I’m going to the Catholic Women Bloggers Network Conference (Midwest edition) in South Bend today. I’m super excited and kind of nervous. I met a few of the ladies (Annie, and Sarah, and Mary, and Elizabeth) who will be attending today with me last night at dinner, and it was quite enjoyable. I’m going to embrace all sorts of ordinary today and try hard not to be socially awkward in my introvertedness.
“…there is something holy, something divine hidden in the most ordinary situations, and it is up to each one of you to discover it.” St. Josemaria Escriva, Passionately Loving the World
The past week I really worked on slowing down and appreciating little things. I find that if I can just stop and look around and savor a moment it makes my days so much brighter. Here’s a peek:
^^ We have recently discovered the song “Shake It Off” ^^
Last night I had a bit of a trial trying to make it to dinner on time. First of all, I forgot about the time change between Wisconsin and Indiana, so even though the drive should have only taken about 5 hours, I lost an hour to the time difference. Then I underestimated the time I would sit in traffic in Chicago at 4:00 on a Friday afternoon. Then, I sent a voice text to Annie to let her know I was going to be late for dinner (as my GPS was telling me while still sitting in Chicago traffic), and while I was doing this I missed an exit and then got lost in a not-so-nice part of Chicago.
I just kept telling myself to enjoy the time in the car. I prayed and listened to several lectures and really did have a peaceful drive, in spite of the stress of being lost in a big and unfamiliar city.
^^ Don’t worry, I was at a dead stop in traffic when I took this picture ^^
For part of the time I was stuck in Chicago, I was listening to a Lighthouse Catholic Media CD that Super Friend loaned me for the drive about a former Vietnam War POW on the power of prayer. It’s called Walking Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. It was humbling.
It’s amazing what prayer and perspective can do for me when I’m in a tough spot.
Wish me luck today!
What are you embracing from your week? Link up your post or Instagram photos below. Happy Weekend!
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Ahhhh!!!! Have so much fun!!
Thank you, Gina! I did have a wonderful time.
Catholic blogger conference?!? What?!? They have those?!? I can’t wait to read all about it. The instagram pics look amazing……
Yes! They have them regionally, and have FB groups for them. I found out about this one after seeing a post on FB (before Lent, of course!) about the California one. I don’t know when or where the southern one is (you’re in TN, right?), but I suspect there is or was one 🙂
When I saw Nell speaking while wearing the baby on Instagram?!? What?!? How awesome is she?!? I tried googling the conference, but no luck. I hadn’t thought about Facebook groups. I’ll try that! TN, yes 🙂 If you do a post about it – I sooo want to know the topics…I’m crazy curious…lol The pictures were pretty awesome 🙂
I know. She’s amazing 🙂 I will post about it soon! I hope you find the Southern one. Do you follow Haley Stewart’s blog? She’s a southern lady, and might know something about it. I emailed Micaela Dar of California to Korea to find out about the Midwest one when the only one I could find initially was the California one. Good luck! Let me know if you need help getting in touch with someone if you don’t find it on FB.
I loved following your trip on IG! And all your moments captured are beautiful! So happy you were able to go to the conference and make the most of your drive. It really does sound like it was fruitful even though traffic can be rough!
Yes, it was absolutely worth the traffic! Thanks Amanda.
loved meeting you!