What if you opened the door of your favorite beach house and discovered nearly 1,700 of your closest friends inside?
That’s a lot like how we felt this weekend.
Meeting you all – (in) real life.
This remarkable glimpse into the women and hearts and lives and smiles and stories of the (in)courage community awed us!
You. Are. Beautiful.
Singapore.
North Carolina.
Nashville, Tennessee.
Colorado.
Northern Ireland.
Northern Virginia.
Ontario, Canada.
Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Princeton, West Virgina.
South Carolina.
Texas.
Juliet, Tennessee.
Wichita, Kansas.
Hawaii.
Orange County, California.
Charlotte, North Carolina.
Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Lincoln, Nebraska.
York, Pennsylvania.
Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Dallas Forth Worth, Texas.
Pennsylvania.
And many, many, many more than we could possible fit into just one post.
So we started an (in)RL 2012 Flickr pool – won’t you come and share your photos so we can all enjoy a sneak peek into your meetup?
You all? You *are* (in)courage.
Let’s hear that again – You. Are. (in)courage.
And as we read your tweets, watched your comments, scrolled through your photos with lumps in our throats and tears on our cheeks, well in the words of Kristen from A Social Media Love {Thy Neighbor} Story – this day of world wide meetups? This day of 1,700 women tuning in to encourage each other? This day of social media connecting us across borders, time zones, and past hurts?
This day of Jesus bringing together His daughters in a celebration of community?
This was a day and a moment that only God could sign His name to.
We are humbled. We are exhilarated. And yes, we are already planning for (in)RL 2013!
In the meantime, you can pre-order the 2 DVD disc set and the expanded 80 page study booklet over here.
They’ll be available May 14th with a special discount for (in)RL attendees!
And we’d love to hear in your own words what (in)RL meant to you. Won’t you leave a comment or link up your stories below? Let’s listen in and continue to learn from and be encouraged by one another.
Have we told you lately how much we love you?
A lot.
A lot multiplied by 1,700.
Lisa-Jo and everyone at DaySpring and (in)courage
Anonymous says
I almost missed this because of a missed detail. But I didn’t miss it, because of a friend. I dreamed of this kind of Jesus in the flesh living for a long time. My heart is full — so much love and joy and hope for relationships, both with God and with others — in real-life.
Thank you… THANK YOU for this… My life is forever changed. Thank you for your dedication and diligence… truly. This was the best $10 I ever spent, which I know will reap eternal dividends.
With love and blessings,
Michele-Lyn
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
I love that a friend is the reason you didn’t miss this. That’s real life community at work right there!
Michele-Lyn says
Of course I would hit submit without filling in my info … I am the anonymous one ^^^ 🙂
Christian Business Men says
Wonderful pics with all those warm smiles. It’s no doubt you all had a great event. Thanks for sharing it in pics.
A Fabric Flower Pin Craft & Chocolate Fountain Party - The Inspired Room says
[…] event was a part of the (in)RL conference for (in)courage. We hosted a local meet up at our church, Voyage. It was our first real community event as a […]
Kris says
Yippeee! It was awsome! I am so blessed by this community!! 😉
LOVE (in)Courage!!
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
Yippee indeed!
For When You Forget To Take A Breath | Always Alleluia says
[…] The community of believers I am a part of, THIS amazing experience. 1088. Sunday church 1089. A “new to them” book handed down the […]
Deborah says
I took Friday off from work so that I could be ready for this and now I think I need to take today off so I can read everyone’s posts! It was wonderful and God showed up in a major way on Friday at home and on Saturday with the ladies. This spoke to my heart . Thank you for doing this! Next year…my house!
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
Oh Deborah – what fun – and I loved reading all your #inRL tweets as you watched with us! Thank you for being part of (in)courage.
Ann Voskamp says
Just. the. happiest. tears.
Thank you, Jesus! Thank you for bringing Your daughters face to face in the most powerful, healing ways this weekend!
Anna Marie says
Your Blog Reading with holley by your side was so beautiful. I couldn’t even gulp back the tears – I WEPT! To have a woman DECIDE to intentionally befriend is powerful and must be a true treasure. I hope too, to find this in my life one day. To be found worthy of such a friendship. Thank you for your courage and your sharing.
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
“The Jesus women” – you wrote it and this weekend we lived it.
I love you, Voskamp.
kendal says
this weekend was invigorating.
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
I know, right?
Jenny says
Oh I missed this, though it was probably at a time I couldn’t do it, living about 10 hours ahead and having a full day, but next year…YES! Please!
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
Yes please indeed – and we tried to offer screening times so that all time zones could join us during the daylight hours. So be sure and tune in next year!
