Up at 3:30 this morning, barely could crawl out of bed, and threw on my clothes, zipped up my bags, and stepped into the car, all with my eyes still closed. Clay and I were on our way to the airport in Denver, (one hour away), to fly to Houston to speak at the Woodlands Marriott Hotel where there will be several thousand families.
I love coming here. We spent many years of our family years with our children in Texas and love the heritage, the hospitality, and so many wonderful friends. Whenever I come here, many memories are revived–those early days with small children trying to figure it all out. How did I make it through–me who had so little training or experience with children.
But, being here at the end of the childhood of all of my children is deeply satisfying. I love who they have become and to think they could actually make it to adulthood in a healthy condition in spite of Clay’s and my imperfect parenting–all God’s grace is good.
Arriving at the hotel around noon, found us with such an appetite, as breakfast, about a thousand of hours ago, was sparse. And somehow exhaustion heightens my hunger.
Just at the end of the driveway at our hotel is a small sandwich shop called Which wich? A cute fast food sandwich place with many options for a sandwich. I am more of a casserole sandwich girl myself–more about how much other stuff you can get on it, besides the meat. I love all the veggies, onions, green peppers, lettuce, tomatoes, olives, avocado, and pickles and whatever else they will give me and of course I am a whole wheat type. Clay is much more classic–turkey, lettuce, tomato and onion.
It reminds me, all of us have the freedom to make unique choices for our families and children. It would be absurd to tell all people they had to like my way of making a sandwich. And so would it be absurd to think that there was just one way to have a godly, fruitful family. God leaves so much room for personality, interest, skills, heritage, background training, culture and motivation. As long as the life of God and enthusiasm for ideals is a part of the mix, somehow God’s spirit mysteriously moves amongst the members of the people making up that family, and creates abundant, vibrant life.
And so now you know some of what I will be speaking about this weekend.
We are a bookish, arts, nature and walks, traveling, idealistic, ministry, musical, coffee and tea, chocolate, cinnamon roll, discussions, dancing and out of the box sort of family.
What kind of family are you?
Sally, I so wish I could be there to hear you speak. I have always wanted to go to the big TX convention. But I’ve never been to any convention. My hubby is usually deployed and / or I’m nursing a little one. Maybe one day …
Oh and our family is reading, science, Bible studying, creationists, fishing, big trucks, sewing, bread-baking, and military family and we are definately still trying to figure it all out!
I saw a post from you on my fb site and started remembering all the sweet days of homeschooling. I am so happy for you and your family. It looks like God has blessed you abundantly over the years. Your children are beautiful and talented. I opened up a flower shop in Glen Rose after the kids left home and made a delivery out to your families home up the street from your old place. I remembered the hay rides and fellowships we all had. Beautiful memories. I wish we had the success stories you have with your children but unfortunately that is not the case. I guess the only thing I can say is that I have 2 beautiful grandsons that touch my heart so deep that it hurts. They are Wesley’s. He has been faithful in the Lord and ministry of music, missions until the enemy sent a temptress. He lost everything and broke our hearts clean into. The only thing I know is that he belongs to God and we trained him up in the Lord. My youngest got into a rough crowd and got into trouble but has finally turned around after3 years of heartache. I know they are adults and have to make choices but I never in my wildest dreams would have thought this would happen after devoting my whole life to them in every way. Our family has been destroyed by Wesley’s mistake and if you could, please add us to your prayers. There is nothing more heart breaking than seeing your child make a mistake so big that it changes so many lives forever, mostly his boys. Sally, I know that we did all we could to do right by them, I know they make choices, but I have to tell you that I have had a very hard time over it and it all really seems like a nightmare. Only thing is…it is real. I am having a hard time seeking forgiveness towards Wes & his now x-wife over what they are doing to the boys. I love them all dearly but I am experiencing difficulty in this area. They act like it’s ok and want me to act like nothing ever happened, but it did, it is wrong, and I can’t seem to get beyond it. Have you ever had anyone with situations like this that you ministered to? I have beat myself up over it and when I see other hs families and their kids doing so well, and even my sister had 3 kids and divorced and her kids are doing great. I can’t help but wonder what I did wrong. I guess what I am asking is that Drexel & I really need prayer to get through this and move on. It is like a death with no closure. We can’t even communicate with Wes right now and it has been that way for 2 yrs. He left his whole family over this and wants no council. I guess the Prodigal Son is the best way to describe it. Sally….thank you so much for your prayers. I really do appreciate it. I still don’t regret laying down my life for my children but it sure does hurt when your children make mistakes so big that it changes every ones lives forever. I know you are busy…I don’t expect an email back. Just wanted prayer. Thank you and God Bless!!!!
