If These Walls Could Speak…
If these walls could speak…
…they would tell you many more stories than will – ever – be read here on Women Living Well.
They’d tell you of family fun but also of messy dirty floors and dust lingering on the fireplace while I typed away on my computer.
They would tell you of snuggles and snacks and story time readings but also of training and tantrums and tears.
They would tell you of passionate love and long talks with my husband but also of strain and tension thick in the air, when we didn’t see eye to eye.
They would tell you of a broken messy people who have fears and hardships and stress but who come around the dinner table and comfort and talk and rest.
They would tell you that the talk of defeat and quitting had come up too many times to number…
They would tell you that there were many nights my husband didn’t sleep a wink, with the stress of his business on his mind.
They would tell you of late nights – typing, writing, answering emails, and feeling too overwhelmed to sleep.
They would tell you of the triumphs – the celebrations of birthdays and anniversaries coming and going.
They would tell you of trials –years dealing with the same nagging stuff that just never seems to go away.
They would tell you of a woman who sings really loud with her hands lifted high in praise and a woman who has laid broken in spirit on the floor crying out to God for answers and for help.
They would tell you how I tend to procrastinate with my cleaning until people are coming and then magically the house shines and the garage — it would tell you I’m a pack rat.
But the walls don’t speak. And I choose what I share on-line and what goes unseen and heard and for that I am grateful — I need privacy…but I also sometimes wish I could give a more complete picture…
And so this summer, on Saturday, August 10th, I’ll be flying in my favorite bloggers from around the blogosphere to my home town for the Women Living Well Conference. They will each speak for about 15 minutes, but then we will go to a round table, where we will have unscripted conversations about marriage, parenting, homemaking and more. My vision is that we would get away from scripts and have a chance to have real meaningful dialogue about what it means to wrestle and live out daily, walking with the King.
But my second vision is that all of you who are not able to leave your babies or work, would have a chance to join us too.
So I’ve hired a professional camera crew, using the royalties of my book, and we will be recording this conference. Then this fall, I will webcast the conference for free, for all of you around the globe. I love my missionary mom readers in far off countries and military wife readers on bases around the world and Christian friends on the west and east coast 🙂 and I don’t want anyone left out. That is why the conference will be small with just 225 tickets being sold. We’ll have a small intimate group that we can really be open and transparent with, but then it will happen again a second time, on-line this fall, for all of you who cannot join us.
I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m scared. All of this is way outside my comfort zone. My sweet friend Katina is helping me coordinate all of this because honestly, I do not have the skill set to pull this off. I am not a very good detail person so this has been a painful process. I could not do this without her! Please pray for Katina and the camera crew who are trying to follow my lead and my vision when to be honest…I’m still figuring it all out. Oh man, what did I get myself into? lol!!!
Tickets go on sale tonight (Friday, April 12th) at 10pm {Eastern Standard Time Zone}. I hope some of you will come and join us. We would love to meet you. We are working hard behind the scenes to make this day very special for conference attendees. We want to bless you. We know that if you spend a day away from your family, you want it to be meaningful and fun. So we are working hard to deliver.
Oh friends, pray for me –cause if these walls could speak, they would tell you that I’m so so so so out of my comfort zone but also, so so so very sure that I’m in the center of God’s zone for me, that I won’t turn back now.
I’m clinging to this verse:
“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” ~ Psalm 46:10,11
Walk with the King,
Sooo honored to be given this opportunity, Courtney! Thank you so much, sweet friend for your generosity and leadership in this new adventure! To God be the glory! AND soooo looking forward to being able to spend some time with those of you who can make it to our conference this August! What a wonderful time it will be! 🙂 Can’t wait to see your beautiful faces and have the chance to give you a hug in person! Looking so forward to it! 🙂
I’m so excited that you are going to film it, I was hoping you would! I’m in California and can’t make it out but am super excited to watch. I will keep everyone involved in my prayers. Thank you for doing this AND out of royalties! Whew! You are an awesome source of encouragement!
Yay!!! So glad it will be recorded! Can’t wait to see it this fall. Thank you!!! ((Hugs))
Holly, Kyiv
Dear Courtney,
This is such an exciting time for you–sounds like the culmination of alot of hard work and perseverance. I know that it will be a great success and you and your team will touch many people with your message. Thank you so much for being brave enough to follow where God leads, even though it is scary for you and you feel uncomfortable with the growing pains…He wants to move mountains through you!
Hugs,
Mary
Awesome! I can’t wait to watch. May God bless you as you prepare, and move powerfully during the conference.
WOW! Congratulations, Courtney! You may be out of your comfort zone but you’re all in His!! <3
I like Fawn’s comment…”you may be out of your comfort zone but you’re all in His”…AMEN =) I am so excited for you and the thousands of women whos lives you will reach by being obedient to the will of Jesus =) You are a great example of how we can all reach the world by letting God lead the way.he is so creative and reaches out to us right where we are…that is LOVE!
