This June on the 21st and 22nd, our family ( excluding Sarah who graciously stayed home with the cow) went to St Charles, Missouri for the CHEF “Christian Home Educators Fellowship” conference. We were able to see some old friends, listen to some great speakers with grand topics, got to have a mini family reunion, went to a “Civil War” ball, and even got to participate in the making of a film!
While in St Charles, we were able to visit the Servens’ church. While we were at the CHEF conference we stayed with the Hamman family. They were so hospitable! We were also able to see the Payne family from our home church at the conference.
We left home early on Sunday, the 19th in order to make it for church in St Charles. On Monday we were surprised to see Grandmama and Granddaddy drive up the Hammons driveway! They had come up from Florida for the CHEF conference. They had also brought along some gifts. The first was a gift to Kitty. Her best friend Livy Pollock had come with the Frodges! The second gift was Mama’s good friend from Florida; Mrs. Franklin! The last, but not least, was a gift for us all. The happy, smiling-faced cousin Callie! We were SO happy to see them all!!! Matthew and Daniel (Miller) drove up on Tuesday afternoon! We are always delighted to visit with them!
The theme for this year’s CHEF conference was “ Why History Teaches Us To Hope”. The main era it was based on was the second war for Independence (AKA Civil War). There were also sub-topics. Mama and Papa really enjoyed Mr. Reb Bradley’s talks. Mr. Bradley wrote the book Child Training Tips.
I learned a lot from Mr. John Dwyer. He revealed some interesting facts; such as: after the war in 1877 the first 11 Confederate States were turned into Military districts. Mr. Phillips spoke on some very good topics as well! I loved his talk on General JacksonJ It was wonderful! Mr. Potter’s talk on the First Texas Regiment at Antiem was very amusing as well as sad! I only listened to a little bit of Mr. Baucham’s “ Teaching Your Children with Your Grandchildren in Mind”. I liked what little I did hear though.
The other speakers were Herb Titus, Reb Bradley, Robert Oesch, and Barry Petrowsky.
The speakers for mothers who wished to learn more about child training were Beverly Bradley, and Silvia Mondragon.
While we were there, some friends of ours asked if Grace could play a part in a movie they were making. She was delighted! Go here to see the website. The movie was about a Georgian village during Sherman’s march in the war for Second Independence (AKA Civil War). Kitty, Grace Peter and I went up there on the 19th to be in another scene! It was SO fun!!!!!
One of my favorite things was the Ball after the last session! It was very entertaining!!!!
We really had an absolutely marvelous time at the Christian Home Educators of Missouri conference! I loved meeting new friends! The topics were fantastic as usual! I can’t wait till next year!! The topics will be – The Importance of Family, Church and Civil Governments, The Scottish Covenant, and The American Covenant. Some of the entertaining happenings will be Scottish and Colonial re-enactors, Bagpipes, and a Scottish Colonial Ball! The speakers will be Dr. Marshall Foster, Dr. Paul Jehle, Wade Myers, Doug Phillips, Chuck Bentley, Douglas Bond, Col. John Eidsmoe, and Kevin Swanson.
Our family is really looking forward to next year’s conference!!!!!!!!!
Friends
Emma and Ellie playing Mommy. I remember doing that!:)
Peter reading Ian a book.Ian doesn’t look very interested….:) Peter’s always so sweet about reading Paul books when us girls are really busy with cleaning or preparing dinner!<3
Us girls the day before the conference, deciding how we’d do our hair:)
The boys and “Snip” as they call Peter:)
Mrs. Franklin and Mrs. Hamman making sandwiches for lunch.
Mrs. Hamman and Mama. Thank y’all for y’alls wonderful hospitality!
Mr. Hamman and Papa talking.
Granddday talking with Mr. Mays.
Isabella!!:)
Family
My wonderful parents!
Matthew, you can smile better than that, I know you can!:)
During a lunch break.
Friends forever!
Smile Paul! Oh, wait, he is smiling…….
