This is the third year of the Diamonds Conference for Chronically Ill Christians. I’m so excited for this online conference that runs January 22-24th. Speakers with real experience with chronic illness share tips and encouragement around a theme. This year’s theme is Purpose In Affliction. Every year it gets better and better. This year we have access to a Slack community so we can get to know each other better. It’s completely FREE to watch this weekend. If you want to have access forever, there is an option to purchase access to the whole conference for $44.00. There will also be a Study Guide becoming available to take each speaker’s session deeper. Every year I get so much encouragement from this conference. Here’s what the host and founder of Diamonds 2021 has to say about the conference.
Words From Sara Willoughby, Diamonds Host & Founder
Hello all! I hope you are having a wonderful day. Thank you so much to Kathy for letting me take over her blog today. I better introduce myself. My name is Sara Willoughby, and I’m the host and founder of Diamonds 2021 — an online conference for chronically ill Christians.
Millions of people battle impossible chronic illnesses every moment of every day, and so many of them feel alone. I’m one of them. You see, I have Lyme disease, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, and Toxic Mold Poisoning. And for so long, I thought I was the only one with the struggles I had. But boy, I was so wrong.
There are so many chronically ill Christians suffering in the privacy of their houses or hospital beds. And through Diamonds 2021, I want them to know that they aren’t alone. That millions of others also wrestle with questions like “Why me?” “Why this?” “Why does a loving God allow me to suffer?” and “How do I survive this?”
This year’s theme for the Diamonds conference is Purpose in Affliction — all about our identity and worth in God, and how our illness can strengthen our relationship with Him. Chronic illness affects all areas of life, and I don’t know about you, but worth and identity are a struggle for me. So this year for Diamonds my fellow speakers and I are tackling topics like marriage with a chronic illness, strength of heart, how to serve God when you’re chronically ill, and so much more.
Conference Speakers
Actually, let me introduce my fellow speakers. Each of them battles their own health problems and have won the truth and compassion they’re sharing at Diamonds 2021 the hard way. This year’s speakers are:
- Bella Morganthal
- Tessa Emily Hall
- Becca Doss
- Hailey Hudson
- Esther Smith
- Kara Swanson
- Bethany Rose
- Susie Larson
- Will Lundy
- Rachel Lundy
- Angela R. Watts
- Chris Simning
- Peter Frey
- Mary Frey
- Nicole O’meara
- Tasha Marie Brown
And, of course, yours truly. We may also have a surprise speaker, you’ll have to wait and see. 😉
Diamonds 2021 is going to be going on the second to last weekend in January of 2021 — Friday the 22nd through Sunday the 24th. And guess what? It’s completely free while it’s live. This conference isn’t supposed to be just one more thing to get through. We want it to refresh and encourage you. After the conference, you’ll have the ability to buy the all-access pass and receive lifetime access to the conference content, plus some bonus content.
As chronic illness warriors, we pay so much attention to our physical health, but our mental, emotional, and spiritual health is just as important, if not more so. Through this conference, we want to help you take care of those areas as well. It’s completely online so that anyone who needs it can participate — even if they’re unable to travel or sit up or be around crowds of people.
Thanks for letting me interrupt your day to tell you about this project! If this sounds like it’s for you, or if you know someone who might enjoy this conference, you can register to watch it live for free here.
Final Thoughts
In case you’re interested, I recently reviewed a book written by Esther Smith, who is one of the speakers. Esther is a gem. You can read about her book here: https://www.upbeatliving.net/review-of-chronic-illness-walking-by-faith-by-esther-smith/ Last year, I also really enjoyed the sessions with Bella Morganthal, and with Sara Willoughby. I’m drawing a blank on whether I’ve heard the other speakers or not, but if Sara and her team picked them they will be good as well.
Finally, please give the Diamonds Conference a try. I don’t think you will regret it. Plus, what else do you have to do this pandemic lockdown weekend? Also, please pass this information on to anyone you know who needs it. You can register here: http://sgwilloughby.com/diamonds-2021/ Till next time, stay safe, Kathy
