During our retreat we were given notebooks with our names on them. We were supposed to write in everyones and they were supposed to write in ours. Words of encouragement and things like that. Well I just read mine this morning. I was suprised to find at least four of the messages for me were about homeschooling and me being a stay at home mom. One said that it was humbling to a mother that works to see someone who chose in this day and age to be a stay at home mom and to homeschool her children. Two or three said that teaching my children and bringing them up in the way of the lord was the right thing to do. A few were from older ladies whose children were grown. I was overwhelmed. I think as homeschool moms we are often on guard because so many people seem to disapprove of what we do. To hear these words of encouragement from these ladies who I cherish so dearly was so encouraging. I just cried. Just when you feel everyone is against you, you find out that someone believes in what you are doing. I thank the Lord for bringing me these ladies and their friendship and encouragement.