I’m a bit numb today. However, numb is good because the exhaustion is a result of encouraging, educating, and equipping over 4700 moms at the Hearts at Home National Conference! Those 4700 moms represented 12, 997 children whose mommies were reminded that they have the most important job in the world!
If you were at the Hearts at Home conference this weekend, I’d love to hear from you. What were your favorite parts of the conference?
I LOVED the conference! My favorite was, hands down, Kevin Leman! He was an excellent Keynote Speaker! The group of girls that I went with really enjoyed Go Fish as well!
My favorite workshops were Red Hot Monogamy and What Not To Wear! I will admit that in the years past, my FAVORITE workshop speaker was Todd Cartmell! I would LOVE for him to come back!!!
Thanks for dropping me a line! What an encouraging organization. These workshops have been life-changing for me! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Kacy Harris
Danville, IL
Hi Jill,
I am a friend of Kacy’s (above) and she invited me to the conference this year. I attended as a first-timer, and truthfully–I never want to miss again. It was wonderfully put together, and I loved almost every aspect of the two days I was there!
Thank you so much for all of the behind the scenes work that you do–I can not imagine everything that must go into putting an event like that all together.
I am with Kacy–my favorite workshop was Red Hot Monogamy. I also was highly fascinated with the Birth Order class, and really liked Karen Ehman’s Ducks in a Row.
The one I came away most inspired from though was Sally Clarkson’s reading workshop. I have always been a huge advocate of reading aloud to my boys (ages 5, 3, and 2) and they will sit (no kidding) for two hours in the afternoon while we read book after book. They simply do not tire of it, which thrills me. But, if possible, she inspired me even more with her stories and her encouragement. I loved EVERY MINUTE of that workshop!
There wasn’t a workshop that I didn’t like–they were each informative, touching, heartfelt speakers who, I knew, really desired to reach out and make a difference to the women who were listening.
And, I am so thankful that you provided that Resource Center. I came home with two of your books, three of Dr. Leman’s, three of the Farrel’s, two Go Fish CD’s, eight conference workshop CD’s, a daily devotional for myself and my sons, and several other things. I am glad I got that chance to get those resources while I was there, so I could come home and immediately begin reading and putting things I learned into practice in our home.
I will be posting some highlights on my blog as well over the next several days, and will only have good things to say. Thank you again for making this just a wonderful time of fun and fellowship. I can’t wait to come back!
Devin Merritt
Catlin, IL
Kacy and Devin—I’m so glad you loved the conference! I LOVED Dr. Kevin Leman, too!
I can’t pick a favorite…the whole day. I loved the workshop Setting a Paradigm for Purity. It’s nice to get encouragement from like-minded people.
I loved Dr. Leman and Go Fish. My kids are enjoying the CD’s I bought for them.
My only regret is that I didn’t go to both days (I have in the past). My friend and I are already looking forward to next year.
Hey Jill….
The conference was great! I enjoyed all my sessions and this morning I have tons of extra patience with my kiddos!! I know it’s just the Hearts Honeymoon Period (as I like to call it) but it will come in very handy this week as my kids are on spring break!!
Dr. Lehman was excellent and quite funny.
I loved Forever. I would have preferred to have a little more of them than the Go Fish Guys. I liked them too(I even bought a couple cds)….and a few songs would have been great….I guess I would just rather have more “mommy” music! LOL
Thanks for another awesome weekend!! We brought some new people this year and the Hearts crew did not disappoint! I can’t wait until next year!
Jill,
Thank you for obeying God's calling to start and continue Hearts at Home – it was an amazing weekend for me and many, many women! I have posted a few photos (even a blurry one of you and I) at my blog. Recognize & Remember http://www.sandrajo.wordpress.com
My husband prayed for Mark, you and your family as you recover from the conference over the next few days — I was touched. May you be protected from any and all attacks.
Blessings,
Sandra Joseph
Jill,
The conference was such a wonderful blessing! I have been attending Hearts @ Home for about 9 years, although I have missed a few years in between.
I very much enjoyed Dr. Keving Leman speaking. Not realizing he was a keynote speaker this year, I had already read his book about getting a New Kid By Friday. I loved it and plan to re-read it and want to incorporate some of the ideas. Loved his no nonsense approach. Since I have 6 kids, ages 2-12, I don’t have time for the nonsense. His approach seems just right for me.
