As I sit here going over my notes from our recent Mom Heart Leader Intensive Training (MHLIT) weekend with the wonderful, Sally Clarkson, my mind is filled with memories. Vivid pictures of women from all around our country as well as Canada and Mexico. We are all from different backgrounds, yet were brought together for a weekend we will not soon forget.

Five years ago, Sally held the first MHLIT. I remember reading on her blog that she was accepting applications for a learning packed weekend for those wanting to further their skills in speaking and writing. I had often thought about writing or speaking, I wasn’t sure I was who or what Sally was looking for to attend this training conference. However, something kept pulling at me, so I prayed about it, spoke to my sweet husband, and then submitted my application. I was chosen as one of the ladies to be part of the conference, and I was scared to death. What had I committed to? What was I really going there for? Had I made a mistake submitting the application and saying yes to attending? Again, I prayed and asked God to surround me, mold me and use me as I sat at Sally’s feet. I knew she was a vessel of the Lord’s and I was meant to learn from her. I learned so much that weekend. I met ladies from all over the world. They encouraged one-another; they were kind, loving, compassionate and accepting. I had never encountered so many women who were trying to be Godly in every way possible. More than 50 women, few knew someone else there, yet there was a presence of peace, love and joy all around. I would never be the same again.

Fast forward five short years I was able to attend a special Reunion weekend only for women who had attended one of the previous MHLIT conferences. I was even more excited to attend this weekend with Sally. I had made friends and met others either at the first conference or at Sally’s Mom Heart Conferences she holds in Dallas each year. I would finally get to see many of these ladies again. I was asked to help coordinate transportation for the weekend, and make sure everyone had a hotel room. Me, the woman who was so scared only 5 short years ago, was now part of something I never dreamed possible. I had grown, had stretched further than I realized and I was serving others in a way that only felt natural.

Sitting at the hotel anticipating the arrival of the ladies for the weekend gave me great joy. I met as many as I could at the door with chocolate and a warm, welcoming hug. There were new ladies to meet and old friends to greet. There was much squealing, giggling, and laughter in the hotel lobby as everyone arrived and gathered to meet.

The weekend was almost surreal. We ate meals together like a family. Meals that were artfully crafted by sweet ladies who served us all weekend long. I felt like a princess. I didn’t have to cook, clean, serve food, sweep floors, or anything else that resembled my life at home. This was truly a retreat for my body and soul. I was being filled, not just by tasty foods but by rich conversation and enriching friendships.

After meals, we would sit and hear Sally teach us. She told stories of her life and others shared their stories as well. She spoke of being filled so we may in turn fill others. She spoke truths and quoted scriptures. She spoke on Spiritual Disciplines and Discipleship. She told us to love God and His word more. To spend time in His word each day and to take His every word captive in our hearts. To know God, and His vocabulary. Sally spoke of community and how it and fellowship provide us with affirmation, affection, stability and belonging. We heard about marriage, motherhood, children and beauty. There was so much to hear and process in only one weekend.

The last afternoon together, we went in groups of 20 to Sally’s lovely study. The walls were lined with book cases full of books, a wall of pictures portraying many European countries Sally had visited and or lived over the years. Another wall displayed pictures of things most dear and near to her heart. Her marriage, her children, scripture. As I sat in this small study, I felt as though Sally’s life was being told inside the four walls that surrounded us. As we sat in the study, Sally in her comfy chair, she grabbed a small tea cup. While holding it, she spoke of how our lives are like a cup. We are each given a portion and what we do with our portion will determine our story. If we destroy our cup, we break our place in life. We must keep our cups filled by spending time with God and His word. (Ps 16:5-6) She then reached for a silver pitcher left to her by her mother and said, “We are called to be those who pour out. If people had a glimpse into your soul, what would they find? What’s inside your soul? Are there things in your heart you need to get rid of? It is important that you de-clutter your soul from things that prohibit you. Your lives are a story to be told. God has given you authority over your life. What are you investing in your soul?” She went on to say we should invest in words, knowledge, books and prayer, that we might have words of substance. Looking around the room, it was evident that she has invested in words, books that inspired her, and a vision of what she wanted her story to tell.

What can you do to make your life more sustainable? What story are you telling with your life? Are you living unaccountable or do you have someone who invests in you? Are you preparing for the battle that is all around? Are you strengthening others for battle? So many spears are thrown into our hearts, stones in our paths, and loneliness overwhelms us. Where do you turn for guidance? Do you turn to culture or do you turn to God? One of my favorite phrases I’ve heard Sally say many times is, “In the absence of Biblical convictions, people will go the way of the culture.”

More than anything, the message I took away from this amazing weekend was to fill up with God’s word until I am overflowing with His love and pouring into others and teaching them to do the same. We must constantly be in His word, filling up so can give freely. We cannot give from an empty well.

I am so very grateful and thankful for the time I had with like-minded Christian women, Sally and her family and the sweet ladies who served so graciously all weekend. It will be a weekend I shall never forget.

I hope to write a little more in depth on my weekend in the days to come, as God gives me the words and I make the time.

Love, Deb