At last, I get to tell you! *bounces with excitement* I’ve been working on this for a loonnnggggg time, and even harder, I’ve been keeping it a secret! But at last, today is the day. I get to tell you. You get to know. We can be happy together. (And no, it’s not a second book . . . someday!) Are you ready?

The big announcement is . . . drumroll . . . (I’m serious, are you doing a drum roll?) . . . an online conference for chronically ill Christians.

Eeek! Isn’t it amazing? I’m so grateful to the person who shared the idea in the first place. You are very wise, girl. But let me explain a little more to make you fully understand how much fun this will be, okay?

Where: The conference will be held live online. So you can watch from wherever you can find wifi . . . even if health issues force you to be stuck in bed.

When: It will run from Friday, January 25th, through Saturday, January 26th.

What it costs: Diamonds 2019 is completely free. We know that many facing long-term sickness struggle with medical bills and other financial burdens, and we don’t want this to be one of them. Your heart and soul need care just as much as your body does, but sadly it’s often neglected. We don’t want that to be the case.

Who is presenting: We have an awesome line up of speakers if I do say so myself. People like Vaneetha Rendall Risner, Kristen Wetherell, Sarah Walton, Esther Smith, Isabella Morganthall, Emily Ryan, Stephanie Kehr, yours truly, and others! (Not to mention that Joni Eareckson Tada will be popping in to say hi.)

Who this is for: When I mentioned this to some friends, one of them asked a very good question. He said, “Is this exclusively for Christians with chronic illness?” And no, anybody and everybody is welcome to come. Yes, Diamonds 2019 is targeted to Christians facing long-term sickness, and that will help guide our topic choices. However, that doesn’t mean no one else can be encouraged by it. Caregivers, family, and friends will also enjoy it. And even if you don’t have any connection with illness at all, here’s the thing: the same truths we need in illness are the ones we need in any trial. Packaged differently, but at the core, it’s the same. So if you or someone you know is going through a difficult time, please come. We want to help equip you to fight, even when the battle is long and hard.

Why we are doing this: We know that so many of you feel so alone. You struggle with questions you don’t think you should have. You battle fear and discouragement. We’ve been there. We want to offer you life-giving hope. We want to refresh you for a weekend — providing truths you can hold on to when the going gets tough — so that you can fight that the child of God that you are. With confidence and hope.

How do you register: Does this sound like something you or someone you know would be blessed by? Well, here’s the good news: registration officially opens today! You can be the first to claim your spot. And remember, it’s completely free. Just follow this link.

Can’t wait to see you there!