Anna Marie says
I loved every second of this. It meant so much to me. I am a missionary from England, serving and living in Edinburgh, Scotland. Sometimes, with my lack of long-term stability, my life can be complicated. Friendships can be HARD. Not everyone appreciates that I can’t always find time to grab a coffee or that my limited finances mean I can’t make unplanned social trips. I have yet to make any REAL girl-friends here, since relocating last October and was just beginning to get overwhelmed and give up on having true community. Then I discovered (in) courage and my life changed. I discovered a group of wonderful women like Annie Downs, who is in her 30’s like me and single. Like Ann Voscamp who writes raw and from the heart, who knows what it is to be broken and like me still wants to serve. Like Holly Gerth who just figured out like me that she is Already Amazing. And I discovered so many more precious hearts and voices…And I realized that YOU are my community. You women. You writers. You are my real and day-to-day. And so as I fellowshiped in my room, on my own, over this weekend and wept tears of joy about ‘community’ and what it means and how it should look and be, I found a new resolve to make this true in my current circumstances. To not just be satisfied with seeking it out through a pc screen, but to at least TRY to reach across the divide. I know it will be hard, but I also now believe, it will be worth it. Thank you thank you. To me (in): RL meant SO much!
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
Oh Anna Marie – you humble us with this beautiful testimony. Thank you and yay and we celebrate the Jesus who connected us all this weekend!
janmary, N Ireland says
It was an amazing weekend of blessing.
As well as being part of an incredible global experience, I really felt the prayer support of other friends who could not join us on the day. Many who missed it are asking when they can see the DVD, so will definitely be buying it and have another “day of blessing”
Thanks! We love you too!
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
LOVED knowing you gals were joining us from N Ireland – what a gift to spend a day together as the global body of Christ!
Maria @ A Blooming Spirit says
We love you too Lisa-Jo and team! I know this word seems so under rated right to express how we all feel but THANK YOU! This was a life changer for me!
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
For me too. A life changer in so many ways!
Muthering Heights and Other Senseless Sensibility » It’s Time To Get Real says
[…] your hand if you took part in inRL this weekend! I did, and was greatly […]
Elrika says
Had a great time doing the conference on my own in the end – although I would’ve loved to do it with fellow Sisters it wasn’t meant to be. And it turned out for the best, as I spend most of the weekend with a feverish baby on my lap, and attending the conference! At one stage Friday night during the live broadcast I was changing a nappy with one eye on the computer screen… 😉 Blessed to have been part of it. Thank you, Thank You!
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
And that makes us so so happy because that’s exactly the beauty of a conference that comes to YOU! Sick babies and tired mamas don’t have to worry about travel or babysitters – they can just tune in right where they are! So thrilled you were able to join us, baby and all!
Shepard Lilley says
I had no idea how much this would impact me. I was not prepared for it! I invited about 25 women and had only my mom show up. And only because her previous engagement got cancelled. So I started the day on a pretty discouraged note. But then my mother in law and future sister in law came by around lunch, and I got to sit down with this beautiful woman my brother is about to marry and listen to her journey with Jesus [which is very new right now – super exciting!] and how He’s working on her heart and my brother’s heart. I can remember sitting there [nursing my one year old, lol] and realizing that THIS is what this event was for. It didn’t matter that my house wasn’t full, because Jesus still showed up and forged some community between me and Jaimie. After these past few weeks that have been a very lonely and dark time, Jesus really had my heart in mind with this event and had His way, even though it looked different than my way. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for putting this on!!!! I cried at nearly every video, and felt like you guys were talking straight to me, right where I am right now. You built up some treasures in heaven this weekend!
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
Oh Shepard!
This – this has my eyes filling up “It didn’t matter that my house wasn’t full, because Jesus still showed up and forged some community” – oh how He loves us, oh how He loves us so!
Yes – (in)real life isn’t about how many we connect with – it’s about connecting. Period.
Janelle A says
Wow, we are all so beautiful, aren’t we? Beautiful women, created by Him, created for community! Love to all my sisters in Christ!
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
Amen to that!
on shedding soul-skin and in(RL)… | Circle of Quiet says
[…] a room of women I barely knew, on a bleak day where I was chilled to the bone, participating in a webcast hosted by (in)courage. I wasn’t sure why I was there, but as the words connected with my […]
Julie Anne says
This weekend was so incredible! Even though I had to do it on my own, I did NOT feel alone at all! Can’t wait for next year… Hoping to join a meet up then… Or create one of my own!
Thank you, thank you!
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
LOVE that you didn’t feel alone! Because you weren’t – we’re all part of this beautiful body of Christ together, sister!
Amy says
I almost didn’t register. After my husband gone for two weeks, I knew that hosting or even attending would be too much. I needed a weekend at home with my family. But I registered last minute and determined to get any sort of wisdom I could. I am so glad I did. I loved, loved, loved seeing all those familiar faces of bloggers that I love so much and the wisdom was worth it’s weight in gold. Thank you for doing this. I hope next year to attend a meetup.
