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Happy Go Stuckey

Tethering Grace & Togetherness

My Top 10 from Declare

August 19, 2014 by HappyGoStuckey 10 Comments

I could write a SERIES of posts on all the Declare Conference goodness. I could tell you every session I went to and all the amazing words that were shared. But, I usually get overwhelmed trying to summarize after a weekend like that and unfortunately stay that way for days. However, since I have successfully unpacked my suitcase, (I KNOW?!!! Breakthrough!) it’s officially time to share. No more putting it off.

My Top 10 of Declare

1. The first five hours of my time in Texas. I arrived, found my suitcase and headed out into the warmth of the Dallas sun and the hugs of this girl! Casey is an extremely gifted artist in several areas and a genuine lover of people. We ate fantastic pizza and talked for hours. It was incredibly soul-filling for me to be with such a kindred spirit and the absolute BEST way to begin the weekend. I’m holding out hope that we end up in the same state one day, or even the same coast would be nice. 🙂 IMG_4295

2. Meeting people I “knew” from online and finding them to be every bit as lovely in real life. Right away I was bumping into faces I recognized and getting to know them better. This one. This one. This one. This one. This one. This one. This one. There are so many more and I could go on and on, but the thing you need to know about something like this– connections will be made. Stories will be shared. And you will love the community that grows.

3. My Roomies. All three of my roommates were from the area, but I’m so glad they decided to stay at the hotel, thus giving me the chance to get to know them better. Fabulous women. Each with a different story to tell– and they were transparent, real and kind. I cannot believe we neglected to get a group photo. Bummer! Check out my amazing roomies here and here… and one more fantastic friend is in the beginning stages of a fun blog idea! Can’t wait to see it, Jessica!

4. The session on Wild Obedience- Stewarding Life Well by Logan Wolfram completely rocked me. I love her heart and all that she gives as the leader of the Allume Community and this session was nothing short of a gift for me. Logan spoke about our need to be faithful and obedient in the little steps that God gives us, and the value of not viewing our calling as an ultimate goal to be reached. (And let me just say, I’m in a stage of life– where it ALL feels like little steps. ) My main takeaway is the need to follow God– little yes by little yes. Saying yes to the things that He asks of me, even when (especially when) they seem small. So thankful for this session, Logan. (P.S. want more amazing blogging conference goodness? There are still a few Allume tickets left– head here!) You will not regret it!

5. Being given the freedom to say ‘No’ and be a little foolish in the world’s eyes. Lisa-Jo Baker spoke on Wildly Foolish Obedience and the fact that obedience is not a formula with success as its’ result, but rather obedience IS success in God’s eyes. He does not desire that we are big fat successes, rather that we are faithful servants. Lisa-Jo so appropriately said, “Wild Obedience does not equal publicly awesome acts of service.”  Good Stuff, ya’ll. Also, I received another copy of her book, Surprised by Motherhood* and plan to host a giveaway soon– so keep an eye out. 

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6. That morning that I had an important meeting and my roommate, who I had ‘met’ exactly three days prior, took me aside and prayed over me with all the care of a lifelong friend. I was completely humbled by the love and I will not forget it.

7. Meeting wonderful sponsors like CK Design Mission. Seriously. Chris and Cassandra have this heart for Amsterdam and are moving their sweet family there very soon to plant a church. They also happen to be beautifully talented artists with a print shop!  Keep your eyes peeled for a giveaway of one of their pieces– gorgeous art, I tell ya!

8. The Coffee Bar. No, really. (In)Courage  sponsored a beautiful coffee bar for us on Saturday afternoon and it MADE my day. But, then when does fresh coffee next to a vat of real whipped cream and bowl of chocolate curls not make my day? Never. That’s when.

9. The Variety. In just one short weekend, the Declare Conference offers such a huge range of topics applicable to a large range of bloggers. Sessions ranging from Blogging Efficiency, Waiting on God’s Timing, Writing more with Less, Affiliate Marketing, Publishing Helps, Stewarding our Lives Well, and the list goes on and on! Each time I attended a session, I wanted to be in at least one more place at that time because it was so hard to choose. Whether you are a brand new blogger or a seasoned writer– you would be blessed by this weekend.

10. The Main Focus. As much as I appreciated the variety, there was no question of what the heart of the Declare Conference was and is. It was crystal clear that the call to WILD OBEDIENCE began with the hosts and trickled down to every detail of the weekend. I came away refreshed. Overwhelmed with God’s goodness. Ready to keep writing, following and obeying– whatever that looks like today. I came home tired and with a full cup. I came home grateful and changed. 

Declare 2014 Blog

Want to hear what other people are saying about the Declare Conference? You know you do. 🙂

 

*Affiliate Link. Thank you for your support! 
Tell them there is Hope. (FMF)
Not much has Changed. (FMF)

Comments

  1. Becky Keife (@BeckyKeife) says

    August 19, 2014 at 4:22 pm

    Awesome recap, friend! So glad to have spent at least a short time together, and even more glad that God met you at Delcare in so many meaningful ways. Hugs!

    Reply
    • happygostuckey says

      August 19, 2014 at 4:26 pm

      Yes! Me too! Hopefully we can meet up somewhere next year too! 🙂 Keep writing all the words and kissing all the boo-boo’s mama!

      Reply
  2. Amy Grable says

    August 19, 2014 at 4:50 pm

    I love that you did a Top 10. I just might borrow that idea. So fun to meet you at Declare. So glad we got to spend some time together and share some meals together.

