Well, that was awesome. I’m still in awe and amazement over what God did through Diamonds 2019, the free conference for chronically ill Christians I hosted over the weekend. It’s crazy! When I first decided to pursue this project, I told one of my best friends that this was going to have to be a “Bob Goff project”. If you’ve read Love Does or Everybody Always by Bob Goff, you know what I mean: something big and daring and totally out of my comfort zone for the sake of love. Launching into something crazy and trusting God to meet me there.
And God did. In so many crazy amazing ways. From the speakers to the technical parts to the study guide to the amazing prayer team to the reactions and invovlmenet of the conference attendees! Each of the speakers was so supportive and helpful and kind. They all took time and a lot of energy to plan and prepare for Diamonds 2019, and during it, many of them were in physical pain and discomfort, but still fought through to share the truth God has put on their hearts. And everyone who came in contact with Diamonds 2019 was so ahppy to share it! It was so cool. Before the conference started, we had about 250 people registered (amazingin itself!). During the first session thirty more people signed up. Mailchimp failed me that first day because of the sudden surprisingly increase in people! The next day I upgraded the account, and by the end of the conference 355 people had registered for Diamonds 2019. And even after the conference, people are still registering (btw, that’s no longer neccesary, just keep reading 😉 ). Not to mention the study guide hit the #1 spot in multiple categories on Amazon before and throughout the conference, and the #2 and #3 spots in other categories!
You guys, I’d feel shy about sharing all these details, but I simply have to! I certainly didn’t do all these thigns! This was by God’s power alone.
I told Vaneetha (one of the other speakers), “This conference is getting prayed into existence!” And it totally was. So many people were fighting such an intense spiritual battle on so many levels.
You know how books usually have an “acknowledgements” page? Well, I think conferences need one too. And since there wasn’t oppurtunity during the actual conference, consider this post the acknowledgements section. First, we have to acknowledge the prayer team dedicated to the conference. They have been praying for months through every single tiny step of the way.
Prayer Team
Adaline
Angela
Bethany
Courtney
Esther B.
Esther N.
Gabriella
Hannah
Hosanna
Julia
Kellyn
Lindsi
…and all the amazing prayer warriors on Young Writer’s Workshop.
The next people that deserve lots of acknowledgement (and thanks!) are the amazing speakers. Like I said before, many of them pushed through a lot to be there and share truth with everyone who attended.
Speakers
Pamela Piquette
Esther Smith
Kristen Wetherell
Sarah Walton
Vaneetha Rendall Risner
Joni Eareckson Tada
Isbella Morganthal
Tessa Emily Hall
Stephanie Kehr
You were all so amazing, and I am so grateful for all of your support and help, even when things were hard or out of your comfort zone. You were an encouragement to so many, including me.
You know who else deserves a lot of thanks? The amazing ladies who helped produce the Diamonds 2019 study guide, sacrificing time and energy, especially last minute when I sent out the “HELP!” email, knowing I could never get it all done on my own. You all saved me from burning and crashing.
Study Guide HELP! Team
A. Kaylee, my wonderful writing mentee who jumped into helping proofread even when it was outside her comfort zone.
Bekah, who did the most unpleasent task — math! Love you, girl!
Angela, who, though having a rough day and needing to do other things, volunteered to help in any way she could and did help a ton!
Courtney, who did the most time consuming last minute task of all. 🙂
While we’re on the study guide, Sarah Holman also needs a shoutout — she did a great job formatting the study guide in the perfect timing! Thanks for all your help!
Also . . . you know that awesome Diamonds 2019 invitation video? All the credit goes to my wonderful brother. Not only that, but He helped me with lots of technical behind the scenes things that are too many to mention. PLUS, he made all those cool graphics you’ve been seeing everywhere.
Diamonds 2019 Street Team
Anne Rhys
Lindsi
Marli
Bethany Rose
Rachel
Angela
Bekah
Sophia
Tasha
Diane
Mary
Aven
Sue
Thank you all for your excitement! 😀
I’m sure there are many I have forgotten to thank . . . like everyone who fielded my frantic-exhausted-emotional-panicky messages, consoling and comforting me with wise advice. I’d especially like to thank those who made sure I was taking care of myself in all of this fun. Like Esther, who warned me when I decided to take on an additional project (likea study guide). And Bethany, who asked me continually what she could do and prompted me to delegate when possible. And Bethany’s mom, who made sure I didn’t forget dinner. And my family who was so suppo
Two of the biggest superheros throughout this whole conference were Hailey Hudson and Bethany Rose. You ladies were so helpful, taking on video session last minute, praying, and helping SOOO much behind the scenes as I figured things out, threw my plans out the window, and re-figured things out. Please, everyone, go visit their blogs and thank them for me. I’m serious.
Thank you everyone! And thank you to those who came and shared Diamonds 2019 — this conference was for you.
Did you miss Diamonds 2019?
Are you reading all of this in disappointment? Or did you perhaps scan and skip to the end since you weren’t there and don’t realize how amazing it is? (I’m biased, sure, but hey, don’t ask me! Ask anyone else who came! We all learned so much.)
I have good news for you. Although you had to be registered to view it live and participate in the awesome giveaway and such, you didn’t miss the conference completely. (Or the freebies! See here.) The ENTIRE thing is recorded in session segments for you to view at your leisure and share with anyone you think would be encouraged by it.
Here’s the link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlnaBhNTHV2-9GtZUn6-h_K8YTRiEJe-Z
It’s free, and we pray it gives you life-giving hope and encouragement as you face battles no one should have to. You can also get the conference study guide for free here, or contact me through my website for another format.