There are conferences you enjoy… and then there are conferences that stay with you.

This year’s Called Women's Conference in Saint Paul, Minnesota was one of those for me.

The theme was Finding Joy in the Journey, and honestly—it could not have come at a better time in my life.

If you’ve followed my journey for any amount of time, you know I’m in a season that doesn’t make sense to everyone.

After becoming an empty nester, I felt God stirring something bigger in me.

I sold most of what I owned. Packed the important things into storage. Loaded up my tent. Grabbed my camera. Took Buster. And stepped out in faith.

No perfect plan.

No camper yet.

No clear five-year roadmap.

Just a whole lot of wilderness… and a whole lot of trusting.

And if I’m being vulnerable—there have been moments where I’ve been frustrated.

Really frustrated.

Traveling full-time in a tent sounds adventurous until you realize simple things become difficult. Preparing healthy meals. Packing and unpacking. Not having a place to lock the door at night. Feeling settled. Wondering if God heard your prayers.

I’ve been holding onto this promise in my heart that God is equipping me for the next season… and I’ve believe that eventually there will be a camper involved in this journey.

But waiting is hard.

This conference reminded me that joy doesn’t begin when the prayer is answered.

Joy begins while you wait.

The conference was held at Bethel University and first of all… can we talk about the food?!

I know that sounds random to mention in a spiritual reflection—but it honestly added so much to the experience.

That first night I had this incredible beef roast and one of the best dessert selections ever. It felt like walking into a celebration instead of a conference cafeteria. There was such a feeling of abundance and hospitality.

And then there was the vendor hall.

Rows of faith-filled businesses, ministries, artists, creators, and women walking out their own callings.

One conversation especially stuck with me.

I shared my story with one vendor—about tent camping, stepping out in faith, traveling, waiting for God’s next move.

She prayed over me.

When she finished praying, she looked at me and said something I don’t think I’ll forget:

“God’s timing is faithful. Be patient with His timing.”

Simple.

But it felt like confirmation.

Not “hurry.”

Not “force it.”

Not “make it happen.”

Just trust.

I needed that.

Another vendor, Tamara with Creations Soli Deo Gloria had beautiful artwork and I bought two paintings that I’m saving for my future camper. One of the paintings said, "Faith makes all things possible" and the other one said, "Here I am Lord, Send Me (Isaiah 6:8)." So fitting for my journey and I can't wait to incorporate them into my camper!

Not because I know when it’s coming.

But because I believe it’s coming.

That felt symbolic somehow.

I also met a vendor, Katie Marie, with an incredibly inspiring story—she had overcame learning challenges. She recently learned to read just a couple years ago and yet, she created the most beautiful and beautifully written Bible studies and handcrafted tallow products. After hearing about my journey, she gifted me an additional Bible study.

Those moments reminded me that obedience and generosity often travel together.

And another unexpected connection?

I met the women behind Boldly Speaking—which led to an opportunity for me to write a guest post for them about joy and the Fruit of the Spirit in which they're doing a Bible study on the Fruit of the Spirit. I highly recommend you check it out!

One of my favorite takeaways from the conference came from listening to the main speakers, Heather Thompson Day and Susie Larson because even though their messages were different, together they felt like God was speaking one clear message to my heart.

Susie talked about something that hit me harder than I expected—how we often chase little dopamine hits in all the wrong places.

Scrolling social media.

Looking for validation.

Waiting for the next thing.

Thinking I’ll finally feel content when…

And whew… I felt convicted.

Because if I’m honest, when I’m in seasons of waiting, I can fall into that too. Scrolling. Looking for distraction. Looking for answers. Looking for some little hit of excitement while waiting for God to move.

But she reminded us that God designed us to experience joy differently.

Not manufactured joy.

Not instant gratification.

But holy moments.

The laughter with a friend.

Watching the sunrise while drinking coffee.

Finding a beautiful riverwalk and slowly eating ice cream.

Reading His Word in the quiet.

Worship in the car.

A beautiful conversation.

The way the sky looks right before sunset.

Simple moments that become sacred when we invite God into them.

And it made me stop and think…

How much of life am I missing because I’m waiting for the next thing instead of noticing what God already gave me today?

Then Heather Thompson Day built on that in such a powerful way.

She talked about how being Christian literally means being a “little Christ”—representing Him wherever we go.

She shared how sometimes the Holy Spirit speaks in small and unexpected promptings that don’t always make logical sense at first.

She told a story about feeling led to give someone money—and it ended up being exactly what that woman needed.

