A Step Up Symposium - My Step Up in Faith

A Step Up Symposium - My Step Up in Faith So even though the Step Up Symposium was less than a month ago; I have told this story as much as I could. However, I felt like I might not be reaching as many people, or who God wants me to reach. So as I am on a flight to the east coast reading The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson, I have this overwhelming need to write this down. Maybe I should apologize now if I ramble, story jumps all over the place or whatnot. This pass month has been just so crazy. (Oh and the guy next to me ordered one of those little alcohol bottles of something and it smells so strong. I don't drink so it smells something fierce.) Ok so let's just start with the story. Last year I was an assistant coach at Shepherd Univeristy. And the head coach there is absolutely amazing. Because of her I was afforded the opportunity to go to the Women's Final Four in Indiana as well as the Nike Coaching Clinic in Pittsburg.  I saw the tweets about Felicia Hall's Assistant Coaching Symposium in Chicago, but couldn't get funds together and had to pass. Even thought about driving solo to the Symposium, but didn't want to run out of gas money and didn't know anyone going.  Fast forward to this year, when I started seeing the tweets I knew I wanted to go, but financially it was even harder since I was now in California and the symposium was in Dallas. So me being short on cash I figured I won't be able to go this year. But about a week later I had this feeling like I had to go this year. Even talked to my mom and of course she's like I don't know why someone so broke wants to go to so many clinics. On top of that multiple people told me I didn't need to go to an assistant coaching clinic. However, all that didn't matter; I felt like I had to go.  So skip a couple of weeks and I am still wondering how I am going to get to Dallas. I already committed to go back to VA, and Heather and I already said we were going to the Nike Clinic, so that was basically all of my money. And I can't imagine paying for airfare, registration, hotel, ground travel and food for the coaching symposium it looked pretty bleak. So I put it in the back of my mind (well as much as I could with all of the twitter and FB messages) and just concentrated on recruiting. Until I opened one of those million travelzoo emails I get. I was going to look for a flight to Vegas, but put in Dallas for some reason and found a round trip ticket for $198. I  was shocked it was so low. But still hesitated to buy the ticket. However the next day when I looked again, I took a leap of faith and bought the ticket.  So now I have a ticket, but don't know how I will pay for registration, and I definitely don't have money for hotel. So I call moms and tell her I just bought the ticket. She of course thinks I'm crazy, but says well I will help you a little. So I am thinking that's the blessing right there. Well then I am telling the head coach I bought the ticket, and she ask me if I filled out the scholarship application for the symposium.  I didn't even know that was an option. Of course that was pretty last minute so I turned it in basically 5 minutes before it was due. About a week later I got a call from Mrs. Felicia saying I received the scholarship and was so thrilled that I actually posted that on my Facebook. The reason that's a big deal is because I don't post my business on FB. I usually do quotes, scriptures, jokes etc., but I was so happy I had to share this blessing. Well after a couple of likes, my two guy friends asked about the symposium because they were interested in going. So I tell them where to register and I figure least that will be cool, I will know someone there. After they register, one hits me back did you get a room yet?  Nope, still trying to get some money for that, might have to wait last minute. Here is where the blessing gets amazing. They are bringing their spouses as a little mini vaca. One of them works at the Hilton, and I can stay for free.  What?!?!? Are you serious??? Isn't that amazing? God puts you where He wants you to be. If you listen to His voice, it doesn't matter your means, He will make it happen.  And all those blessings don't even compare to the blessings that happened once I got there. To hear those coaches and to see how the Allen's work in people's lives and to hear testimony after testimony was amazing. By the time I came back my focus had been shifted. I was definitely sent there to figure out my purpose. And the book I mentioned I was reading on the plane, was given to me by a coach while I was there.   I had one of those feelings again about sharing this story.  I just had to write it. I truly believe God will continue blessing you as long as you share your blessings with others. I will wait to share the other blessings happening in my life for another blog. Give me about a month because God is literally doing big things. But I had to share this one now.   Please be still and listen to God when He is saying you need to do something. Buying that airline ticket was putting my faith into Him, and He made everything else happen. Take a step of faith.  Thank you for reading, Toni