Allison Bottke’s transparent vulnerability when addressing painful topics allows her to reach into hearts and change lives with a powerful message of hope and healing. Affectionately known as the “God Allows U-Turns Poster Girl,” Allison’s story is one of triumph over tragedy on many levels. As the Founder of God Allows U-Turns, she unashamedly shares her testimony of a changed life…a life highlighted over the years by Guideposts Magazine, The 700 Club, Praise the Lord, and CBN.com. Her writing career began with God Allows U-Turns, an inspirational book series many have called “the Christian Chicken Soup.” The true-story compilation book series is available around the world with books in the U-Turns brand currently available for adults, kids and youth.

A frequent guest on national radio and TV programs around the country, she has appeared on the covers of such national magazines as Writer’s Digest, BOND, The Christian Communicator, CWO, and O.H. Magazine. Allison writes Boomer Babes Rock, a monthly column for baby boomer women in Christian Women Online. Her international outreach includes over two-dozen non-fiction and fiction books, as well as blogs, e-zines, tracts, greeting cards, and logo merchandise.

Captivating audiences with a mesmerizing tale of hope and healing, Allison’s journey from decades of New Age searching to a faith-filled life as a Christian, enables her to connect with her audience in a very real and down-to-earth way. Her overall goal is to inspire and encourage men and women to make new direction life choices that will bring them closer to God. Allison speaks in a refreshingly transparent and vulnerable style, addressing controversial topics in a non-confrontational way. Uncommonly candid, Allison’s personal testimony is threaded throughout all of her talks and is the foundation of her outreach. Her ability to impart transformational change within the hearts of audience members comes from her ability to share an incredible life journey with honesty, integrity, passion and poise.

In 2006 Allison added fiction to her writing repertoire. A Stitch in Time and One Little Secret released in 2006 and 2007 from Bethany House Publishers. Both are being considered for adaptation into major motion pictures. One Little Secret was nominated as Book of the Year 2007 by the American Christian Fiction Writers organization. A trilogy of novels based on three baby boomer entrepreneurial women will follow, with You Make me Feel Like Dancing releasing in 2009 from David C. Cook Publishers. Her novels are being called: “Contemporary women’s fiction with an attitude.” Allison has a passion to reach baby boomer women and does so via her international outreach www.BoomerBabesRock.com.

Her first non-fiction project; I Can’t Do it All – Breaking Free From the Lies That Control Us, was written with co-authors Tracie Peterson and Diane O’Brian. Allison’s newest non-fiction book is being heralded as a landmark resource for parents and grandparents. Setting Boundaries with Your Adult Children – Six Steps to Hope and Healing for Struggling Parents, is the first book in a series of four boundary books to be published by Harvest House Publishers. Allison can seamlessly cross between writing non-fiction and fiction and has built a dual audience of readers for both genres.

Allison Bottke will speak on: Setting Boundaries With Adult Children

God has a sense of humor!

Just ask Lynn Donovan.

In 1992, as a prodigal daughter, Lynn married her best friend and unbelieving husband. She would tell you that they are the “ultimate” odd couple, different in almost every way. They are “uniquely yoked.”

God had a plan!

Three years into her marriage, the Lord began to woo her heart. The prodigal girl raced home to her Father. However she didn’t go home alone. Oh no! Lynn dragged along her unbelieving husband kicking and screaming all the way.

Throughout the ensuing years the Lord has used the classroom of marriage to grow her faith, teaching her to love unconditionally and never give up hope that Jesus can save even the staunchest atheist. Today, Lynn and her husband are thriving in a spiritually mismatched marriage.

God’s not finished!

Lynn has a front-row-seat to the grandest drama of life, God Almighty pounding on the door of her husband’s soul. She shares her miraculous journey through her writing and speaking, offering hope to women who also want to thrive in their marriage. She is an ordinary wife who serves an extraordinary God.

Lynn shares her hilarious adventures and miraculous accounts of God working in her life and the life of her husband at SprituallyUnequalMarriage.com.

Lynn Donovan’s Session: A Front Row Seat

Have you every prayed over the yellow pages? In this session Lynn shares her real-life adventures of traveling with God through the tumultuous years of her early marriage to an unbeliever to the day she prayed over the yellow pages and God showed up. Whether you are married to a believer or unbeliever, be ready to see your uniquely yoked marriage with new eyes.

