SHE HEARD: LOGAN WOLFRAM & ALLUME

Photo courtesy of Logan Wolfram

Logan Wolfram, the Executive Director & Conference Host for Allume, accidentally fell into her position.

On any given day, Logan Wolfram can be found decorating her home, sharing yummy recipes on her blog LoganWolfram.com, being a loving wife to her husband Jeremy and a doting mom to her 2 little guys.

Photo courtesy of Logan Wolfram

Photo courtesy of Logan Wolfram

"MOST OF THE TIME IN LIFE, YOU END UP WHERE YOU ARE BY A SERIES OF TINY YESES" -Logan Wolfram

What you may not expect to hear is that Logan also hosts, and oversees a Christian women's blogging conference called Allume.  Allume, begun by Logan's friend Sarah Mae in 2009, is a place where female bloggers receive encouragement and equipping to shine the Light of Christ that lives within them. When asked how she came to be involved with Allume, Logan's infectious laugh begins the story of how she became the Executive Director and Host of this conference that draws hundreds of women from all across the country. It's this laugh that puts the listener at ease and instantly endears Logan to all. 

Logan didn't "HEAR" the Lord calling her into leading Allume. In fact, she says that her position "just happened" and that it was a random series of events that led her to where she is today. 

Logan, who began blogging in 2011, is the quintessential "Pinterest Mom." She can plan and execute a beautiful party (kid or adult) with all the finishing touches, while blinfolded. Originally, posting pictures of her events on social media, a friend of a friend eventually asked to interview her. It was then that Logan recognized an area of expertise that she could write about and began sharing her tips and tricks on her blog. 

It was when Logan's church asked her to lead a Bible study that she came in touch with Sarah Mae. Logan had chosen Sarah's book 31 Days to Clean for her group to study and decided to supplement with her own hospitality insight. Logan reached out to Sarah via email to simply offer encouragement and was pleasantly surprised when Sarah responded. Logan made her way to Allume for the first time after that (as it happened, she got stranded in a snow storm and ended up spending nearly an entire extra day with Sarah) and answered honestly when asked her thoughts on the conference: "It wasn't very pretty and the food was terrible." 

Sarah's answer for Logan's concerns was to put Logan in charge of hospitality. The first night of the next conference, Logan accidentally ended up MCing the event when someone was needed to deliver the "boring announcements." She'll tell you she doesn't remember anything she said as she delivered the announcements to an audience who loved her instantly. 

That was also the year Sarah decided to step away from Allume. Logan begged her not to end it completely citing that it was clear that the Lord was still at work. 

Photo courtesy of Logan Wolfram

Sarah called Logan one day to tell her God had placed someone on her heart to take over Allume...and that person was Logan. Logan hasn't looked back since. She said she felt God telling her:

"I NEED YOU TO DO THIS FIRST."

And she's still waiting for what's second. 

Logan remembers selling radio marketing right out of college and explaining how she now can see the connection between what she learned then and how she is partnering today with companies and securing sponsorship for Allume. She says that taking on these new responsibilities was "never scary, " but there is an element that does give her pause: it's what she calls "The Underbelly." The "doing," she says, "is what's scary. "

When she was behind-the-scenes, rushing around, and making sure all was right is when she felt no fear. But now that her position has changed and there is an element of notoriety to what she's doing by being in the forefront and acting as the "face" of Allume, it feels bizarre to her. She passionately stewards every bit of these responsibilities to the best of her abilities, but she never endeavored to do any of it. She is very cognizant that what others see on social media or even at a three-day conference can be misconstrued as "real life." To her, "real life" happens, but it doesn't happen in public. 

No sooner will these words slip past her lips then she will let out an amazing laugh and draw you in with her southern lilt while answering one of her son's questions. Real life, she believes should be shared, but shared later with a great perspective. She is quick to point out that she does try to share her life authentically, but admits that people still only see bits and pieces of the whole. She admits that she has struggles, challenges, and successes just like everyone else. It's her desire that others are able to see that REALNESS and not a one-dimensional view. 

When asked what advice she may give to other women being led by the Lord, she answers freely that we tend to get disilluisoned by life--we get to the point where we wake up and feel disappointed, get offended, lose hope, lose the ability to be curious about what God has for us. If she'd gotten so hung up on where she thought she was supposed to go--she shares--she would have messed up where she is. 

It's apparent and refreshing that Logan doesn't take herself too seriously. Her advice is:

HOLD [your plans for your life] loosely. take it in baby steps...TINY YESSES. Often times, when we make one decision, we think we know what the rest of the steps should look like. when you say "yes" along the way, you don't get overwhelmed and disappointed."

Image courtesy of Logan Wolfram

What started out as one woman blogging about the things she enojyed and did well led to far more. It was never in her wildest dreams that she would be doing what she's doing now.  

Logan's latest "Yes"? She recently finished writing a book: Curious Faith: Rediscovering Hope in the God of Possibility, published by David C. Cook and set to release in March of 2016. 

If you have the opportunity, go to Allume, soak in the amazing decor and incredible speakers. And also make sure you meet Logan. She will probably wrap you up in a bear hug, look you in the eye and tell you she's so glad you're there. You'll be taken in immediately by her selfless and charming personality and find yourself laughing right along with her. You'll agree with her assisitant who says Logan is a JOY to work with. And you'll notice that she is a woman, just like you, who strives to listen and HEAR the Lord calling her.