Chosen Vessel: Faith vs Fantasy: My Pinky Promise Experience 2015

Three weeks before the Pinky Promise Conference in June 2015, I found myself asking how do you know when you are stepping out in faith or you wishing on fantasy?

I felt a bit disappointed because I've been wanting to go to this conference for over a year and I had no plane ticket, no hotel fee and no spending money.. all I had was a 'faith' conference ticket that I stepped out and purchased a month before as I trusted God to provide over USD$1,000 for my other expenses.

Fantasy???

To back track a bit, Pinky Promise is a promise to honor God with your LIFE no matter what, whether married, single, divorced, engaged or widowed. This movement was founded by Heather Lindsey and have over 300 groups world wide. Now the conference is held annually, where women across the world come together for four (4) days of worship, fellowship and life-changing Word. When I came across Heather's blog in early 2014, she changed my Christian walk entirely; her transparency, authenticity and conviction bombarded and challenged to me to become a true woman after God's heart. I started praying since then to make it at the next conference in 2015.

As the time approaches, it seemed like I would make it because I got offered a free plane ticket and I found some roommates through the Pinky Promise website; but with a month to go the plane ticket plans fell through the cracks and I was confused if I would make it. I didn't give up though, I started to ask everyone I knew to pray for me because deep in my heart I felt I would still be able to attend the conference. I tried to not get anxious though and continue praying....

GOD IS SOO FAITHFUL

Then one day I sent a prayer request message to a young lady I followed on Instagram and told her about my plane ticket dilemma. She responded and ask how much I could find and told me to send the money to her and she will purchase the plane ticket for me ... Shock was an understatement... Even though I've never met this young lady, I knew that it was GOD who sent her. I had less than USD$100 and the ticket was almost USD$500; same day I got a called from a very close friend who said I was on her mind so she wanted to know what's going on with me. I shared with her and without hesitation, she said come see me and gave me USD$200 (just like that)!! So I sent the money I had to the young lady abroad and within two days I got an email that my ticket was booked.. God is soo faithful!

With the ticket out of the way, I was sure that God wanted me there and I knew this would be another life-changing experience and testimony for me. Two days before my flight to leave to Atlanta, I still had no hotel money, no food money and no spending money but I had FAITH-- if God opened a door for me to go, you best believe I am going...

I continue asking for prayers and continue praying myself, the day before I left I got two phone calls. A friend from primary school said she coming by my office (I had no clue why), when she came she handed me USD$100 and said 'have a wonderful trip'.. huh .. what? ohh WOW..... Another friend told me to stop by her office and gave me an envelop with USD$60. By now, I was in total awe... God is soo faithful!

It just got real!! Atlanta here I come....

At the Airport heading to Miami then Atlanta

Excited, overwhelmed, astonished, flabbergasted .... I was just in total fantasy land.. I was actually going to the 3rd Annual PINKY PROMISE CONFERENCE in Atlanta... God is soo faithful!

Had a great day in Miami as I got to see my friends and family:-)

I had a connecting flight so I spent the day in Miami before I flew to Atlanta. I love Miami (seriously) .. it was good to see my dearest friends and saw my stepdad and little sister. My stepdad fried fish, gave me bread, cake and all kinds of food to take to Atlanta because he knew I didn't have any spending money (yes ..he's great right?). But God wasn't finish with the miracles.. In Miami, I got a call to go to the Western Union from one of my cousins who sent me USD$200 for my hotel.. WOW! Then my friend gave me another USD$50 before I left... I don't know how but all I could do is praise God and worship Him for His awesomeness and super natural provision... like seriously ... WOW!!! (Even writing now, I'm getting goosebumps just reflecting on all the miracles that happened).... God is soo faithful!

PINKY PROMISE 2015

My friend Phoebe from the Pinky Promise Jamaica met me at the airport and we headed to Atlanta together. We got in very late and my roommates where already settled in.. the next day the experience begun!

My friend Phoebe and I representing Jamaica

To blog about every detail of the trip would make this blog longer than it already is, but I am still basking in the presence of the Holy Spirit at that conference. Every single detail and experience was profound, I cried over and over because God is soo faithful!