Marybeth Whalen is the wife of Curt and mom of six children. The Whalen family is active in their community and church in the Charlotte, NC area. Marybeth’s interests include Bible study, blogging, reading, scrapbooking, and cooking.

Marybeth received her degree from NC State University in Writing and Editing and has been using her writing to minister to women since that time. Her writing credits include The P31 Woman magazine, Money Matters Newsletter , The Old Schoolhouse , The Charlotte Observer , the Hearts at Home Devotional , Above Rubies , The Greenhouse Report , TEACH Magazine and Homeschooling Today . She contributes regularly to the daily online devotions for Proverbs 31 Ministries. Her book For The Write Reason was released in the summer of 2005 and her book Learning to Live Financially Free which was co-written by her husband Curt, will be released in March of 2009.

Marybeth enjoys speaking to women– whether addressing a group, leading a retreat or ministering one-on-one. She speaks with honesty and humor as she encourages women to draw closer to God and to never let go of His hand (Psalm 37:23-24). Her passion is to encourage women to be real with one another, to dig deep into what God has to say, and to pursue whatever He has called them to do with all of their hearts.

You can visit her at Cheaper by the Half Dozen.

A personal look at what it takes to live debt free. In this timely new book based on their own financial challenges, Marybeth Whalen and Curt Whalen offer hard-earned wisdom and hope to families who struggle with debt and the consequences of financial mistakes. The Whalens draw from their own experiences of their first ten years of marriage to create a resource that provides both a helpful hand and a hopeful word for couples who need to get and keep their finances in order and nurture their marriage at the same time.

You can purchase Marybeth’s book here: Buy Learning To Live Financially Free

Marybeth will be speaking onthe topic of: Inspired To Be Financially Free and/or Inspired To Live Frugally.

Our nation has been hit by a financial crisis like never before. This crisis is affecting many homes– yours might be one of them. Join Marybeth as she shares how to get your finances in order while maintaining a team approach to money in your marriage. Part inspiration, part practical information, this talk is designed to leave you inspired that living financially free is possible, no matter what the latest news says!

Melissa Michaels is the creator of The Inspired Room, a one-and-a-half year old decorating, homemaking and lifestyle blog that has become one of the most recognized and followed blogs in its niche.

Three years ago Melissa told her husband she had no talent and was waiting on God to reveal her purpose in life. She was happy and content as a wife and mom of three, but after eighteen years of raising children and supporting her husband behind the scenes in ministry, she felt God tugging on her heart to be more deliberate and confident in serving Him. But how do you make an impact when you think you have no talent?

In spite of God’s definite stirring and her desire to be useful, she couldn’t imagine what He could use her for or how she could impact other women’s lives.

Janice Croze is a busy, work-at-home mom with two precious children, Jackson her seven year old son and Olivia her one year old daughter, and her team-player husband, Phil.
Once upon a time, Janice was a youth worker with Youth for Christ. She filled her days with prayer, Bible study and ministry. She never doubted the path she was on. She knew she was destined for ministry.

And then she became a mother.

Motherhood was everything she dreamed of – and so much more! So, after eighteen months juggling her two roles, she resigned as “minister” to focus on her family.

But in order to help provide for her family while still being at home with her son, Janice, along with her identical twin sister, Susan, and their incredible mother, Joan, opened two e-commerce stores, www.pedalcarsandretro.com, and www.a-rocking-horse-to-love.com, and eventually their website for moms, www.5minutesformom.com.

Janice still feels her calling of teacher, writer and encourager. While her role as a mother is the most important teaching job she could ever ask for, and her work at www.5minutesformom.com allows her to write, encourage, and help moms, she sometimes misses the days completely devoted to “ministry.”

Opportunities to jump back into “ministry,” even if just for a few hours, are a delicious treat in her crazy, work-at-home life.

Janice will be speaking about: Self Talk – the Good, the Bad and the Transforming

If there is one thing on which I am an expert, it is enduring negative self talk.

‘You are a terrible Christian… You shouldn’t be teaching anyone… Those other women – now they have something to share. They are so much better than you are…’

I am an artist when it comes to paralyzing my spirit with cruel and cutting words. Within seconds, I can feel useless and alone, desperate for someone to put me back together again.

