When my (in)RL meetup didn't happen

Early this week, I posted about the effort involved in being a friend. I would love to have you join the conversation.
I feel like a failure in this area. I feel like my local friends don't understand my online friendships, but I desperately wanted to introduce them to each other during (in)RL ... I'm sorry to say that didn't happen.

The post I wrote back in January? I'm all talk, no action. The whole idea of hosting an (in)RL meetup was terrifying to me... terrifying enough that I didn't make the effort, didn't pursue and invite and encourage my local friends to attend, didn't find childcare for my kids... the list of excuses is endless.
Partly because my husband's work schedule created a conflict, but mostly because I was lazy, I ended up doing (in)RL all by myself with a huge pile of laundry while the kids had quiet time, and finished it up while they were outside running off some energy.



And all those stories on community and staying and mentoring, they spoke to my heart and encouraged me. And I loved following the tweets and instagram shots of those across the country that were a part of (in)RL. But it could have been soo much more.

Imagine if I had made the effort to see if I could have hosted an event in my church building and invite ladies of all ages to be a part (side note: there was a conflict at church, too, but that is not the point). We have mentors in our church, and we have mentorees (is that a word?) in our church, too. But to grow that ministry and to encourage more women to step out and ask for a mentor... Well, this would have been the perfect opportunity.

I don't have the answers and I don't know if I will be any more successful next year, but I am being honest with you. I have a desire (maybe even a God-sized Dream) to be better at community!!

Some things I loved about (in)RL...

• Seeing the lovely faces of those dear friends that I met face to face at Allume.
• Hearing those voices again... I love voices (which is kinda funny because I hate the phone)
• Being challenged and encouraged to stay... even when it's difficult
• Listening to others tell their mentor stories... and giving thanks for my mentor
• Listening to the Incourage writers read their blog posts out loud... again with the treasure of voice.
• AND the "bloopers" reel... I watched it AT LEAST three times!!

It was such a blessing to watch these videos as I experienced "real life" ... folding laundry, loving my kids, feeding my kids, breaking up fights, missing my husband, laughing and crying and connecting on twitter...

I've been blessed!





If you don't want to wait until next year (and I hope you don't) to be a part of the (in)courage community, stop by and join their incourager groups... there is something for everyone!

and they have a facebook page

Community Conversation: Did you participate in (in)RL? ...by yourself or with a group? How do you connect with your local friends?

Top 10 favorites of in(RL)

Where do I begin?!?! and can I really only say 10 things about in(RL)?

Because of our family schedule I was not able to join an actual meet-up this weekend, but I made sure to watch every video on my own as I was able... some I watched twice! It was that incredible!! I also think that I might just have to purchase the conference DVD and study booklet ... it was that good!!  But for now I will just share a few notable moments for me!

  Points from "opening night"
1.  Deidre from Jumping Tandem... (not an exact quote here...) "My suitcase next to your suitcase and all our stuff overlapping. You have treasures, I have treasures!" I love this ... I love the idea of all our stuff overlapping!

2. Community is not being alone... Our strengths and weaknesses complement each other.  Words by Holley Gerth ... "I will raise my word-sword for all of you anytime you need it, sisters. "I will defend you with my words."   Love is patient and kind. It does not envy or boast. Neither do good friends. 

3. Something that struck a nerve for me... "I taught her that I had no needs." and I am SO sorry, but I didn't write down who said this ... PHOOEY!!  "to be needy, touchable, broken can be a beautiful thing."

(using Dayspring's Message Blocks to decorate)

Starting out on Saturday morning (all by my lonesome)
4. Lisa-Jo spoke right to me!!  welcoming those who are watching "on the laptop, in your pjs, in your bedroom!"  EXACTLY where I was!! :) ... then she talked about those REAL LIFE friends who bring you Nutella on a bad day... and I HAVE ONE OF THOSE!!! :)

From the Social Media Love {thy neighbor} Stories
5. From The Mercy House video... It amazes me what "social media" can accomplish. I'm at a loss for words about the whole thing... and what God is doing.  ... oh and those lovely girls from Kenya singing worship to our God... simply beautiful!!

6. From When Women Pray ... "Prayer changes things; Prayer changes people" Oh I want to be changed!!  I never knew about this monthly prayer comments on in(courage). I am looking forward to joining in and praying for others and asking for prayer ... "Let's pray for you, this place is for God, this place is for each other."

(me, doing (in)RL ... all by myself)

7. on Doing it all...  "That's not what God created you for. If I'm not doing the thing He created me for, than no one's doing it!"  what do I need to quit doing ... or trying to do?!??!

8. from the (in)courage beginning... am I  the only slow one that didn't catch on that it was all about living IN COURAGE??  I understand that it is all about encouraging women and all, but I never got the whole idea of living in courage.

From the Favorite Posts...
9. Arianne ... My sacrifices aren't your sacrifices.  Sometimes sacrifices are right, necessary. They don't always look like sacrifices others make, but they're yours and they are good. Yes hard.

10. Ann Voskamp sharing about a letter she received ... "I promise I will never speak an unkind word to, or about you. I will never be jealous of you ... I will love you, I will pray for you."

And a Bonus Quote: Amber from The Runamuck "Live Fun and Live Hard" ... I want to do that!!


And another God moment... The smell of fresh cut grass wafted into my house just as Shannon began reading @gitzengirl's post. #inRL Tears... thankful for the reminder to not miss the moment!

and check out other people's recap of inRL here...

and although it's a few more than 10, I'm linking up to Top Ten Tuesday for the first time in a long time!!