Well we are still discovering our “personality” as a family. My husband and I are such opposites but in a good way. We definitely compliment each other in many ways. What we do have in common is a love for food, coffee, sweets, the outdoors, music, and a desire to follow Christ’s leading. My son, who is four, has brought our home to life! He is energetic and so very talkative and my youngest, who is just 10 months, she has my son’s energy times 20! We are just discovering her personality, glimpses here and there.
Oh I absolutely enjoy Which Wich! They have a fantastic breakfast sandwich. Reminds of the days when I worked full time and I so looked forward to a relaxing lunch after a usually nutty morning.
Wish I were in Houston hearing you speak. We are in the north Dallas area. I hope to make it to your next conference here!
Fun!! We are a creationist, military, movie loving, game playing, radio dramas, homeschooling, icecream eating, tons of books, lots of zoo trips type of family.
Thanks for sharing about the differences God gives each of us as a family. Beautiful Grace.
Sally,
We are a history, reading, music, hospitality, encouragement, horse loving, Bible loving, nature loving home educating, coffee and tea family!
I agree that we are all unique – each family culture is different!
Deanna
I know that Which Wich! My kids have already requested to go there for lunch tomorrow during the conference. My husband and I can’t wait to hear you and Clay speak this weekend…praying for you.
Sally,
I’m dying knowing you are just across the highway from me. I just read on your blog that you would be here. I’m not a home schooler and am sending my first to Kindergarten this fall but I’m a huge fan of yours. You’ve helped me define my mission with your encouraging and inspired words and I turn to you again and again to direct me back to the Truth and to remind me what mothering is all about. I had signed up for your seminar in Dallas in January and due to a round with the flu didnt’ make it. I really hope to see you in person eventually. Thank you for your inspiration!
Sarah
Hi Sally! I was SOOOO excited to hear you speak in person tonight! My husband & I are at the THSC conference for the first time! We just started homeschooling last year after God began convicting us to take a HUGE leap of faith & change our entire lives! I was introduced to your book, the Mission of Motherhood, and it totally put into words what I’ve felt in my heart for years about a divided heart. I started praying & through a series of circumstances, God allowed me to quit my high school teaching job of 17 years to come home & teach my 6th grade son & 4 yr old son. I was so thankful to be reminded of God’s calling & how we don’t need to focus on a check list. It’s so HARD to retrain this public education mind of mine but I’m trying. Thank you so much for your encouragement…I can’t wait to hear more this weekend! And maybe I could even meet you in person? How cool would that be! Kim Beechem
Love this! Such a good post! We are a book reading, Lego lovin’, cookie baking, coffee, tea, & chocolate milk drinking
, flower picking, country living, land loving, Charlotte Mason-ish, old fashioned leanin, and most of all Jesus Christ following type family! 
We are soooooooooooo blessed!
Hi Sally! Wish I was there to hear you speak…you always have such an encouraging word.
We are a coffee and chocolate loving, beach going, geocaching, book reading, golfing, Thomas Jefferson Education homeschooling, Christ following, adventurous family.
Thank you for the freedom to be us! What grace filled words — you were not perfect and yet you love how your children turned out! Perhaps you add some chapters to the seasons of a mother’s heart after you walk a little longer with grown, nest-flown children
We are a creative, book-loving, coffee, late-night, game playing, long-talking, loud-laughing, people-loving family. I’m sure there are other attributes…these just come off the top of my head.
Hmmm… well, I tell everyone I am a homeschool mother emeritus (like when professors retire but stick around the university).
We are a book loving, coffee loving (as in craving Starbucks), afternoon tea loving, tea cup collecting, old book collecting, veggie gardening, lovers of charming movies and most things British, family with one in college (moving out next week for good) and the other a remarkable wife and mommy and best friend to her mother… who also loves the Clarksons.
Oh, Victoria says I must add that we are not a home without a kitty in charge.