I do not generally enjoy public speaking. I can do it, in a pinch, but I feel very breathless and clammy and generally un-brilliant. In fact, the only thing I dislike more than public speaking is flying in an airplane. So when I tell you what I'm about to tell you, you'll understand why 2008 is shaping up to be my year of phobia tackling (what's next? Scuba diving in a pool of snakes while eating oysters and wearing skinny jeans?).
In June I'm going to be a speaker at She Speaks, the annual speaking/writing/women's ministry conference hosted by Proverbs 31 Ministries. It's in Concord, North Carolina (outside Charlotte), the weekend of June 20-22.
Did you catch that? I'm speaking. In front of people. Who are all looking at me. At the same time. Thankfully, I'll be doing this with Melanie and Sophie. And we'll be teaching a couple of classes on blogging (a subject that gets me so pumped up and chatty I might forget I'm scared).
In addition to the blogging classes, She Speaks offers a "track" for the publishing, speaking and women's ministry fields. They have an impressive line-up of Christian publishers scheduled to be there, and the entire conference has a strong reputation as productive, well-run and chock full of information (and inspiration!) for women.
So, want to come along? I wish you would. They've promised plenty of time set aside to chat and play with bloggy friends, in addition to all the learning and networking and growing. More details are available here, and there's a chance to win a conference scholarship here.
And while I promise that Sophie, Melanie and I will be all studied up and ready to address anything you ever wanted to know about blogging, if we run out of material we're totally doing this. You wouldn't want to miss that, would you?
Skinny jeans...now there's something to really be paranoid about! What evil mind brought those back again, LOL?
I haven't spoken in front of a group in several years, but it made me nervous, too. The best thing to remember is that everyone in the audience wants to like you--and that you know things they don't know. You'll do great, I'm sure!
Then again, you could always do the 'imagine them nekkid' trick--or even better, imagine the whole audience wearing skinny jeans!
Posted by: mom2fur | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 07:40 AM
OK, was already tempted to attend, but with y'all doing a "My Little Buttercup" song and dance routine I must be there!
Posted by: Kelly | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 07:52 AM
Okay, I'll go.
I wouldn't have to speak, would I?
Posted by: Activities Coordinator | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 07:58 AM
Oh my goodness, if you are HALF as funny as Steve, Martin, and Chevy, that would be worth seeing! And judging from your blogs, you are!
Glad you're getting a chance to face your fears this year...to the benefit of a whole lot of people, I might add.
Posted by: chewymom | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 07:58 AM
I know you're all nervous but you're gonna knock their socks off!
Posted by: Sister Honey Bunch | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 08:12 AM
Oh wow... Concord is about 25 miles away from me. You guys would be so close! I should go...
Posted by: Robin M. | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 08:16 AM
That is so cool, Shannon! Now you KNOW you'll be just fine in Africa, and you'll come back safely because, nevermind your kids and husband, you have to get to that speaking engagement, right?
Wish I could come, but newborns and conferences, in my experience, don't mix well. I'll be rooting for you in spirit, though!
Posted by: Jenni | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 08:23 AM
Shannon, are these yearly conferences? I desperately want to go, but the whole nursing mom thing makes it non-negotiable this time.
Posted by: Heather | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 08:29 AM
Hopefully th crowd in N.Carolina won't be nearly as scarey. You are going to be in my new stomping ground. (Can you find some new friends for me??) I know you'll do great.
Posted by: Kelly | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 08:33 AM
HEY! We were trying to find 3 Amigos to rent this weekend but nary a one in Concord, NH. This may get us to join Netflix yet...
I have been praying for you and yesterday's family devos, in Proverbs, this jumped out just for Shannon the Ocean-Crosser:
Prov 28:27
He who gives to the poor will not lack,
But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.
deb meyers
Posted by: floorplan | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 08:43 AM
What fun! Though I won't be able to attend, I'm excited for you and hope you will keep us posted on how things progress.
Maybe that scuba diving trip is next, you know God DOES have a sense of humor!
Posted by: MaryLu | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 08:43 AM
Public speaking. Yeah, I'd rather do the scuba diving with snakes and skinny jeans thing.
Posted by: All Adither | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 08:53 AM
Funny! Funny! If you promise to sing Little Buttercup, I will come! (SMILE)
You will do just fine!!! God WILL be there and He will be with you.
Posted by: Jai | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 09:08 AM
What a great opportunity for you. I'm sure you will be just great!
Posted by: Nicki | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 09:19 AM
So, if you do the song and dance number, who's the lucky person who gets to sit at the piano?
Posted by: Kristy | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 09:26 AM
Hi Shannon,
We met at BlogHer, last year - and you were very personable then, too - I've been an admirer of yours for a long time. What an exciting (albeit, nerve-wracking) year you have ahead of you. Delurking to to wish you the best of luck!
