What a weekend!
I’m tired, people. But I had a great weekend. It was my first experience to speak at MOPS Intl. I hope it’s not my last. They really care about the 5,000 women who arrived in Dallas, TX, ministering to them spiritually and also practically as a parent, but also as a person. But the conference isn’t the whole ministry. They minister to 100,000+ women all over the U.S. through small groups in churches, communities, in prisons, the military, and to teens moms as well.
I loved speaking, but also listening. Julie Barnhill keynoted, sharing how motherhood is a lot like the rides you see at the fair. She had the house rolling in laughter. A young mom spoke, sharing her dreams of being a mom one day only to lose it when her young husband was shot in Wedgewood Baptist church a few years ago, but how God was faithful during the hardest years of her life.
From laughter to tears.
Jaci Valesquez and her husband Nic Gonzalez ministered in music. She’s super tiny, and fun. She and her husband bantered on stage. She introduced her young son, pulling the little guy with the pacifier on stage for the first time in his life. He tried to grab the mike the whole time. Another singer in the family? Hmm. Who knows. : )
Erwin McManus spurred the women to run after their passions. Avalon, Kim Hill, and others led them in to worship. Lynn Spears, mom of Brittney, shared the love of a mom and how difficult it can be when your children are in the spotlight. Elisa Morgan, who led MOPS for 20 years encouraged the women that being a mom changes the world one child at a time. There were other great speakers, and each one brought something unique to the women. (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
10:30 am |
On My Way to D-town
This weekend I’m speaking at MOPS Intl. in Grapevine, TX just outside of Dallas at the Gaylord Convention Center. This is my first time to connect with MOPS Intl, but I love what they do for moms of preschoolers (thus the name, MOPS) and have spoken at smaller MOPS groups in churches.
It’s my first time to speak on identity and I’m praying that the conversation between me and these women is a good one, as we talk about who we are, whose we are, how to take the next step, what it means to be a woman of faith and how that affects our relationships, where we fit (instead of fitting in), and a little thing called body image.
There’s another bonus on this trip! I get to hang out with my daughter, Leslie, and my SIL Stephen. Yay! We are going to the Texas State Fair (pictures, I promise). I plan to ride rides, see sights, and eat at least one ginourmous caramel apple! Leslie and Stephen just bought a house near downtown Dallas and I get to see it. They are excited for me to be their first overnight guest, and I’m pumped to be there. Leslie and I will do a little estate sale hopping and antiquing. She’s hoping to find a steal good buy on an antique desk that she and Stephen can renovate.
How is life? Busy, and sweet. This weekend revs up my speaking season. I’ve had a solid month at home and lots of writing accomplished, but I need people, people! It’s time to hit the road. I still have a chapter to finish on my novel, lots of Christian Writers’ Guild assignments to tackle (as they come in), one Real Life Downloaded teen curriculum to write, blogging at Momlogic and Real Teen Faith, but I’ll do that in between sharing the wonderful message of God’s grace with women this month.
I feel utterly blessed. The economy is tight, and the Eller family budget is just as tight as it has ever been, but I have shelter, food, a church family, a husband that I like a lot, some cool kids, health, and beautiful flowers outside my door that bring me pleasure every single day.
Who needs more than that?
Posted by Suzie @
9:25 am |
Know your strengths
“I just don’t understand why I can’t do this better,” she said.
The 40-something woman put her head in her hands. “I should be able to do this.”
Or maybe not.
She was trying to teach high schoolers. They were intimidating to her. Some walked all over her, ignoring her rules, defying her authority. She didn’t connect with them. Felt they were unfriendly, closed-off. (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
10:49 am |
Ten things
One of the speakers asked us to take out a piece of paper. Awesome. A list! I’m great at making lists.
He asked us to write down 10 things we wanted to accomplish in the next 12 months.
Here we go:
1. Speak more
2. Write fiction
3. Take a trip to D.C. with Richard (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
9:46 am |
That little “check”, what’s that about?
I received a great opportunity the other day. I wish I could tell you about it, but it’s in the works. When it’s public knowledge, we’ll chat, okay? I promise!
