facts from my amazing weekend

A little bit silent over here? Well, I’m back — right after 10 Days of Intentional Parenting wrapped up I found myself on a plane flying out to Washington DC to emcee the Titus 2:1 Conference – the first ever Christian Homeschooling Blogging Conference.

It was amazing.

So today, I thought I’d share some miscellanies with you about it. I’ve only got some instagram pictures — imagine that, I was busy speaking and didn’t have time for pics… 🙂

1. Flying. Despite all early cries {like last July} I actually enjoy flying. I’ve figured out certain patterns when taking off and landing and no longer feel the need to white knuckle grip the armrest. Turbulence? Bring it on. A little. And, oh yes, I seem to like pictures taken from my plane seat right before I take off — evident by the two instagram photos below. One is in Chicago and the other in Washington DC. Which is which? Anyone know? And yes, I flew United.

2. Washington Dulles Airport is huge. And I mean H.U.G.E. type huge. And, it’s not marked clearly. Up here in Minnesota we like labels. Lots of labels. I was standing around wondering where to go to get my bags when I arrived and it was like – go down this hall, down these two escalators, take a right, go around the corner, up one escalator, down a hall that bends, take an escalator down, take a super fast train, look around in the train for baggage claim signs, get off train, go up two more sets of escalators, go through doors that state stuff about not being able to re-enter, have the moment of doubt that you’re in the right spot since you’ve just wandered around a small city, go through the doors, down one more escalator and then your bags are at a baggage claim 1/2 block from where you are. Good luck, get your bags, and come on back.

3. Online blogging friends are real friends. For those of you who’ve experienced this – you know what I’m talking about. But, for others, it’s an amazing experience to walk into a room full of people and already have connections with them. There were tears shed when I left.

My friend Cheryl {on the left – who organized the conference} and me – first night for the Apologia PJ party pic taken by my roommate {love her} Tara at Feels at Home Blog

4. The microphone.  I’ve decided that I need a microphone at home. Could you imagine? Okay kids, if you could all make your way downstairs in 2 minutes we’ll be starting. Hmmm…

5. My family, after the Lord, comes first. This weekend was so amazing as it was a beautiful combination of topics – blogging and homeschooling – but was woven together by the common thread of our belief in Christ. I walked away feeling refreshed, on fire for the Lord, and motivated to be a better mom, wife, friend, and blogger.

6. The Lord can carry us. I was blessed to be able to give the Saturday morning keynote. Nervous because I hadn’t prepared, had no slides, etc, but I truly felt the Lord calling me to step out of the boat and speak — and I believe He blessed me with the words. I spoke about not comparing, keeping our eyes on Jesus, and that we matter. It’s true, my friends, you matter — what you’re doing today, in being a mother it matters. Wiping noses, dealing with sick kids {I came home to a home full of sick children}, writing an encouraging comment, bending on your knees in prayer, all of that matters. The world will tell you that it does not – but friends – it matters.

7. Family. Throughout the weekend I realized how passionate I am about reclaiming family. I realize that our culture, our society, and our world is set out in many ways to steal family from our hands. Just as I wrote last Thursday about family and fighting for it, I’m writing it again today – we must stand up against a culture determined to whittle away at the core of family and instead stand up, stand together with arms linked, and protect, and make family stronger.

8. Intentional with my time. I am convicted to be more intentional. That’s it. I just had to put it out there.

9. Pillows. And to wrap it up on a light-hearted note, at the hotel I was at that they had a “selection” of pillows. Note the quotation marks around selection. Here’s the deal {that’s my instagram photo below} I tested both of the pillows – firm and soft – they were the same. I think it was a marketing ploy – but it gave me something to chuckle about in front and for that I was grateful.

I’m looking to get back in the groove of my writing. The last time I took two days off {was that it?} was back in October. Of course, I’m linking with my lovely friend Carissa. Who, if you’ll remember was a friend I first met through blogging, and then in real life last July {back when I didn’t like flying} and now I consider her a life friend. You must read it – When Rachel Met Carissa.  God is good.

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