That reminded me that obedience isn’t always dramatic.

Sometimes following Jesus looks like listening in small moments.

Trusting a nudge.

Showing kindness.

Loving first.

Living with open hands.

Heather said something through her message that stayed with me: God often speaks through little callings before bigger ones.

And honestly… that felt personal.

Because I keep dreaming about future retreats, speaking, travel, ministry, and what God might build someday.

But maybe He’s reminding me:

Pay attention to today.

Watch the sunset.

Talk to the stranger.

Pray for the woman next to you.

Write the blog post.

Take the next step.

Because joy isn’t usually hidden in the someday.

It’s hidden in the small moments where God meets us today.

Speaker Aminta Geisler said something that deeply impacted me centered around Matthew 16:24:

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

Amnita talked about how easy it is to build a “bag of fun”—all the things we expect will finally make us happy.

But eventually God asks:

What if your joy isn’t in the destination?

What if it’s in Me?

That hit me.

Because if I’m honest…

I’ve been thinking:

I’ll be joyful when I get the camper.
 I’ll feel settled when I have a home base.
I’ll relax when the vision becomes clear.

But maybe God is teaching me:

Joy is available now.

Not later.

Another speaker said something I wrote down immediately:

“Joy isn’t the absence of hardship. It’s the presence of God in it.”

That may have been my biggest takeaway from the whole weekend.

Joy isn’t pretending everything is okay.

It’s choosing hope while things are still unfolding.

It’s trusting God while sleeping in a tent.

It’s worshiping before the breakthrough.

It’s buying paintings for a camper you don’t own yet.

It’s saying yes before you see how.

During worship I felt God stirring dreams I’ve been carrying quietly. He flooded me with visions and ideas during the worship sessions!

Small healing retreats for women battling health challenges and guiding them to healing like the Lord miraculously helped me heal my ex with stage 3 liver cancer.

Women gathering.

Travel.

Rest.

Deliverance.

Connection.

Photography.

Nature.

Spaces where women feel safe to breathe again.

I don’t know exactly what it becomes.

But for the first time I allowed myself to imagine:

Maybe one day I’m not just attending conferences.

Maybe I’m a vendor.

Maybe I’m speaking.

Maybe I’m creating them.

For now…

I’ll keep saying yes.

I’ll keep showing up.

I’ll keep finding joy in the journey.

Because if this season has taught me anything—

God rarely reveals the whole map.

But He’s always faithful with the next step.

“In Your presence there is fullness of joy.” — Psalm 16:11

At the closing of the conference, they had us recite a faith declaration to stand firm on when we're facing challenges and I wanted to share it with you.

Strong in Battle Faith Declaration

"As a citizen of the Heavenly Kingdom

An Heir of God

A Joint Heir with Christ

Filled with the Spirit of the Living God

I speak with precision

I pray with power

I walk in authority

I am anointed and appointed

I'm...

Blessed and brave

Called and courageous

Because I know God is with me

I will triumph over my enemy

And stand with Jesus on that Final Day."

Stand firm and know He is in control my dear. His timing and plans are perfect!

Father,

Thank You for meeting us in the middle of the journey—not only at the destination.

Thank You that joy is not something we have to chase or manufacture, but something You offer freely in Your presence.

Forgive us for the moments we become distracted, impatient, discouraged, or begin looking to the world to fill places only You were meant to satisfy.

Teach us to slow down.

Open our eyes to see the beauty You’ve already placed around us.

Help us notice the sunrise, the laughter, the conversations, the quiet moments with You, and the ordinary places where Your goodness is already showing up.

When we feel forgotten in the waiting, remind us that delay is not abandonment.

When our plans feel interrupted, help us trust that Your timing is faithful.

Grow the fruit of Your Spirit in us.

Grow love when we want to withdraw.

Grow joy when circumstances feel unfinished.

Grow peace when our hearts feel anxious.

Grow patience when answers seem delayed.

Grow kindness and goodness in our interactions.

Grow faithfulness when we want to quit.

Grow gentleness in our words.

Grow self-control in our reactions.

Help us live beyond ourselves and become more like Jesus.

Give us ears to hear Your voice in the small moments and courage to obey even when we cannot see the full picture.

Thank You for every step of the journey.

May we trust You enough to enjoy today while believing for tomorrow.

And one day, may we look back and say—

Only You could have written this story.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

✨ Grace, adventure, and faith along the journey

Sharla – Sharla’s Wanderlust Adventures

Don’t forget — go somewhere new, heal the way God designed, and glorify Him in the journey.