Let me introduce you to my guest poster — Kandee Popham! I had the honor and pleasure of meeting Kandee at the She Speaks Conference this year but truly we met earlier on a facebook group for She Speaks attendees. I was struck at Kandee’s desire to work to make this conference happen. I love her story (and I know you’ll love it ,too!) and I just adore her. She is a true blessing in my life!!
GUEST POST by Kandee Popham
I’m willing to say that everyone has had something in their life they’ve wanted but couldn’t quiet afford.
I know I have, many times. In fact, going to She Speaks this year was one of those things for me. Oh, I knew God had called me to go, He had given me several confirmations along the way and He even gave me an idea to raise the funds without asking my friends and family again. You see He had given me the design for the She Travels shirt to sell and raise funds to attend and maybe even help others in the process. My goal…was to sell 100! I thought that should be easy since there are over 600 ladies attending, right? So, I got permission, created the shirt and web-site and began selling and promoting. And I sold …. 21.
I’ve often heard things happen in God’s timing, not ours. And for the most part, I’ve believed that. But, I must admit there have been times when I just don’t want to wait. So, I either force it to happen in my time or get discouraged and give up. So, when funds for She Speaks didn’t come exactly how I had planned, I was faced with the choice – force it or give up.
I decided to pray and look for God instead! Jeremiah 29:12-13 challenged me by saying “In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”
As I looked for God, I felt Him saying give up the money from the shirt sale. Soooo, I e-mailed Samantha at P31 on a Friday to tell her this wasn’t the year for me to attend and I would like to give the $98 to someone else. Samantha responded almost immediately, saying there was someone who e-mailed her that wanted to donate to my scholarship – $300!! And she wondered if I could I come up with the rest. I have to say I was completely floored, and had to wonder what God was up to. So, I did what any logical woman would do…I wrote a Facebook post. To which my She Speaks roommate from last year responded saying, she would give another $300! Then $100 came in from my church. I stood Sunday morning in church praising God for His provision. After church, a friend gave me $5 and another $50. On Monday morning came a call from a friend; she and another friend would cover the balance!
Whew!!
Did you catch all that?
I don’t know if you were adding along the way or not, but here’s the total, I’ll break it down for you real simple– Friday, looking for God and giving $98 away to follow His will not mine; Monday, paid in full once again by GOD! Ever wonder if God still performs miracles? Well, let me tell you – I attended She Speaks 2012 because He most certainly does!!
What about you? What is it you’re looking for in life? What is it that you just want so bad? Love? Career success? Lasting friendships? Will you receive a miracle or grow disappointed trying to force it or maybe even quit? I want to leave you with a promise…look for God, you will NOT be disappointed! He promises, “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” Desire God above all else – He desires you!
Great post Kandee! I had no idea that you had raised the funds (or were even selling t-shirts! – great idea, by the way!). I am looking for God too – but definitely NOT quitting. I am finding Him in some pretty odd places, places I would have NEVER looked. So, keep looking. You will find Him. It just might surprise you where! Love you and miss you!!
Awesome job, Kandee! So very proud of my baby sister ;-)Love, Sis
Very proud of my sweet daughter. I see God in her everyday. So happy that other people will too. Love you Kandee, Mom