Looking Forward to Evo 10!

This week marks our second month in Nebraska. On this trip, we intentionally chose to stay put instead of traveling from city to city (which we did in 2008: 9 cities total). I am so happy about our choice and have been feeling more and more at home in Bellevue.

However, living with Robert's parents (who have been so kind, loving and gracious) means our privacy as a married couple becomes a luxury. I don't mind at all (and my in-laws have been just great at giving us space) but I have been expressing to Robert how a quick getaway would be nice for both of us.

I found myself looking at the EVO 10 conference website often and thinking to myself, "How nice would it be to join a summer camp kind of conference for women lifestyle bloggers!"



I thought this was a great conference to go to for the following reasons:

1) I am certain that God gave me the gift and the opportunity to use this blog as a channel to inspire women to be the best people that they can be in all the roles that they take on. This blog is only 2.5 years old. Learning how to be better at this is something I always want to humbly seek. I still have a long way to go and still a lot to learn.

2) I have been here to the United States a few times but I have never been to the mountains. Just the thought of  visiting Utah for the first time really brought excitement to my heart.

3) Getting away with my husband (as I have mentioned) would be really nice. This I can guarantee: Robert is the best person to go on a road trip with!

4) I don't have a lot of female friends here (and it's totally okay) but I thought it would be nice to connect to a group of women who also happen to love doing the same thing I love doing.

5) With a conference agenda like this, how can I not want to go?

6) Last but definitely not the least -- I have been telling God how much I want to bring something similar to the Philippines. A summer camp lifestyle event for women. I wanted to get ideas!


I had a "little" problem though. The conference fee cost $350. That does not even include the expenses to travel and stay in Utah. I knew that I did not have that kind of money to spare.

Now here is the part where God just shows how cool He really is. Amy Bellgardt of Momspark.net was giving away one conference pass through a raffle on that blog. I decided to join the raffle but found out in a couple of days that I didn't win it. I was not surprised at all -- a lot of women joined and wanted to go!

But the coolest thing is this. Amy got in touch with me the next day after the winner was announced. She said the winner couldn't make it and asked if I could. My reply was instant and direct to the point: "YES YES YES!"

And the next thing I knew -- I was registered at the conference for free! We have made the sleeping arrangements (a combination of a great Internet deal and friends offering their home) and we plan to drive there on Wednesday.

This goodness of our Father was just shining in this personal story. He generously gave me favor and I cannot stress enough that I have done nothing to deserve this. This opportunity is before me because He loves me. I looking forward to be an example of His kindness to everyone that I will meet on this trip.

Please pray for a safe trip for me and Robert. It's about a 14-hour drive. I am looking forward to sharing my experience with you next week!

"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him." Daniel 2:20-22