A Joy-Filled Reunion

It took a minute for my mind to register why the alarm was ringing in the wee hours of the morning, but adrenaline kicked in as soon as my brain engaged and I realized what day it was.

4:00 AM. Time to get up. My friend Liz would be arriving at 5:00 AM so my sweet husband could drive the two of us to the airport where we were meeting three of the couples that James and I serve with on the AFHE board.

I am certain my fellow travelers thought I was excessively perky for such an early hour that Sunday morning as we all gathered at the gate to await boarding, but I didn't care. It was here! The day I had waited for all year long! It was time to head to the national conferences for state homeschool leaders … absolutely one of my favorite weeks of the whole year!

I was thrilled that seven of the ten AFHE board members were able to attend this year’s conferences. Plus, as an added bonus, Liz Beck was joining us to teach a couple of graphic design classes during the Alliance conference.

After a two-hour delay where we sat on the tarmac while a mechanical issue was resolved, we were finally on our way to Philadelphia where we would pick up our rental vehicles and drive about an hour to Sandy Cove Ministries in North East, Maryland. Unfortunately the flight delay caused us to miss check-in and dinner, but we were able to make a quick stop for an authentic Philly Cheesesteak en route, and we arrived just as the evening meeting was getting underway.

In Alliance conference tradition, after a few opening comments from Bruce Eagleson, it was time for the first round of state spotlights, where each state has precisely two minutes to give a quick review of what’s been happening in their state over the past year. Since the state spotlights are organized alphabetically by state name, we literally had time to find seats, drop our bags and purses, and go line up to give the Arizona state spotlight. No time to freshen up or change clothes. Ready or not, here we go!

In 2005, James and I attended our first Alliance conference at this very conference center in North East, MD. It put me in quite a reflective mood to be back at Sandy Cove where we first experienced the thrill of coming together with our peers from across the nation. Our girls were little then and we made it a family vacation with plenty of sightseeing in addition to attending the conference. Our family has many special memories of that trip! 

I wish James could have joined me this year, but I was thankful to be traveling with these awesome folks we get to serve alongside in Arizona.

The Alliance conference is a really amazing time of idea sharing and leaders serving leaders. There are dynamic town hall discussions and facilitated workshops on various topics specific to leadership in state homeschool organizations. We worship together and share meals together and enjoy a beautiful week of fellowship with fellow state homeschool leaders.  

On Wednesday, we packed up, enjoyed a morning filled with more town hall discussion and workshops, and at lunch time we made our way to Turf Valley in Ellicott City for the HSLDA National Leaders Conference. I had the great joy of being invited to ride with my dear friends from Georgia. Joe, Bonnie, Candace and I sure packed a lot of catching up into that 90-minute drive!

Liz flew home early Wednesday morning. (Many thanks to Scott and Sherry for getting up early to drive her to the airport!) It was such a treat to have her as a special guest at the Alliance conference where she taught a packed-out workshop on Media Design to about 50 leaders on Monday. And Tuesday afternoon about a dozen of us had the privilege of receiving some specialized training from her during an interactive, hands-on, three-hour graphic design class.

The HSLDA conference was top-notch as always and provided us with plenty of opportunities to learn and grow and connect. We are grateful for the work of HSLDA and especially the 30+ years of service and vision from Mike Farris and Mike Smith. Janna Bowman and her team rocked it again this year and made us all feel valued and appreciated as leaders.

A panel discussion with Mike Farris, Will Estrada, Tj Schmidt, Jim Mason, and Mike Smith

Friday was a free day and we squeezed in lots of sightseeing in the DC area, which was a blast.  My Idaho friends and I spent the morning at Mount Vernon and the afternoon walking the National Mall visiting many of the memorials there. 

The Saturday night closing banquet at the HSLDA conference is always a highlight. Here are a couple of pictures of our board members from that evening.

Rick and Scott posing for the camera ... funny! Love this picture of Heather, Linda, and me! What precious friends these ladies are!

Sunday morning before we had to head to the airport, the remaining Arizona contingency enjoyed the gorgeous Maryland weather with a tour of Fort McHenry and lunch outdoors at a restaurant overlooking the inner harbor.

AFHE board members Rick and Linda Crosby, Scott McKown, Rich and Heather Haupt
The week was a blur of reuniting with fellow leaders from across the country who have become precious friends through the years. What a joy to hug each one, see their smiling faces in person, and try to get caught up on their families and what’s been happening in their state’s homeschool community since we were last together.

Our board connected on a whole new level and God really blessed each one of us at both conferences. The 4½-hour flight home was filled with discussion about all that we had gleaned during the week.

My heart is filled to overflowing with gratitude.  I return from the national conference every year re-energized, re-invigorated, refreshed, and ready to get back to work serving the Arizona homeschool community. What a gift to be connected with so many fellow state leaders from across the country. And what a gift to be able to serve here in my own home state with such a godly, gifted, passionate group of men and women who simply want to bless others and honor God in all they do!

It truly was a joy-filled reunion!

Comments

[Linda Ann]

Yes, it was a wonderfully planned event ALL week long! So great to learn from the best! Glad you were along and so perky. :o)
P.S. You forgot to mention the highlight of your trip.... playing Ticket to Ride!