This was certainly not your typical girl’s conference!  It was an intense, inspiring call to enter the battle for Truth.  It was a challenge to die to self, lay everything on the altar before God, and enter the fray armed and ready to build the kingdom of God.  From the very first session, there was spiritual thunder.  (And there actually was the sound of real thunder outside, which provided a very appropriate ambiance!)  I could sense the very real presence of God throughout the entire weekend.

I never know quite what to expect when I show up for an event.  Sometimes the spiritual climate is difficult and there is hardness and resistance to the message that God has called me to deliver (which is never a comfortable, light-hearted or feel-good message!)  But for this event, the soil had been prepared ahead of time.  It seemed everyone was eager and ready to receive all that God had, though the message was not a soft or easy one.  If I could summarize the theme that God emphasized at this conference, it is captured in this powerful quote by Amy Carmichael:

What is the secret to great living? Entire separation to Christ and devotion to Him.  Thus speaks every man and woman whose life has made more than a passing flicker in the spiritual realm.  It is the life that has no time for trifling that counts. 

We took a close look at all the ways in which we, as American Christian young women, tend to trifle our lives away, preoccupied with pop-culture, worldly attractions, and selfish, earthly things.  The girls who came to this event were challenged to let God gently purge anything from their lives that was standing in the way of Him receiving full glory in and through their femininity; to exchange the frivolous for the eternal.  Many received a clear sense of calling to leave their comfort zone and pour out their lives for the least and lost around the world.  How thrilling to watch God raise up the next generation of Amy Carmichaels, Gladys Alywards and Jackie Pullingers!

I was so blessed to see so many young women who were truly ready to become “the few” in their generation willing to go to all lengths for their Lord.  It was such an honor and privilege for me to be a part of everything that God did over this past weekend.  Even being 9 months pregnant, God gave me supernatural energy and grace to be fully present, though I did take a lot of bathroom breaks!  Eric added his signature fiery inspiration, and Krissy brought a beautiful testimony that ministered to so many.  It was a wonderful, life-changing experience and I am very excited about making this a yearly event!

Now, it’s on to the next adventure – the arrival of baby Ludy #4.  I have full expectation that this experience will be just as supernatural as this past weekend was – and I’ll keep you all posted.  Our God is faithful!*

* Go to the conference photo album