This Month

-URGENT Special Request
from Shannon...

-B.L.A.S.T. Reunion

-THINK BIG, but START SMALL!

-Accomplishment Corner

-Refresher Moment

-To Inspire You...

-Mark Your Calendars

Spring Greetings From

Shannon Ethridge Ministries!

URGENT Special Request from Shannon...

As if this "Waterfall Season" couldn't get any more overwhelming, along comes this NEW development!

In case you want to know more about the method I used to outline this book so quickly, follow this link to find out more about Ken Davis' SCORRE Conference. I attended one last month with all of the Women of Faith, and gleaned such practical tips about preparing a crystal clear oral presentation. It was well worth every minute of my time, and would be worth you budgeting some "continuing education" funds for!

To volunteer to be a junior editor or researcher on this exciting new project, or to submit a story as potential fodder for The Fantasy Fallacy book, please email valerie@shannonethridge.com

JOIN US for the
2nd Annual B.L.A.S.T. Reunion
August 10-11, 2012 in Tyler, TX!
Friday & Saturday, August 10-11,
beginning at 6 p.m. Friday
ending at 9 p.m. Saturday

Need to re-charge your BLAST batteries?

Get fresh wind into your sails?

Be inspired by others with similar writing, speaking, and ministry goals?

Those who attended last year raved about how inspiring it was to worship and fellowship together, hear BLAST graduates share their testimonies and speak about their amazing experiences, and glean further wisdom and insight from Shannon and her husband Greg. Aubrey Sampson said...

Thank you for the BLAST reunion! First of all, it was so refreshing… Second of all, it transformed my experience of BLAST from being just a "class" to now feeling like I am part of a thriving community. I loved hearing what God is doing in each BLASTer's life, was invigorated by being around so many artists, writers, speakers, and leaders, and am thrilled to see how He will continue to work through BLAST!

Another highlight that participants thoroughly enjoyed last year was to be able to have their bio photos updated by Rebecca Friedlander, an affordable professional photo/videographer, who'll certainly be joining us again with all of her high-quality equipment as well!

The event is held at of the newest & nicest (yet most affordable) hotels in Tyler. The Hilton Garden Inn amenities include:
* an onsite restaurant * indoor heated pool and spa * complimentary covered parking
* an adjacent jogging trail * state-of-the-art fitness center * complimentary 24-hour business center

Individual rooms include:
* refrigerator * microwave * coffee maker * complimentary wireless internet * Garden Sleep System beds

Located at 220 East Grande Blvd, Tyler, TX 75703, the Hilton Garden Inn has reserved a block of discounted rooms for us, offering a special rate of $89 per room (vs. their standard $139 per room, a savings of $50 per night). Click here to view more information about the Hilton Garden Inn. Reservations can be made directly by calling 903-509-1166 and must be received by the hotel no later than JULY 20th. Be sure to mention that you are with Shannon Ethridge's BLAST event to receive this special rate!

To make your visit as pleasant and affordable as possible, we can help you with:

• Arranging a ride to/from Tyler Pounds Regional Airport if you prefer not to rent a car
  (if you choose to fly into Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport, you will need to rent a car for the 2-hour commute to Tyler)
• Connecting you with another same-sex BLAST participant to share a hotel room and cut down on lodging expenses.
• Addressing any other questions/concerns you may have!

The cost to attend the BLAST Reunion will be $89 per person, but will include dinner on both Friday & Saturday nights. Please RSVP as soon as possible (preferably by July 20) to blast@shannonethridge.com. We look forward to seeing many of you in Texas!

THINK BIG, but START SMALL!

Jan Kelleher is a current BLAST participant in the Fall 2011 class. I met Jan through mutual friends, and after years of praying and planning toward partnering in ministry together, I had the awesome privilege of speaking in Christchurch and Auckland, New Zealand last year in response to her invitation to be the keynote speaker at their Elim Women's Conferences.

As a church leader, Jan recently shared some interesting insights that I believe are worth passing on to all of you who are looking to launch or expand your speaking platform...

Jan wrote, "I was pondering people's desire to become a speaker and thinking about how I go about inviting someone to speak. There's so much MORE to catching a leader's attention than having a great bio. Unless they have a very well-known ministry or unique story, a conference or a Sunday service is not the place where I would start off with someone new. I think the best advice for any aspiring speaker is to be faithful in little things and get involved in things worth speaking about."

Jan went on to explain, "Shannon, before you became a 'Women of Faith' speaker with international experience, you were really involved in what was going on around you. That's what opened the door to greater things for you." Indeed, first I was simply a youth pastor… then a speaker with other youth groups… then a writer as I developed my own material… then a life coach as I began using that material with those in need. One baby step of obedience after another led me to far more than I ever could have initially fathomed.