But there was something inside of me — a hesitancy, that I couldn’t ignore. When that “check” is there, I need to wait. Maybe I need to say no, or maybe I need more information so that I can say yes.
One night I couldn’t sleep, and as I lay there I thought about the opportunity, and I realized that it was bigger than I first imagined. Not in the sense that it would promote me or my books, but bigger spiritually.
I started to pray, and all the outside issues fell away and I saw the opportunity clearly–through spiritual eyes instead of my own.
When morning broke, I knew the answer would be yes. (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
11:34 am |
The Baffling Call of God
Excerpted from My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers
The Baffling Call Of God
“And all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man shall be accomplished … And they understood none of these things.” Luke 18:31, 34
God called Jesus Christ to what seemed unmitigated disaster. Jesus Christ called His disciples to see Him put to death; He led every one of them to the place where their hearts were broken. Jesus Christ’s life was an absolute failure from every standpoint but God’s. But what seemed failure from man’s standpoint was a tremendous triumph from God’s, because God’s purpose is never man’s purpose.
There comes the baffling call of God in our lives also. The call of God can never be stated explicitly; it is implicit. The call of God is like the call of the sea, no one hears it but the one who has the nature of the sea in him. It cannot be stated definitely what the call of God is to, because His call is to be in comradeship with Himself for His own purposes, and the test is to believe that God knows what He is after.
From Suzie: Isn’t it funny how we strive after purpose, instead of God? I’m not really talking to you; I’m looking straight at my own image in the mirror. If I look at my to-do list today it is full. Every one of them is wrapped around “ministry”. And yet purpose is not what I do, but who I walk with today who is a friend, is God, is peace, is life, is joy. I love ministry. I love writing. I am passionate about these things.
But the simplicity of faith is that my “calling” is to simply walk with God through the good, the bad, the sticky, the challenging, the amazing, the ordinary days and moments of my day.
If you want to read the rest of this Oswald Chambers devo, click here.
Posted by Suzie @
4:22 am |
Your Comments
I am blogging quarterly for Christianity Today’s Gifted for Leadership. This was a comment I received from a reader in response to my post, Service Beyond the Pew.
Dear T Suzanne,
I find it surprising that you say that your community work is not faith based! Are you kidding? It is SO faith based and I think an encouraging example of true faith based ministry that is a model to others. I think you are meaning that your work was not birthed through the regular route of church culture. Reminds me of someone else 2000 years ago. I would so like people to wake up to the difference between christian culture and true christianity. Please forgive my bluntness. I would like to simply encourage you. Thank you from those young people & me. Anthea (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
10:54 am |
Passion: Saying no so we can say yes
When the doctor told me I had cancer, my life came to a screeching halt. Maybe that’s a time that you would respond with spiritual insight or wisdom. Not me.
“I don’t have time for cancer,” I said. (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
11:37 am |
Stay true to yourself
I had a great time at the leadership conference yesterday. The audience was amazing and receptive. The women who put this together worked hard and it showed in every detail.
At lunch I listened to a keynote. She was engaging, funny, and a good speaker. But I struggled with her message.
She shared life lessons from her journey to a top CEO. Some of them were:
*If you want to be a leader, you can’t make every ballgame, class party, or event for your child. It’s not fair, but it’s life. Get over it.
*If you want to be a leader, dress for success - no heels (if you wear heels, make them “man heels”), less makeup, no long hair (high school hair), dress professional*Business is business — don’t take it personal
As I listened, I thought if that is leadership, then I don’t want it.
(more…)
Posted by Suzie @
11:12 am |
Pursuing Your Passion
Tomorrow I will speak at a Leadership Conference and I’m pumped! The topic is Pursuing Your Passion: Doing What You Love w/o Thought to Money, Fame, or Kudos!
Passion is a watered-down word that is used to describe everything from realationships to Godiva chocolate to our career choices. It’s a great word, but what does it really mean?
I’m passionate about writing.
Really? That’s awesome. What if I asked you to write a 100,000 word book on the joy of calculus? Is it still true? (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
3:10 pm |