My roommates were great.. We all gelled so well like we knew each other forever. I met so many amazing women of God over the five (5) days in Atlanta. These women were so hungry for God, it was just awe-inspiring (you had to be there to understand)..

My beautiful roommates and I:-)

Thursday was registration, meet and greet then we went to Downtown Atlanta for sightseeing and a shopping (yes I could even shop a little for Christelle .. can you believe it?) In the evening, the conference officially begun with the most astounding and Spirit-filled Worship Experience I've ever had.

Imagine 2000 women worshiping God in one ballroom... EPIC!!!

My name tag... yikes!!

Between Friday to Saturday we had the different workshops such as Marriage Session, Singles Session, Going into Ministry/ Business God's Way, Being a Godly Mother and Modesty. All the workshops were SUPER incredible and informative. (You can email me for notes if you would like).

There were Quiet Time and Zumba in the mornings, all night worship in the ballroom (so anytime during the night you could just go down and talk to God), clothing swap, Couples panel, book signing with Heather Lindsey (screaming .. she posted the photo of me and her on her Instagram and I became a celebrity after lol...).

Friday night Cornelius preached an amazing sermon called 'Blood on Your Hands' then Saturday night Heather preached on 'The Final Marriage'. Both sermons wrecked me completely.

Excited to meet Heather Lindsey in person, such a beautiful and humble woman of God... I thank God so much for her obedience!

I met some really beautiful and god-fearing ladies; we have formed purposeful godly friendships and they push me to Christ and always encouraging and praying for me. For the earlier part, I hung out by myself until Friday evening I finally got to meet my sister from Dominica, Clerol Austrie who I met through social media and immediately we clicked. We chatted up a storm over the two days, prayed and worshiped together (I was so blessed by her wisdom).

Sunday was the worship service at the Gathering Oasis where Cornelius preached another blessed sermon then the conference was over.

I'm so glad to have met this woman of God.. Clerol Austrie is truly an inspiration!

I didn't leave Atlanta until Monday afternoon so I spent the extra day just reflecting on everything that happened over the few days... There were so many questions I went to the conference with and the Lord answered every one. Lord knows I want to be obedient but I don't want to. It gets hard as the flesh struggle with the spirit, as the mind struggle with the heart but I must remember this is never about me. A nation will be impacted by my obedience so I pray that the Lord give me the strength.

So, I left the conference feeling encouraged, purpose-driven, filled, motivated and charged to do the assignments the Lord has entrusted me with. Honestly, after that experience my life will never be the same!! I'm empowered to be the best mother I can be, contented with my single season even as God prepares me to be a godly wife; I'm driven to start my own business, write books or whatever else dream the Lord has placed on heart but even more I am READY to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ EVERYWHERE and EVERY DAY!

God is sooo faithful!!

What started out as a fantasy to attend this conference, was made possible through an awesome, all-knowing, all-powerful, all-faithful, all-providing, limitless GOD!! My main lesson from this conference EVEN MY FANTASY IS POSSIBLE IF I STEP OUT IN FAITH AND TRUST GOD!!

So, I encouraged someone, whatever you think is a fantasy or just a mere dream, put it to GOD. Check your motives to ensure that it's not selfish, seek Him with ALL your might and watch Him blow you away as He did for me and continues to do for me. Whatever He does for me, I guarantee He will do the same for you.. Have some FAITH!!

Remember:

Jeremiah 29:11 - God has plans to prosper and never to harm you.

Philippians 4:13 - You can do all things through Christ who gives you the strength.

Hebrews 11:6 - Without Faith it is impossible to please God.

Matthew 6:33 - Seek God first and His righteousness and all things will be added.

Matthew 7:7 - Seek and you shall find, Ask and it shall be given.

Philippians 2:3 - Do nothing out of selfish ambitions or empty pride, but be humble.

God bless you...

To God to be Glory****

Crystal

Feel free to email me with questions at shachene@gmail.com

Photos from the Conference