Have you ever been camping deep into the desert? Have you ever been so far removed from the city din or the shouts of your own home that the silence is deafening?
I remember camping in Joshua Tree Desert for our science class my Sophomore year of high school. One night I quietly unzipped my tent and walked across the cool, desert sand barefooted. I walked apprehensively away from the campfire and stood under the canopy of stars illuminated in the dark night sky.
In that moment I was completely alone. There were no voices to distract me. There were no lights to direct me. There were no roads to lead me. I held my hand far out in front of me, but in the darkness of night I couldn’t even see the palm of my hand. It was scary and invigorating and frighteningly alone… but I survived.
I wanted to hear something—anything—but the eerie silence was deafening. I called out a word to see if I could hear my own voice but it fell flat with nothing for my echo to bounce off. There, in the middle of the desert, I was alone.
***
As I stared at the graphics, something didn’t feel right. The colors were cool, the theme engaging, the graphics completed… but something was off. I wanted a sign or a light or a voice to tell me which way to go and assure me I wasn’t alone.
But I was alone. In that moment I needed an echo, a path, or a light, but it felt like the desert; alone and silent.
As we have been laying out the summer series and praying for vision, the only thing I know is that nothing in my life right now is polished or perfect or clear. If I’m being completely honest with you, I feel like I’m Joshua Tree all over again, silent and a little bit scared.
I emailed the graphic designer and begged her not to hate me, but I couldn’t approve the graphics. In fact, I couldn’t approve any of the graphics. We needed to start over again from the beginning. But this time, I needed to be true to myself.
Instead of trying to lead a group of women with colorful graphics, positive branding, and ShinyNewCool ideas, I need to lead the only way I know how: authentically real and optimistically hopeful.
So after scrapping the entire theme and branding for the summer series, we officially decided on the topic and vision for the event and I’m SO EXCITED to get down and dirty on something no one likes to talk about: the empty, barren, and dry seasons of life.
Desertology will be a two-day event held at CCM from June 1st to June 2nd. This year I’m so excited to have Bryan and Katie Torwalt from Jesus Culture fly down to Los Angeles to lead us in an amazing time of worship. For more information about them or to stalk them on Facebook, check out their page! In addition to the killer worship, DJ Bobbito The Chef will be spinning his music to welcome us each day. Think of it as a desert party! 😉
Details:
- Friday, June 1st-Saturday, June 2nd, Calvary Chapel Montebello
- Cost: $25 (main sessions, breakout session, worship, music, lunch on Saturday)
- If you’re from out of town and would like to attend, please call (323) 724-8464 to mail in your payment [there will be no sign-ups at the door]
- If you’re from out of town [or just want to get away with some friends] and would like a hotel recommendation, check out DoubleTree Commerce (3.2 miles from venue) or DoubleTree Rosemead (5.2 miles from venue).
If you have any questions or need information, feel free to drop a line! 😉 Hope to see you in JUNE!
Woo! Exciting stuff. Will definitely be there:)
WOOHOO! Can’t wait to see you 🙂
So worth the wait!
Are you coming??? Make the announcement right here, my English chap! 😉
I’ll chase my agent up on the press release regarding my possible attendance
LOVE IT!
Het Bianca! I’m all signed up, just curious what breakout session consist of?
YEAH!!! Can’t wait to connect 🙂
The breakout session will be a small-group setting of about 10 people. Nothing super crazy, just a time to process in a smaller environment. What I’ve noticed in the past is that people can come and listen, then slip out the door never engaging or dialoguing about what God was showing them.
I first saw this done at Passion Conference in Atlanta. If they could mobilize 40,000 students, we can mobilize 550 women! 😉 Keep me in prayer! I’m so nervous.
Woohoo, excited… I’m going to serve for the first time At ccm with the ladies 🙂 praying for everyone involved and attending!
It’s like a meeting at the well, a bunch of ladies going to receive the water they need! See you at the well 🙂
Mon
Thank you SO much for serving! We need lots of help 🙂
Yes, let’s meet at the well. [I love that expression]
Are you greeting or facilitating a small-group?
I’m not sure, Jackie is signing me up.. I haven’t really been able to serve in the women’s ministry with my kiddos and sal busy with the high school, so probably greeting…
I will be there Friday night ready to fist bump and dance…I MEAN hear the Word. 😉 Can’t wait! xo
Are you coming on Saturday? I hope so!
Bianca,
I attended your summer series last year (for the 1st time) and LOVED IT!!!
Can’t wait to attend this year!! ♥
No way! So cool. Is this your FIRST comment? Oh goodness, I’m excited to meet you!
Yes, SUPER COOL! And yes, this is my FIRST comment! :p I’m so excited and I just can’t hide it, well I can, but then what kind of witness would I be! 🙂
I even created an evite on my FB for ladies only….inviting all my amigas!! Praying that God makes a movement!!!! ♥
ah! I SO wish I could make this happen. LOVE the theme =)
One day, Katy! It WILL happen.
HECK YES!!!!!!!!!
It means so much to me that you’ll be there and helped me find my voice in this process! LOVE you.
“the only thing I know is that nothing in my life right now is polished or perfect or clear. If I’m being completely honest with you, I feel like I’m Joshua Tree (for me, any desert) all over again, silent and a little bit scared…” How come you know what I go through all the time? Ok, most of the time? I think I’ll be signing up for this shindig. I miss hearing you teach! Thank you for teaching and touching subjects that people are terrified to speak about!
I realized I need to go through things first before I try to guide others. Basically, everything I go through is for a reason. To break me of my selfish will or to strengthen my ability to lead others. We’re in this together, Erica! I would love to see you there! 🙂
B,
What are the times?
Hey DebbieDeb! Friday: 6:30pm (registration)-8:30ish. Saturday: 9:00am-3:00pm 🙂
Looks amazing!!!! I wish I were in California in June to see it in person and I wouldn’t mind paying the $25.00 fee!
Best wishes with Desertology!!! 🙂
This is wonderful. Thank you for doing this. It really helps so many of us. Last year’s series truly impacted my life. Looking forward to June 1st. =)
Awesome! See you there 🙂
Hello Bianca,
I can not wait to see you speak again. We met once at the Grace church ( i was visiting to see you there haha) in Cypress and now I finally get to see you do a study at CCM ( home church). I am inviting a few friends (saved and unsaved.. so praying hard for that). I wanted to know the times of the study so that I can put it on the calendar and on the invite I am sending them.
Also do we just mail it directly to the church? DO we put your name or any thing that says attention to? I would like to give the girls the information in case they do not give it to me to turn in on Sunday.
Thank you,
Diana
Hi Diana!
If you attend CCM, you can sign up at the women’s info center 😉 If that is not your home church, send in a check with the names of each guest and the amount to correspond to all those who register 🙂
Times:
Friday: 6:15pm doors open-9:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am-3:00pm
Awesome!! Thank you Bianca! 🙂
Another quick question. Will there be child care?
No, sorry!
Thank you 🙂
and/or facebook/drverl
I know this event is over, but I am interested in interviewing you on my blogtalk radio broadcast, which aires on Wednesdays at noon, http://www.blogtalkradio.com/drvwithlove
as well as an event I am hosting December 15th, Christmas Tea
I just relocated from Tucson, AZ to Corona, CA
520-272-3681 is my cell, please call if you are interested.