Don’t you love a good day away? I’m talking about the kind of day where you attend Mass sans kids (and can actually get a few prayers in); the awesome, spirit-restoring kind of day where you are treated to a continental breakfast, a wonderful speaker, great conversations with friends old and new, and—to top it all off—an elegant luncheon as a finale.
I had that kind of day yesterday. I said yes to all of the above, including a half a slice each of both the Texas Sheet Cake and the Lemon Lush dessert.
I’m such a lush when it comes to sweets.
Yum.
Here are some photos from our day, at which laughter and joy abounded and where Anne Bielejeski, (one of my favorite speakers ever), gave a talk entitled, “Will you continue to say yes to Me?”
As the homeschooling mother of 11 children (ages 3 to 23), with a daughter newly married (and expecting!) and another daughter a postulant with the Nashville Dominicans, Anne understands saying yes to God.
If you think that she’s proud of her two oldest daughters, you are right. If you think that she also misses them terribly, you are right again.
Onward to other photos.
Here is a photo of our fearless organizers.
Are you thinking that you should have attended this event yet?
I call this next series “Mom and Baby.”
You can see what perfect babies they’re all being. That’s ‘cause the speaker was so good.
Or because the emcee was so boring. I can’t be sure.
You can never take too many photos of sleeping babies, I always say.
This is my friend Molly. She’s laughing because her little girl was—ahem— filling her pants as I took the photo. “It’s an action shot!” Molly said.
One last photo and then I’ll let you get back to your Sunday, I promise.
Did your Sunday include an infinitely perfect moment like this one?
Then count it all joy, dear friend of the heart! It’s hard to have a better day than that.
One last last thing and then I’ll really let you : There will be another Mothers’ Day of Renewal next year.
Do you think you can/should/ought to go?
I do. I really, really do.
You should say yes to this event.
All for the greater glory of God,
It would have been nice to have been there. I had to decline because of the husband’s plan to be off skiing and ice climbing in Utah.
Nevertheless, I’m grateful today for what I have. Renewal comes in many forms.
Sounds lovely! We have a Women’s Day of Renewal every spring in my parish. Spring sound wonderful right about now! Down with a bug. Calgon, take me away!
i wish there were a picture of the emcee!
I just loved this post… what a wonderful day for al of you!
I’m glad you had a day away to start fresh and renew!!
We have a Catholic Women’s Conference this next weekend and I am so looking forward to it!! It’s a little closer than yours was and my hubby can only handle, I mean watch the kiddos one Saturday, not 2 in a row!!
The main speaker is Dr Janet Smith!
There’s a lovely breakfast and lunch and the day is started with Mass and confessions! Do you want to come to our conference?
Sounds like a fabulous day! Love the pictures.
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That does sound like a wonderful day!! Yes, Anne is a wonderfl woman and speaker. Enjoyed her and John at homeschool conference last year. I can only imagine what a blessing yesterday must have been. Hope that you were rejuvenated and abundantly blessed. Maybe next year I’ll be able find out about it and go. Blessings!
I love the idea of having a Day of Reflection for homeschooling moms. Would you mind sharing (perhaps later if you’re busy) what the day entailed? Just a very generic outline, if you will.
Our town doesn’t have a homeschooling conference but I’m thinking maybe this would be a small way to start.
Also, I’m pretty sure you meant Nashville Dominicans. 😉
Thanks for sharing.
So that’s why I couldn’t find a link to the “National” Dominicans! What can I say, Lillian? I’m hard of hearing. 🙂
I wish we had something like that here!! It sounds lovely… thanks for sharing!
~Jenny
Love, love, love the Dominicans down here in Nashville. They give my children’s school beautiful direction and focus, and have you met them? They are energetic and funny and engaging, great sources for sharing the faith.
I’m looking forward to a similar “day away,” our Catholic Women of Faith Conference in March.
How nice to see the picture of Molly with a daughter! She was a member of our HS group at St. Paul’s in Ham Lake for several years, but only traveled with boys then. 😉
Hi Margaret, I’m a fairly new blogger, and just discovered yours! I recognized Anne, so I thought I’d say hi, since we both know her! 😉 She is amazing, isn’t she?! Anyway, I don’t homeschool, but I do have 5 little ones … So a day of renewal is always welcome! Our parish is hosting a women’s retreat in a few weeks, and I can’t wait 😉 God bless your day!