My goodness, I can’t believe it’s taken me roughly 6 weeks to share about my experience at the Creative at Heart Conference in Denver this past July. I don’t know about you, but it takes me time to process things like this, to really figure out what the Lord has for me in these types of experiences. My, what a mighty work He has done! Creative at Heart is a national conference that really feels like home. It’s difficult to describe, but these people feel like my people. The volunteers, speakers, panelists and attendees are all creative entrepreneurs from every industry that you can imagine. Wedding planners, writers, photographers, calligraphers, book keeping gurus and more. They’re warm, accepting, they’ll challenge you when you need it and show you grace when you won’t show it to yourself.

Scott and I were honored to sit on the photography panel with some of the best and brightest in our industry. Abby Grace and Matt, and Amy and Jordan, it was a pleasure getting to know you, mentoring others along side you and singing Enrique Iglesias at the top of our lungs.

While each and every speaker had valuable, engaging and knowledgeable presentations, there were a few that really spoke straight to my heart. Sweet Shay talked about finding and owning our niche. Abby Grace shared about the art of the gentle no and let me tell you, it was exactly what the Lord had been working on in my heart this past year. I felt like she was speaking straight to me! Amy and Jordan, always the dynamic duo, dropped us straight into a story and taught strategic ways to capture the attention and hearts of our audience with story telling via our blogs.

We ended day 1 with the C@H Late Night Treat…PJ’s, hot chocolate, cupcakes and shenanigans…see for yourselves 🙂 

OK…I seriously could not hide this one any longer….cheers to the Creative at Heart guys!

In all seriousness, this conference really was a life changing experience. I grew in my craft, I grew as a person, I’m bursting at the seems with new ideas and I’m busy quietly implementing the tools I learned along the way. Above all, though, I’m grateful. I’m grateful to Kat for allowing me and Scott to be a small part of the C@H journey. I’m grateful for the community and sense of belonging I found there. I’m grateful for new friends made, surprising conversations, for laughing until my face hurts and for support when the dream seems too big.

So many sweet friends to mention…wishing I could hug y’all! Shay and Ashley P – so much love to you both for our dinner conversations about work, worship life and churches. Ashley and Graham – our conversations about God, family and adventuring left us feeling like a part of our hearts stayed in Colorado. Come see us, or we will come crash on your couch 🙂  Abby and Matt – we WILL find truffle fries and good wine together. Thanks for sharing about your story, your faith and for helping us realize that friends across the country are the coolest. Abby – your passion and heart for people is inspiring. Amy and Jordan – no one understands desert weddings like we do! Thanks for the laughs, and we hope to see you this fall. Don’t worry – it won’t be 110 degrees here 🙂

Images courtesy of Bulloss Photography.