A CALLED Generation - Called Women's Conference 2014

Wow. Around this same time last year The Lord started working on Emily and I, both in different ways and we had NO IDEA. See, Emily and I only knew one another through social media and we had never met in person. Then one day I get an invite to a Noonday Collection Trunk Show at Emily's house. Fine, fine, I'll admit it - I was going to check out the jewelry, but also to check out sister's house in person. I knew she had great style so, I couldn't pass this sneak peek up. ;) We bonded over jewelry and quickly learned we both shared a love for community - locally and world wide, connecting with people, and shopping with companies who inspire and give back. Little did I know that what I thought was just a fun night with mutual friends would be the start of a new friendship between Emily & I. On our first lunch out, we decided to start our sweet girl Oh Magnolia AND start working on a women's conference we felt our community so badly needed. You know, because that is TOTALLY normal. The conversation went something like this:

Emily: "Nice to see you!"
Me: "You too."
Emily: "What are you planning on doing in 2014?"
Me: "I have no idea but….."
Emily: "But what?"
Me: "You're gonna look at me like I have three heads but The Lord has been giving me ideas for a women's conference."
Emily: "Well, you're gonna think I'm crazy too because I think we should start a blog and put on a women's conference."
Me: "OK, let's do it. Does this place have Pesto?"

The rest is history…

Fast forward a few months and we were in official planning stages of the first CALLED Women's Conference.

I think sometimes in our instant gratification culture, we fail to see the small things that lead up to the big things. Whatever is "big" in your story, whatever that means to you. It wasn't one BIG thing that happened to allow us to serve our community with a Women's Conference. It was a lot of little, teeny, tiny baby steps that led up to it finally coming to fruition. It took Emily & I saying "yes,"it took the support of our church Christian Life, it took rallying the support of local business owners, it took friends who were willing to volunteer. But you know what? The more we said "yes," the more God opened doors we didn't even expect until Saturday, September 27th arrived and that was that. The day we had been working toward was finally here.

Do you know what I loved most about that day? We had SO MANY different denominations represented in that room where approximately 350 women were. We laughed together, we may have shed a few tears together, and we laid down our hardships in front of the Cross together. How AMAZING would it be if every day, we as Believers, focused on the love we have for Jesus and the Kingdom instead of getting caught up in where we see things differently? How much more could we advance the Kingdom? If we all did our little part?

 *All photos courtesy of Evie Lynn Photography*

We are so grateful for everyone who supported this vision - The Christian Life Pastoral Team, our Speakers - Christy Sanford, Annie F. Downs, and Debi Russell. Our volunteers, community sponsors, vendors,  and every woman who came to spend a morning with us. Thank you. We could not have done it without you. Want to know a little secret? We are already planning for the conference next year! While we plan, we may even have a few more surprises for you…you'll just have to wait and see. ;)

XOXO,