He is Love =)
Fabulous! Thank you for being willing to share your heart and the real stuff with a wider audience.
I wish I were able to attend, but I’m so looking forward to seeing it this fall. You are in my thoughts and prayers!!
Well, I’m 6 hours away by car, but if my husband agrees, we will make the trip! I would love to come hear all of the ladies speak!
This just makes my heart smile. You are obeying the call on your life and from that many blessings will return ten fold. I am an army wife and I am so thankful to be able to stay at home and homeschool my children so that they can have some source of security in their life. Your blog has been inspiring for me to be a true woman of God. I can’t wait to watch the webcast. This fall can’t come soon enough. Trust me when I say this I will pack my livingroom full of other women to watch this.
Thank you for recording it for those of us who can’t attend! That blesses me so much! I look forward to your blogs, and was thinking how much I would really love to come but cannot for several reasons. It made my morning to learn that I’ll still be able to gleen from the experience even if I can’t be there physically. Thanks so much, and thank you for your dedication to your readers.
I’m so excited you are going to film it! I always feel left out of blogger conferences because I am in a season of life where I can’t get away. Thank you Courtney, it will be perfectly wonderful, just keep God at the center!
You are using your royalities from your book for the recording? Is the book available? Have I missed it?!!! I have been waiting for it –
Hi Kellie! My book comes out this fall! So it’s not out quite yet but I received a little advance…so I decided to put it back into the Women Living Well ministry. 🙂 God is good how he provides!!!
Thanks for asking!
Courtney
Thank you so much for this. Ever since I stumbled upon you online, I’ve admired you and said to myself, “I’ll never be able to be that kind of woman.” But reading this today, I realize I already am–we are no different! You can be a viruous woman with real flaws and struggles too. This post gives me hope. Thank you!
Praying for you from SC and so thankful you will be sharing it online in the fall! Praying for you as you follow God in this new experience. Living in the center of His Will is never boring!!
Hello Courtney,
Thanks so much for recording this event. I am a homeschool mom, wife, and Christ Follower. I have enjoyed your blog over the years. We make our home in Canada, and I would not be able to make the trip to participate in the conference. I will look forward to attending this fall, via your recording. Thank you for reaching beyond your comfort zone — I am doing the same by posting this message to you this morning. 🙂
Blessings on you and your family, as you follow Him.
Courtney, love your heart and vision. Beautiful! Praying for God’s favor on the whole thing!
I can’t wait for this conference! I am so blessed that you only live an hour and a half away from me in the same state of Ohio! Your blog has been such a lifesaver for me as I’ve dealt through the tribulations in my life over the last two years. I look forward to meeting you and the other bloggers in August. I’ll be coming by myself but I’m sure I can make some new friends while I am there.
Oh WOW!!!!! I can already feel the power of God surrounding you and other leaders. I would love to be there, but if not, I will be there on the web.
I am praying for you as you prepare for this undertaking. I will pray for you to let yourself go and let God.
Thank you so much for deciding to tape the conference! I can’t wait!
Praying for you Courtney!:) Love your blogs,videos.. Love ya in Christ. HUGS!
Leah , India
Ahhhhh! COURTNEY, thank you! I wanted so badly to attend but I just “came home” this year and funds are tight. I am grateful beyond words you are doing this for us! How generous!
I winced when I read the title of your post because I asked myself the same question. Makes you think doesn’t it? :/
Anyhow thank you again!!!!!
I just wanted to go ahead and offer a prayer to the Lord on your behalf here:
Heavenly Father,
Thank you so much for Courtney and these women. You have used many of them to speak into my life. I will never be the same because of that. God, you see how Courtney feels out of her comfort zone, but You, You Lord, have equipped her. I ask that You would cause her feelings to match what is true about her in You. Please protect her from the attacks of the enemy. Protect the film crew, Katina, and all the women speaking. Let them all exalt Your name and speak life giving words to the hearers. I pray that you would also protect the families of all who are involved with this. I pray they would be great supports during all the preparations and that any conflict and argument would be put out quickly. Exalt Your name Lord!! In Jesus name I pray. Amen!! And my little boy says Amen too!! 🙂
I’m so glad you are doing this. I wanted to come to the conference, but it’s the day before my youngest starts kindergarten. The speakers are some of my favorite bloggers. Hopefully you will be doing another conference (maybe in the summer) next year. 🙂 Love your blog…it’s so encouraging.
I am so thankful that you will be recording the conference! I am due to have a new baby just 2 weeks prior to the conference or else I would be there (I live in northeast Indiana so the drive wouldn’t be too bad). I already have your book on my Amazon wish list too! I am so excited to see what God is doing in your life and love hearing that you are bravely walking on the path the He has set out for you. I pray for you regularly and pray that God will continue to use your ministry to speak into women’s lives as it has been so inspiring in my life over the past 2 years. Thank you for all that you do!