    Reply
  3. Ma says

    August 19, 2014 at 10:26 pm

    i am so love with your beautiful friend. I only met her for a moment but her spirit radiated and those eyes. Shut the front door! Oh my. Roomie, it was amazing to meet you and I do want to continue to support you. What a double blessing to be #Fiveminutefriday snailmail buddies.

    Reply
    • happygostuckey says

      August 20, 2014 at 3:13 pm

      Hahaha! You are simply the best! Thanks for making such a great weekend even better! <3

      Reply
  4. eryn (@mamahall) says

    August 20, 2014 at 8:20 am

    beautiful recap! i’m so glad you were there. i have a great pic of us on my phone! i’ll send to you soon. xo-e

    Reply
    • happygostuckey says

      August 20, 2014 at 3:11 pm

      I would love that, Eryn! So thankful for you all of your little “yes’es” that led to Declare being so amazing. God was glorified and I’m so thankful to have been there.

      Reply
  5. Jolene Underwood (@Faith_Eyes) says

    August 20, 2014 at 9:20 am

    Love the top 10 idea. Even more, I love that we got to meet and I thank you for making space for met at the table. Thank you for your kindness and love sweet friend!

    Reply
    • happygostuckey says

      August 20, 2014 at 3:14 pm

      Looking forward to the next time, Jolene! I loved our little chat in the Selah space Saturday morning– your transparency was a gift and I’m grateful for you friend!

      Reply
  6. Meredith Bernard says

    August 22, 2014 at 9:30 am

    I’m just now getting to this for some ridiculous reason…but I’m so glad I finally did!! This sounds so AWESOME and excited me to no end because I’ve already bought my ticket for next year! :O I don’t know how I’m getting there, but trusting God to make it happen if He really wants me there. I just went ahead and bought the ticket on a whim that He does. 😉 So this says it all for me, “My main takeaway is the need to follow God– little yes by little yes. Saying yes to the things that He asks of me, even when (especially when) they seem small.” Yes, Cynthia, yes! That’s what God is telling me, as well. In the small…let Him do BIG. And that smile on your face in all of those pictures? Priceless. And that photo of you and Lisa-Jo? Jealous. But hope to get the same at Allume of her and me…;) Love you and your heart and can’t wait to see how God continues to use you in BIG ways. xoxoxo, mb

    Reply

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I'm Cynthia and I'm so glad you're here. I am an introvert with an extrovert's love of gathering people together. I love good books and capturing moments. Whether you visit me here or on my own front porch, I'll be the one holding the Iced Coffee for us both.

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Joy is the courage of people who don’t have all Joy is the courage of people who don’t have all the answers, yet.

While you sit in a season of waiting,
the calendar can often be a cruel companion, reminding you that days go by, weeks, months— with what feels like very little change in the right direction.

Perhaps you can easily assent to: 
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick,

but you strain to see just how it will be when: “...a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12)

Wherever you and I are today— whether we wander, wait, stand firmly planted, or some pressed together combination of all three — we can take heart.

We are not alone.
And this will not be wasted.
What seems to be an unending blank space, an indefinite pause, is a space for new things.

Long before all is made right, and whether or not it all is tied up neatly with a perfectly crafted bow— we can know this:

We do not have to know the outcome to be faithful today.

✨Joy is not disregard for reality as much as it is obstinacy against despair.✨
Hi 👋🏻 I’m Cynthia and I’m a bit weary. T Hi 👋🏻 I’m Cynthia and I’m a bit weary. There. I said it. These days I’m gravitating to the true & the beautiful as rest for my weary self... and I wonder if you are too.

So much so, that I’m starting a new little offering, it’s called “The Feast: Wonder for the Weary” and the first issue goes out this weekend. It’s a bit more personal (okay this first one is WAY more personal. 🤭) It will be a little bit of everything, all with the goal of offering REST to both the feasters & foragers alike. If you’re already a subscriber— no need to do anything, if not— click through my bio to “keep in touch” and join the feast.✨
We are a people of both lament and praise. We hol We are a people of both lament and praise.

We hold questions without answers— yet we hold them in hands already full of good things.

We hold our daily bread, our daily gifts, and we hold the daily closeness of the God Who Sees.

The God who is no stranger to our lament, and Who Is the reason for our every hope.
He does not grow weary of our asking. Of our need to be told again, He will. 

You friend, are not invisible.
You are seen and cared for by the God who does all things well. (Even when they feel anything but.)
Married love ambition: making the kids roll their Married love ambition: making the kids roll their eyes at our “gushy-ness” as often as possible. 

President & CEO of the Lance Stuckey Fan Club— in every season, but especially on days like today.
Rainy day Mocha date, courtesy of our own toasty k Rainy day Mocha date, courtesy of our own toasty kitchen.😍🌧📚

On this chilly Saturday, we spent entirely too long browsing for books at our library and then all came home to a fire, mochas, and cocoa, respectively. Of all the things we do not know at this very moment, we know the gifts abound, and are worth counting.

PS, if you haven’t spread whipped cream on a foil-lined baking sheet to freeze, and then cut out cute shapes with cookie cutters to top your coffee or hot cocoa, may I suggest you get thee on that at once.
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✨File under, things to save in a fire.✨

The prayer journal pictured here contains six months of the hard & the sweet.
Six months of prayers asked & answered for ourselves and for others.
Six months of seeing through prayer, not how it changed our circumstances necessarily but how it changed us.

I always appreciate a record like this— being able to clearly see the paths we are led down, rocky though they may be? Priceless.

The ways God has come near us & drawn us to Himself again and again are written on these pages and I’ll treasure it forever.

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Before masks and distancing, before loss, before other, more personal bits of hard. Multitudinous change, neither all bad nor all good.

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