This was our first time to give a new conference that we have been working on very hard. After many hours invested in preparing for each session, we were excited to finally be to the conference weekend.

Friday night had an hour and a half of music and testimonies by each of us. It’s a joy to watch the faces of those listening and see the delight on the little children’s faces.

Dad had prepared a new men’s session that correlates with his latest book Redeeming the Time, while Mom had a new ladies’ session where she goes through the encouragement she shares with those who come to her with problems. Dad also gave sessions on being a Christ-led Family, being a Christ-led Leader, and Harnessing the Power of a Team. Together Dad and Mom gave a session about anger. Plus Mom dealt with the practical aspects of being a Christ-led woman in daily life.

Christopher had a session for the young people and children teaching them how to share the gospel and use balloons to interest people. The rest of us children were going to help pump balloons. As we observed child after child walking into that session, we knew it was going to be an interesting proposition to pump up enough balloons! I wish you could have heard the excitement when we walked into the room about 9:30 a.m. carrying all those balloons. Christopher thought everyone was attentive during the first part of the session because they knew the balloons were coming!

Christopher, Joseph, John, and Jesse gave a session called Spending Time Productively; and I heard it went very well! Anna, Mary, and I gave one called Keepers at Home. I loved working with my sisters and seeing the responsiveness of the girls attending the session.

I believe the last sessions of the day were some of the most powerful. At the same time Dad was speaking to couples, John and Anna were giving Dwelling Together in Unity to the children, and it was also an incredible session! For those coming to Sacramento, Vancouver, BC, and Fallbrook, we’ve decided to add the Unity session in our schedule. From my view in the back of Dad’s session for husbands and wives, couples appeared to be listening intently and soaking in the information.

We were very grateful for the positive feedback we received concerning the conference because it confirmed the direction the Lord has placed on our hearts for this conference. We will have this conference available to give in places where we have already given our Encouragement for the Homeschool Family conference.

Our coordinator, Mrs. F., was amazing and very kind to our family.

Thank you again to those who were praying for us! It is our heart’s desire that there was lasting spiritual fruit from the weekend.

Sarah for the rest
PS-For those who may be wondering, we’re heading on to L.A. today, and because of the big rain system, I think we’re going to be hearing rain, rain, and more rain on good ole’ Uriah’s roof for the next few days! 🙂

“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him” (Psalms 34:7-8).