Reading this in Ireland and just wanted to say thank you for your honest sharing. A lot of what you write doesn’t apply to me as I am quite a bit older and we have never been blessed with children. But I enjoy your writings and am always encouraged by how honest and real you are. I will be praying for you and your team. God bless you as you follow in His will.
Hi Courtney,
What a lovely post. Just like all your other posts, so easy to relate to. Your conference will be great! God has called you and when He calls, He equips. He has surrounded you with wonderful ladies to help you along the way. He has sent angels to help you.
I would so be there if I could go. Thank you for a transparent and willing heart. So many ladies have already and will continue to be blessed and encouraged by your ministry.
Blessings,
Marie
Courtney, you’re awesome & you got this! Keep blessing us with your gifts! Remember it’s when we step outside our comfort zone, and trust and follow God’s plan, that’s when we really see change, and God’s amazing work at hand! Love & blessings to you!
Oh Courtney How I pray I can come to this. You have no idea how much you have helped me to find my purpose and to embrace my role as a Stay At Home Mom of faith. I am no longer ashamed that I have quote sin my home, I am no longer feeling like I am “just” a stay at home Mom. I watch you and read your blog to find that since of community I am longing for in the me me me world. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do.
Thank you SO MUCH for putting it online this fall!!!! It is going to bless so many people!
Thank you so much for recording this! I know that because I am a single mother, I cannot go to these conferences for both reasons, I can’t leave my babies or my work. I can’t wait to be able to see this this fall!
Oh I would love to be there but we will be visiting my family in my home town of Akron in June/July! If only….I will be looking forward to the video though! Blessings!
I guess since this is being filmed I better dress to impress! Lol
Can’t wait to see it!
“If These Walls Could Talk ” sounds like you’ve been to my house… So much of this is or was me. Wish I coils attend your conference. I could use some girl time. Thank you and bless you for all you do.
BUMMED! Didn’t realize there was going to be a $2.19 handling fee tacked on to the $48 as no where on your website does it say that. So, I guess I’ll have to wait until next Friday(if there are any left) to purchase a ticket since I had JUST enough to cover my ticket price of $48 in my account. Oh well….guess I’m not meant to go 🙁
Ugh! I’m so sorry Eventbrite tacks on that fee 🙁
It’s all good now! Thank goodness hubby let me use his debit card…..Can’t wait to meet ya! Then they(eventbrite) takes you to PayPal :{ Not a fan of PayPal since my brother had his account hacked and had $800 removed which caused a bunch of checks to bounce and ended up costing him over $200 in bounced check and insufficient fund fees! He DID get his $800 back but was never reimbursed for the bounced check fees.
Excited! Just bought tickets for the conference! Looking forward to meeting you. =)
Hooray! So glad you can come!
We’re praying for you out here in New Jersey! In the mean time, here’s a bible verse my husband and I memorized together when we first started courting and has come in handy many times when a little stress enters our lives. God be with you!
Em from NJ
“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” -Isaiah 41:10
Courtney, I just recently found your website. God had placed a desire in my heart to study and meditate on Proverbs 31, so He brought me to Women Living Well. I SO appreciate everything on this website, but this post hit home! I’m going to be WAY out of my comfort zone when I speak at my church’s first Women’s event on the subject of nutrition and exercise. I’m nervous, but relying on God to give me the words that these women need to hear. I’ll be looking forward to watching the video of your event! Thank you for stepping out of your comfort zone for those of us who are unable to attend! 🙂
Congratulations & best of luck with the conference! Can’t wait to see it on the web 🙂 I’ll be keeping you and everyone involved in this wonderful ministry in my prayers.
I’m so glad that it’s going to be broadcast! Is your book available for pre-order yet?
Sweet Courtney! I will pray for you! You are brave! “Be still and know I am God” is what my 10 year old just embroidered onto her homemade pillowcase. A good place to put that verse where you head rests and the last thing to see before falling asleep, right? 🙂 Wish I could make and send you one.
Thank you for following His leading. I am looking forward to seeing it this fall! Just dump it onto His shoulders and repeat whenever needed. Then repeat again! (I have to do this often, as I tend to be a ‘worrier’) When projects are God’s and you are just allowing Him to use you … you can’t go wrong! It’s not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit says the Lord ….
Hugs,
Amber in Oregon
You and the whole team will be great!!! I can’t wait for this fall to see the recorded session. I have been excited about this ever since you first announced and wished I lived closer to be able to attend.
I’m so excited that your conference will be filmed! You inspire me (as well as TONS of other women) daily…probably far more than you know. I even appreciate you sharing your imperfections with us, it helps to identify and see that we are ALL capable of desiring greatness in Him, even WITH our flaws. Thank you for sharing your heart and soul in your ministry, for being real and raw! : )