But as devastating as negative self talk can be, positive self talk, enlightened by the healing truth from the Holy Spirit can be completely transforming.

In fact, I get so excited when I speak about self talk because I know how life altering it can be when we recognize the power of self talk and invite the Holy Spirit in to speak truth through our self talk.

So let’s dig into the topic of Self Talk by examining, The Good, The Bad, and The Transforming…

A true Cajun princess, Amy Bayliss is an eccentric, 30-something, Christian, home/co-schooling mom to three boisterous little men and has another one the way. After overcoming a devastating divorce from her boys’ father and more than four years of being a single parent, she was wed to her best friend Ryan Bayliss in 2007. When she is not developing websites, writing or designing something, she loves to travel, cook, and of course, read!

As a writer and speaker, Amy hits home with her thought provoking, eye opening, and sometimes emotional way of communicating to capture the hearts and hand of her readers. She has a desire to see the hand of God in everything, to always be aware of His presence, and to love and live life to the fullest.

Amy was cover girl for CWO magazine in August 2008, featured on Inside Out (a christian television program), her works have been printed in several publications including Woman’s Day Magazine (February 2010), and she is a regular contributor to many online ministries. Amy delivers inspiration and help to thousands of women daily through the sites she co-owns and operates: Internet Café Devotions, and Heart of the Matter Online.

You can visit Amy at her personal blog: amybayliss.com.

Amy will be speaking on: Celebration of Life

I love to speak about seeing God in everything because He is there. You just have to look for Him. From the sunrise that promises a new day to the downpour of rain that cleanses everything and makes nature come alive. I also talk about the eternal moments where God uses an ordinary situation from an ordinary day to drop a nugget of truth into your spirit. He is awesome and amazing and I want others to share that love for Him and the zeal for life that He has given me.

Women need to be freed from depression, anxiety, and the feeling of simply existing. This message will bring forth the roots of your complacency and revive you to the point of starting fresh and anew. His mercy is new every morning and it is time you started to enjoy life!

Allison Worthington is one of the most influential up-and-coming women online. She has her finger on the pulse of hot trends and strives to connect and empower women all across the web. From social media, to publishing, to mommy blogging she does it all.

She is a mommy blogger extraordinaire as the woman behind the very popular mommy blog, Mrs. Fussypants. Her blog, Mrs. Fussypants, was honored as one of the finalists for Best New Blog in both the 2007 Weblog Awards and the 2008 Bloggies.

Allison, through Blissfully Domestic, in partnership with One2One Network and Epson, hosted her first blogging conference, BlissDom, in October. BlissDom is set to become a huge annual retreat focusing on many different aspects of Blissfully Domestic. For details on how your company can reach influential women in media and be part of BlissDom09 send email here.

Allison recently was listed as #17 on the Top 50 Most influential and Powerful Women in Social Media. She twitters @fussypants and is listed in the Top 50 Tweeple to Follow.

She balances her magazine, her mommy blog, her photo jewelry business, five young sons and a wonderful husband with lots of coffee and God’s grace. She needs a nap and a housekeeper, but will settle for some dark chocolate and a nice glass of cabernet.

Shelly Ballestero is an extraordinary woman of passion, energy and fun, on a mission to help women see the beauty God created in them, both inside and out.

In today’s beauty-obsessed world, she is one of the few inspirational experts in beauty and health from a positive perspective. Her professional experience ranges from mural artist, makeup artist to authoring “Beauty by God, Inside Out Secrets for Every Woman” published by Regal January 2009 and produced the companion DVD Behind the Scenes for Beauty by God.

Shelly serves as an inspirational beauty coach, esthetician/makeup artist, and beauty expert for CBN.com- monthly columnist for Christian Women Online, The Family Groove, contributor for Beautiful One Magazine, Natural Solutions Magazine, OnCourse magazine and cover story writer for Cornerstone Connection.

As a graduate of the prestigious International Academy, she teaches the art of makeup to instructors. Shelly also is a certified herbalist and a graduate of the top makeup school in the industry, Joe Blasco.

Keeping abreast of the latest techniques is a must in the fashion industry. Shelly studied under five-time Emmy Award–winner Eve Pearl, makeup artist for “The Today Show” and makeup expert for Jane Iredale cosmetics. Shelly also participates in the annual International Esthetics, Cosmetics & Spa conference and other master classes.

