I don't know if it was the comforting number of like-minded people, or the poetic early morning encounter with the campus young policeman raising the American flag (and who kindly escorted me in search for coffee); or the many familiar faces spanning at least six states, or the engaging speakers: it was heart-filling to be at the Ninth MN Catholic Homeschool Conference!
Jim Weiss and Andrew Pudewa filled both rooms and our minds with great stuff. Many vendors sold out. Babies everywhere, and smiles.
But the personal highlight was being stopped so very often by people in hallways, lawn, gym, in front of vendors' booths. More than the both challenging and popular high school session I moderated (and loved doing, getting everyone to speak and make connections), the people who stopped me gave me a glimpse of what was accomplished. I heard from them how they met a supporting new friend at the session who happened to sit right beside them, and who spoke of what was in heart also. I heard about a teen who had attended with her mom and had gone through a huge change of heart since the session; I had the privilege to have our only homeschool dad come to introduce his wife and teen. What beautiful families! I had smiling faces say “I love reading you on Heart & Mind" and last but not least a fun chance encounter with Margaret in MN who is a gorgeous petite.
But the personal highlight was being stopped so very often by people in hallways, lawn, gym, in front of vendors' booths. More than the both challenging and popular high school session I moderated (and loved doing, getting everyone to speak and make connections), the people who stopped me gave me a glimpse of what was accomplished. I heard from them how they met a supporting new friend at the session who happened to sit right beside them, and who spoke of what was in heart also. I heard about a teen who had attended with her mom and had gone through a huge change of heart since the session; I had the privilege to have our only homeschool dad come to introduce his wife and teen. What beautiful families! I had smiling faces say “I love reading you on Heart & Mind" and last but not least a fun chance encounter with Margaret in MN who is a gorgeous petite.
And there was the speakers' dinner: an intimate, cloth-napkin-red-wine event, a round table style around which we ate, laughed and compared notes. "It is exciting to be amidst other people who live this life: a life of beauty, hard work and truth", was what everyone agreed on. Stan Williams, whom I had not heard speak due to our concomitant sessions, an enthusiastic participant, had many fascinating stories to tell. And Deb, a fellow ND mom... what a pleasure to finally meet her in person! We have a date for Junior Parents' weekend and the Center for Ethics and Culture conference in 2008!
Praised be God in His infinite Love and Compassion! The homeschool burden becomes lighter, because in a conference such as this, we are able to see Him in every beautiful and consoling face of fellow homeschoolers.
5 comments:
I'm sure it was a wonderful conference (I was so impressed with everything I saw there last year) and I'm glad your talk went so well.
Ria kept asking about going to the MN conference this year, but with ChesterCon just 2 weeks later, it didn't seem very practical.
Thank you, Ana. You're a sweetie!
I love what you have to say about the conference--they are my sentiments but exactly. Your closing paragraph is beautiful! Yes, yes and yes.
Ana, it sounds wonderful!
I had a conflict with VBS this year ... I really did want to attend the MN conference, though. Maybe next year ....
Also wanted to let you know that I tagged you for the Eight Things meme.
:-)
It really was a wonderful event! So glad to have spent some time with you and our fellow St. Margaret's Fellowship moms, too. God Bless you, Ana!
I wish I could have been there! Minnesota Mom is a true sweetie and I would have been able to hear you speak. But to stay in Alaska was the alotted portion (this year!)
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