Giving Thanks for the Blessing that Just Appeared In My Life!!! My Steemfest2 Birthday wish has been granted!steemCreated with Sketch.

in #steemfest28 years ago

I am giving thanks for the blessing that just appeared in my life!!!  

@theprophet0 made an announcement that he wanted to provide a plane ticket to Steemfest 2 for someone who truly wanted to go, and who would write a post about it.  So that's exactly what I did.  I wrote Steemfest Lisbon -- My Birthday Wish.  And guess what.....

I WON!!!!!

I AM GOING TO STEEMFEST 2
with a pre-paid ticket from Texas to Lisbon,
gifted to me by @theprophet0!!!!  

AND as my birthday will be at the close of Steemfest,
I have just received my birthday wish.


Now @theprophet0 is the youngest witness on Steemit.  He is extremely involved in progressive and valuable works, and he is still a teenager.  He has a passion for technology and cryptocurrency, he really cares about and supports community, and he donates to charities on the regs!!!  (See the @gardenofeden's post: Vote for @theprophet0: Steemit's Youngest Witness Has Returned!!!)  You will be amazed at all he supports and what an incredible heart he has based on values.  It's truly something to be admired.  


I've been extremely excited about the possibilities of attending Steemfest 2 in Portugal.  I've never been to Portugal, but I have been to Steemfest 1!!!

Now anyone--and I literally believe that means everyone--who was blessed to be at Steemfest 1, will attest to the fact that it was an experience of a lifetime.  We came from far and wide across the globe, and immediately fell into the arms of love.  It was as if we were family already--reunited with our people!!!  It was as if we were connected all along, and then receiving the opportunity to come back together for common purpose.  Great friendships were forged.  And now the opportunity arises to create another once in a lifetime experience, this time in Lisbon.  


I encourage any of you who missed last Steemfest, and everyone who has any inkling of a desire to go to this one, to get on it and find the way to get there, perhaps just like I did.  Those who stayed behind last year expressed how they could feel the energy of Amsterdam and so wished to be a part of it, many very sad that they missed the opportunity.  This is one you don't have to miss.  You have time to get your shit together and get there.  You will be so glad you did when you walk into this world we created together....supportive, encouraging, helpful, giving, loving, sharing, inspiring, dedicated, intelligent, engaging .....

I can only imagine Steemfest 1 amplified by another year, greater engagement and closer relationships, more time for preparing our journey, and having more of a clue what to expect.  I can't imagine how @roelandp will  top his own magnificence in hosting this event, or that there will be more magic in the air than that which was sparked by our first coming together last year in Amsterdam.

Thank you @theprophet0 for your generosity.  I love how you already stand up for what you believe in.  I'm really grateful to know you and have you as my witness. Thanks also to @aggroed (another one of my witnesses), @steemfestdreams, and @richardcrill for your interest in helping others and for making a big difference in my life.  I am grateful!!


I am excited to see all of you again and to give at least 150 hugs.  
That will be easy!!!

Here's a little photo adventure from Steemfest 1 and things you're likely to experience if you come to Lisbon.

.....Just a little taste!.... 


 A quick, easy, and efficiently run check-in. (@roelandp)


Realizing that everyone now has 2 names -- a "real name" and a screen name --
which one do we use?  Most of us chose to use our screen names.


Refreshing beverages and other culinary delights.


A free massage.


Tangible access to those "in the know" and "those at the top"!!


Just a few of the ladies -  and @robrigo!!!  (me, @tatianamoroz, @robrigo, @mrs.steemit and @lisadang)


and a few of the guys, and @saramiller!!  (@xanoxt, @ned, @xeroc, @rocket.chat, @burnin, @saramiller, and @shla-rafia)


Hand made art by Steemian Artists.  (@ballinconscious, @roelandp, and @skapaneas)



These two divine beings -- the Hilarskis!!!  (@anahilarski and @hilarski)


Admirable connections.  (@mammasitta and @ned)


Powerful friendships.  (sjennon, @firepower and @anyx


Warm embraces.   (@rocket.chat and me)


Potent moments to dine (with @ned).


me and @saramiller


and I truly hope you will also meet:

@quinneaker, visionary and founder of the @gardenofeden


I feel Steemit is the digital version of the @gardenofeden,  where trust, honor, responsibility, accountability, and freedom are our common values.  I am incredibly grateful to have received this plane fare and to bring some of our eco-village to Steemfest,  and share with you some of the things we do best....

.....build community and sustain it!!


THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME SHARE IT WITH YOU!   

I'LL SEE YOU IN LISBON !!


Happy Birthday to Me!

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Wow, great story that you shared. It is this kind of story i keep hearing in steemit has increased my commitment to steem and other altcoin every other day. I am relative old school and used to believe in fiat system. But steem and others just work their best to bring back the world in balance where people are poor but have great stories to share coule earn money in steemit.

