For two years we’ve loved spending time with you here.
For two years we’ve listened to your stories and your hearts as we know you’ve listened to ours.
For two years we’ve loved being that online space that women could call home – where they could kick off any expectation of perfect, set aside their fears, their shyness, their worry that they’re not good enough, and find some of Jesus’ words of rest woven into every blog post shared here.
And for two years people have been asking us if we were going to have an (in)courage conference.
We wanted to, but we worried there wouldn’t be enough space. That it would leave some of our community out. That not everyone would be able to put their feet up on the beach house coffee table with us if they were hindered by the price of travel, the concern about child care or the worry of what to wear.
We needed a new model – an (un)conference conference
– where everyone would be (in) and no one left out.
“For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun.
Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”
~Isaiah 43:19
We needed a way to give the thousands of women who visit (in)courage on a daily basis with their aching hearts, their joys, their fears, their prayer requests, their hopes and dreams a real life community to share those with. A community that is seeded online and grows off line.
That’s how (in)courage in real life was born.
{Click the logo to come over, learn more, and register}
A God-sized dream to connect women beyond the blog posts.
How?
Well, with a day of (in)courage meetups – think mini beach house parties – all around the country and globe and a webcast for everyone to tune into. There will be something for everyone – walking, talking, laughing, hugging blog content – right in the comfort of your living room.
In short, we’re bringing the beach house right to your doorstep.
On April 27 & 28, 2012.
IRL. In Real Life. (in)RL!
We’re hosting an all-you-can-eat, wear-your-comfy-clothes, invite-your-neighbor, don’t-have-to-pack-for-it, girls-just-wanna-have-fun, in-real-life-is-better-than-online, un-conference, conference!
The webcast kicks off on Friday and (in)RL beach house parties follow on Saturday with more live (in)courage content to tune into together. Just imagine thousands of (in)courage women all over the world getting together in homes, coffee shops, restaurants, or churches – you name it– to connect in real life!
We love the online world, but there’s only so far a comment box can go to connect us. We’re looking forward to stepping through blog posts and into each other’s real lives.
Click here to register, it’s only $10 {and get your free (in)RL T-shirt!}
And then join us on twitter at 10pm EST tonight {hashtag #inrl}
for an (in)RL twitter-palooza where we’ll answer your questions, sneak you some more fun updates, and share these tasty giveaways:
24 of our (in)courage contributors are all at Hilton Head this weekend for their own (in)RL meetup. So we’ll be crazy-eyed, humidity-fried, cross-legged, beach sand, group tweeting with you all. Can NOT wait.
Come one, come all and come just as you are!
Leave a Comment“For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” ~ Matthew 18:20.
Beck Gambill says
Sounds fabulous, forward thinking, God honoring! Love your heart for women and Jesus. Thank you for inviting us to join in the fun!
Courtney says
I. AM. SO. EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂 REGISTERING NOW!
Shari@Rain into Rainbows says
YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY!!!!!
I am SO in!!!!!!!
Candra Georgi says
I’m totally there!
valleym9 says
I wondered if it would be a conference! Sounds great I hope I will be able to be a part!!
Jamie @ Six Bricks High says
WooHoo! Count me in!
Elizabeth says
I’m so excited for this!
Denise says
You GO GIRLS! Awesome idea. Will participate and tell everyone I know!!!!! 🙂
jessicagardo says
W r #in all the way ;0) @incourage rocks …. @hiltonheadsc … jg
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
Thanks for making this the “Funnest” planning weekend ever 🙂
Sandy Hanna says
Is this going on right now in HH? Sept 10th?
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
Just the planning part 🙂
jessicagardo says
We r #in all the way ;0) @incourage rocks …. @hiltonheadsc … jg
marina Bromley says
YAY! So exciting! Wish that I could have joined in the the twitter…got the msg after the time – unless it’s going to be on Friday night… in which case, count me in! 🙂
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
It’s Friday night – so you’re actually early 🙂
Stacey Reich says
AwEsOmE <3 Thanks soo much for sharing my Faith tattoo on your video! I was soooooo excited to see it!!!
Alexis says
I never would have guessed– what a great idea! 🙂
Rachel Lundy says
I’m in! This is exciting! I so hope that I will be able to attend.
Thank you so much for all of your planning and hard work that is going into creating this (in)courage conference. And a big thank you for thinking of everyone and bringing the conference to each of us. Those of us who are homebound or unable to travel won’t be left out. (in)courage is such a great community to be a part of.
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
Girl, we LOVE to hear that!
Tiffany says
So excited about this!!!
Courtney says
I am REGISTERED! CANNOT WAIT! We will be hosting a meet up here in the Shreveport/Bossier City, La area! (And count me in for the Twitter party, too…assuming it is on Friday night!) 🙂 WOO HOO!
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
whooo hooo right back at you! 🙂 And yes, Friday night is on!