Amy says
PS My linky thing isn’t showing but says it’s a duplicate when I try again?
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
So glad you joined us. So glad it was a blessing – and I see your linky showing up now – yay!
Rachel says
So thankful for the energy you all put into bringing us face-to-face and side-by-side to remind us that we should not…must not…shoulder the burden of life alone.
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
We’re made for community, aren’t we? And in moments like this it feels like coming home.
Julie @dutchbeingme says
I love this – and seeing all of these pictures of everyone makes me both miss the friends that I’ve met over time at different conferences… and warms my heart that they were watching the same videos I was watching.
Thank you for doing this – what a blessing.
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
Thank you for joining us Julie – we love that we all got to do life together this weekend! No matter where we each live.
QuatroMama says
It was truly a beautiful thing to be a part of. Thank you for your heart and work behind pulling something so epic off!
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
Dying to see pics from you and Tiny Twig’s meetup!
we were made for kindness | O My Family – This new mom's blog says
[…] Nockles}:: :: :: :: :: ::I loved being a part of (in)RL here in Minnesota, but did you know that sisters met up all over the world?!Share This Pin it Tweet changing the universe – {a giveaway!} This entry was posted on […]
Carolina says
Saturday was so awesome! I was a little nervous since I was going by myself and din’t know anyone else there. Those nervous jitters were soon put to rest. The women there were so welcoming! My table mates were from all walks of life, I learned from them and I think I was to give back as well!
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
Loved meeting you – thank you for being brave enough to come alone and join us (in) real life. What an incredible group we had, eh?
Michelle Derusha says
I got teary scrolling through all these pictures – so much beauty and grace!
What a fantastic success this day was — I was still talking about it this morning at school drop-off with another mom who came!
Thank you to everyone behind the scenes at (in) Courage and Dayspring who worked months and months to pull (in) RL off so spectacularly!
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
Thank you, Michelle – we feel just as teary and amazed at what Jesus did -connecting his daughters in this unique way! Let’s all do it again next year.
Holley Gerth says
Love seeing your beautiful faces and hearing your hearts! Wishing I could hug each and every one of you today. 🙂
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
Ditto 🙂
Jeri Taira says
I got your hugs through the screen. Good ones too.
Anna Marie says
Can I just say how much we LOVE Lisa-Jo, Holley, Ann V, Kristen, Bonnie, Angie, and ALL the awesome (in) courage women. We do. We LOVE you girls – bigger hugs back to you all for giving us the gift of this week end x
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
Right back atcha!
Getting Out of My Box – Average Housewife – Tales of an imperfect woman. says
[…] you (in)courage for putting this un-conference […]
Andrea says
I missed this! But I will say, looking at these pictures made me smile and I the first thing I thought was… I have never met a single one of these precious ladies but they are my sisters!! I love looking at all these random posts and pic with a feeling of family I’ve never met:) God is just awesome like that!!!
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
Amen – we are sisters in Christ no matter how far apart we live and it’s a beauty!
Angela De Souza says
This is fantastic, what a beautiful idea!
tammy@meadows speak says
Boy, the things we learn about ourselves (in)RL! Yessirree. Those ladies showed me how to be real, vulernable and how I need to practice being that way more often (in)RL! What a blessing. Thank you (in)courage for all your hard work putting this together.
(in)RL in Pictures says
[…] Which is why he was totally down with me having people over for a tea party, an (in)RL tea party. […]
Natasha d says
We so much enjoyed our time together, encouraging one another and being encouraged by incourage!!…..from near Stratford, Ontario, Canada — and we love Voskamp too — could you tell by our banner in our photo??? …eucharisteo…. I give thanks for our beautiful weekend in community and open discussion about Jesus!
Shelly R says
My heart does not have words to express the gratitude to all for putting this event together. And this comment box could not hold all the reasons why it was amazing to me. I fought through sickness and migraines and mishaps to host a few women that actually showed up. The number did not matter, it mattered that I listened to Him who asked me to host. Because really it was for me. He showed that to me over and over as I cried through tears each and every time I watched a video, which may or may not have been 20 times. 🙂 What an amazing weekend! I cannot wait for (in)RL 2013!
(in) Real Life: Murfreesboro TN aka the Boro says
[…] were to tire to do no thing but leave it ALL at HIS feet. We’re so thankful to the folks at (in)courage & Day Spring. This conference was just what you said it would be GRITTY. We ate, played games […]
A Weekend of (in)couragement « Memoirs Of A Modern Housewife says
[…] “Yup, we’re bringing the beach house to you with the goal of connecting women beyond the blog post! 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. A local meetup on a global scale; friends will gather to watch live webcasts of (in)courage contri… […]
Marni Arnold says
How wonderful to see some many shining faces from all corners of the US and world! Amazing how God connects hearts!
