Tuesday, January 29, 2008

The Fine Print

Have you heard about this conference?


Right. Silly question. Unless you've been under a rock in this little world of blog you have most likely read about it either here, here, or here.

I'll admit when I first saw the cute button advertising the conference and read the description that read "Speaking, Writing, and Leadership Conference" I pretty much ruled myself out. But then I squinted a little and saw a blessed little phrase in fine print..."Featuring Sessions for Bloggers". Hey, that's me! I'm a blogger!

My interest was piqued even further when I saw they were offering a scholarship so I ventured over to check out the details. I thought we had a deal breaker when I read that I had to write a post about why I would like to win the scholarship. A pit in my stomach grew deep and I felt fear at the thought of that dirty little word. You know the one.

REJECTION.

Here's the thing, though, I had this nagging feeling that I should at least TRY. So today instead of ignoring that feeling I decided to embrace it. It may not be that I win the contest; it may be that someone reading this post enters and wins. Either way, all will be as it should. Of that I am sure.

So, as I was thinking about what to write, I pondered a few different angles.

I thought about going with the whole, "IF YOU HAD ANY IDEA WHAT A HUGE FAN OF BIG MAMA I WAS, YOU'D PICK ME TO WIN THIS CONTEST" route. But REALLY, who wants to look that desperate?

I also thought about sharing some pictures of my kids. After all, they are pretty cute, and how could someone read that post and NOT grant me the opportunity to GET AWAY for a couple of days?

Then I got serious, and realized it might be better to dig deeper and share MORE...a little piece of the real me.

Last came my most sensible idea, to BE QUIET, take a deep breath and give God a chance to speak.

You see, more often than not you'll find on this blog MY words are the most prominent. However, on occasion, I experience a beautiful moment when I become fully aware that something my fingers typed did not come from me at all. A moment when God is speaking through me and at the same time TO me. I desire to experience more of those beautiful moments. I guess that is where that nagging feeling comes in. I believe that is His desire for me as well. Perhaps if I was given the opportunity to attend this conference, I could take a step closer in that direction.

22 comments:

Janelle said...

YOU HAVE TO GO!! That would be so awesome and such a thrill to meet the Mama's and the Rock!

If I wasn't having a baby at that exact time, I would sure try it.

I will pray for your opportunity.

Rochelle said...

I love your blogs. You have such a great way of bringing me into your world.

I hope you get to go to the conference. I'll be praying for you.

Shelley said...

Can I just say..."I wanna be like you when I grow up."

Seriously, I thought about applying for a scholorship, but I was to scared!

I'm so proud of you! You have a gift, and I'm so glad you're "putting yourself out there".

dawn said...

Oh, Alana. I love the way you write. You always speak to my heart as a woman, as a mother and as a friend.

SO glad I know you in real life. Glad I get to experience life with you. Happy that we are friends. So hope you get to go and tell the Mama's about your circle of hometown bloggers.

In fact, you should be speaking at that conference. I bet one day you will be.

Fran said...

I know...I want to go too. Why can't Daddy big bucks just offer free scholarships to anyone that is interested???!!! I'm going to do the same post tonight. But, I'm like you....REJECTION and the big daddy for me.....FEAR!

We'll be happy for whoever wins it right?! :)

Love ya~
Fran

Julie said...

LOVED this post, girl...what a treat!

Whether you win or not, I pray that the Lord makes a way for you to attend the conference.

Blessings!
Julie @ A Joyful Life

Darlene R. said...

I hope that you get to go to that conference, Alana. How much fun would that be?!

His Girl said...

Entering was a leap for me, too. Part of me wants to just jump up and down and shout PICK ME! PICK ME! because I so desperately want to go... but the other part of me wants to shout out PICK HER! PICK HER! because I just love the way you write and I know you are deserving.

The hardest part of putting something in God's hands is leaving it there, no?

Mrs. Gray's Class said...

Sounds like a great opportunity. I would love to go (my dear husband said he would even treat me,) but I feel it might be too much to manage with an infant. So you have to go and tell us all about it and maybe next year I'll be ready! Good Luck.

Mary@notbefore7 said...

Oh Alana. I hope you make it there. I am totally considering it myself, but am not sure...yet. Good luck!

BethAnne said...

I SOOOOOO hope you get to go!!!!

Sing4joy said...

Hey Alana,
I hopped over here from HisGirl's blog. Can I just say, I enjoyed your writing very much! Glad to know you live, and wondering if perhaps we can't pray for TWO winners of the scholarship? I'll be back!

Renee said...

Sounds like fun! I actually hadn't heard of the conference...looks like I need to expand my circle of blog-reading.

Your posts are a blessing to me...I too love the way you write, and the way you let us into your world. Go, Alana!!!

Carissa said...

i hope you WIN!!!!! cause you are QUALITY my friend. and i mean that! the blogging world is blessed by your presence!

Luanne said...

So true about typing something on paper and realizing that what you just wrote did not come from you.
Hope you are able to get to the conference.

Bev Brandon @ The Fray said...

I have told you before two things:
1. Your beautiful God is Psa 45:11 enthralled with you and He is moving in your life, uh-lay-nuh (with the accent on lay). Cause you are laying it all down for HIM.
2. You have a way with words that is so delightful and true and entertaining just like Big Mama. When you speak, people listen.
I'm so encouraged by your life. Hope you get to go!

Teresa said...

Laney,

I hope and pray that you will win. I love you because not only are you "quality" but you are "genuine"!!

If that doesn't make you smile...

Love, TT

Susan said...

I, too, saw the scholarship post. I thought the same thing as you. I'm glad you entered. I did not. Couldn't get past the doubting, I think. Maybe next time!
But I do want to hear all about it!
Hugs...

Xandra@Heart-of-Service said...

Although I'm pretty sure that your blog couldn't be any better, I hope you get to go!

Kelley said...

I got to your site off of the She Speaks scholarship contest. I am very new to blogging but I really enjoyed reading yours! Isn't it amazing how fear can bind us? Good for you to overcome it and enter, Good Luck and I look forward to visiting your site again!

~~Kelley

Sandy said...

I am so glad you overcame the fear factor and decided to apply fot the scholarship. I like the sweet honesty of your desire for more of those God moments. Blessings on your blogging and the chance to attend.

Shari said...

Sometimes, I get that nagging feeling too. Your honesty in your writing is great.