31days // The Introduction

It's 12:15AM, and I literally just walked into my house. I just got off the plane that took me home from my Influence Conference + Chicago 5 day long adventure, and even though my body is craving my bed, my heart is craving this laptop. Ever since the very first night in Indianapolis, all I wanted to do was pour out my thoughts onto a blank Blogspot screen. And so here I go. 

I have so many pictures like those two above. Pictures that make my heart swell with love for these women who I was blessed enough to spend a weekend with. Pictures with people who once were strangers, and by all normal standards, still should be. Pictures with people who live scattered across various states, with various accents and various lifestyles. 

And I am blessed to call these women my friends because we have one thing in common. 

I'm sure a word that may come to mind is blogging, but that's not the one I'm referring to. It may be true, but there's another word that is truly responsible for these incredible friendships. And that word is Jesus. 

This weekend was incredibly powerful for me, for so many reasons. Yes, the teaching was wonderful. Yes, it was mind blowing to get to hug so many of my closest friends for the very first time. And yes, I am fairly certain I broke the world record for the amount of Starbucks to be consumed in a 5 day period. 

But the real reason that it was powerful? Was because Jesus met me in the middle of the beautiful chaos to speak straight to my soul. In the middle of a room full of hundreds of women, I felt His presence so profoundly that it brought tears to my eyes, each and every time. 

I looked around the room and saw my people. And that brought tears to my eyes, because I was reminded that not too long ago, I wouldn't have felt that way at all. Not too long ago, I would have stood in a room full of women on fire for Christ, and felt like the outsider. I would have wanted to fit in, I maybe would have tried. But I would have felt like a phony, and I would have walked straight out of that room full of Jesus, back to my world full of sin where I felt comfortable. 

As I realized how different my world looks now, the weight of it all sat on me. Not the kind of weight that is a burden, sitting on your shoulders. The kind of weight that you feel as you become overwhelmed with the realization of how much Jesus loves you. And that weight, I hope to carry my entire life. 

My world is different because Jesus Christ came crashing through the walls that I had build around my heart. My life has radically changed because He so graciously poured truth into a mind that desperately needed it. 

Once you've seen how incredible our Savior is, it's impossible not to crave more. I once looked to the world for comfort and acceptance, and found myself tangled in my own messy broken heart. But now, I find myself craving Jesus, and in turn, craving purity, holiness and righteousness, things that I never thought would be attainable for a sinner like me. 

And the truth is, they're not, and they won't be until I meet my Savior face to face. But what's changed between the past and the present, is the lesson that 

just because they're not attainable, doesn't mean you don't strive for them. 

So now, I do strive. And I fail, a lot, but I keep striving. 

And that, my friends, has changed everything. 

I'm joining the 31 Days challenge with Nesting Place, writing for 31 days on one topic. I wasn't gonna do it, it sounds a bit daunting. But the Lord made it pretttyy darn clear what I'm writing about, and I'm up for the challenge. I don't have a schedule, I don't have a plan. I'll just be praying my little heart out, and plopping myself on the floor with my laptop once a day to see what happens. 

My topic? Right here:

Until tomorrow, lovelies. 

5 People I Can't Wait to Meet at Influence!

So, you probably already know that I'm going to Influence Conference next week. And, you probably already know that I'm crazy excited to meet so many of my closest blog friends 

IN REAL LIFE. 

But today, I want to showcase 5 peeps that I am especially excited to meet. Why am I excited to meet these gorgeous ladies? Because in my 2+ years of blogging, they have each poured into me a whole lot. They've shared wisdom, encouraged me, supported me, and spurred me on. And I can't wait to hug em' IN REAL LIFE. Yeah, it deserves to be in CAPS again.

So in no particular order, I give you 

5 People I Can't Wait to Meet at Influence!

One // Annie from What She Saw

 

Annie will be picking me up from the airport, and she is already braced for the hug that is awaiting her. The two of us will be road-tripping from Chicago to Indy, and will be bringing ourselves straight on back after the conference for some #chicagodoublea* action.

*See what I did there?

Two // Kerrie from The Williams Post

 

 Words cannot express how much this girl has influenced me. The first few posts I ever wrote about Jesus were for her link up. I figured I could devote one day a week to getting outside of my comfort zone, into that scary place of mentioning the word "Jesus" on my blog. 

 

It's crazy to remember how much the Lord has grown me since starting this blog. I really did used to be afraid of saying things like "Jesus" or "Holy Spirit," and now those words seem to fearlessly flow off my tongue. I'm thankful for that, that the Lord has helped me see that often times, the things I'm afraid of aren't so scary after all. 

 

Kerrie's blog inspired me. Her link ups gave me the push I needed to start talking about what the Lord was doing in my life. And her friendship has never ceased to bless me off the charts. 

