We have been in Texas at The Baby Conference this week with some dear friends if you noticed the blog was a bit quieter (well, except for the 90 something comments on the last post ;-)) I pre-scheduled some posts and have hardly been on-line! (Challenging. But very good.)
The Baby Conference was awesome and you can expect to hear some of the great things we learned over the next posts.
But today, I am processing the unexpected. Yes, there were great speakers. There were great lessons and moments of inspiration. But I cried. A LOT. I felt broken…in a good way.
I felt my deep need for humility and grace. The cry of my heart throughout the conference was, “Lord, re-make me”.
After the second night as we met back at the house where we are staying, I was standing in the kitchen telling Robin about the serious reflections I had been having and all of sudden I looked, and she was shaking her head up and down, tears streaming.
She too, had felt a deep sense of renewal and we were both surprised at our encounter with a more honest look at our own hearts and a fresh desire to give over to the Lord some of those habits and sins in our lives that “so easily beset us”. And unless you think otherwise, brokenness over sin is a good thing.
Mostly I think it was just meeting and listening to other women who possessed a grace and humility I do not. There was a constant pointing to Jesus Christ as our motivation for everything we do. I saw a clearer look at the simplicity of the gospel lived out–walking with the Lord, in humility, and allowing Him to have the glory for whatever comes to us.
The Lord showed to me child-like faith that allows us to walk steadfastly and not be moved. To know that when we trust Him with all that we are and our heart’s deepest desire is to glorify Him, we can be sure and steady as the sun, come what may.
The Baby Conference was about babies. How ironic that the Lord would use my babies–my role as a mother–to show me I must consistently seek to know Him more and love Him deeper. The Christian life doesn’t end with us. We are always making disciples. We are ever speaking to those around us of His love.
We speak poorly, or we speak beautifully.
29 comments
Oh Kelly – you were close enough to touch and I missed you! We’ve been traveling this weekend between Austin and our new home in Corpus Christi, straight through SA at least twice in the last few days. I need to pay attention and look around once in a while, I would have loved to meet you and others in person.
What a beautiful testimony in just that picture – thanks for everything you do. I’ll be there next time!
Oh.my.goodness. I would have so loved to meet you! I did get to meet a few readers and the thrill of that was worth the trip. We’re still in TX if you’re around 😉
Motherhood, and the witnessing of it, teaches all sorts of things 🙂
Yes, YES, brokenness over sin is a good thing! The typical response when a friend is broken over their sin is to say: You’re fine. Don’t worry, you’re not that bad!
I’ve seen many women on the brink of salvation turn back to their carnal lives because their “friends” wouldn’t allow them to be broken over their sin. So sad!!
Kelly,
How did you enjoy our crazy Texas weather? This is most definatly a HOT, HUMID, Texas Summer!
We’ve been blamed more than once for “bringing our humidity with us” 😉 Feels very much like home.
Oh… I am so “jealous”!
I am so glad y’all were able to go. I am looking forward to hearing about it!
It was so awesome to meet you, Mrs. Kelly! 🙂
Likewise, Jasmine. You are such a beautiful, graceful young woman and I loved getting to know you more.
I SO wish we could have gone. I love this post, thanks for writing.
As a fellow participant of The Baby Conference, I can’t wait to hear your thoughts! My wife and I LOVED IT! We were challenged, grieved and uplifted all at the same time. What a breath of fresh air it was to hear the clear biblical thinking and to see the commitment to follow those thoughts with biblical action.
I am praying Vision Forum makes the Baby Conference available as DVD’s or CD’s. I think it was originally scheduled to be held in Williamsburg, VA. We would have been able to attend if it were held there.
I can’t wait to read what you gleaned Kelly!
Ditto, everyone else. I’m anxious to hear your thoughts/recaps.
