Diamonds 2020 is over. I feel like I have to keep saying that so that it sinks in. I woke up the day after the conference much earlier than I wanted to (I planned on sleeping in) super stressed about the conference . . . even though it was over. It’s been an adjustment. For months I’ve been working so hard on this project, praying like crazy, stressing way too much, having nightmares about it, legalistically managing my health. But now it’s over. It’s so bittersweet.

 

But it has been such a blessing to read all of y’all’s comments, DMs, and emails. I love getting to hear how the conference encouraged or blessed you, it reminds me that all that work was worth it. I love the chronic illness community so much and I want each and every member of it to know that they are not alone and that they are worth it.

 

So many people put in so much work for this project. This was NOT a one-woman show. I want to take some time to acknowledge and thank each and every person who helped make Diamonds 2020 happen.

 

You see, I’m the kind of girl who always reads the acknowledgment page in books. Because I know how many people it takes to publish a book. Well, I think conferences should have acknowledgment pages too.  

 

First of all, the Diamonds 2020 Speakers:

Bella Morganthal

Scott Degroff

Lynn Degroff

Bethany Beal

K. J. Ramsey

Hailey Rose

Tessa Emily Hall

Pamela Piquette

Becca Doss

Kristy Johnson

Hailey Hudson

Kara Swanson

Esther Smith

Anna Pustai

Stephanie Kehr

Bethany Rose

JoniandFriends

 

Diamonds 2020 Staff:

Caitlin Mullon: She was the amazing person behind the study guide, and I am so grateful for her heart to serve chronic illness warriors. She managed so many of the details behind the study guide.

 

Angela Watts: Angela was the awesome Diamonds 2020 blog tour host! She organized bloggers, helped facilitate speaker interviews and guest posts, and picked up the slack for me when I wasn’t able to do my part for the blog tour at the last second.

 

Julia: She managed the Diamonds 2020 private Slack community, working to make it a safe, welcoming space for lonely spoonies who wanted to connect with people who understood — all the while, hosting her own flash fiction contest! 

 

I’m telling you, these conference staff members are superheroes.

 

Bethany Rose: Bethany was the one who originally said, “What about a conference?” She has been both a voice of encouragement and of practical care throughout both Diamonds 2019 and Diamonds 2020. This year, she served both as a speaker and as the street team leader.

 

Hailey Hudson: She served not only as a speaker, but also the amazing social media manager for Diamonds 2020. You’ve probably interacted with her on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook, as she kept everyone updated and shared encouragement. Hailey also did lots of other behind the scenes tasks from giveaway and sponsor stuff to much more.

 

Each and every one of these wonderful ladies was incredible help and blessing to me and so many as they sacrificed their time and energy to serve the chronic illness community. Please go visit each of their linked blogs and drop them a comment to share how their work blessed you!

 

Sam Sheridan: Sam wasn’t an official member of the Diamonds 2020 staff, but I thought he deserved a shoutout since he answered many of my frantic tech-related questions. As an online conference, a LOT of tech was involved, and Sam’s expertise offered for free was invaluable.

 

Study Guide

Sarah Holman: Sarah Holman reached out to me after I had announced Diamonds 2020 and, of her own accord, volunteered her time to format the Diamonds 2020 ebook study guide for free.

 

Jessica Greyson: Jessica formatted the interior of the Diamonds 2020 study guide, turning it around quickly so that we could get it published in time. I may be biased, but I think the interior is beautiful.

 

Silas Willoughby: Silas is the person who helped tweak the book cover to make it work for publication, and who designed many of the graphics we used for this conference. He also created the conference trailer.

 

Grace Pederson: Grace was a huge blessing. She created the BEAUTIFUL Diamonds 2020 study guide cover, and she also offered her services for free in order to serve those attending the conference.

 

Diamonds 2020 Teams:

Street Team: Thank you so much to the AMAZING street time, you guys were incredible as you worked to share the conference so that it could get to the people who needed it.

 

Blog Tour Team: Thank you to the blog tour team! You know who you are, but I am so grateful for your excitement and enthusiasm as you shared about the conference on your blogs, writing posts, and sharing guest posts and interviews.

 

Announcement Team: You guys were the very first people to sacrifice your time to share about the conference and get it launched into the world. Thank you for your support!

 

Diamonds 2020 Prayer Team: You guys were the warriors behind this conference. Prayer was how this conference ever came to be and ever continued. Thank you SO much for your faithful support as you fought for this conference in prayer, praying over every single step.

 

My Family: Yep, my family deserves a shout out. They are the ones who dealt with my increasing stress and had mercy on me when I was frustrated or near tears or panicking. Thank you to my sister in particular whose sleep was interrupted on Saturday since a conference was being broadcast live the room we share and to my mom who made me rest and took care of me and for my whole family who prayed for and supported me so that I could do this.

 

Diamonds 2020 Sponsors:

Thank you to each of these companies who sponsored Diamonds 2020 by donating products for us to give away to the attendees.

 

Teespoonies

Abilitee Adaptive Wear

Vogmask

AWARE Causes

 

Last, but definitely not least, I want to thank God. Without His love and care and working, Diamonds 2020 would not have existed. Guys, one week before the conference I came down with a nasty cold. I had so much to do, but the week leading up to the conference, I spent in bed, not having enough energy to do anything. You guys, I’m an eighteen-year-old, for goodness sake! An eighteen-year-old with a chronic illness. I haven’t even spoken at a conference besides Diamonds before. But yet, in my weakness God did amazing things. Is He cool or what? So take a moment and praise God with me. The glory belongs to Him.

 

Thank you all for supporting me during this time and I hope that Diamonds 2020 was encouraging to you. If you didn’t get to watch it, you can view the full recorded version of the conference here.

 

If Diamond 2020 blessed you, please consider either buying something from the merch shop or donating directly to Diamonds 2020. While we offered it for free since we didn’t want to put any burden on you who already face so much, it wasn’t free for us to put on, and many of the expenses came out of my own pocket. By buying merch, you are both treating yourself and supporting your fellow chronic illness warriors. It’s a win-win.

 

You can also help us make Diamonds 2021 even better by filling out our 5-minute feedback form.

 

If you don’t even know what this whole Diamonds 2020 thing is that I’m talking about, you can view all the details here.

 

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