(in)RL.... sigh. Do we really have to wait a year for the next one? I would gladly welcome fresh content every single weekend. It was that good.
For those who don't know, (in)RL stands for "in real life" and it was (in)courage's first conference event.
(in)courage is an online home for the hearts of women, and part of Dayspring, the Christian subsidiary of Hallmark.
It's about encouragement and courage and friendship and community and authenticity. And it's oh so good.... like Black Raspberry Chocolate Chunk ice cream.
From its sweet beginnings, (in)courage has nourished me and fed my spirit.
One video section of (in)RL was Sara's Story. I've written about Sara in this space many times. She was homebound due to Ankylosing Spondylitis, the same painful inflammatory disease I have that attacks the spine & joints, and severe complications. She blogged at gitzengirl.blogspot.com and she changed the world. Go spend some time at her blog and you will understand. Sara passed away September 24th, 2011. She was in her thirties.
Please take 30 minutes, or come back when you have the time, and watch this video, a beautiful tribute to our Sara.
One of the other favorite parts of the weekend were the videos of bloggers reading their posts aloud. There was something so powerful about hearing the voices of these women whose words we usually just read. One of my favorite posts was this one by Amber Haines. A week later I still hear her voice saying, "You are all Jesus to me."
Such a powerful, needed, encouraging weekend. Thank you, thank you (in)courage!
Jennifer, thank you so much for sharing this. I did not know Sara long, less than a year, but of course, like everyone else that came into contact with her - my life was never the same.
ReplyDeleteSo glad for your weekend!! It is good to be filled - something we must choose as well, and often do not. Blessings to you...and thank you again.
Theresa
I think it's so great to have a conference people can participate in from home! I'm so glad you got to be a part of that. Thank you for sharing about it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting the tribute to Sara. I love that all the captions are in her gorgeous handwriting. It was really special to get to watch it, and I wept at the end. I'm so thankful for all my friends and family who show God to me every day, including you, my dear friend. Love you!
Being compared to ice cream? Oh my, it's the best kind of sweetest compliment! On behalf of (in)courage - thank you thank you!
ReplyDelete~Lisa-Jo