Well this post is long overdue, but I still felt the need to get it into words.
Two weeks ago, I spoke at Teach Them Diligently in Rogers, AR. This has been one of my favorite events to speak at these last few years. The location, the people, the venue…all of it is my favorite!
The past two years, my daughter has joined me on this trip. We have sure made some sweet memories. But this year, being it is her senior year and she is incredibly busy, she wasn’t able to take the trip with me. So, a dear friend joined me.
Here is where I get sentimental. You see this friend and I started our homeschooling journey back in 2006 together. We were both so eager, yet had NO idea what would lie ahead in the next 13 years! Especially, that I would eventually have a ministry and would write and speak about homeschooling! Only God!
And it was just fitting that here, as we prepare now to graduate those once itty bitty five-year-olds, we traveled to the convention together.
Not only was this friend integral in our homeschooling journey, but really in my spiritual journey. Someday I will have to tell the story of how we met and how it was clearly appointed by God and His divine intervention, but He used her to bring us to our current church. And that is the church where our family grew so much spiritually. It is truly amazing to see how He has woven our lives together.
Arkansas was a fabulous trip, and once again God proved faithful. For the first time at TTD, I was actually flying into town the day I was scheduled to speak. My flight was set to land at 12:40 pm and my session was scheduled for 4:30 pm. Now, I thought this would be plenty of time because the Arkansas airport is so small and easy to manage. There are no crowds. No lines. And the route from the airport to the venue is a county road drive of about 15 minutes. Easy peasy.
(And anyone who knows me, knows this a huge testimony of how less anxious I have become over the years. I would NEVER have traveled on the same day as speaking before, just because of sheer nerves.)
And all was right with the world as we sat on the plane, no delays, and set to arrive in Arkansas with plenty of time. Until the pilot got on the speaker and announced we were 22nd in line on the runway and we ‘d be sitting at least 30 minutes. (welcome to Newark, folks!)
Although it would still allow ample time, I was thinking, “Yup. It wouldn’t’ be a speaking trip for me if something didn’t test me!” Ha! And I really didn’t sweat it. I knew God was in control and it would be exactly how He wanted it to be.
Lo and behold, we arrived in beautiful sunny Arkansas with time to spare, and even time to freshen up and grab a bite to eat.
Teach Them Diligently Conventions are truly a blessing for me to speak at. The atmosphere is so friendly and the families always bless ME with their kindness. I love speaking with folks after my sessions and hearing how my words have somehow encouraged them.
I even had the chance to enjoy some time with two ladies I met there last year! I just love connecting with readers and podcast listeners! They gave me this gift, which BLEW ME AWAY. I couldn’t wrap my head around it, but can only say…God is so good.
One highlight was also hearing from a mom who said that she always remembers me saying, “I want to point you to Jesus” because she had a conversation with her son and he was struggling with something. But she remembereed my words and thought, “Point him to Jesus.”
That right there, is why I do what I do. One person pointed to Jesus. It’s all about Him. I don’t need to be known, but I want to make Him known.
With this current culture in a downward spiral, my mission to share Jesus, see families transformed by His Word, and see new generations raised up in the Lord is my heart’s desire.
And so, my friend and I enjoyed our getaway fully! And I do not think it is an accident at all that she came on this trip, at this time. It was a testimony to me of all He has done. Praise the Lord.
If you have the opportunity to attend a Teach Them Diligently Convention, I encourage you to DO IT! You will not regret it. They are a phenomenal event for the WHOLE family. You will leave refreshed and renewed, not just in your homeschool, but in your faith, marriage, parenting, and life!
I will be in Waco, Texas April 11-13 and Denver, Colorado May 23-25! I would LOVE to see you there!
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