Jana says
YESSSSS! I’m in! 🙂
Wendy P says
I am very excited, and am looking forward to getting our group together. I haven’t been a part of (in)Courage but just a few weeks now, but you all bless me everyday with your
words of encouragement and just pure emotions, and love! THANK YOU!
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
can’t wait to hang with you all in real life!
Shanda Oakley says
This sound so exciting and encouraging. I can’t wait to hear more about it and am definitely registering. My online friends have become so important to me that I would love to have a conference in whatever manner you decide to lead out on!
dawn says
GREAT idea! Way to go!
Christina says
Wow! Sounds like fun! What a great idea and opportunity to share Christ in a cozy fun environment. Love love this.
Stacey says
Simply Amazing!!! Thanks for always being there to [in] courage, [in] spire, & [in] trigue us! I’m elated to see two of my photos in the intro =]. Thanks for making my heart SMILE big 🙂
Laura says
I tried to register, but can’t figure out how to do it. Is it only open to those in the US? We are currently stationed in Spain. I have an FPO address, but the registration page wouldn’t support it.
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
Let us look into that. It should be open to registration from all over the world. Please keep trying 🙂
MCH says
Ok, so I want to join… so bad. But I am wondering… you guys probably don’t carry a database. Joining this conference would be most fun if it’s not just me sitting on the couch. But I am allll the way in Holland. Know of others who are in Holland who I can contact so we can curl up on the couch together and do this? (I know I am going to feel so lonely otherwise.)
Blessings with this!
MCH says
I just checked out the in rl website and I just made a community. Let’s pray there are other HERE that long for good fellowship and friendship!
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
Best thing to do is open the meetup page and start a community in Holland so others can find you there! Grab some friends and start your own Beach House party! http://www.inrl.us/host.php
Jennifer says
Wow – what an awesome idea! Your efforts of outreach and inclusion are truly inspirational. I can’t wait to be involved.
Rebecca says
This is so exciting…a retreat to meet IRL and no packing! Will miss the really meeting IRL….but, still think this is a wonderful idea! Ticket(s) purchased…and hope to make it to the twitter party tonight! Thank you!
Stephanie Hanes says
I am SO in! This sounds wonderful!
Kirsten Victor says
That’s cool, though I can’t help but be jealous of all you fabulous women together now at a REAL beach house in Hilton Head! I live in Germany, 6 hours ahead of EST. I know of at least one other woman here who reads (in)courage and could probably find a group from our MOPS group to get together for the April “conference.” But, is it all in real time (which could be in the middle of the night here), or will you offer the sessions to watch later?
Wanda says
YAY!! GOOOOOO. DREAM IT!! DO IT!! Count me in too! 🙂
Amy says
It is SO exciting to see (in)courage taking this step to help readers connect offline – I’m in!
Women Living Well says
Wow! I love it!!! Can’t wait! I know it will be great!
Courtney
Southern Gal says
I’m in! Finally a conference I can attend!
Ruthie says
SO awesome! 🙂
Ashleigh Baker says
Hooray! So excited to start planning! <3
Sallie Sparks says
You girls totally ROCK! Fabulous idea and the planning on my end for a in(RL) slumber party is already beginning! Thank you for always allowing God to lead!
Laura P says
Sounds like so much fun! I hope to be able to sign up. Just need to free up that $10 in the budget and put the dates on the calendar.
Jennifer @ GDWJ says
Well done, (in)courage crew! Lovin’ your song on the video. And won’t it be like that one day? All of us in one great big House in heaven, with lots and lots of room?
Thanks for making room for everyone here on earth — a sort of rehearsal for the party we’ll have in Heaven someday. 🙂
Ann Voskamp says
Amen! 🙂 It’s the local church, local body of believers gathering together, and it’s got Jesus’ heart — where everyone is invited, if they’d like to come to the feast — and I can’t stop smiling! A glimpse of heaven indeed, Jennifer! 🙂
See you at a rehearsal party, sister! 🙂
Karen says
Technology is an amazing thing. What a WONDERFUL way to use it! Looking forward to being a part!
Jennifer says
What a great idea! I love the heart you have for encouraging women. Thank you!
Patricia says
Very excited to be involved in a RL Conference ~ marking the date down and signing up today ~ looking forward to tonight……What a great community!!! I’ve been with you since it’s inception and have just loved every minute of it!! You ladies have such beautiful hearts ~
Jennifer says
I’m so so so excited!
Rachel says
Sounds AMAZING!! 🙂
Imperfect says
So exciting!
Kresendo says
Oh wow so this is great news such a great ideal. Has to be a God ideal to be able to bring all in. I am excited can’t wait to see how it all works out. I so need to connect. Looking forward to it. See you all there 🙂
Ann Voskamp says
Yes! A God idea! That everyone is (in) and the body of Christ gathers all over the world, in real community that can support and grow and be real together! Isn’t this so of Jesus’ heart?! Thrilled with you! 🙂
Erin @ Home with the Boys says
So glad the secret is out! Excited to host a meet-up – even though life is going to be CRAZY at that time! I will need the girl time!