” Roy Rogers visited me last night and said, ‘ You are SSOOO cute!’ ” ( family joke y’all)
Two cowboy hats side by side. Try and guess who’s is who’s.
I’ll be dogged! It’s a group picture!;)
Grandmama and Mrs. Franklin:)
My cute little sisters!<3
Freddie boy is bored…….
A terrible self portrait of myself!
The Speakers.
Mr. Potter. I love his talks!
Mr. Dwyer speaking. He’s really interesting!
Mr. Phillips was showing us a clip from Gods and Generals here. I love that movie!
A blurry picture of Mr. Phillips.
The Movie Making
My beautiful and very talented sister!
Jessica, Grace and Holly.
Annabelle is adorable!
“Your family is in our prayers Sam.”
This is the main character, Sam Saffa.
These two beautiful girls,Renee’ and Jessica Littmann, are the movie director’s sisters.
The Ball.
Let me interpret this picture. It is Kitty, Liv, Grace, Callie and I in front of a beautiful fireplace getting our picture taken.
I love that dance!:)
The Grand March!
Gracelynne, me and 2 other girls trying to figure out the dance steps. 🙂
Cousins<3
Kitty and Livy dancing!
Thank y’all for stopping by!
In Christ,
Markie
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Dear Hamanns!
How are y’all? Thank y’all so much for letting us and the family from Florida stay with y’all! We had a great time!
Man! I always do that!:/ Oh well, one day I will get y’alls last name right;)
In Christ,
Markie
Dear Markie,
Great job on the blog for the Chef Conference! We loved the pictures of you all visiting with us! We had so much fun having you all stay with us. Even the rest of the clan! Oh by the way you spelled our last name wrong! We love you anyway!
The Hamanns
Hey RJ:) Haha:) You’re so funny;) They were put there when we entered the restaurant, and *not* by a girl;) You are right, Matthew didn’t set his hat there. Granddaddy and Peter set their hats there:)
When will we be seeing you again? Will you be at your house tomorrow? We’re going to have supper with Dan’l there.:)
Love you!
Markie
10 bucks that wasn’t Matthew that set his hat there. Any one who wears a hat knows not to set it on a table with out leaving the front part of the brim hanging over the side, it turns it up and makes it look DOOOORKY…… Looks like a girl got the grand idea to steal it, and move it for the photo opportunity……. :):):):):)
That would be nice! We want to go up and see it, we’re not sure yet whether we can though:) Mama really wants to go to the ball:)
In Christ,
Markie
Don’t say anything…but we might be able to show it at the ball…that is our goal. 🙂 If not we will have it in a theater hopefully by December 17. Are you guys comming up?
Hey Sam! We had to have at least one picture of the main actor;) By the way, when is the premier going to be? Will it be any time near the CHEF Christmas Ball? We can’t wait to see the movie! Grace really enjoyed working with y’all!
Hey Suds! Aw thanks! 🙂 I didn’t know I was that good a storyteller;) We really enjoyed having your Mama here with us! Next time you yourself need to come up!:):) I miss you SO much!<3 Will you be coming up in November with Grandmama and Granddaddy?? 🙂 We'd love to see you!!!!<3
Oh, Markie, when I read this post it was just as if you were telling me all about it face to face! I miss you so much! Sounds like you had a wonderful time! 🙂
Love,
Sadie
Oh brother! You guys are going to be the end of me! Those pics were not needed….but we did have fun! Thanks again Grace for working with us!
Samuel
Hey Abby! Thanks 🙂 We did have fun! Maybe y’all can come up next year for it;)
Callie, Thank you:) It was a blast having you here! Hopefully we’ll be able to see y’all soon:):)
Love,
Markie
Great post Markie! That conference was really good and I/we all had a great time! 🙂
LOL I’m glad you miss me so much…. 😉 I miss you too!
Love Callie
Umm….sorry Grandmother 😉 Didn’t see you were still logged in. Oops 😛
Abby
Thanks for the post and pictures, Markie! It looks like y’all had so much fun! Love you!
Love,
Abby~