I have just enjoyed a fabulous weekend with my beloved!
He and I had the pleasure of attending the Cincinnati Homeschool Convention together while my mom and dad cared for our children.
We left Thursday night and got home early Sunday afternoon. I was putting a lot of stock into this weekend. It had been a couple of years since we had attended a homeschool convention, and this past year has been an interesting and somewhat tumultuous year for our family. God has been faithful, and we have experienced countless blessings, but the academic side of our homeschool has suffered.
In many ways, we needed a break. For ten years we kept a frenetic pace of life; and frankly, I WAS EXHAUSTED!!!! So, we cut way back and severely limited our extra-curricular activities, and unintentionally, our academic pursuits as well. I’ve struggled quite a bit as a result. In some ways, I welcomed the respite; enjoying watching the kids play and spend time together, building relationships, but in others, I felt guilty; knowing how much there was to accomplish, and yet lacking the energy and the motivation to carry it out. I never wavered in my commitment to keeping my kids home with me, it was just the “schooling” part that was a challenge. All that to say, after several months of doing the minimum, I knew that it was time to get back to business, but I still lacked the motivation to do so. I prayed that this convention would provided the inspiration, encouragement, and motivation that I needed. AND IT DID!
My husband and I were both blessed beyond measure; in spending time alone together, in attending workshops, and in browsing through the vendor hall, spending way too much money! The speakers were phenomenal (Ken Ham, Richard “Little Bear” Wheeler, Norm Wakefield, Maggie Hogan, Jim Weiss, Sarah Malley), and I am, of course, ecstatic over our purchases (God’s Mighty Hand: Providential Occurrences in World History, The Ultimate Geography & Time Line Guide, The Adventure of Missionary Heroism, Pocketful of Pinecones,….to name a few)! I enjoyed edifying conversation with my husband and greatly appreciated his support and encouragement! The weekend was everything I had hoped for and more!
So, now I’m excited and motivated, and looking forward to getting back on track academically, and in other ways as well! God is good! |
