tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post8773710910072116623..comments2024-02-21T03:32:15.577-05:00Comments on Jill Kemerer: Conferences: Lonely and Overwhelmed?Jill Kemererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-26551342176654384482013-08-24T11:37:25.144-04:002013-08-24T11:37:25.144-04:00Thanks, Jill. I won't be arriving until Friday...Thanks, Jill. I won't be arriving until Friday about noon. But I'll look for you in the crowds!Susan Anne Masonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17258093329143787876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-53302721021868552832013-08-21T21:16:57.135-04:002013-08-21T21:16:57.135-04:00Sue, you must come hang out with me! I plan on sta...Sue, you must come hang out with me! I plan on staying in the lobby/lounge Thursday afternoon as soon as I arrive! Come there if you can!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-1770343215364621962013-08-21T21:14:51.963-04:002013-08-21T21:14:51.963-04:00I remember you Ava! We met at the first-timer'...I remember you Ava! We met at the first-timer's meeting! I'm sorry you had a rough time too. But how wonderful that you found an instant friend--love those God moments! Will you be there too? I hope to see you!!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-28093653719594507542013-08-21T20:44:31.719-04:002013-08-21T20:44:31.719-04:00Oh Jill, I thought I was the only weird one who fe...Oh Jill, I thought I was the only weird one who felt this way! Everyone else is so friendly, bubbly, exciting, fun to be around. They all have friends and I'm paralyzed in the corner. <br /><br />I didn't go last year, but the year before was my first time. I spent a LOT of time in the bookstore! That was my safe space and I spent way too much money! LOL. <br /><br />This year I'm going completely solo and I won't even have a cell phone to call anyone. So I think the prayer room will become my new hang out! <br /><br />Feel free to join me anyone who wants to!! <br /><br />Cheers,<br />SueSusan Anne Masonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17258093329143787876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-75560852562575482932013-08-21T20:16:20.095-04:002013-08-21T20:16:20.095-04:00And I thought I was the only one having a difficul...And I thought I was the only one having a difficult time at the 2012 conference. It was my first conference and the scenes and feelings you described were spot on for me. Things were so different from the expectations in my head. Yet, one of the highlights was meeting you on the very first day. You were so friendly and seemed to have it altogether-- I think you do, despite today's subject. :-) After much prayer God directed another struggling participant right into my path and we became instant friends then and blog buddies now. You're never alone! Ava Walker Jenkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12968305681481056689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-66574339595525332392013-08-21T17:17:35.465-04:002013-08-21T17:17:35.465-04:00Will you be going to ACFW, Laurie? I hope to see y...Will you be going to ACFW, Laurie? I hope to see you there!!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-82871325456998091532013-08-21T17:17:15.855-04:002013-08-21T17:17:15.855-04:00It is time to break out in song, Cindy! Ha! You na...It is time to break out in song, Cindy! Ha! You nailed it here--God gives us just what we need when we need it, and sometimes we need to encourage or be encouraged. :) Can't wait to catch up with you!!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-13999722691664648662013-08-21T17:15:54.945-04:002013-08-21T17:15:54.945-04:00Letting go of expectations is a great first step t...Letting go of expectations is a great first step toward enjoying a conference! Really, it is! :)Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-14533338231739140282013-08-21T17:15:12.779-04:002013-08-21T17:15:12.779-04:00He does. A conference doesn't have to "fe...He does. A conference doesn't have to "feel good" to be successful! :)Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-39778424016913395792013-08-21T17:14:33.908-04:002013-08-21T17:14:33.908-04:00So true, Melissa--we have to keep our happy face o...So true, Melissa--we have to keep our happy face on. I love that he knows what we're going through and helps us through it. Meeting you was a highlight last year! :)Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-78534328155383456072013-08-21T15:44:01.789-04:002013-08-21T15:44:01.789-04:00Love this post! Very helpful as I face first-confe...Love this post! Very helpful as I face first-conference jitters!Laurie Tomlinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16953871496347559100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-5937313556210731792013-08-21T10:32:06.374-04:002013-08-21T10:32:06.374-04:00Sweet Jill, I love you in Jesus! We're all in ...Sweet Jill, I love you in Jesus! We're all in this together!! (I think it's time for a little High School Musical, don't you? Still love that movie!Lol)<br /><br />So many times when we experience difficult seasons, we're fearful of what others may think. I think "age" (maturity) has been a game-changer for me. I understand so much more now than I did 10 or so years ago. I'm less afraid to "let it all hang out" than I used to be. Er...no pun intended. haha<br /><br />I love meeting new folks and making new friends. I believe God orchestrates pivotal moments at just the right time. And sometimes we have to walk the valley in order to be the encourager that others need.