by Bethany Jett, @BetJett
The conference starts in five days, which in the Jett household, we call “four sleeps and a wake-up.”
My desk is overflowing with papers and my office carpet looks like Office Depot threw up on it. The laundry is in piles as I decide what needs to be washed now and what I may wear before the conference.
My desk is overflowing with papers and my office carpet looks like Office Depot threw up. The laundry is in piles as I decide what needs to be washed now and what I may wear before the conference.
Pack?
Ha.
The to-do list is never-ending, as everything that needs to be done next week gets pushed to this week, and my last-minute shopping list is growing longer by the minute.
I know I’m not alone.
We’ll go shopping. Get our hair done. Buy a new outfit (or two…thanks Kohls cash!). We’ll pack, forget something, go back, and soon be on our merry ways. We’ll glance at our beautiful one sheet and decide we hate everything about it, even though it’s been edited, re-edited, and perfected.
My sweet friends Jennifer Watson and Renee Griffin wrote a beautiful blog post called Learning in the Hallway instead of the Spotlight, and I encourage you to click over and read it. It’s hauntingly beautiful, and it brought back every memory of my first conference and the same sweet nervous energy I still get every time I attend one.
A quote from their post:
The call to speak or write burned bright in our souls fueled by countless hours of prayer and preparation to spread the Light of Jesus.
We believe that God has a plan for you – a reason that you are attending. God is doing mighty things and using your words to further His.
And another quote from their post:
God is whispering to you, “Be Strong and courageous.” Listen to who he says you are instead of the fearful timidity and insecurity that holds you back.
It’s normal to have second, third, and fourth doubts about our writing. It’s normal to wonder if we’ll make new friends or if publishers will like our books. It’s normal to be nervous.
When you arrive on Sunday, be ready to hug a friend and greet a stranger.
Be ready to be overwhelmed.
Be ready to hear God’s voice.
[reminder]
Bethany Jett is a military wife and homeschool boy-mom who is addicted to suspense novels and all things girly. She is an award-winning author, speaker, ghostwriter, and founder of JETTsetter Ink. In her spare time, Bethany is working on her Masters degree in Marketing: New Media and Communication.
Bethany writes on living brilliant at BethanyJett.com. Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
The Conversation
Clicked over–wow, what an eloquent article! I wish I had read it before my first conference! 😀 Thanks for always making the whole writing and conferencing experience feel less terrifying—even doable. You encourage so many with your words and your spirit!
What beautiful timing our Lord has! I really needed your post and the click over blog today. Many blessings to all of you for words of life shared over the last several weeks. What encouragement they have been!
I want to cry!
Beautiful post, Bethany. I am ready for this conference. True, it can be a bit like drinking from a firehose because of all the solid information shared, but it can also be a place of comfort and comradery. It’s thrilling how people at BRMCWC want success for one other. You can see it in their faces, hear it in their conversations, and even sense it when you carry your food try into the cafeteria for the first time and don’t know where to sit. You will be welcomed!
Success at BRMCWC is focused on Christ. Leaders stress to make sure “Christian” always comes before the word “Writer”.
I’ve made friends that will stay in my life forever, even though we only see each other once a year. I can’t imagine what life would be without BRMCWC.
Thanks, Robin! I also love how everyone is so helpful to each other!
Thanks for the reminder 🙂