Thank you all at (in)courage for setting this up! This conference truly was the blessing I needed to have come into my life to help begin the breaking of fears of community with women…real community. Not this “nit-pick your own community” stuff…the real community God intended His children to all have within His church. Though the introverted, flesh-side of me wants to run…this weekend helped me run into God’s arms in faith and understand God designed me as a woman for a purpose and in turn, has a design for me to be involved (deeply) with women in my life.
What a blessing this all is! Thank you so much!
Lis says
So glad it went well!
it’s like getting a new book… « My Pathway of Blessing says
[…] my mind, thoughts race around. I am trying to find words to describe what the (in)RL conference was like. I know that so many powerful points were made, and I made mental note of all that I […]
Julie says
I didn’t get to attend the inRL event. I had purchased a ticket for myself and someone else not knowing who that someone else was. On Thursday my computer crashed and so I was unable to watch the livestream or the online videos BUT I did watch the twitter stream and I loved each little tweet about community and God’s love and just seeing each person interact. It was amazing – the Body of Christ in action. Thanks so much for doing this, next year I WILL have a new computer to be able to take part in this. I pray that the person who got to use my other ticket received an overflowing blessing!
Jeri Taira says
So amazing to see that it was in other countries. I was blown away on Instagram.
Thank you for sharing the photo of my DIL, Lisa – Jo. We had a relaxing and bonding Hawaii (in)RL. I would so do this again. Can’t wait for the DVD’s to be released.
Sending hugs and prayers of blessings to you and all at (in)Courage.
Debbie says
I loved the conference this past weekend. I sat in my pj’s in front of my computer and enjoyed every minute of it. I had fun tweeting at the same time. I felt encouraged and loved and never alone. Thank you for each minute of this one!
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Lisa Shaw says
Hey Debbie,
I see a face that I know :)…I want to learn more about the community and the events. Let’s chat. Love you friend!
Mel says
I loved it. ALL of it…I don’t think I could choose a favorite part. I met up with two sweet friends on Saturday afternoon, and we had such a good time that I was sad when it was over. I even spent part of Sunday afternoon watching several of the videos again because I couldn’t get enough of it! 🙂
My (in)courage sisters, thank you SO MUCH for all the hard work you put into making this possible! I can’t wait for the next one! I feel so blessed to be part of this community.
Take a Step Out of Your Comfort Zone « This is My Journey says
[…] a step out of my comfort zone. This past weekend, I took a HUGE step by going to the (in)courage (in)RealLife meet-up (also known as (in)RL) in Nashville. When I left my house, I did not know a single other person […]
Peggy says
Thank you so much! God used this to speak to and heal my heart in so many ways!
I watched the videos from my kitchen between running kids and flipping laundry and even though I was alone, I felt connected. It was wonderful!
There is absolutely no other way I could have attended a conference in this season of my life, so this was a true God-send for me and I appreciate it more than I can say.
Thank you and I’ll be praying for what comes next!
In Him
pk
Diane Nelson says
What an amazing time we had with the most special & beautiful ladies from Fargo, ND! Comments included:
* I think I want to be a blogger now
* I can’t wait for next year and to watch (in)rL grow
* So thankful to be inspired without having to leave town
* I was so moved, I want to be intentional about community – inspired me to start up my Blessings business again
in {real} life. says
[…] (in)courage did this weekend was truly astounding. Amazing! Over 1,700 women all over the world connecting and being real. Tears, laughter, and […]
Rachel says
THANK YOU, (in)courage for hosting (in)RL!
I’m SO glad I went. So glad my real life friend, Jen, invited me along and that as a result I made new friends {in(RL)}! The experience of online community merging with face-to face community was incredible!
I so enjoyed meeting you, Lisa-Jo! =) Thank you for making me–for making ALL of us!– feel so welcomed and loved.
Thank you also to all the women who worked so hard in making the day a success in opening not only the doors of their church to us, but in opening the doors of their hearts.
Cheryl says
Thank you!! This was truly a blessed event! Amazing women, amazing community – fed the soul! Wonderful!!
What Community Can Look Like, (in)RL | Mercy Found Me says
[…] can check out the photos, Instagram pictures and posts about all the other (in)RL meet-ups all around the world! And if you missed (in)RL, you can order […]
Rita says
We had an unexpected death in our family and I didn’t get on line. Can I go back and listen now? If so, how long will it be up?
Thanks!
Rita
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Lisa Shaw says
I’m going to have to find out more about this awesome community Lisa and where and how to connect. Anyone in Central Florida?
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You're invited. Seriously, please come and join us!! - Lisa-Jo Baker says
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[…] You can read more of the (in)RL meetups here […]
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