Speaking at Indiana Wesleyan

Remember how I told you I spoke four times in four days this week? Wednesday marked the third day and the biggest crowd! In fact, as soon as I agreed to speak, I asked Ryan if he would mind taking the day off work and coming with me, because I needed him! (He said yes without much arm-twisting.)

It was actually really exciting to receive this invitation, partly because it's always encouraging to get invited back to your alma mater, right? And I was excited, too, because this was a different setting than most places I speak. I don't often get to address a more academic setting! But the school planned their first ever staff council retreat, which I think is an amazing event to offer. (It was for the hourly staff and took place right there on campus. Two speakers, door prizes, and a catered lunch. What a great investment in employees!)

They asked if I would speak on the topic of balancing life, work, and family, so I worked for several weeks to put together something I hoped would give them some new perspectives on all those life areas! And since Ryan went with me, I asked if he would also help me. We worked together to practice this talk so we could be coordinated and as seamless as possible in our delivery!

 Fiesta theme!! It was so colorful! (Fun fact: This retreat was held in the same rooms as our wedding reception!)

Guzzling water pre-speaking.

I had prayed so hard over this day, and I sure don't know how everyone else felt about it, but I know with everything in my soul that I gave it my very best and while I know there's always room to improve and grow as a speaker, I know I couldn't have done anything more leading up to that day.

Here are some photos other people took (on Ryan's phone and their own cameras) while I spoke and Ryan helped:

 My mom saw this next picture and asked if he was getting blessed. LOL!! Not really! He was demonstrating how Moses held up his hands during the battle with the Amalekites.

After I finished speaking, we had lunch, and it's possible I sort of circulated during that time to try to catch up with friends! Here are a few:

 (My best friend's mom, Janice.)

 (My dear Ronda, who has been such a good friend for so many years now.)

(Cheri is married to the pastor of the first church I attended as a grown-up. If you've read the Be Still book, she's the one I talked to at the beginning to share what the Lord had put on my heart about fasting. She is such an encouraging lady!!)

After lunch, this amazing lady named Joan McManus Bardsley spoke. Interesting and random fact for you. Joan is twice widowed, and her second husband, Harold, had also previously been married before the two of them wed. His first wife was the teacher in the classroom where my mom worked for many years!

Anyway, Joan used to be a kindergarten teacher herself and just has the most delightful personality and manner of presentation!

After I heard her speak, I started to feel a lot less confident about my own! She was so funny and carefree in what she shared, and I felt mine had been too stiff! But then she told me after it was all over that she felt like she couldn't follow me because I had been so well-prepared. Isn't it funny how we're so critical of our own selves? Bottom line: we had very different approaches, but we both brought the messages the Lord gave us, and when it was over, I had a new friend named Joan! :)

Thank you, Ryan, for giving up a vacation day to come with me and help me on this event. It was better because you were there!!