Cassi says
Oh I just signed up and joined a meet up in St. Paul by where I live. So excited to meet other incourage members.
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
So excited you’re excited !!!
Stacey says
Orlando is so in!!! Can’t wait to see you there!
Sunshine and Surprises says
[…] community. That means women like YOU were on our hearts and minds the entire time! {In fact, today (in)courage launched a sweet, sweet surprise that will bring the beloved beach house to YOU! I tell ya, the beach house is exploding with the […]
Krystal says
Party on!!! How stinkin’ fun and innovative and exciting!!! My only little glitch…baby #2 is supposed to be making his/her grand entrance into the world on the 28th!! What to do, what to do….pay the $10 and risk it?!?! No offense would be taken if I was laboring for the bulk of my time at the conference IRL right?! 😉 Hmmmm……
Debbie Dillon says
Oh, how (in) credibly fun!!! I can’t wait!!
Danelle says
This sounds just amazing. I am leaving for Hilton Head tonight, so I would love to see you all there. What a crazy coincidence. 🙂 And looking so forward to April. If I can help you all this weekend in anyway , please let me know. 🙂 Now I am off to pack my family for the beach!:)
IRL | ohamanda.com says
[…] Lisa-Jo at Five Minute Friday. And have you seen the fabulous IRL-ing she’s cooked up at (in)courage? Did you enjoy this post? If you want, you can subscribe to my blog updates via email. Or if […]
Amy says
This sounds wonderful! I love connecting with people online, and to develop those into “real life” friendships would be fantastic.
HopefulLeigh says
I had a feeling it would be a conference but I love how accessible you’ve made it! I’m in a friend’s wedding that weekend so I won’t be able to participate this time, unfortunately. But I hope you’ll schedule another one after that!
RJB says
Cool!! And… Can I just say how jealous I am (esp as an SC girl) that ya’ll are enjoying HHI, and I am sitting in the soggy DC area!… but this kind of makes up for it 😉
RJB says
OH, btw…What does being a host involve? I’d love to, but am wondering if I need to run the idea past my family (who shares this house with me) first!
Jennifer says
I have a question. Do Host need to register? Can’t wait!
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
Yes please, everyone needs to register.
Annie says
So excited for this!! What an amazing way to connect women! Would love to host and can’t wait to hear more details!
faith hope & cherrytea says
FABulous!!
Jemma Brunton says
I cannot believe there was a site chosen in Porirua New Zealand 5 mins away from where I live. Completey amazing. I never thought there would be anyway I could be involved but maybe I can. I’m just hoping there are some other Kiwi ladies who might be keen to join me. I would love to meet some new faithful women who are trying to be the best they can whilst encouraging and inspiring others.
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
LOVE hearing that! Keep us updated – can’t wait to hear about all the Kiwi (in)courage girls!
Jennifer Dawn McLucas says
This sounds really cool. Your map says there’s a meet-up in my area, but there are no members, what does that mean?
LJ says
That you’ll be the first attendee – yay you!
5 Minute Friday – In Real Life | Moonlight & Sunbeams says
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Becky M says
Sounds like lots of fun – and it is right after my birthday.
Danielle M. says
Discussing logistical type details with a local Raleigh, NC (in)courage friend. Between the two of us, one will host, and we are thinking about seeing if we could even use a projector and meet at the church if there are enough other (in)courage girls in the area. Either way, God willing, there will be two of us beaching it up down south, y’all!
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Shelly says
Love this! Will be promoting on my blog and FB. Can’t wait…pajama par-tay! 🙂
Thanks…Shelly
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
A to the Men!
Sandy Hanna says
This is wild wonderful- I was reading Ann V’s blog for todaysnd thought those beach pictures look like Hilton Head…then read on and saw they were at HH. I am reading this while on the beach in Sea Pines, HH right now. How exciting to know that this is happening here right now.
Stacie says
Ohh, so love this idea!!! I know it will be such a beautiful thing–so beautiful that I hope it can be an annual thing. My husband and I are serving with Wycliffe Bible Translators-Maritime Services in Papua New Guinea and I’m looking forward to furlough after next year so maybe I’ll host one in 2013! I’ve been a lurker for so long but you have no idea how much of a blessing you all are to this oftentimes lonely, missing family and friends, but still trusting missionary mama. I was thinking though of just registering for next year just so I could meet the girls in my NC (near Charlotte) hometown community before we return. Any thoughts?
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
Oh yes do – that would be lovely! So glad you find (in)couragement here!
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Christen says
Great idea! Can’t wait!!!!
Stacie McIntosh says
Hey friend,
I prayed for you yesterday but couldn’t get my silly computer to cooperate with my comment. I kept being kicked off (internet in Papua New Guinea is a blessing so I shouldn’t complain!) but I was a bit frustrated and then thought that maybe the devil didn’t want me praying for you. So I prayed even more!
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J.Noelle says
Love this God-idea!!! So exciting! Unity is precious!!
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