Being a homeschool family has brought many changes to our life. We're all still getting used to the fact that we're no longer as tied to a schedule as we were when the kids were all in public school. I often catch myself thinking, "I wish we could do that" only to realize that we CAN do that, haha!
This is exactly what happened a few weeks ago. Every year for the past 40 years, the 39th Street congregation in Independence, Missouri has hosted the Midwest Lectures. I remember attending these lectures every year as a small child. My dad has continued to be a part of these lectures, even after moving away from the area. My brother and his son attended for years, and now Russ also attends and sometimes speaks. Chris and I went for a day about 11 or 12 years ago (pre-kids), but haven't been back since even though we have often talked about how we wished we could. This year, as Mom and Dad were making plans to attend, I thought, "I sure wish we could go for a few days." Later, Tia was talking to me about how her brother is speaking on the lectures this year and that they may go up for a day or two, and again I thought, "I'd love to be able to go." Then I remembered . . . the kids' school schedule is as flexible as I want to make it and Chris gets a generous amount of vacation time with work. We CAN go if we want!
It was pretty much last week that Chris and I decided to head to Kansas City for a few days for the lectureship. We drove up on Saturday afternoon (hoping the kids would sleep in the car, but no such luck), and that evening we met up with Ross, Tia, and their girls for dinner. We wanted to go somewhere fun, so Crown Center it was!
I love KC and love being there with my crew!
We all met at Fritz's in Crown Center for a yummy dinner and some train fun. We had a great time, but it was kind of sad to see Crown Center almost dead. There was no line at all at Fritz's!
None of the little girls knew we were meeting up with each other for dinner. Fun surprises are the best!
Sadie, Caroline, Brecklyn, and Brooke
Sadie, Brianna, and Caroline
Yay for Fritz's!
It had been a super tough week for the S family. They got the news that the company Ross works for is laying off most of their Tulsa employees, including Ross, effective immediately. This is sadly more consequences of COVID and all the shut-downs that occurred earlier in the year. Being able to meet up with each other without all the stresses and heaviness of home was just what we all needed. I'm so grateful for the timing of it all!
Brenson, Brooke, Brecklyn, and Brianna at Crown Center
The next morning (Sunday), we drove into the parking lot of the 39th Street church building and the kids immediately spotted Grampy and G-Jo, who were visiting with a group of brethren and friends that included Tia's brother and wife. The kids were so excited to see their grandparents that they bolted across the parking lot to get to them! The little girls were also very happy to go to bible class with Sadie and Caroline, even though we were away from home.
Waiting to be seated at a BBQ restaurant for lunch
Grampy insisted on going for ice cream after services Sunday evening. Sigh. I learned though that he has an ice cream reputation with several of the brethren, especially those he's been on mission trips with, haha!
Brecklyn and Brooke were all about the ice cream treat!
Lectures began on Monday morning at 9:00am, with a total of seven for the day. We stayed for all seven, and thoroughly enjoyed seeing many people that we know from various times and places in our life. Brianna was delighted to see kids she attended camp with, and it didn't take long for her and Brenson to find a group of kids to sit with during the lectures. There's something very special about my children playing with children of people I grew up with AND that have grandparents who are friends with my parents. It just reminds me of how sweet heaven will be one day!!!
Monday afternoon, we returned to our hotel room for a few hours of rest. The housekeeping service had lined up all of the kids' stuffed animals just so. They wanted to know why I didn't do that at home, haha!
Travelling with kids is always an adventure, and this trip definitely had its moments. Due to county laws, we were required to wear a mask in the church building unless we were seated in a pew. Monday morning, I took Brooke to the bathroom during one of the lectures, where she dropped her cloth mask in the toilet! UGH!!! I couldn't just let her flush it down, so we had to get it out. Then, I threw that mess away!!! During another lecture, Brooke was using a purple marker and it exploded all over her, her clothes, and the cloth pew. Thankfully, we had moved to the very back of the auditorium after we discovered the first pew we sat in (toward the front) was broken, haha.
The lectures lasted Sunday through Thursday, but we had to head home on Tuesday so Chris could get back to work. We stayed for the three morning and two afternoon lectures on Tuesday, then hit the road for home. It wasn't long before I looked back and saw this in the van:
I guess 16 sessions in three days had worn my crew out! We are so thankful that we had the opportunity to attend the lectures this year. I'm quickly finding that one of my favorite things about homeschooling is the schedule flexibility. Besides, I truly believe that my kids learned way more these past few days than they would have in a classroom! Being with like-minded, encouraging brethren was such a tremendous blessing, especially after the year of isolation and change that we've had. How beautiful heaven must be!
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