Patterings: Maranatha Christian Writers Conference

Last week I was able to attend the Maranatha Christian Writers Conference, thanks to a scholarship from Cec Murphey. It. was. WONDERFUL, and everything my awesome agent said it would be. Loaded with information, warm and welcoming, an incredible ratio of faculty/attendees, and packed with opportunities. This conference isn't focused on fiction. In fact, it covered more than I anticipated. All-in-all, it was fantastic.

It took almost 24 hours after the close of the conference for me to assimilate what God had for me--and I'm still in awe of it. Because I'm heading back down the road in just a day or two, I did a video clip of how the conference is changing my direction. I do not want to lose momentum, and more importantly, I sense that immediate obedience is key here--so I'm posting this video clip, despite the fact that the road noise is bad and that I'm driving. *eye roll*

If you had seen me, you would've laughed. I didn't want to stop and write but there was no way I wanted to lose or forget what God was giving me. Desperation is the mother of creativity, or something like that, so I rubber banded my phone to the GPS mount and did video clips. I learned just how hot it gets in the windshield of my car...hot enough to over heat and shut down my phone! But here's what I got just before she overheated...

I'll be building on this and there will be tweaks here at Patterings... Tweaks that God has been leading me to for months now. I'm excited and scared. It's taking me right out of my comfort zone, but that's okay because I'm holding onto God's hand and I'm hoping that YOU will join me!

So tell me, are you an introvert or an extrovert?

17 comments:

Barbara Lynn Culler9:37 PM
What a cool testimony and great analogy. Great idea recording it on the go. Your story brought to mind a similar incident many years ago. I was un-damming a creak when at a women's retreat, but relaying the experience to removing the "blockage" in my life. I had to get wet, and place an injured hand in the cold and dirty water. I'd forgotten about that experience, but it was such a vivid analogy of what I was working through at the time. I appreciate experiences like that. It's been a long time since I've had one. Thanks for sharing yours.
Karla Akins10:33 PM
I love it! Awesome, awesome!! Thanks so much for being brave enough to share this with us!
Nancy K. Sullivan10:59 PM
Being in your Clearing the Blog Fog class was huge for this introvert. I'm still in the infant stage in the sharing world, but at least I have one foot in the water and I'm reaching for the stone. Time to take another slippery, wet step. Thanks for sharing! God Bless.
Kathleen Rouser11:43 PM
Thank you for sharing your faith journey with us, Patty. That
was beautiful! I describe myself as a "friendly" introvert. Going
back to school for awhile and going to job interviews have helped
me out of my shell, but I do treasure my quiet and alone times.
Jodie Wolfe8:05 AM
Thank you for sharing this, Patty. It brought tears to my eyes.

I'm introverted. :)
Elaine Stock8:51 AM
I'm a natural born introvert. Forced to stand up for myself and live an extravert life more often than not, I've been on this discovery journey these past few years that I can do this if, and only if, I hold onto God's hand.

Thanks for sharing this heartfelt video, Patty. I'm happy for you.
Joanne Sher9:41 AM
You know what kind of "trovert" I am ;). I am so VERY excited for you - can't wait to watch how God works in you AND those you are coming alongside! Will, I promise, watch this video more than once. :)
Pencildancers11:52 AM
oh my...I think your purpose was to help others with what you said!
Kate Breslin1:24 AM
Patty, what a beautiful testament! Your analogy about getting wet, about "doing the work" to obtain the treasure resonated with me. This past year as a new author has been so full of firsts, some thrilling and some absolutely terrifying, but in each instance, moving out of my comfort zone in order to realize my dream. Thank you and God bless!