Posted by: Liz | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 09:32 AM
Is it wrong that I'm hoping you'll run out of bloggy material?
Posted by: A&EMom | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 10:18 AM
Seriously, this is just too exciting for words. The Lord is enlarging your borders within and without the United States. I cannot wait to hear all about this! Blessings.
Posted by: Jean Stockdale | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 10:53 AM
this is a stepping stone for bigger opportunities.
Posted by: mod*momm | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Oh glory. Now you are more dear to my heart with that Three Amigos clip.
Sew!! Sew like the wind!!
Posted by: Stretch Mark Mama | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 11:08 AM
I know you don't truly know me, but I am so proud of you. I don't like to speak in front of people either. I so get it, but God really does challenge us to do things we'd rather not do. I sent in a query to write an article about gluten intolerance and my church (Catholic) for our state newspaper. It took me six months to get the courage to even write the editor. He said "yes." So, now I have to write the darn thing.
I'll be praying for you all.~~Dee
Posted by: Dee/reddirtramblings | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 11:51 AM
HA HA HA, anything but SKINNY JEANS! Sounds like a wonderful weekend, and if I didn't have to go to afamily reunion, I'd love to come! Hope it goes well, I know you 3 will be a hit!
Posted by: Jen | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 12:14 PM
I don't know about everyone else, but I think you convinced me. I'm coming just to see your rendition of "My Little Buttercup"!
Posted by: Kris | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Wish I could go. :>(
Posted by: Melanie | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 02:15 PM
You really made me laugh with the skinny jeans comment. Ha! Way to tackle something that you are so scared of. I am tackling sewing and start taking a class tomorrow. I am scared of my sewing machine, but may I can overcome it and sew you some skinny jeans.
Congrats on your speaking engagement!!
Posted by: Am | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 02:24 PM
Oh, the little buttercup dance is priceless! I'm sure you'll be a great speaker.
Posted by: Hilda | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 03:14 PM
Nothing could be as bad as wearing skinny jeans! ;-) Can't wait to meet you there!! Woohoo!!
Posted by: dcrmom | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 03:33 PM
For what it's worth, the NC natives are friendly and polite. Can't say for sure about the the latecomers but then, I'm from near Asheville which is becoming the SF of the South, so they tell me. By the way, I'm a latecomer. We've only been here 20 years! =>) I'm sure you will do fine. Congratulations!
Posted by: Mary | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 03:33 PM
Hahaha. My Little Buttercup -- you will definitely bring the house down! Wish I'd be in the States then...
Posted by: ukrainiac | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 03:43 PM
I am SSSOO bummed! I live about 45 min. away but will be leaving on vacation the day it starts! Dag nab it! I would have LOVED to have been there to hear you ladies speak and to attend the entire conference!! I'm missing the Deeper Still Conference in Atlanta because of vacation too. Is the the devil at work!?
Posted by: Beth@sportsmomma | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 04:02 PM
I would so love to be there, but there is the small matter of the Atlantic ocean in the way. Sigh.
Posted by: Linds | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 04:09 PM
Y'all will do great!! Really wish I could go this year but hope that you'll be back next year and I can go!
Posted by: Headless Mom | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 05:14 PM
What a wonderful opportunity and experience for everyone involved. By June it might be time for a road trip for mom but not too sure about an infant! You'll do great!
Posted by: Alana | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 08:27 PM
Concord??? I am so close to there!! Details please!!!
Posted by: Melinda | Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 01:48 AM
I commented to Sophie yesterday I was praying about attending this conference. (My husband said, "Go for it!")
But now that I know you're singin' an old Steve Martin favorite, wild horses could not keep me away.
Looking forward to seeing you there, Shannon!
Julie @ A Joyful Life
Posted by: Julie | Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 08:53 AM
I REEEALLY wanna go; I read about it last night. It would be heading "back home" for me (we used to live close to Charlotte), but I don't really know bloggers who'd be going.
Maybe I can start working on that between now and then....
I remember when Lysa's newsletter was a folksy, hometown thing...so thrilled for her success...God has used one small voice to minister to MANY!
You'll do GREAT! And...how cool would it be to MEET you???
Uber-cool, thankyewverymuch! :)
Posted by: Robin | Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 09:10 AM
you'll be fantastic. no one will ever notice if you're nervous. really!
(i laughed all through that post after the words 'skinny jeans.' those should just be blown off the planet.)
Posted by: HolyMama! | Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 02:34 PM
Oh definitely wouldn't want to miss THAT (the last this ... )
Oh I wish I can go. I'm joining the "contest" for scholarship... it's the only way for me to be able to go...
Posted by: Liza's Eyeview | Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 01:31 AM
I'll be joining you there! I do most of their ministry and speaker blogs, and I've been invited, too. :-)
Posted by: Dawn @ My Home Sweet Home | Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 01:03 PM