Last week’s conference was awesome but boy did it bring with it a ton of work. Amy (Milk and Cookies) and I both decided to pretty much take the week off and end it with a bang. While she is in Cincinnati with Marshie (Our Homeschool and Other Such Happenings) and her long lost cousin, Darcy (Life With My 3 Boybarians), lunching with the likes of Susan Wise Bauer (The Well Trained Mind) at the Midwest Homeschool Convention, I will be at the Extraordinary Women Conference here in Baton Rouge with my good friend, Susan (Forever His).
Why is is that everyone must be identified by their blog name? I feel as though I should walk up to people and say, “Hi! I’m Amy from In Pursuit of Proverbs 31″ except that I changed that blog over to this one, Amy Bayliss. Maybe I subconsciously did not want to be known as IPOP31? I guess it could be worse. I could be known as myblog21847 or “Hi, I’m Scatterbrained!” You do see the repercussions of choosing the wrong name don’t’ you?
Anyway, this post isn’t about blog names or being scatterbrained (don’t argue). It is about me going to the Extraordinary Women’s Conference and getting refueled – again! Whew! God is good!
So back to blog names (hush), I don’t think everyone yet realizes that I’ve moved or some are wondering why. It’s simple. I needed for things to be less complicated. And… I was a bit confused about some things God spoke to me about. I know that never happens to you but just bare with me here. Sometimes I try to take the ball and run with it before He is done letting me know what it is for. Don’t all shout “Amen” at once. I knew He wanted me to help women in every aspect of life and even gave me specific areas to focus on. I also knew that He wanted me to incorporate the help of other women to minister. Now, I just assumed that meant it should happen on the IPOP31 blog and I wanted to be able to maintain my own blog too so I started this one. Then He clearly spoke to me and said that this ministry would not be one of just written words but spoken and that it would be a community of women supporting and loving each other through life and their walk with Christ. A Woman Inspired is the foundation of that. God gave the idea to my friend, Marshie (aka Our Homeschool and Other…) and she shared the vision with us and so of course, Amy and I put it into action and God began to fuel it from there – major fuel! So, I knew there was no sense in maintaining IPOP31 since I had this one too and I preferred to be called by my name anyway. “Hi, I’m Amy Bayliss” sounds much better than – we’ve already been there, nevermind.
So if you were connected with me at IPOP31 but aren’t following me here or subscribing to this feed then would you do me a favor and change it over to this one? Then you can hear all my ramblings about life in online ministry and all the stuff that goes along with it. I may even tell you the story about how my husband almost checked me into the loony bin due to my overly excited reaction to Lysa Terkeurst (LysaTerKeurst.com) calling moi! I might tell you. Let’s just say it involved jumping on the bed, spilling coffee, and almost knocking over a bookshelf to grab her books and show my husband just who in the world she was. But like I said, I might tell you the rest. I don’t want her to think I’m weird or loony just in case she ever caught wind of this outrageous post that has gone on way too long. Just FYI: Lysa is so the real deal. Her, Holly, Marybeth, Renee, and the rest of her peeps have been so kind and supportive of this whole ministry. I just adore them and if you haven’t been to their sites go check them out. You can find a list here: Proverbs 31 peeps.
Anyway, just to kick it up a notch, I’ll throw in some tickets to the upcoming A Woman Inspired Ministry: Online Conference that will happen in June. You’ll get to learn all about how to start an online ministry, promote your blog, how to write catchy blog posts (not like this one), how to do some design and maintenance on your blog, all about utilizing Twitter, and Facebook and so much more! We just added five more speakers (including Mary Snyder & Leah Adams) to the line up but I have yet to add their info to the site. I’m on vacation right now remember! You’ll just have to trust me that you will not want to miss this conference! Attendees to the last conference be sure to comment and let them know why they don’t want to miss this one! 
So subscribe and follow then leave a comment letting me know you want to win. I’ll choose five who are already subscribed and five new subscribers to win but I will only post the winners here on the blog so you’ll have to check back to see if you’ve won. Thus, the bonus plan of subscribing and following. Simplifying things people, simplifying. I’ll let you know on Monday who won and I’ll tell the story about my grandma shaving her Little Debbie mustache.
Thanks much!
Amy Bayliss (formerly known as In Pursuit of Proverbs 31)
whoo hoo! I just subscribed! I LOVED the AWI conference. The Women’s Ministry Conference sounds awesome!! thanks for giving us an opportunity to attend!!
Okay, responding to your post in random order, lol.
I like it that your blog is your name now. Perfect.
Are you changing your twitter id too?
I do not want to win the giveaway, okay, I am able to pay for the conference, so I’d rather someone else have it who needs it.
