
Left to right: Jody Hedlund (who just landed a three-book contract with Bethany House), Eileen Astels Watson (she’s got one killer Canadian accent, ay), me, Jeannie Campbell.
Jessica Nelson showing off some dessert!
Erica Vetsch. Her first book comes out this October!
Jessica Nelson. A funny side note: Jessica kept slouching down because she’s tall and that’s what tall people do. She wasn’t used to taking a picture with a fellow tall girl. So in reality, Jessica is actually taller than me. 🙂
Betsy St. Amant. Betsy writes for Steeple Hill and also had to leave a little baby behind (hers just turned one!)
Jeannie, my fabulous critique parnter! I can’t tell you how fun it was to meet her….even if she did try to cuddle with me WAY too much at night and is a wee bit obsessed with vampires. 😉
Do any of these faces look familiar?
Jody Hedlund, me, Jessica Nelson, Jeannie Campbell
Ralene Burke, Eileen Astels Watson, Krista Phillips, and Cathy Bryant.
Question to Ponder: In what ways has God blessed you this weekend?
It's fun to know that everyone is much much more than words on a page.
Thanks for sharing the pictures! It's so great to see all you awesome bloggers together. Can't wait to hear more about the conference!
Katie: All of you are gorgeous beyond words! I am so happy you got to attend this conference, in spite of your vampire lovin' roomie!
And I'm glad God confirmed your calling. This is exactly how I felt after my first major conference. I remmeber the moment it hit me, the day after I arrived home. I was walking down the hallway of our home and said to the Lord in a rush of emotion: "This is what I want to do with my life."
His answer? "You can't get there by yourself."
I took that to mean not only help from Him, but lots of others. That has proven true, as He's used my bloggy buds again and again to keep me going.
Oooh, so fun! I love seeing pictures. Glad you had a great time. 🙂
Eileen – right back at you! Who would have thought, indeed! 😉 You have no idea how much I enjoyed getting to meet you and hang out with you! Remember – humility trumps self-deprecation! 🙂
Jessica – I completely agree. This weekend was such a blessing! You are all so wonderful!
Hey CArrie – it was pretty awesome!
Wendy – thanks! I hope we can meet in person, too! Maybe next year? Any plans on going to Indianapolis??
Gwen – it was a pleasure meeting you! I took the day off today. I can't remember if you said you were going back on Monday. Hope your class isn't too crazy after having a sub!
Erica – enjoy the rest of your vacation! I had SO much fun laughing with you at the banquet on Saturday night!
Kristen – it was definitely a confirmation. One I asked God for, and He sure delivered!
Thanks Diane! It felt like a reunion. 🙂
Beth – I hope to share some more, but jeesh, it's hard to know where to start!
Candee – I never got to find you to congratulate you on second place in the Gensis contest! That's AWESOME, girl! But I think your son giving his heart ot Jesus trumps everything else! It was a pleasure meeting you.
Thanks Marybeth! It was definitely fun!
Terri – what is funny is that SO many of us were tall, and we didn't realize it. Jeannie and Jody are both tall too. 🙂
Thanks Tabitha! That's sweet of you to say!
I'm glad you liked the pictures, Cindy. And blessings to you on your search for an agent!
Hey Sherrinda! Man, I wish you could have been there! I am 5 ft, 9 inches. Jessica is 5 ft, 11 inches! I think between her, me, Jeannie (who's an inch or two taller than me) and Jody (who I think was about my height), we could form one killer volleyball team! Would you be a hitter or a setter? 🙂
Holly!!!! I need to call you! Funny you say that about the pearls, because when I bought them, I remember thinking, "Holly would love these." And then I remember thinking about your photo shoot…which of course made me smile! 🙂
God definitely blessed me with you this weekend, Katie! I still can't get over how wonderful all you blog friends are. Such genuine, encouraging, and beautiful inside and out people. God certainly did awesome work when He created each of you!!!
Thanks for keeping me sane Friday night! Who would of thought!
LOL! I'm loving the pics here! Why should I put up any? YOu all beat me to it. 🙂 You look gorgeous and I just loved meeting every single one of you!
I didn't know Jeannie was a cuddler. *snicker*
I hope you're enjoying your time home with your man and your little man. 🙂
This weekend was so incredible and warm and loving. I don't think I'll ever forget any of you. 🙂
I've been hopping from blog to blog and seeing all you guys together, how cool!
Katie,
I had to come find this post b/c I don't normally hop on here on the weekends. You look beautiful. I hope you enjoyed your time. I so wish I could have met you all in person.
~ Wendy
Hi Katie, it was great to meet you there! Hope to hear more of your adventures this week. Have a great Monday!
So glad you got home okay. Hope your reunion with the DH and the boy were wonderful, too. I'll be home soon. Then it's nose to the grindstone and full speed ahead!
Thanks for the pictures, Katie! That looks like it was so much fun!!!
Isn't that the greatest realization of all? I don't think there's any confirmation better than that!
Love the pictures. You guys look great. It looks like a wonderful "reunion" of sorts! :O)
Great pictures! How fun to meet all those awesome women 🙂 And so happy to hear you got such awesome affirmation! Can't wait to hear ALL about it.
How did God bless me this weekend? In addition to meeting lots of fabulous people (including you!), He put bookends on the experience. Thursday night when I called home and learned that my 5-year-old had just asked Jesus into his heart. And Saturday when I learned I was Runner Up in the Genesis. Not to mention the massive amounts of information learned and ideas generated. Time to get back to work. 🙂
It is so fun to look at those pictures and know pretty much everyone! (At least through the blogging world) Looks like you guys had fun and I'm glad you got to experience this!
You all look fabulous!!!! I love seeing that you meant everyone! I have met Jessica before and she IS tall but I'm only five four:) You all look great!!
Katie, Wow! Wish I was there. you look absolutely beautiful:)
Glad you were so blessed. Can't wait to hear all the things you learnt. 🙂
Oh my gosh! I love those pictures. So many great blogging friends! I am glad to hear you had a wonderful time and that the conference has affirmed your love for writing. I can't wait to hear more about the conference!
Oh goodness! I want to go next year with you guys! How fun your pictures look! And Katie, you are gorgeous, girl! How tall are you, btw?
Look at you, hot momma!!! Love the dress…LOVE the pearls. I'm so obsessed with pearls these days. Just bought a long chain of them a few months ago…I'm starting to feel like I wear them too much. I mean, when I contemplate wearing them for my morning jog, then that's a problem. jk 🙂
Looks like you had a blast, though. I'm so excited for you! Can't wait to hear how it went.
Love you, chica! *H