I did a lot of unit studies when my children were younger. I had a form for unit study planning that included 4 "F"s. Here is my review of the conference using these 4 elements (except I changed the Field trip to Friends because the whole conference was a field trip!)1. Facts-
- A two day conference one hour from home that went from 8:30 am to 9:30 pm. We drove home on Friday to sleep in our own beds and to feed our chickens. A little extra time on the road but so worth it.
- Topics that included defining the home, church, brother/sister relationship, patriarchy, courtship, biblical femininity, honoring parents, state of the union, and hope for the future, among other things.
- Access to quality reading material for purchase.
- 500 like minded people, babies too, in one room.
2. Friends-
- The opportunity to meet and fellowship with like-minded families from all over the country.
- We met a family that lives near enough to get together on a regular basis!
- We also met people we had found online through blogging and got to see them face to face and share a hug!
- Friends we had met before but don't see often were there, too.
3. Fun-
- I found out that the Botkins don't have "fun", they work (as quoted from one of their children). But I think what they really mean is that they don't waste time in useless pursuits that don't have any real meaning. What they do is enjoyable to them.
- We had so much "fun" learning more about what the Bible says about raising our families for His glory. I had "fun" being challenged and convicted by the insightful comments of the Botkins. These things are fun for me!
4. Fundamentals-
- The Bible is the foundation for all the fundamentals. It is the only true guide for raising our children and guiding our own lives. We heard the Word over and over, often quoted by the Botkin children. I was thrilled to learn that some of the things in my heart were really on the right path. I just hadn't been able to express them or maybe put my finger on it specifically. Conviction and not condemnation tugged on my heart and that of my husband over certain issues. It is a call to come up another level. It was also reassuring to see the fruit of the labor of raising one's children in the way of the Lord.
- I was impressed with the sense of humility in the Botkin family. They were very earnest and passionate about their message. We were made to feel as their equals and yet they were serving us the entire time.
- The experience was a fine tuning of our direction; fleshing out more of the details of our journey. It was also an encouragement to persevere. Don't give up or give in. It will be worth it in the end.
Lastly, a thank you to the Botkins themselves for laying down their lives this weekend to serve, encourage and exhort fellow believers. They did it at personal cost as most of them were struggling with illness. God bless you abundantly for all you did for us!
Now if the Botkins do this again, let me encourage you to go and learn. I know that I'll be checking to see if I can be there too.
Blessings,
Gloria
