Thank our mothers or mentors. As I sat in the beauty salon yesterday for a haircut, I heard the women chat about Mother’s Day. I thought of something else.

Thank Our Mothers or Mentors.

Thank My Mother.

My mother didn’t become a Christian until two years before her last earthly breath. However, Mama taught me many valuable lessons: for starters, the importance of an education and a clean home. As an administrator, she found grants to help 22 women become teachers, and she dressed professionally. She emphasized never giving up on my dreams and excelled as my cheerleader. Thank you, Mom. I’ll see you in heaven.

Thank Marlene Bagnull.

Marlene is the founder and director of the Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference and the director of the Colorado Christian Writers Conference. The two conferences are combined again this year into one virtual conference, Write His Answer. Her love for missions and all people overflows in all she does. She thrives on finding opportunities and conference scholarships and offers special sessions for teens and those in ministry. Check the August 9-12 Write His Answer link on my speaking page on the speaking events calendar to find out about that conference, the discounts, and registration.

Thank Carol Kent.

Carol is the founder of  the premier Speak Up Conference for Leaders, Speakers, and Writers. She has been a mentor for me for years. She has taught me more by her sweet spirit and overflowing love for God, the Bible, and all people than she’ll ever know this side of heaven. Thank you, Carol Kent. We crossed paths through AWSA(the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), CAN (Christian Authors Network), and Speak Up. It is my privilege to serve on the prayer team for the conference. Carol is offering a $25.00 discount for moms who register for the conference. Use the code MOMSDAY. Valid until 11:59 pm ET 5/16/23. ***Notice the one day extension because not all tickets went through on the link on Monday. ***You can see the link on my speaking page on the speaking events calendar. See the link below.

Thank the Late Lucinda Secrest McDowell.

Lucinda is the late co-director of the reNew Retreat, formerly the New England Christian Writers Retreat. She was a speaker, author, storyteller, and friend. We also crossed paths through AWSA, CAN, and Speak Up. She served until the Lord took her home. I value my books from her that she signed, her cards, bookmarks, and letters to me. If I encourage a fourth of the people Cindy did, I will kneel and thank God.

So many others influenced me. You can read about some of them on my blog. You’ll be able to read about others in my new book, Self-care When You Think No One Cares, when it comes out.

Internal Links: 

https://yvonneortega.com/speaking

https://yvonneortega.com/book-review-of-make-time-for-joy

https://yvonneortega.com/book-review-of-our-father-a-study-of-the-lords-prayer 

External Link:

https://thewriteconversation.blogspot.com/2022/04/a-review-for-writers-who-speak-of-soul.html#more

 https://lucindasecrestmcdowell.com

Scripture: “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you” (Philippians 1:3 ESV).

Prayer: God, help me thank those who have mentored me. Amen.

Next Step: Pray and ask God to help you find an individual or a group you can mentor.

Copyright © by Yvonne Ortega May 13, 2023