I attended the MN Homeschool Moms Retreat at Big Sandy Camp this fall, and it was wonderful for my heart and soul. #MNHomeschoolRetreat gave the encouraging refreshment my heart needed! After a weekend at Camp, I am so thankful, and my tank is full. I feel equipped through the worship , scriptures and resources regarding my role at home as wife, mother, and homeschool teacher. I made some sweet new friends and connected with local friends, too. ❤️
We met at Big Sandy Camp, which was a really great site for this retreat. So glad I visited with Jamie Erickson and Alicia Hutchinson (and her sweet daughter) too. I Loved this weekend!
I drove down on Friday night by myself, and it was a quiet ride. I didn't even listen to any music or podcasts. I think I was busy stuck in my head, thinking of everything. But, when I drove along the lake shore, it was near sunset; a dusky pink, and quickly set leaving a golden horizon.
I checked in at the registration table, and felt warm, welcomed and cozy. They assigned us rooms (cabins) with people from our geographic area. I quickly went upstairs and found out I was rooming with friends from around here, and what a delight that was!
We had a great, simple schedule for the weekend, which was printed aesthetic cute on the backside of our name tag lanyards. They gave us a bundle of pens, that were hand-tied with prayer for us individually before the retreat began. *HEARTILY THANKFUL*
There were 4 main sessions scheduled, and one Q & A time with a panel on Saturday. Each session began in announcements, fun curriculum and family homeschool giveaways from the gracious donations of sponsors. Names like Apologia, IEW, YWAM, Generations, and Erin Lynum from Nat Theo Podcast! There were many more! I remember seeing a Hymns and Habits guide from Katie over @Little House Learning Co. There were hangout times scheduled both evenings which is where I really got to know some of the gals attending. And at mealtimes. YUMMY Food was prepared that so many of us commented about. It was great. Get a glimpse of this delectable gnocci, tiramisu, and beets. I wish I had taken pictures of every meal. One time was fresh gyros, which are a long-standing favorite of mine. They had slices of honey-watermelon infused radishes on the side, and I hadn't ever imagined such a combination, but loved trying them.
The Question and Answer time on Saturday afternoon with Karen Soenkson, Alicia Hutchinson and Jamie Erickson was great! These women shared from their personal experiences and thoughts. Jamie shared some good resources and experiences from homeschooling her children. You may have read her books Holy Hygge or Homeschool Bravely. https://jamieerickson.com/
Chatting with Alicia and her daughter before and afterwards was a highlight for me. Such honest care to her work and ministry of the Learning Well Community is evident. I appreciated her gentle mannerism, her solid faith, and the obvious care she has put into curating an in-person magazine, off-screen option for homeschooling mamas was even better to see in real life than what I have heard or seen on her site and blogs, and interviews she shares on her podcast. Check out https://www.aliciahutchinson.com/blog/ and definitely start listening to her conversations on podcast when you get some time.
The speakers, their families and stories of God's love in all circumstances. They are why I really felt like I wanted to come to this retreat. I haven't attended much for retreats, because I'm intentional and picky. While going away from my family for a weekend, I really appreciated that these women were thoughtfully asked to speak to us this weekend.
Iwanttoremembersomehighlightsfromtheweekend. I might share some of my notes here from Session I and II, and then hopefully another post "when I have time" for the next two sessions. They were all so very rich.
Session I:
Abby Joy
- Teach who God is: so they know we can trust Him, He is alive and relevant. He never changes
- Share your story: let our children see God moving in my life daily
- Always point your kids to Jesus: You can't save your kids, but you can point them to the one who can!
Trust that God loves our kids more than we do!
Psalm 37:3
Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and befriend his faithfulness.
Teach them Diligently, Serve the Lord, Live Faithfully.
Deut 6:7, Josh 24:15, Judges 2:8, 10, 11, Judges 4
Session II:
Jamie Erickson
Called and Equipped
1 Thes 5:24
He who calls you is faithful, He will equip you.
He will surely do it.
Ephesians 3:20-21
He will provide immeasurably more than we can imagine.
Do not get so lost from joy in the work that that you lose sight of the "immeasurably more."
We are called and equipped
Unfettered grumbling is like a high-raised fist against the One who orchestrated this.
Homeschooling is hard, because it is good.
Be fully armed witht he tools to fight for them.
in the waiting and the wondering, cling to Him
2 Corinthians 12:9 says that the Power of the living God rests freely on us!
We obey His call, we surrender, and He succeeds.
Let God's plan transform our kids.
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