<br /><br />Looking forward to spending time with you soon! :)Cynthia Herronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16388770492240305255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-38673634203486122442013-08-21T10:30:00.060-04:002013-08-21T10:30:00.060-04:00This is so true. Conference can be an amazing expe...This is so true. Conference can be an amazing experience, but it can also be overwhelming and lonely. My first year was tough, but it has helped a lot when I let go of my expectations and just let God do what He's going to do. Julie Jarnaginhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17066689616022777802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-83942319056445886372013-08-21T10:29:32.992-04:002013-08-21T10:29:32.992-04:00This was a fabulous post and you nailed it with: G...This was a fabulous post and you nailed it with: God has this. He has it. <br /><br />That's the bottom line isn't it? Jessica R. Patchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13614501794157211301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-84456025871739461122013-08-21T10:06:59.564-04:002013-08-21T10:06:59.564-04:00Jill, I love this post and the honesty of it and h...Jill, I love this post and the honesty of it and how I know it's going to touch readers. You know what's extra hard about those lonely moments at conferences...feeling like you need to keep smiling and being perky even when you feel like crap because there are SO many people around you. I love that you had Jess and Cynthia, though, as well as your husband to encourage and support you.<br /><br />I love what Beth said above, as well...that God finds us when we're hiding. I think I do some of my best hiding in public, actually. But God sees past the cheery smiles we paste on when we're not feeling at all cheery. And I love that he knows what and who we need in those moments.<br /><br />Praying this year is a completely different ACFW experience for you and a ton of fun! Love these tips and love your wisdom!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17620457068731162013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-74367809662844891482013-08-21T10:03:09.590-04:002013-08-21T10:03:09.590-04:00Thanks, Beth. As much as I hate to say it, sometim...Thanks, Beth. As much as I hate to say it, sometimes we need a bad year. God asked me to put all of my trust in Him last year, and I did, and life didn't instantly improve. But I knew He wouldn't fail me, even during the really rough patches.<br /><br />God can find us when we're hiding. He just knows what we need. He sent Judy Gann to me last year--I just love her and know God nudged her to reach out to me. What a blessing! <br /><br />I'm not nervous this year because I know I have work to do, and it's not necessarily work for my benefit. How freeing!! <br /><br />Can't wait to see you!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-4336965730481085082013-08-21T09:28:41.840-04:002013-08-21T09:28:41.840-04:00Jill,
I love your honesty -- well, gosh, I just p...Jill, <br />I love your honesty -- well, gosh, I just plain love you, my friend.<br />And I'm sorry the conference was hard for you last year.<br />But I understand.<br />There are times at conferences past when I've hidden out in my room. Or called home. Or done both.<br />And there are times when I've remembered to pray, or to ask for prayer. <br />And all of those -- even the hiding out and the calling home -- make a difference. Because God can find me when I'm hiding. And a call home can make me laugh through tears. And friends rally round me when I'm down in the dumps.<br />Am I nervous about going to a big conference? Well yes (that's another story) and no. I've learned that you're right: God's got this. God's in this. And I'm excited to see what he's going to do!<br />Beth K. Vogthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04032849469366266791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-71979817621541899362013-08-21T09:15:50.798-04:002013-08-21T09:15:50.798-04:00Thanks, Terri. Anyone can feel lonely and overwhel...Thanks, Terri. Anyone can feel lonely and overwhelmed at a conference! But we get through it, you know? I'm glad you went!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-19081988035169744222013-08-21T07:12:02.969-04:002013-08-21T07:12:02.969-04:00This was an excellent post jill. I have thought th...This was an excellent post jill. I have thought these same thoughts..was nervous to go to my last conference too and like you...I love people. But it happens. Terri Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07771622379178654235noreply@blogger.com