Steemit is the cutting edge opportunity to change the world as we know it--repairing a system that is beyond broken. I'm glad you are inspired to be part of the solution. Doing it together makes it happen sooner and is more tangible for us all. Glad you're here now @wilkinshui!

What a touching story. I am in a contest to win a ticket too. I will look forward to seeing you in Lisbon. Happy Birthday in advance. Followed!

I hope that together we can all generate enough crowd funding to get everyone there who wants to be there. It was truly an expansive experience, and I imagine this one will be even more powerful if that is even possible. I look forward to seeing you in Lisbon too. Blessings on your winnings to come! Thanks for the follow.

It was truly an expansive experience
That is why i am more excited to be there, and I am sure I will come.
Blessings on your winnings to come!
Thank you, I will keep you and my followers updated.

If Steemit is important--making the journey to meet these people is priceless!!! So glad you are making your way there too. It's sure to be powerful!!

Congratulations! This post has been upvoted from the communal account, @minnowsupport, by lucashunter from the Minnow Support Project. It's a witness project run by aggroed, ausbitbank, teamsteem, theprophet0, and someguy123. The goal is to help Steemit grow by supporting Minnows and creating a social network. Please find us in the Peace, Abundance, and Liberty Network (PALnet) Discord Channel. It's a completely public and open space to all members of the Steemit community who voluntarily choose to be there.

If you like what we're doing please upvote this comment so we can continue to build the community account that's supporting all members.

I'm happy you won, @everlove! Your post really showed your passion and love for genuine connection - you deserve it!
Hope we will meet in Lisbon! :)

Steemit has been a huge upgrade to my life. The relationships being built here are beyond believable and I feel are incredibly worthy of dedicated focus. I am super happy for me too and will also be for all those who will make it to LIsbon. This is sure to be an epic event. I appreciate your comment @connecteconomy.

Yayyy congratulations @everlove
That means we get to meet each other :)
Can't wait :) look out for the big green steem machine https://steemit.com/steemfest/@markwhittam/steemfest-2017-in-the-big-green-steem-machine
So excited to go to steemfest

I'm so excited too and I am feeling so blessed and overwhelmed with appreciation. I'll be excited to meet you there. I'll be tuning in to see what comes of your community--you know of its great value to me. Blessings on the way @markwhittam. I'm grateful to know you.

Yes that is exactly what that means!!! I'm excited to hear about your community and what beauty unfolds for you in creating your dream. Thanks for your comment here @markwhittam.

That is so amazing @everlove what a birthday gift and dream come true . Happy Birthday may you be spoiled with love and health . Can the next Steemfest be in Cape Town :) it looks like a lot of fun from your photos

Great to see you here @louiscpt. I thank you for your upvotes and your attention to my posts. I appreciate all of your support. I think this is the best birthday gift I could receive right now. I'm planning on spoiling myself, actually doing it already with the awareness of the great possibilities unfolding. Cape Town----that would be awesome!!! Will you make it to LIsbon?

I would have loved to but wont be able to you enjoy and share the memories with us xox

I will definitely be doing that @louiscpt. While at Steemfest we were definitely in the vortex, so in the moment it felt a bit odd to stop and make a post. But knowing how many people would have loved to be there and the abundance of love shared there, it is only just that we send it back and share the juiciness.

that was a great post man. Deserved every penny you made. I'm following you now. Keep the good stuff coming!

Thank you @drpuffnstuff. I'm so glad to be able to tap into the abundance of this community and use it for beneficial purposes. This is a dream come true and I'm so grateful to already know I've received my birthday gift. Thanks for the follow. I appreciate your comment and seeing you here.

Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY BEAUTIFUL FRIEND!

Thank you---I'm celebrating it now, and I shall celebrate until the end of Steemfest....then I'll enjoy the gift that keeps on giving. Love to you beautiful @dreemt! I will hug you there? <3

This is so awesome!! I am so happy for you! And it was really amazing to see a few of the faces I haven't before. And once again you and I have synchronicity...did you see my post yesterday? About the meetup in NYC? Oh, you should most definitely read it if you haven't, I know you'll love it and be blessed by the synchronicity as well!

No I didn't see your post but I am headed your way now to see what is brewing. Nothing is by chance----we have much in alignment with each other @dreemit. Grateful for you! <3

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! :D

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha---oh you're so so so funny @opheliafu!! Looks like we'll be doing some art together.

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! :D

Cheers to your birthday wish come to tru. What a blessing it is to have the support of this amazing steem community! :)

Agreed @yonny!!! This community is astounding and the support received from one another is unfathomable. I can see it is becoming more and more connected, and more of us are benefitting everyday. Kuddos to us all!!!