conference Archives

Heaven is For Real: The Eternity Conference

May 27, 2014 by Momstart 1 Comment

Heaven is For Real is a statement of truth, a statement of hope, and a statement of faith and a statement of love. It’s also a best selling book that just became a movie. A movie with a low budget, amazing actors and a whole lot of faith behind it and it’s stood quite well on it’s own in the box office making more money than recent animated films with huge budgets. God is speaking, are we ready to listen?

I met the Burpo family at the press junket for Heaven is For Real and love their hearts and trust their story. I’m so moved by their story that I’m proud to support my church by posting about the Eternity Conference June 5th – 8th. My church has been so moved by Heaven is For Real and the fact that people out there are in need of faith, hope and love that we’re putting on a conference for our community. We’ve sent out flyers, we’ve prayed for you, we’ve prayed for people we don’t know to attend the conference and learn even more about Eternity. We have the top Christian Speakers that have excellent backgrounds with their expereinces with eternity. Be it, Colton’s visit to heaven or Don Piper’s near death experience “90 Minutes in Heaven” it’s sure to be a motivational conference.

The Conference is FREE. YEP, we just want you to hear from GOD. It’s June 5-8th at Evergreen Community Church in Bothell WA. The speakers are

Chrystal Mc Vea who wrote “Waking Up in Heaven”

Don Piper who wrote “90 Minutes in Heaven”

Todd, Sonja & Colton Burpo from the “Heaven is For Real” book and movie

ETERNITY CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:

Thursday June 5th 7pm - Crystal McVea "Waking Up in Heaven"

Friday June 6th 7pm – Don Piper "90 Minutes in Heaven"

Saturday June 7th 4pm – Todd, Sonja & Colton Burpo "Heaven is for Real"

Saturday June 7th 7pm – Todd, Sonja & Colton Burpo "Heaven is for Real"

Sunday June 8th 9am – Todd, Sonja & Colton Burpo "Heaven is for Real"

Sunday June 8th 12pm – Todd, Sonja & Colton Burpo "Heaven is for Real"

If you’re wondering what to do with your kids, you bring them that’s what you do. The children’s ministry spent all month last month studying the children’s educational series “Heaven is For Real” where Colton shared his memories with the kids over video. The kids are super excited to meet the real Colton. My kids want to meet him so bad, I think for them it’s like Thomas wanting o see the nail scars on Jesus, if they could see him in person then they would believe even more.

I open this invitation, even if you don’t believe in God or heaven, you have to come listen to these stories, go watch the movie Heaven is For Real or read the books by these authors. Most people our searching for something, stop searching, take that first leap and come listen to these amazing real life stories, and you might find what you are looking for.

Evergreen Church in Bothell

5 Things You Should Know About FitBloggin’

July 9, 2013 by Momstart 1 Comment

5 Things You Should Know About FitBloggin’

By Beeb:

Conference admission received as a live blogger for FitBloggin’.

Photo credit: Carrie D Photography – Website/Flickr During the last weekend of June, I attended the FitBloggin’ conference in Portland, Oregon. It was an amazing, informative experience – so as a first-timer, here are five of my takeaways from the conference:

1. FitBloggin’ is for everyone. I almost didn’t go to this conference because I originally assumed that it would be geared towards experts such as nutritionists, certified trainers, and the like; I wasn’t sure that I would be a fit. I was so wrong! FitBloggin’ is for any individual with an interest in health and wellness. Every experience level is welcomed, from those who teach classes at their local gym to those who, like me, have experienced limited mobility from an injury. FitBloggin’ has a positive, inclusive atmosphere that I really loved.

2. It isn’t just fitness. During the conference, I attended sessions touching on business topics like SEO and blog monetization. I thought that the panels I attended had a good mix of information both for those who have been blogging a long time and those who are novices.

3. But if you want to workout, you’ll definitely break a sweat! Between the 6 AM bootcamp, yoga, CrossFit and trampoline sessions, there were plenty of opportunities to get moving if that’s what you wanted to do! On the final morning, there was an optional "Fun Run", with routes for those who wanted to run a 5k or 10k – along with 1k walking routes for those of us with sore knees!

