CHEA

CHEA time!  On my way to the Christian homeschooling convention in Pasadena, I called some acquaintances to see who would be attending this year’s CHEA.  The couple I met up with last year decided not to go this year, but they told me they know Jan Miles was going.  I tried her cell and left her a rambling, nervous message.  I really hoped she would return my call, the idea of being at CHEA by myself wasn’t appealing in the least.  I hate and have always hated being places by myself.  And even if I don’t hang out with the person I’m with every second, I like knowing they are there.  If I need them, they are there.  If I’m feeling lonely, I know they are there.  I don’t have to do that awkward banter that comes with being around new people or people I don’t know that well.

I found a cheaper parking place than last year and walked the few blocks.  I looked at my phone, still no calls from Jan.  I tried her again maybe I forgot to say my name on the message and she had no idea who was rambling on her phone.  Or maybe I was just being paranoid.  Crap, what if she had decided not to come and now my call was waking her up.  Doh!  If Jules or Deeds had just sucked it up and come, this wouldn’t be a problem for me.  Why hadn’t I been blessed with good friends willing to go the extra mile for me?

I registered, got everything I needed, then I walked towards the first lecture/talk of the day, by myself.  I sat in the extreme back like I always do when I’m alone.  Jessica Hulcy gave the keynote session, “Homeschool:  Why Stay the Course?”.  She spoke about things I needed to hear.  About the times I do get embarrassed or uncomfortable when I hear the kids say things I’ve taught them.  I’m teaching them what’s right and they are standing up proclaiming that, why is that bad?  It’s not.  Jessica was a very engaging, funny, and interesting speaker.  Her speech encouraged me to press on.

After the first speaker, I walked out to the front of the building and saw no message or missed call from Jan.  I decided to try her again.  Once again, no answer.  I was disappointed, but que sera sear.  I put my phone in my pocket, looked up and saw Jan’s daughter, Emily.  If Emily was at the convention, then Jan was too.  I turned my head to the right and there was Jan.  Oh happy days!  I quickly walked over to them.  She hadn’t gotten my messages.  God is always working.

 We chatted and talked about what speakers we were going to hear.  We walked around for a bit, then went our separate ways to meet up later.   Yiippeee!

For the first time, I felt like I knew kinda what I was doing.  I went to the used curriculum sale.  I went to the second grade section and perused.  I knew the health book I needed for Jory and I found it, I even got one for third grade so I could be covered.  I saw the one I had just purchased online.  A creation science book caught my eye and I grabbed that too.  I tried to find some fiction books for him, but that section was reminding me of trying to shop at TJ Maxx’s or Ross I have to be in the right mood to do that and I didn’t have the time or the inclination to be in that mood.  But I found some videos, Psalty.  What is a child growing up in a Christian home without Psalty?

I walked out with my curriculum, dictionary, videos, and felt proud.  I was really one of these homeschooling moms or something.  As I was carrying my belongings, it really hit me why everyone has the little carry on suitcases with them.  I noticed a woman out of the corner of my eye, she looked familiar.  She was familiar, she asked my name and it clicked for both of us.  God is always working.  Here I worried I would be by myself at CHEA and He not only put Jan in my direct vision, He put this couple in my path also.

I carried my stuff to my car, except I couldn’t find it.  I walked around and around and around trying to remember which lot I parked in exactly.  Happy, happy, joy, joy!  Then I found it, after walking back from where I started.

A nice lunch, trying a fish taco for the first time ever, I was feeling super adventurous.  I talked to a friend on the phone while I ate.  A long distance lunch date- - those rock.  As I was walking to meet up with Jan, I ran into some acquaintances and they invited me to join them for lunch.  So sweet of them, I thanked them and told them I was meeting. someone already.  Then I met up with Jan and her kids, we walked and chatted.  This Jan woman is pretty cool.  We were going  to different seminars, so we parted ways again. 

I went to hear my favorite speaker, Dr. Voddie Baucham.  His seminar was on “Bible Study Basics:  How to Study and Teach the Bible at Home.”  I thought he would be speaking on verses, chapters, books, and how to teach them, apply them to your lives and how to help your children understand them on their level.  Uh, yeah that wasn’t what this lecture was about.  So much was being said, I stopped taking notes five minutes in.  He was talking about things I had never heard before, studying the Bible in ways I’ve never done before.  It was overwhelming.

I decided to follow up one overwhelming experience with another one.  I ventured into the enormous convention hall to brave all the vendors alone.  I remembered being so overwhelmed my first year at CHEA, even with Deeds by my side.  She navigated it like a pro, while I was on sensory overload.  I decided to work a pattern, I started on the outside and decided I would work my way in from there.  I stopped at Math-U-See and got our curriculum.  Stopped by Sonlight to purchase our curriculum after reminding myself as to why I was spending the extra money buying brand new curriculum as opposed to used like I did last year.  It was the more convenient for me lay out.  The things we pay extra money for.

I did some price comparison shopping, kept my budget in mind, then finally I was done and it was time to leave to meet Jan to get hear the always awesome Dr. Voddie Baucham.  He so rocks my world!  If he lived in LA still, I would attend his church.

Voddie gave the final keynote session.  He talked about marriage and husbands and wives’ duties within marriage.  It was informative, interesting, learned some new things, learned to put familiar things in an easier to understand way.  I so do love this man.

All in all, it was a good CHEA.