AWI, wow. It was WONderful. It was so well organized, and I LOVED the authentic nature of it. I think next time I may gather 2 or 3 friends to come in their jammies and listen in with me. The speakers were all wonderful, and the heart of each one shone through…loved it.
on another note, did I just see on a link that you’re going to “She Speaks”? REally? I’m so excited I’ll get to meet you in person!
Amy … you are an amazing woman of God! I so appreciate you following God’s call to minister to women online! AWI was the absolute BOMB! I can’t wait to get started listening to the sessions I missed (yes, I got the downloads, just haven’t had time to listen!) I am an avid follower of your blog and I follow you are twitter! Thank you for everything you do in the name of GOD!
Had so much fun!! Thanks for having me! Blessings to you for all you did! It was great!
Love the new blog — and I think AWI ROCKED!! And I thank you, Ms. Rockstar, for pulling it together. You and your incredible team.
I would spill coffee if Lysa Terkeurst called me.
I want to hear all about E-Women! I’m starting a blog for them — should be up in the VERY near future.
I’m so JAZZED about AWI June! Can’t wait to be there!!
Love your ministry and thanks for blessing me so greatly.
PS – I don’t have a cool blog name and have always felt a bit inferior for it.
Beth – Yes! Thank you for subscribing to keep up with my randomness. Bonus points for you my friend!
Laurie Ann – I sure do hope that one day you realize just how much you mean to me with your sweet little self!
LauraLee – Oh yes, ma’am! I am going to the She Speaks conference! Are you already rooming with someone? If not we should totally be roomies! And… I absolutely love the idea of inviting friends over for the AWI conference! THAT is absolutely the vision for this. Go with that, girl! I love it!
I can’t wait to meet ya!
Carlyn – You are too sweet! That just made my day!
Invite some friends over and listen to those sessions. Have a “chick night” and Chic-Fil-A and sweet tea!
Natalie – YOU were awesome, girlfriend. We definitely want to get you back for some upcoming conference. The girl can preach!
Mary – Oh did I ever spill coffee! It is a good thing I put ice in mine because that could have been bad. lol I will definitely post about E-Women. I’m so excited about going! I’m glad you are on board with Ministry: Online! I look forward to hearing your session!
Amy, you make my heart smile! You are an extraordinary woman of God. I pray that you enjoy yourself immensely at the conference and that you leave refreshed, renewed, and energized to continue on in the work God has called you to.
BTW, I am having coffee tomorrow morning with a sweet new friend I met through the AWI conference.
Blessings!
I missed the last conference and would love to join in this one. And you got to speak personally to Lysa TerKeurst?! Mercy, Amy! That’s like getting a phone call from…well, you or Beth Moore or some other hero of faith of mine! I rank ya’ll all right up there together! Your ministries have literally changed my life. Steve (the hubs) could testify to that!
Amy — I was subscribed through google reader to ipop31 but I just subscribed to this one instead!
AWI April was AWESOME and I’m so glad that it isn’t just a one time event. I would love to “attend” the next one as well.
BTW, I would spill my coffee if YOU called me
Love you, and AmyS, and all that both of ya’ll do for so many women.
God is definitely GOOD!!
Have a blessed weekend!!
Sallie
http://www.mikeandsallie.com/sallie
Hi Amy,
I have been a follower for a while now and attended AWI … it was such a blessing… I am still in awe. Can’t wait for this new conference. I have a small blog (a first) that keeps friends and family informed of my son’s new life in Brazil (after a 2 year custody battle he became old enough to ‘choose’ and chose to go live with his father there) but really want to somehow start a blog for God’s purpose and not my own. This is just what I need along with my daily prayers as to where God is leading…
God bless you. You’re an inspiration! Sherri (aka Faithin1)
LOL… crazy lady, great post!
I Was the THE CONFERENCE And looked for you all weekend, but never saw you! I was at the Karen Kingsbury table, all weekend!!! I will be posting about that on my blog SOOONNN!!!!!
Sorry, I missed you!
I had a great time at AWI! Thank you, so much for having me. It was a huge blessing.
I just downloaded the sessions I missed and am looking forward to spending some time this week listening.
Blessings to you, Amy!
Cazandra
http://oozingeveryday.blogspot.com
HI Amy,
Thanks for your post. I have to tell you that this actually made me laugh a bit. I could kind of relate, only the opposite way.
I’ve been sensing The Lord prompting me to start my blog quite a while ago, but I just could never wrap my mind around how to get it “perfect” before I began.
Praise God that you obeyed his voice and continue to listen as He lovingly guides you along your journey.