Also, this was the first time I invited some women to come with me. My sister and sister-in-law came too. We have a little over an hour drive, so we are able to drive down Saturday morning. They both really felt informed and are excited about trying some new ideas. They are already talking about who they want to bring along next year! I am hoping that this will be a good opportunity to bring some unsaved friends next year.
I always enjoy your speaking at the main session. My sister-in-law really liked your workshop, but I didn’t get to attend that one–maybe next year.
Finally, I just wanted to let your 12-year-old son know that my 12-year-old daughter, Natalie, also is (according to her) the only kid at her school without a cell phone. And she reminds me of that often! I have 6 children, and I managed to get along just fine without a cell phone until January, 2009, and I am 38 years old! It is a very nice convenience, but not necessary. Hope that makes your son feel better! LOL
Tammy
Morris, IL
This was my second conference and I loved it. A bunch of my college girlfriends and I all came and used it as an excuse to get together and have some girlfriend time. I enjoyed Kevin Leman’s class on birth order. I also loved the class on clothing. I am not a big fashion girl but I really enjoyed this workshop, I was very impressed with Sheri’s knowledge and the way she spoke from her faith as well. It was awesome! I wish the girls in my high school small group could have seen it too!
I also enjoyed having the chance to meet you at your booth. Hearts at Home has already been a huge encouragement to me in motherhood. I am part of a book club that reads almost all book from the conference. My husband and I also did the webcast on marriage. And I read your blog. As a pastor’s wife it has been such an encouragement. Thanks for all you do!
Jill –
Once again, God used Hearts at Home to change my heart. After 5 years of being an attendee, I felt prompted to “give back” and volunteer. I had the great privilege to be a personal assistant for Victoria Johnson. WOW! What an amazing woman! She spoke on single parenting and sexual abuse. As the women and I listened to her story and the lessons to learn from it, I looked around the room. I had never experienced so much pain in one room. My heart broke for these hurting women. Even though these were very personal and private issues, her humble and caring attitude made way for great interaction. It humbled me to have the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with some of the women. My heart is forever changed as my compassion overflows. I am so thankful that you and your team brought Victoria to speak on subjects rarely spoken about. It has not only changed my life but the lives of the other attendees. Count me in for volunteering any time!!
I had such a great time at my first Hearts at Home Conference. I feel I left with more tools in my tool belt which is the entire reason I went. Thank you for organizing such a great event.
While I understand Go Fish’s purpose and appreciate their ministry, I didn’t care for them in this venue. My goal was to be recharged and rejuvenated and singing songs I normally sing at home didn’t contribute to that sense of being recharged. Just a thought for the future.
Hi Jill! I am a bit late but wanted to say, I have been to Hearts at Home for 3 years. This was BY FAR the best year I have been at. I filled up every notes page and bought a H@H pink journal book and filled up 8 of those pages! And then brought it home and shared every single note I took with my husband! God is truly amazing and I can totally see him working and moving. The past 8 months have been a challenge and a test on me and my family. My husband and I were close to divorce and farther from God then we have ever been. But God is full of grace and pulled us back even though we messed up. And we are on a path of restoration. Thank you for all you have done for H@H and bringing what we need in our lives.. BTW, loved Go Fish! But then again my kids are 5 and 3 and it is their favorite group and I see them every year at the MOPs convention.. I think it was awesome how many women had raised their hand who were seeing them for the first time! Thank you for bringing them to H@H (it was because of them we went to Moms Night Out, the first time in the 3 I have at gone to moms night out).. Blessings to you and your family and everyone behind the scenes at H@H! 🙂
Hi Jill! I am a bit late but wanted to say, I have been to Hearts at Home for 3 years. This was BY FAR the best year I have been at. I filled up every notes page and bought a H@H pink journal book and filled up 8 of those pages! And then brought it home and shared every single note I took with my husband! God is truly amazing and I can totally see him working and moving. The past 8 months have been a challenge and a test on me and my family. My husband and I were close to divorce and farther from God then we have ever been. But God is full of grace and pulled us back even though we messed up. And we are on a path of restoration. Thank you for all you have done for H@H and bringing what we need in our lives.. BTW, loved Go Fish! But then again my kids are 5 and 3 and it is their favorite group and I see them every year at the MOPs convention.. I think it was awesome how many women had raised their hand who were seeing them for the first time! Thank you for bringing them to H@H (it was because of them we went to Moms Night Out, the first time in the 3 I have at gone to moms night out).. Blessings to you and your family and everyone behind the scenes at H@H! 🙂