This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to have been able to host the first ever Strong Enough Women’s Conference. The whole concept of this women’s conference was just a dream for me back about a year ago. I could envision an afternoon of amazing women spending time together, enjoying a beautiful atmosphere, with talented musicians, delicious food and sipping on a glass of wine…all while being inspired by other like minded ladies. I thought this would be fun. I thought people would enjoy an afternoon to themselves…be able to call it some true self-care time. And, I was right on all of these things. What I could not have even dreamed up was how much more it ended up being!
The location, Pebble Creek Farms, located between Farmington and Ste. Genevieve was so picturesque. It was absolutely gorgeous!! And the people were literally a dream to work with. The band consisted of local musicians who set the mood for the whole evening. They were on the balcony and the music was a really fun selection of songs that were a perfect backdrop.
The food was delicious. The tables were gorgeous. It was all so much of exactly what “I” wanted. I had been super aware of how much I had in my mind of what the day would look like, that I was then really worried that I had made it to much about “me.” I prayed that God would use this for him in spite of all the parts that were me. And him being always faithful, he most certainly did show up and show up in a big way.
There were more tears than there were tissues provided. There were more smiles than pictures could capture. And there was more compassion and understanding and empathy than I have ever witnessed. We had a group of roughly 300 women in the room without one ounce of judgement and it was a beautiful thing.
I want to share just a few of the comments made during and after it was all over…some of these things were said to me directly. Some were passed on from others. These all came from different women and yet all felt the exact same.
“Random women were brought together today and unified as one for one day.”
“When you brought raw to the stage this weekend, I saw my people and I learned that I am more “at home’ than I even realized.”
“This night was so healing for me.” This exact sentence was said multiple times.
Many ladies ended up comforting others, whether it be at their tables or in the bathroom, as emotions were so incredible high. We were all women, daughters, mothers, aunts, sisters, friends, grandmas and widows who were grieving, celebrating and supporting each other.
It was so much more than I could have ever hoped for. God moved and blessed us all that day & I am 100% confident that he will show up and do it again next year.
Thank you so much to all of you that came and I really hope to see you all again next year. Until then, we are all “Strong Enough.”