Yes! So many things in this post spoke to my heart – especially about how it is ALL about trusting in Him and constantly seeking to live in His word. I’m so excited to read more about how the Lord worked at the conference. Don’t keep us waiting! 🙂
So many readers & blogers who’s thoughts I really enjoy are right here in Texas! I had no idea! How exciting! (I live in Texas)
Kelly,
I had a feeling that you would be going to The Baby Conference. 🙂 I wish my husband and I could have gone to that. I’m really looking forwward to hearing what you have learned! 🙂
You know, I thought for a few weeks, ‘I need to ask Kelly if she might possibly be going to the Baby Conference, because I would love, love, love to meet her.’ But I didn’t, and you were there, and I didn’t know it. So bummed! 🙁 We just got home this evening. Life changing is an understatement. I too was gently broken and I cried more than I have in quite some time. I cannot express how deeply impacted I was by that grace and humility you wrote of. Sure, there’s a lot to process by way of the amazing lectures and unbelievably encouraging panels…but it’s the things the Lord did deep in my soul, the heart surgery…that is what I didn’t see coming, and for what I am most grateful for. I look forward to reading your posts on the conference. Wish I could’ve met you and snapped a picture with you. Another time perhaps. Bless you Kelly!
Aw…I’m so sad we didn’t get to meet!
I so enjoyed meeting you and Bria at the conference! I echo your feelings… I came away with such a brokeness, such an increased desire to follow my Savior with a faith that cannot be shaken and a passion that cannot be quenched. I told my husband today on our drive back that I have so many things I want to list out and remember – lessons I never want to forget… I feel like I have SO much to learn and change and grow in. And at the same time, I was so encouraged by the transparency of so many of the women I talked to… this common struggle we all face with our sin natures. It was so refreshing to realize that, indeed… we all struggle. How freeing it is to simply look my imperfections in the face and see them not as chains which bind me down, but as reminders of my need of a Savior and His power and grace. God is so good.
Great to meet you too! Wish we had had more time to chat.
We, too, were at the Baby Conference, but didn’t see you. I would love to have met you as you hosted my 2 older daughters at your home when they were in your area for a wedding and I could have thanked you in person! But it was not to be this time. Will you possibly be in the area for the SAICFF in October?
It was a wonderful conference, a breath of fresh air with the Scriptures as our foundation for all we think and do. Bittersweet as we think of the culture of death in which we live and how the Church, for the most part, only recognizes a very small bit of that. And so very uplifting to see so many who love, cherish and honor life that is made in the image of God. May the Lord open the eyes of the Church, awake her from her slumber, and redeem what the locust has eaten.
Did you look at the Reformation 500 Boston Commemorative Frame at the front of the Ballroom? My girls, the ones who stayed with you, made that as a thank you. I only tell you that because you know them and might appreciate knowing it.
So sorry to have not met you and thanked you in person. Lord willing, next time.
mommaof10,
Oh, rats! I did speak to Ashley briefly…it was so good to see her sweet face again! Not sure if we’ll be at the next one. I didn’t get to see the frame close up (and I have very bad eye sight 🙁 –wow, what a gift they gave!
I was hit hard over the head. My pride and selfishness have become too apparent lately 🙁 I, like most homeschoolers, are familiar with Deut.6 but I never truly applied it. At the conference I saw that there are many families who are applying it. God is in everything we see, touch, hear and taste. But, am I turning it all back to Him? I learned that Michelle Duggar is. If she is why can’t I? This is certainly something my husband and I both were shown at the Baby Conference.
The Baby Conference was amazing, and that’s coming from a man’s perspective too! It certainly exceeded my expectations. I listed multiple things I learned on my blog today.
Kelly you met and spoke with my wife Autumn, while I was holding the baby while you both chatted.
I’ll probably sit here for the next 30 minutes and read every post you have made in the past month! I found you through doing a search on the Baby Conference. (Then I realized I’ve read your stuff At the Well or Raising Homemakers?) I was searching with some small hope I could find sample videos…would love to get the whole set since it’s on sale this week…but…probably won’t happen. That’s awesome that you were so touched this week. I believe brokeness over sin is a wonderful place to be as God sanctifies us.
I look forward to reading more and excuse me if I leave 100 more comments…the babies are napping. 🙂
What I find amazing is that I read this tonight and you talk of brokeness, and I have been going through brokeness this past week. I am a mother of seven and I am going through a miscarriage. I have been broken before the Lord this week. I feel humbled by His presence and provision in my life. I feel as if I have taken so much for granted, and that I need to submit myself more to him. I have taken a journey this summer and the impact of it will resonate in my life for eternity.
Oh my word! My favorite thing about this post is that picture. I absolutely love the look on that sweet little girl’s face as she stares at her mama! Beyond precious.
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You make a great point. Got some great info here. I think that if a lot more folks thought about it that way, theyd have a greater time understanding the issue. Your view is certainly some thing Id like to see a lot more of. Thanks for this blog. Its fantastic and so is what youve got to say.