Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend a conference that I had actually heard about a few years ago. I still read several blogs almost daily, including this one, and when she announced that the dotMom conference was in Texas this year, not to mention less than an hour from my house, I knew I had to be there. 

Four of us jumped in the car Friday morning and spent the next 36 hours being completely filled with encouragement from amazing women (and men!) on ways to parent our kids while living in a society that continues to grow further and further away from God's truths. 

First of all, hearing Angie Smith speak in person was amazing enough. I read her story several years ago, which led to reading her blog on a regular basis. So when we went to one of the breakout sessions ("Parenting Kids 13 and Under") and realized she was the facilitator, I had a mini rock-star moment and couldn't believe I was in the same room with her. Then when there ended up being just about 20 people, she asked us all to move closer to the front which put me just two rows away from her.

The session was a question/answer style with four women sitting on the panel. Before we left that room, I ended up having a quick exchange with her about some of our favorite parenting books. Jesus Calling for Kids was my suggestion, and she agreed and offered several others. I am not sure I even heard what she said because did I mention I was having a conversation with Angie Smith??? Granted it lasted all of 20 seconds but as I said, this was my rock-star moment and it took some time to sink in.

Later that evening I had a second moment when I met this mom! She was there signing books and of course I jumped in line, shoving my phone into my friend Julie's hand so she could take a picture. I told her I felt like I knew her after reading her blog for five years. Then I mentioned that it must feel so weird anytime anyone comes up to her and says that. She responded with something very gracious like, "oh, not at all!" or "no, I love hearing that!" which is probably her go-to answer when stalker-ish people come up to her and say awkward things. 

And then.

As if the previous day wasn't enough. 

This happened.

Yes, that is Priscilla Shirer standing there with us. We are currently doing her Bible Study on Jonah and to have the opportunity to hear her speak in person was incredible.

I may or may not have followed her a good 100 yards down the hallway of the conference center. Finally she stopped to talk to someone, so we took advantage of the moment. Again, she was very gracious and didn't make us feel awkward at all. We did that all by ourselves.

The weekend was just what I needed to re-charge and re-focus. I'm so thankful to have these opportunities to help me try and do the very best I can do at the most important job I will ever have!