Most of you know I’ve basically been taking this month off from writing. I magically wrote and scheduled all of the posts for our October series ahead of time, so with the exception of a couple of posts (one for all you planner people, and one for all my momma friends), I’ve been spending this month away from the blog and really just digging into my family.
(It turns out I planned that well, because the first two weeks of the month put me out of commission. Pneumonia. Fun stuff.)
When I’m writing more often, things at home can easily start to slide. Laundry piles up, we eat on paper plates more often than plates that need to be washed, I’ll count “water table time” in the backyard as a “bath”. (It’s all water, right?) Bottom line, there’s just not enough time for everything.
But this month, I’ve really been making homemaking a priority. Keeping the house clean, keeping home-cooked food on the table, keeping clean clothes in our closets. Homemaking is not my strength, but I’ll tell you something. This month, I’ve found a whole lot of joy there.
There’s something to be said for slowing down and working with your hands.
I’m usually a big fan of TV. I love to binge watch shows on Netflix while I do the dishes, or catch up on things I’ve DVRed while I fold laundry. But for the last few weeks, the TV in our bedroom has been busted (and I don’t think it’s getting replaced anytime soon. Mourn with me.), so TV hasn’t been an option.
So, I accidentally found my new favorite thing on the interwebs: Online conferences!!
That sounds so nerdy, I KNOW, but I’m being serious. Last week I attended the Influence and Impact Summit that Michael Hyatt put out, with tons of speakers who know all about building blogs and writing books and cultivating communities. And then as soon as that was done, I found a conference just for moms, and watched those videos on parenting and marriage and encouraging our mom-hearts.
I LEARNED SO MUCH!! All of these videos from speakers who truly knew what they were talking about, sharing their expertise and encouraging us regular people, I just loved it!!!! It was easy to watch while I was cooking, or folding laundry, or doing the dishes, or I could even just listen to the audio in the car.
The thing I learned most of all is that we have so much to learn from each other, you guys. We’ve all got those things we’re actually pretty gifted at, and we can teach and encourage each other in those areas. That’s what community is about, and it’s so very cool.
My Nerdy Announcement:
So, I’m both really excited and totally nervous to tell you that next week, I’M A PART OF AN ONLINE CONFERENCE!
When I was asked to participate in this conference, my immediate reaction was NO WAY. Nope, sorry, I don’t do video. But I knew a little about this conference from last year, and God kept bringing a topic to mind that I could speak on, and so eventually, I wrote back and said YES. I’ll do it. I might be crazy, but I’ll do it.
(Want a sneak peek of my session??) (Please ignore my hair. There has since been a glorious and miraculous haircut. Praise Jesus.)
Here’s what you need to know:
- The Homemaking Ministries Online Conference takes place October 27-29, 2015. (Psst… that’s next week!)
- The speakers & sessions are relevant, practical, and inspirational. These women know what they are talking about, and their heart is for YOU and YOUR HOME. I’ve gotten to know them over the last few weeks, and they’re amazing. You’re gonna be so encouraged!! (See the schedule below!)
- Everything is ONLINE, which means you can access the sessions in your own time, or follow along with the conference schedule.
- The best part? After every session, the speaker will be online in the private Facebook group (for conference attendees only) to answer questions & chat for an hour! I’ve never been to or watched a conference with such direct access to the speakers, and I think that’s a HUGE deal!
- One Word: FREEBIES. The conference comes with a ton of free bonuses, including:
- A beautiful home management binder (Not gonna lie, this one is cuter than mine. Conference is worth it just for this beauty. It’s gorgeous.)
- Beautifully designed printable calendars
- Six bonus eBooks or kits (like a yearly meal planner and printables for praying with your kids!) if you get your tickets this week!
- A set of 5 Scripture art prints and 2 sets of Scripture memory cards actually MAILED to you FOR FREE if you get your tickets before tomorrow night! (These aren’t printable – they are physical products!!)
- The price? Just $29.95 if you preregister (which means get your ticket before the 27th), and $34.95 if you wait till the 27th (or after).
If there’s one thing I’ve learned this month, it’s that the things we do in our homes are significant. The people we raise, the food we prepare, the clothes we clean, the millions of things we wash – it all FEELS like a whole lot of nothing, but it’s really a pretty big something. And if you’re anything like me, this conference will be just the encouragement you need to keep building a home and a family that’s founded in God’s Word and full of His love.
Join me for three days of encouragement & practical inspiration. Goodness knows we could all use more of that! Pre-register today!! (And check out the session schedule below!)
Session Schedule
Tuesday, October 27
Session #1: The Ministry of Homemaking – Jami Balmet
Session #2: Recovering Biblical Homemaking – Marci Ferrell
Session #3: Homemaking and Working from Home – Is it Possible to Do Both? – Caroline Allen
Are you interested in working from home, or do you currently balance working from home and being a wife, mom, or homemaker? Caroline knows what it means to be a busy work-at-home-mom. Together with her husband Sean, they have six children, they homeschool, and manage several businesses together. So how do they balance it all? Is it even possible to be a homemaker and work from home? In this session, Caroline gives some really practical advice on managing it all, encouragement for the tough days, and even ideas for some ways you can work from home.
Session #4: Homemaking – The Juggling Act – Jennifer Ross
Wednesday, October 28
Session #5: Saving Time and Money in the Kitchen – Jami Balmet
Session #6: Having a Plan for Keeping Your Home Clean – Marci Ferrell
Session #7: Prayer in Homemaking – Gaining Vision, Finding Time, and Praying with our Children – Katie Bennett
One of the most important things we can do as homemakers is set the Spiritual climate within our homes. And the best way we can do that is by really pushing into a deep relationship with the Lord. In this session, Katie shares her wisdom into how we can have a deeper relationship with God through our activities within our homes and especially in our prayer life. She shares the Biblical basis for prayer, how to find the time (and motivation) to pray, and how you can pray with your children.
Session #8: Finding Joy in Homemaking – Hilary Bernstein
Thursday, October 29
Session #9: Spiritual Disciplines for the Busy Homemaker – Jami Balmet
Often the very last things on our to-do lists each day (those to-do’s that never seem to get done) are the most important ones: our Spiritual Disciplines. Jami is no stranger to being a busy homemaker – as a wife, mom to 4 kids under 3 years old, homemaker, and blogger, she knows what it means to neglect the Spiritual Disciplines that are so important to the Christian life – specifically those of daily Bible reading, prayer, and memorizing Scripture. Join Jami as she covers Biblical wisdom from far wiser Christians and some practical ways that we can make Bible reading, prayer, and Scripture memorization a priority amidst our busy days – the importance of doing so!
Session #10: Calm Your Chaos – Kayse Pratt
Session #11: Unrealistic Expectations, Communicating Your Needs, and Dealing with Differences – Marlene Griffith
Session #12: Bible Memorization- 5 Minutes a Day, Lifetime Benefits for the Entire Family – Trisha Gilkerson
(In case you’re wondering… I am the most excited about sessions 2, 3, 8, & 11! And I heard that girl who’s teaching session 10 isn’t so bad either. Just ignore her hair – she should have waited to make the video till AFTER her super cute new haircut.)