So in light of Jan's sage advice to get involved in things worth speaking about, we encourage you to consider some of the following suggestions...

• Go on a mission trip, then offer to share your testimony both on the mission field and at home when you return.
• Volunteer in a particular capacity in your church, and share your experiences in some Sunday school classes or small groups.
• Become a part of a Celebrate Recovery group and eventually serve as a small group leader.
• Host Bible studies, book clubs, or discussion groups in your home, on your local college campus, or somewhere like Salvation Army.
• Contact an organization (such as the local women's shelter, children's hospital, counseling center, MOPS group, etc.) and make them aware of what you're available to speak on. Offer to speak for free just to gain the experience of ministering to a sample audience!

Jan is absolutely right! A nifty bio isn't all you need – it's credibility and experience!

So as you're constantly updating your speaking bio, remember that it's not just about having the correct contact information… or a phenomenal bio photo… or cool graphics to provide eye candy. It's also about demonstrating that you know your PURPOSE, and that you're so PASSIONATE about that purpose that you're already DOING it!

"If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones..."
- Luke 16:10, NTL

Accomplishment Corner

CONGRATULATIONS to Wendy Gilbert of Sydney, Australia for giving birth to a "Cyber-Baby" -- http://yayarevolution.com/ -- her website for teens & parents!

Wendy says, "I'm so thankful for BLAST & the life-coaching session we had – it certainly launched me into the future! A website may seem like a little thing, but feel like it is the beginning of so much more. Steps of obedience are so satisfying!!" Indeed, Wendy! Bravo! The BLAST community is so proud of you for taking this BIG step in "putting yourself out there!"

Congratulations to Sheralyn Bucknell for landing the cover of the current issue of Koorong's Christian Women Magazine! In the feature article, she discusses her newly released book, The Body Battle, and how God has to be woven into our food, exercise, and fitness plans in order for them to be effective!!

Let us know about your accomplishments by emailing us at blast@shannonethridge.com!

SCHOLARSHIP Opportunity for FICTION Writers!

This newsflash just in...
One of the ten recipients of the full-ride Cecil Murphey Scholarship for the writing track of the Speak Up Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan on June 21-23, 2012 is unable to attend. If you are a fiction writer who would like to apply for this generous assistance, please contact Bonnie@SpeakUpConference.com and request additional details. Also included is the 4-hour preconference fiction-mentoring clinic in this scholarship. For more info on the conference schedule, go to www.SpeakUpConference.com. For info on Cecil Murphey, see www.cecilmurphey.com and his blog @ www.cecwritertowriter.com.

To Inspire You...

13 Weird Ways to Work Through Creative Blocks

http://goinswriter.com/work-through-creative-blocks/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=
Feed%3A+GoinsWriter+%28Goins%2C+Writer%3A+On+Writing%2C+Ideas%2C+and+Making+a+Difference%29&utm_content=Twitter

http://writerunboxed.com/2012/02/24/5-keys-to-writing-for-an-online-audience/

http://www.problogger.net/archives/2011/12/09/how-i-got-18-times-more-likes-on-a-facebook-update/

Mark Your Calendars - Shannon Is Coming To...

PLEASE NOTE: If you see a city on our speaking calendar that’s anywhere near you, and you’re interested in having Shannon speak at your venue while she’s in town, please contact us at speaking@shannonethridge.com. We’d also be honored if you’d like to attend the event and help operate the book table - a valuable learning experience!

Springfield, Missouri - September 21 - 22, 2012
For Your Inspiration (FYI) is coming to Springfield, Missouri, September 21-22, 2012. Join us for a time of fun, food, and fellowship as four of our National Speakers (including Shannon Ethridge) share inspirational messages and invite you to ask them questions during their intimate workshops. Go to www.fyinspiration.com for more info.

Portland, OR - October 5 - 6, 2012
Even in the midst of everyday challenges, there are treasures hidden in plain sight. Join Shannon at theWomen of Faith "Celebrate What Matters 2012" conference at the Rose Garden Arena. Click here for more info.

Sacramento, CA - October 26 - 27, 2012
Even in the midst of everyday challenges, there are treasures hidden in plain sight. Join Shannon at the Women of Faith "Celebrate What Matters 2012" conference at the Power Balance Pavilion. Click here for more info.

Orlando, FL - November 2-3, 2012
For Your Inspiration (FYI) is coming to Orlando, FL, November 2-3, 2012. Join us for a time of fun, food, and fellowship as ALL SEVEN of our National Speakers (Shannon Ethridge, Lorraine Pintus, Tammy Maltby, Julie Gorman, Kendra Smiley, Jill Swanson, and Sandra Aldrich) share inspirational messages and invite you to ask them questions during their intimate workshops. Go to www.fyinspiration.com for more info.