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accepting responsibility.
This past weekend at the Influence conference something that I just couldn’t shake is responsibility. We each have a purpose, a story….a responsibility.
We are made with a purpose in mind….a reason for being here- and what are we doing with that?
Are we taking responsibility?
I came home and hit the ground running.
Life here is nothing short of beautiful…..a beautiful chaos.
Three kids, three and under keeps me busy.
My influence is with them.
How I love them, how I react with them….how they see me and my actions daily.
But I also have influence elsewhere.
It’s with the sweet little hands that walk through A Little Artsy’s doors daily.
It’s with my friends here in Dallas and it’s with my voice on this little space on the internet.
I realized somewhere along the way this weekend that it’s okay to have big dreams. They are there for a reason. I learned that encouraging well and loving well goes a long way with people.
There were so so many beautiful quotes from the weekend, I want to share just a few:
I’d given Him part of my heart, but He’s a jealous God. He wanted all of it. – Sarah Matheny
Anyone who hangs out with you, anyone who reads your blog, knows what you treasure. – Jami Nato
Being small and weak isn’t a flaw. It’s a prerequisite to being an artist. It’s a prerequisite to being used by God. – Emily Freeman
What could be more dangerous to the enemy of our hearts than women with hearts that are fully awake? – Emily Freeman
I was really honored to be able to speak at the conference. It is normally out of my comfort zone but I quickly felt very comfortable and even though tears were shed in the process I was able to share my message. In a nutshell, I was hoping people took away a few things- one is that numbers dont matter. If your influence is 12 people for a season- that is not any less important than someone’s influence who is 12 million. I wanted people to know that relationships matter. Loving well is important. Especially in this community…. if you are blogging to share your mess, if your mess is your ministry you need to love well. I wanted people to know that it’s okay to dream, it’s okay to leap.
I shared about losing our baby.
And how in a way God redeemed that loss for me when I received email after email from women who read my words, walked through my hurt and somehow found comfort knowing they weren’t alone in their heartache.
I retold stories.
I cried.
I wanted people to know that I have a heart for them.
And that I want to be different.
Almost 7 years ago I was sitting on my closet floor with Chris telling him that I felt like I was made for something different.
Not bigger, not better- just different than where I was.
And because Chris is who he is, he pushed me to leap and we opened our art school.
And although that studio has been a journey…it’s had ups and downs…it’s lead me down a really beautiful path.
And little people’s hearts have been filled along the way, which means a ton to me.
The whole weekend was perfect.
The Gospel was there.
It was amazing. Way more than I expected or imagined.
So grateful to know that there will be a next year :).
October 17, 2012
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This is so inspiring! I have always been one to have big dreams. And along with those big dreams, comes a burning desire to see them out and to help others. I love what you said about having a responsibility to fulfill our purpose for being here on earth. I think that's where the burning desire comes from…a need to do what we were created to do.
I was unable to attend the influence conference this year, but I just wanted to let you and all the lovely ladies that planned the conference know that it is impacting those of us who did not get to attend. Reading all the inspiring tweets, facebook posts and blog posts has been so uplifting. It always amazes me how when one person is refreshed through a conference or retreat, it impacts all those who surround them!
Thank you for using your gifts and talents through this blog, and inspiring so many readers like myself 🙂
beautiful.
reading everyone's posts about influence is truly like being there. i'm so sad i didn't get to hear you speak, but am looking forward to other opportunities ahead. you have an amazingly beautiful story. <3
I so wanted to be there! Just, you know, money and all. But I am so pumped for next year!
Casey~ Your heart simply radiates love. It's almost overwhelming in the most hauntingly beautiful way possible. Thank you for sharing all of your love and your heart and your story with us.
And really…the next time I make it down to Dallas I really do want to snag a coffee or lunch date at Breadwinners. 😉
I love this, Case. Love you and your heart. I know you were so influential this past weekend. Proud of you and love you tons! xo
I am continuing to find encouragement in reading everyone's recaps of this weekend! Even though I wasn't there, my heart has resonated with so many of the stories. Thank you for challenging us with what God has done and is doing in your life. All of you ladies, through your words, have challenged me to dream and trust God with the results.
This is my most favourite post of yours EVER.
I read your blog before Influence but through my vicarious being there (aka via twitter) I realized just HOW much you love Jesus and it inspired me so much and encouraged me so much and it created this joy in my heart.
I'm praying for and with you sister. I love that you encouraged people to pray for your followers. That's the most powerful thing we can do – to go to our King and say "do what You will in this".
You're lovely.
I love this post. I am such a dreamer too and have really ignored that part of myself because I don't have a big support network in my life…thank you for encouraging people to be true to themselves! I really, really wanted to go to Influence but just couldn't get away from my little ones. hoping next year I can come!
Fantastic post. Thanks for sharing. Things to dwell on as I head to bed. Where is my influence and what am I doing with it?
ooooh I can't wait for the influence network. I was so sad not to attend so the network sound awesome!!!
