ICHE Convention

As many of you know, last week we were at the Illinois Christian Home Educators state convention. We were blessed to be counted among the many volunteers who worked together at this event.

I'm curious to know the final total of attendees, but I do know that thousands of people filled Calvary Church in Naperville this weekend!

Faith and I had the opportunity to play before the keynote presentations each morning. I think it's ironic that for many years Mom has wanted us to be able to play at one of these conventions, and we always told her that it'd never happen!

Faith worked at some of the speakers' tables helping to sell their books. This picture was taken at Diana Waring's table.

Hmm, after some of the stories that emerged from last year's convention, we're wondering if there's a good reason why Jason was put in a "cage"....

Actually, he helped to run the sound and recording equipment in some of the rooms where work shops were held. This particular room was a youth room that was decorated to look like an alley, which explains the chain link fence.

Hmm, perhaps it is the only safe place to put him after all....

I had the priviledge of working with Helena Bluedorn in the hospitality room. The hospitality room was where we kept the snacks and drinks for the volunteers and speakers as well as where we ate our meals.

We all found it amusing how many of the women and girls wore matching outfits each day. Helena and I hadn't planned it, but we co-ordinated every day we worked together!

Mom and Dad were in charge of the Oasis this year. The Oasis was a relaxing place in the vendor hall where people could come and talk to veteran homeschoolers and find encouragement and answers to their questions.

Mom never does anything in half-measures. She spent a lot of time on these decorations!

The theme for the convention was "Anchored in Christ", hence the theme of the decor.

I think the job fit Mom and Dad perfectly - they absolutely loved talking to everyone who stopped in!

Saturday was "turquoise day"! Faith and I had planned to match since we were performing, but we had no idea that Martha Johnson would also wear the same colors!

On Friday night after the convention we had a young adult gathering where we played games and visited together.

Foose-ball....(did I spell that correctly?)

Phase Ten....

Loaded Questions....

Dominoes....

It's so nice to be able to spend time with so many old and new friends!


We were all so glad that the Moeller family could be at the convention this year. Spending time with them was such a blessing.

Mrs. Skarin is on the left, Colleen Moeller in the center and Mrs. Johnson on the right.

And no, it wasn't just "young adults" that got together. Many of the parents joined us as well.

These next pictures were taken on the last day as everything was being taken down.

Jacob, Gretchen, Becca, Haley and Kelli

I don't know who had the idea for me to doodle on name tags, but this particular one was Jason's inspiration.

What do you think- does it look like Shannon Moeller?

The results of early mornings, late nights, and hard work!

These are about all the pictures I have, but I'm sure all the other blogs will soon have more pictures posted, so I'll be swiping some from them. What a fun but tiring weekend!