 

Sooo basically, yeah, I'm pretty excited to meet this girl. :)

 

 Three // Erin from Sweetness Itself

 

 This girl has an incredibly beautiful heart that inspires me so darn much. Being a fellow Southern California girl, I'm sure we could talk for hours about In N Out and the traffic on the 405 freeway and Reality and how gosh darn lucky we are to live here.

Her passion for purity gave me the courage to write about my own heart for purity, and I can't wait to talk to this lovely lady more about this topic. 

 

Four // Katie from Unfading Grace

 

 This girl always blesses me with the sweetest encouragement. I am so excited to hug her in person, and I just know that we will have the best conversations. I can't wait to hear more about her family, I feel like I learn so much about marriage and parenthood from reading her honest and beautiful posts.

Five // Courtney from Splendid Actually

 

 Courtney has the sweetest spirit, one that I know will just be so contagious in person. We've been social media friends for quite some time now, covering all of our bases with blogs, twitter & instagram. It's most definitely time to take this friendship to the next level, sealing the deal with an in person hug. 

 

And I can. not. wait!

There are sooo many others that I'm dying to meet, but just wanted to give a special shout out to some women who have greatly encouraged, blessed and just plain old loved on me over the last few years. 

 

Happy Humpday!

 

Influence Link Up!

Today I am so excited to be linking up with my fellow Influence Conference attendees! I have been looking forward to this since I was commenting on everyone's posts last year saying "I wish I was there!!" Can't believe it's finally almost time to meet all of these incredible ladies who I feel like I already know in real life!

If we haven't already met yet, hello! I'm Amy. 

I'm a southern California girl who most commonly blogs about Jesus, fashion and running, and who only photographs at the highest quality provided by an iPhone. 

Oh, and I cannot wait to meet you!

Speaking of the conference, let's talk about the 

2 things that I will for sure have packed in my bag:

Well, the first 2 items would definitely be my Bible and my journal, but next on the list is my brand spankin' new Erin Condren life planner.

You may have already read all about my obsession yesterday, but in case you missed it, feel free to see more pics and gushing over here. 

Next would be my Sweet Home SB business cards that I made specifically for this occasion!

These bad boys have been ready to go, right in my purse ever since I got them in the mail. You might call that being prepared, but really it's just because I would forget to pack them. 

Kind of like I forgot to put my own name on my business cards. {Feel free to laugh}

But let's be real, it totally looks like I meant to add the personalized touch of a signature. ;)

Next, let's chat about the 2 things that I am most excited for. 

First and foremost is meeting so many of my closest blog friends. All in one place, at one time. I don't think it can get much better than that!

And second would definitely be the learning. Call me a textbook nerd, but I love learning. When you combine that love of learning with learning about Jesus? Well, I'll say it one more time, I don't think it can get much better than that!

Usually, I'm asking time to slow down. But I'm all for the next 2 weeks flying by. 

Happy Tuesday!

Influence Link Up!

Today, I'm so excited to link up with all of the amazing women that I've met through The Influence Network. I have been blown away by how much I have already gotten out of my mere 2 months of membership. God definitely is moving in this group of women. And I am humbled, honored and so very thankful to be a part of it. 

If you're new here from the Network, welcome! 

So happy to have you!

Alrighty, 3 fun facts about me:

1. Give me a microphone and karaoke set, and I will jump on stage and sing. 

No, I don't have a great voice. 

And no, I'm not always great in front of crowds. 

But for whatever reason, karaoke and me go together like a chai tea latte and almond milk. 

2. I'm running my first Color Run this weekend!

And fully intend to look like this by the end:

Lastly, number 3. Falling in love with Jesus has completely and radically changed my life. 

Shocking, right? :)

I love sharing my heart on this here blog. There's nothing I'd rather talk about than our Savior's redeeming love. It's because He removes my shame that I'm able to talk about the serious issues of my heart, such as my battle with an eating disorder, and my heart for purity.

And what is one valuable thing that I've gained from the Network?

My first thought is the amazing community of women that I have met. I am so blessed by these women on a daily basis.

I'd also have to say that the two classes that I've taken have left me with some truly valuable information. I love getting to learn from women who are passionate about living a life for Christ. The two classes that I took were:

Making the Most of your Twenties, taught by Anne who blogs at Modern Mrs. Darcy
And Sharing the Gospel, taught by Jessi who blogs at Naptime Diaries

Both of these classes left me filled to the brim with truth. Truth that has already helped me so much in my walk with the Lord. 

So for that, and for the wonderful friendships that I've formed, I send a huge THANK YOU to The Influence Network!

Hope to meet all of you beautiful ladies at the conference!! :)