– Sarah
agirlintransit.blogspot.com
Loved getting to chat & hug you!! With everything that happened that weekend, I'm already dreaming of next year 🙂
I know that feeling of being made for something different, something more. It starts in your mind and your gut, and bursts somewhere in the middle, at your heart. And I love this: I'd given Him part of my heart, but He's a jealous God. He wanted all of it. – Sarah Matheny. YOU influence me.
xoxox
beautifully put, friend. thanks for sharing. it gave me a small glimpse of the time there, though I so would have LOVED to hear you speak in person. i'm certain your soft heart and passionate words impacted many! xoxox
I am counting the days until I can listen to your remarks. I'm sure I'll have a few quotes of my own to tuck away. I treasure the little time we spent talking and only wish it could have been longer. But I am grateful we connected, nonetheless. You've got a big fan in me, and I adore the Sisterhood we share.
It was such a blessing to hear your talk! Thank you for being so open and vulnerable with us.
Loved this, Casey! I wish I could've gone…and I'm only 4 hours away! I love that you dream big. I identify with that. I'm a dreamer too. I also love that you gave us a nutshell of what you shared. Keep pouring your heart out…you ARE making a difference.
Thank you for sharing! I adore your blog & your voice and I hope to be a part of influence next year. What an amazing event. You are right we all have a unique voice to share and if we don't hold back we can hopefully be an encouragement to others.
this is me trying to comment 🙂
so blessed by you, Casey.
I really wanted to go to the Influence Conference, but because I found out about it so late (had never heard of it before) wasn't able to attend. Next year (because of this post), I want to try to make it a priority.
http://www.domesticatedworkingwoman.blogspot.com
Beautiful! I prayed for your conference this weekend and I hated I couldn't be there in person. I can't wait to hear the messages you will all share tomorrow. I believe we can all use our voice on here to speak the truth and love of Christ and I am so thankful to you ladies for corralling women's hearts to do it! THANK YOU!
Beautiful! I really hate that I missed this. I wanted to come so badly, but it just didn't work out. I won't miss next time. I do feel like this group is my 'niche' and that we do have one common thread. Jesus. And loving others. This weekend sounds amazing. So glad y'all chased your dreams and made it happen!
And. I'm with you on the feelings. I do feel like I was meant to do something different. Different than sitting in this cubicle every day, but I just don't know what. My all time desire was to do hair, but now, at 30, with a child and building a house, it's just not the right time. I could share Jesus with so many through that. But it'll have to be in His plan. We'll wait and see.
Thank you Casey for your heart!
you have a beautiful heart and soul. I love hearing about you and Chris talking and him pushing you to chase your dreams and heart. I have a man like that. We are lucky girls. Lord willing, I'll be able to be at the conference next year!
I appreciated what you said about having "big dreams." It reminded me of the book, The Dream Giver. It's amazing the ways God can use people for HIS purposes. Thanks for sharing!
~R.
http://www.straightfromthepages.com
I am SO BLESSED to have you as a friend and business partner. Love you and love watching what God is doing through you, girl.
Great job mama. You are an inspiration to all mothers put there. Love you xoxoxox
Such an amazing post! Thank you for your words about dreaming big and taking that leap!
What a great reminder: that numbers don't matter. My blog's following is not huge, but I am sharing my mess, trying to honor God through it, and I have had a couple people tell me that it has helped them to know that they are not alone. That means the world to me because I thought I was alone when I was going through (am going through) my mess. It's nice to have a community. I don't really have a big one, but even a couple people is something and God can use it. If He wants to.
Casey – I was so grateful to have been able to hear you speak this past weekend at Influence. I'm sorry that I didn't get the chance to thank you in person! I was really encouraged by many of the things that you said – Especially in terms of the goals that you set for yourself. On top of all that I was deeply touched by your compassionate heart. I loved hearing about the authentic community that you have worked so hard to create. I am grateful for your Influence and for the example that it sets. You challenged me to believe in myself and the message that I have, but more than that to remember the value that comes from God and the value that is in other people. So so blessed by what you had to say. Thanks for being there and for sharing so authentically.
I was so grateful to hear you speak. I think what comes through in EVERYTHING you do is your amazing heart. You are without a doubt an amazing community creator and God is doing great things through you and with all that love you pour out. I'm so glad we've met. XOXO.
It was PERFECT. and it was an honor to serve with you and be a small part of what God is doing through this community!!!! Love you lady!
I loved meeting you! You're so beautiful and sweet and gracious. I'm so glad to have met you and look forward to getting to know you more via your blog! Blessings,
cat (www.catdmoore.com)
I am not much into reading, but somehow I got to read lots of articles on your blog. Its amazing how interesting it is for me to visit you very often.
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i am so thankful i got to meet and talk with you this past weekend! i'm so glad to hear that influence blessed you, too. i'm stoked for next year!