4. The food. The conference included breakfast every morning, one lunch, and appetizers during both dinner periods, along with snack breaks during the day and booths in the Expo Hall handing out tasty samples. From pastries provided by The Nines to the cheese via The Laughing Cow, I was satisfied the entire time!

5. Fun and friendship! FitBloggin’ gave me a chance to see familiar faces and meet many new ones. Each night had fun like karaoke and dancing and I loved every minute of it! Sadly, FitBloggin’ is not a Pacific Northwest native and will be held in either Austin, Texas or Nashville, Tennessee next year (It’s up to a public vote at the moment!). Although I’d love for them to return, I think I might just have to book a flight next year so that I don’t miss out on the fun that 2014 will surely offer!

About Beeb Ashcroft: Beeb is a British journalist living on the north Oregon coast. Blogging since 2008, she covers everything from coupons to contests in addition to running a network connecting UK bloggers with brands. In her free time, she loves to drink coffee, watch reality TV, and spend time with her fiancé, Jai

Reviewer’s Retreat 2012 Blogging Conference! Thank You @Pampers! #RevRet12

July 2, 2012 by Momstart 13 Comments

By: Ashley

May and June was pretty chaotic for me. Between family weddings, moving cross country, and driving all over the Mid-Atlantic… things were CRAZY! Along the way, I went to my very first blogging conference – Reviewer’s Retreat 2012.

I’ve LOVED working with Pampers here on MomStart, so having them sponsor me to Reviewer’s Retreat was really exciting. I love meeting people and putting names and faces together, so that part of the conference was fantastic. On top of the learning, networking, and socializing, I was able to spend time with my little guy at Great Wolf Lodge (where there is an incredible indoor waterpark).

Since it was my first conference, I really had no idea what to expect. I’ve been to teaching conferences before, and even dance conventions when I was younger, but a blogging conference? This was all new to me. The gals over at Double Duty Divas really had it all laid out though – a HUGE help to someone like me who is new to the game… AND likes to plan. They had a ton of information and resources laid out from the get go.

So what did I learn about blog conferences?

– Make sure you have business cards accessible pretty much ALL the time. It’s a great way to connect with other bloggers, brand representatives, and anyone else who might be around.

– Take notes when you meet people. Just like you’re going to be handing out your cards, everyone else is handing out theirs. Add a little note on yours about who you are or what you talked about so they remember you… and do the same on the card they hand you. If you talked to them about the trials of potty training a 2 year old, write that little note on the card. It will help when you’re back in your room trying to remember which who gave you what card.

– Sponsors help provide goodies for attendees. Want to know what I loved? As a top sponsor of Reviewer’s Retreat, Pampers gave attendees a beach towel and Pampers Swimmers diapers! PERFECT for spending time at Great Wolf Lodge! I can proudly say that we used both! =)

– There is SO MUCH to learn about the blogging industry… and yes I did just call it an industry. Between the sessions that Reviewer’s Retreat 2012 had to offer and the information I collected from other bloggers, my take-away from this conference was invaluable!

– Bloggers know how to have fun! With a tailgate team pride party the first night (hosted by Kia), and an AMAZING pajama party (complete with cupcake bar, chocolate fountain, and scavenger hunt – hosted by Pampers), there was never a dull moment.

The only tough thing about going to Reviewer’s Retreat was splitting my time between Atticus (who was well taken care of by my brother and sister who came along) and the conference. I wanted to be at every session and every meeting… but also wanted to be with Atticus as he took his first trip to a waterpark. My lesson learned is to show up a day early to have fun before getting to work. 😉

So… THANK YOU PAMPERS! You guys have been amazing to work with here at MomStart, were SO nice in person at Reviewer’s Retreat 2012, make a fantastic product, AND know how to have a GREAT pajama party!

Meet Ashley (Managing Editor at MomStart): Ashley is a mom, wife, sister, daughter, friend, and former teacher working to navigate through the mysterious world of Mommyia. Read more about her adventures at Momicles and follow her @Momicles2010 .

Disclosure – Pampers provided my admission to Reviewer’s Retreat 2012. I am a Pampers Baby Board Ambassador.