I’ve only commented here (Ipop31) and at HOTM a few times, always under anonymous b/c I never could get that blog of mine together, however, I have been “with you since the early days and am inspired by your testimony! I am so glad you will be at She Speaks. Maybe we can get together for some coffee and a “in person” chat.(although they don’t give ya much downtime, maybe we can just forget to sleep
And you can expect to be hearing more from me now that I’ve finally “launched out” into the abyss of the blogosphere!
BTW, I’d love to win the tickets for the AWI conference. I can use all the blog help I can get!
Thanks Amy!
Amy-
The A Woman Inspired Online Conference was exactly what I needed!!! God knew it.. and used to reinforce the TRUST issue I have!!!
He used you all to help me in ways you will never know.
This next one really looks great.. esp for me as a stay at home mom.. being able to get involved in something while I am home sounds amazing.
Thanks again for opening up your heart and being used of the Lord!!
Chrissy Gunning
cgunning94504@adelphia.net
know this will be amazing
new subscriber here
. i would love to win! i was able to listen to some of the last conference and LOVED it! God used it to speak to me on some issues. thanks for being His vessel.
okay- this made me giggle…my comment verification word is “imentyl”! nice.
what a relevant and on-time topic for the next conference! i love it!!! Thanks for bringing this ministry to us…what a huge blessing!
I’m a subscriber and I would love to win! AWI was awesome and I will be listening over and over again!
Amy,
The AWI conference was fantastic. I really needed to be revived. Boy was I ever. A whole new ministry came out of it. Things are moving so fast now I can hardly keep up. I will be at the next one with bells on. LOL
Do not worry about jumping up and down on the bed when Lysa called you. I would have done the same thing. In fact I would do that if you called me. What you and the others in AWI do is inspirational. What a blessing you have been. Keep an eye out in the next day or two for a review of the conference on my site.
Blessings Always
I enjoyed the conference so very much, it truly blessed me. I would love to win sweetie.
When He asks you to do something, he gives you the tools ……. amazing.
I subscribe!
I attended the last AWI conference and lets just say WOW! It was great! God spoke to me through these women.
I love to win this. I’m a new subscriber.
I just found the AWI conference and all these blogs a couple weeks ago and I am so exited!! I have a brand new blog I hope will minister to women, so this is great!
The last conference was amazing! I’m still making my way through all the audios and am loving every minute of it. Yes please include my name for the next one…woohoo!
Just subscribed. I’d love to be a part of this next one as well
.
I loved the last conference and from the sounds of it, this one is going to be excellent as well!
Hi Amy,
I enjoyed the parts of AWI that I got to hear, I missed most while at work…can’t wait to hear the rest. This new conference sounds great. Will you also be able to download it if you can’t listen in ‘real time’? I love the idea of using my little blog for ministry, but I sure could use some help.
I am a new subscriber and follower
Thanks,
Terry
AWI was incredible! I’m already following your blog (the right one!) and love it! Thanks for the opportunity to learn more about online ministry – I’m muddle-brained about it! Will be praying for you and your endeavors!
i’d like to win a tummy tuck and 3 years back of my life, but since I”m just leaving those with my gym membership.. I’d be happy to win pretty much anything! I’m always thrilled to listen to the ladies at the conferences, and loved it. I was so refreshed by it.
(it’s not hard when you have such a cool name! hehehe)
I like the new name, and I totally get that.. part of the reason why I did my name as well..
btw, I’m more than willing to donate a print of one of my graphics that I make for WFW’s.
Going to subscribe after I post this!
I’ve been listening to my AWI mp3′s and can’t wait for the next conference. I’m inspired to get online with ministry and would love to learn how!
I won my ticket to AWI and I’m sad to think what I might have missed and overjoyed to think what I’ve gained through participation! I look forward to the next opportunity to participate in the on-line spreading of the Spirit.
Bless you and all of the women who facilitated/sponsored/participated. We collectively energized the internet! Praise God for His glory!
Girl, I am heading off to subscribe. I LOVED the teaching of AWI and am thankful I was able to be part of it.
I took the downloads with me this weekend on our middle school band trip. I listened to you as we drove and WOW could I realate to you… Thank you for sharing your authentic self. I love you my friend. Hugs.
I just subscribed to your blog. I would love to win the tickets.
I so need help! I am so bad at the techno thing, I have asked Lori M. for help & she sent me to your site. It did help with the question I had then, but I have so many more!
I am so bad that I tried to tell you that I like your black & white pic on twitter…actually on twitter & I couldn't manage to do it! I have twittered, facebooked and blogged all since Jan. '09… I really have so much to learn.
One semester of Basic programming in HS does not prepare you for this. Besides, I've forgotten everything I learned then.
AWI was AWESOME! And I loved to get to hear so many voices of people I'd been reading about for a year on HOTM. Between you all and my local homeschool conference, I have been inspired and set on my tasks.
Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Misty aka Elvisgirl
I subscribed to your feed. I wouldn’t want to miss it!
I also LOVED the last conference and plan to try my hardest to attend everyone you offer!
I feel God leading me so ways… really unsure how but I wm just following and letting him lead- I really think this conference will help with where he has me next!
=)
I LOVED the last conference and havn’t been sure about this one coming up BUT when I think about it, getting to know a little bit about technology (don’t think I can even spell it right!);-) and getting an understanding of the whole mess…..well, maybe I could use this conference!
First I did subscribe today. Now, more importantly, I already registered for The Women’s Ministry Conference. I did it the first day I found out about it. I am going to try to make a long story short. God has been leading me the last month or so and it is unbelievable what is happening. I had no clue what a blog was until I started doing some serious couponing. That couponing led to finding 5 minutes for mom blog party which led me to start my own blog. My first post was about the blog party. That led me to the button for AWI which I immediately signed up for. And that is where the real story begins. I have met some of the most inspirational, motivational, and mentoring women from AWI that I can hardly type this without my eyes tearing up. Since March, I have started to learn about blogging, twittering, facebooking with the help of the women I have met. I have found blogs to teach me about being a wife and mother and about homeschooling(which has been on my heart for about one year). I have read awesome posts that hit home. I became a Christian 4 years ago and I have been on a journey since then. In the last three years of that journey, because of a medical issue, I have become a stay at home mom and I have had a better marriage. God just keeps leading me in in the right direction knowing what I need. Right now AWI was the force that kept my journey going at this time in my life. I just can’t describe it well enough in words what I have felt like over the last month. I would love to win the tickets but I already have them so it really doesn’t matter. I will be there and can’t wait. Thank you for doing what God wanted you to do. I really appreciate that you followed his wishes and thank you God for meeting you and all of these awesome women of the blogging world!
I LOVED the last conference and know this next one will be fantastic. Thanks for bringing us such inspired and practical messages. I am learning a lot through this ministry. Thank you!
I just subscribed! I enjoyed the AWI conference very much and would love to attend the next conference! Thanks!
Enjoyed the last conference. Still catching up on the audio’s that I missed. Would love to be at this next one also.
I’d love to win – I have a blog – but desperately want to know how to use it better! jclancaster@sbcglobal.net
I just subscribed & I'm following
I was so blessed by the recent A Woman Inspired conference. I’d love to win a ticket to the new conference. Oh, and I just signed up for your updates, too, using a different email address than my google one. *blush*
I subscribed via google reader! I’m gonna follow too! I didn’t get to enjoy much of the last conference, but I’ll not be at school for this next one!! I’d love to win!
The AWI conference has been such a blessing to my life! Thank you for the opportunity to attend the next one, money is very tight for us right now, so this may be an answered prayer.
God Bless you and your ministry!
Nancy
Hi
I’ve just subscribed too and like others, would love to know how to use my blog better (and to find the time to keep it up to date too, lol!). Loved the AWI conference although I had to miss chunks of it ‘cos of work, so am really looking forward to catching up on the ones I missed with the downloads.
I am really looking forward to the conference in June.
I really learned a lot from the April conference, and met a lot of beautiful Godly women on line.
May God continue to bless your ministries.
Jean Campbell
I was at the last online conference and I really enjoyed it..I took notes from each speaker and jotted them into my journal so I can go back and review them… I thought I didn’t need to listen to the young mother’s testimony as I’m 67 yrs old…but I was wrong. I reaped knowledge that applies to any age… I am looking forward to the June conference…so Hope I win.
You ladies have blessed my heart more than you know. I was actually in tears reading some of these. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing. It was the best birthday present ever!
This sounds wonderful!
I have attended conferences, workshops and seminars of all sorts in my career in early childhood education. I have not once attended a conference online. I think I may be hooked forever! It was the best thing in the world, and the cost! Excellent idea, excellent production, excellent speakers, excellent time! I was blessed by the planned speakers, the “chatting” panelists and the entire moving experience. I was actually working during the conference, but got little done as I sat in my office with the door closed, crying and praying at my desk. I really needed the sessions and the faithfulness of so many Christian women that weren’t “spooky” in their love for Christ, but brought the word plain and simple.
I loved the AWI conference and definitely want to be a part of the next one.
Count me in!
Congrats on the new blog! It looks great. I'm now subscribed and so excited to open up my email and see "Amy Bayliss" sent me mail! LOL
You rocked your session at AWI! I loved your Q & A time. You are inspiring! I do want to attend the June one too! Thanks, Susan
loved AWI! Would love to be a part of the next one in June!