Beauty columnist, aesthetician and make-up artist Shelly Ballestero struggled for years with her self-image, but once she allowed God to transform her thoughts and perception, her life was changed. Ballestero has taken her experience in the health and beauty industry and written Beauty by God for women who want to feel beautiful and reveal a healthy inner-self.

This comprehensive book balances spiritual principles with detailed beauty and fashion tips necessary to lead a healthy, holistic life (mind, body & spirit) and feel beautiful from the inside out. Ballestro shares a wealth of beauty and style advice on healthy eating, simple skincare, affordable fashion styles and other lifestyle and beauty topics. She includes advice from celebrities, quick recipes for food and skincare products, research to support her claims, money-saving tips, suggestions for going “green,” and a comprehensive resource for finding recommended products.

Shelly will be speaking with us about: Renew Your Mind, Body, and Spirit

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

This session is all about nurturing you—

* Renew your mind with over 30 ways to reduce stress and to relax ● meditate on God’s word in your “Secret Place” (tips on creating one).
* Refresh your body with DIY beauty soaks-body treatments and aromatherapy recipes & tips to help you have the best night sleep ever (seriously)!
* Rekindle your spirit and discover your passion pathway ~

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.  Romans 12:2

Darlene Schacht is a forty-something-year-old Christian mother of four whose children range in ages from six to sixteen. She and her husband Michael live in Manitoba, Canada.

Darlene’s articles have been published through local newspapers and in her own book The Mom Complex. Darlene has also been published in print through the magazines: “Emphasis on Moms,” “Beautiful One,” and “Celebrating Life.” She has been published in several online publications such as, “WT Online” and “Christian Worldview Network.” Darlene is a contributing author in both, Grace Givers: Amazing Stories of Grace in Action (Thomas Nelson), and Life Savors for Women, (Tyndale Publishing).

Her writing talent and design skill, combined with determination, has placed Darlene at the hub of this rapidly growing online ministry, as founder and editor of CWO.

Christian Women Online Magazine has brought about a new wave in the ability to reach out to people both to share faith and to minister to them.

Why you should join us for Darlene’s session:

Being a former plus-sized woman who’s managed to successfully take off the weight, and keep it off for over a decade, Darlene speaks to the heart of women who are hoping to slim down. She believes that we accomplish our goals by moving faith to the forefront which ultimately influences the choices we make for our bodies.

By feeding and nurturing our spirit and soul, we free our bodies from the captivity of sin, bringing glory to God and peace to our lives.

Her words empower women with one easy solution: In order to successfully make change and to recapture that which God intended for us, we need to tune into a new channel—and to begin to channel His strength.

Lisa McKay is wife to Luke, a senior pastor in a thriving church located in North Alabama.  Together they are raising four children – 3 boys and a girl – ranging in age from 7 to 14.  In addition to being a pastor’s wife, Lisa is a popular Bible teacher and author of the newly released, “You Can Still Wear Cute Shoes..And Other Great Advice from an Unlikely Preacher’s Wife”.   She can also be found writing regularly on her blog, “The Preacher’s Wife”.

She is also the author of the popular blog, The Preacher’s Wife and regular contributor to Christian Women Online.

You Can Still Wear Cute Shoes…and Other Great Advice from an Unlikely Preacher’s Wife.

Lisa will be speaking on: Heaping on Coals:  Practical Steps to Exercising Biblical Forgiveness

Forgiveness.  It’s a thing easier said than done – especially when the person needing grace isn’t asking for it.  The truth is, friends betray out of impure motives.  Coworkers lie to manipulate their way into that position you’ve always wanted.  Husbands leave when they aren’t  ‘in love’ any more.  Church members gossip about your child’s problems rather than offer support.  Life hurts, people hurt, and yet we are exhorted to overcome.

What does it mean to forgive and forget?  Is that even realistic?  Will I have to be a bff to that person who wronged me?  How is it fair to me if I just let them off the hook?  How can I move past all this bitterness so my relationship with God, my service to Him, and trust in others can be restored?  Through a teaching of Romans 12:17-21, Lisa will outline steps to practicing biblical forgiveness and trusting God to exercise His role of Righteous Judge.