This past weekend proved to be a wonderful time of fellowship, learning, and mental and spiritual renewal. Writers need to get out of their offices every now and again, and a writer’s conference is a great excuse to do so. Nearly 100 of us gathered in Phoenix for the Faith, Hope, and Love Christian Writers Conference.
The picture above was taken on the first night when our very own Dani Pettrey presented the first keynote address. She spoke of finding joy in the journey, and as someone who craves joy, I found it incredibly inspiring. And Kimberley Woodhouse is one of the sweetest, most encouraging cheerleaders I know, so I found a lot of joy hanging out with her over the weekend.
Laughing with friends has to be one of God’s most precious gifts.
I’m actually on the Board of FHLCW, so I was involved with the conference committee, and there was an additional layer of joy to be found in seeing the conference we’d be working on and praying over for the last year, finaly come to fruition.
I taught a session on . . . wait for it . . . Winning Readers with Humor. (Are you catching on that I’m a joy junkie?)
And in keeping with my theme for the weekend, Robin and I hammed it up for the camera at the photo booth.
Besides all the fun and games, there were many opportunities to worship, be spiritually uplifted by devotionals and keynote messages, and gain professional development from the excellent sessions. I came away ready to serve my Lord at the keyboard with renewed dedication.
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Since I’m all about the joy, I’d like to share some of that joy with you! While I was at the conference, I had the chance to pick up some new books including these two beauties. One person who leaves a comment will win both of these books. (US addresses only.)
When was the last time you got together with family or friends for a fun weekend? What did you do?
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The last time I had a fun weekend was with my sisters.
They shopped for clothes, shoes, etc. and I shopped for books.
We also watched the movie, “Mom’s Night Out” and laughed
until we almost, well you get the idea.
We don’t get together very often but when we do, look out!
That sounds like a wonderful weekend, Janet! I love that you shopped in the bookstore whiel they hunted fashion. A woman after my own heart. 🙂 I only had a brother growing up, so I’ve missed the special joy that comes from having sisters, but it sounds like you made some marvelous memories.
I love finding new authors and new books
Me, too, Dianna. It’s like being on a treasure hunt. 🙂
I’m so glad you had a JOYful weekend, Karen! The last time I got together for a weekend was with friends for StoryFest. We extended our trip beyond that weekend though and spent the following week with various friends. It was fantastic getting to see all of them (we all live in different states).
What a perfect name you have! 🙂 I’m so glad you extended your time with your reader friends after StoryFest. That sounds like a marvelous vacation!
My husband and I just spent a few days on Hilton Head Island with a dear couple from church who are about 20 years older than us. We loved every minute of it!
That sounds lovely, Kathy. I’ve never been to Hilton Head, but it looks like a wonderfully relaxing place to stay. I hope it wasn’t hurt too badly by the recent hurricane.
Sounds like a great event. I’ve read reports from several other authors who were there.
Thanks for sharing your pictures and thoughts.
Usually, I come home from conferences feeling weary from all the “peopling” as well as the learning and traveling, but I actually came home rejuvinated from this one. I’m glad you are hearing from other authors that they had a wonderful time as well.
This weekend my Maine daughter and husband are coming to Michigan for a visit, and we have an air-bn-b about 20 miles north of us for four days. My daughter from Minn. is flying in on Monday. We will be entertaining our Michigan son and daughter during the week. What a fun time. All of my kids in one week.
That sounds like a wonderful blessing of family time, Judie! Now that my kids are no longer living at home, I crave that together time. Enjoy every moment!
Sounds like your had a fabulous time!
Our last fun weekend with friends was a few months ago. We went to our friend’s home in a little town in IL across the river from St. Louis. All four of us love photography – especially of critters in their natural environment. They had scouted out some amazing places to do just that in the surrounding areas. Of course, life can’t all be about photography. There was lots of catching up chatting, a few antique places to check out between sites and some amazing food found to fill our tummies as much as our souls from the wonderful friendship time. Now that I think about it, it’s been too long. I’m thinking it’s time for us to start making plans for a fall get together! When friends become family, there’s always fun to be had when you can get together making you wish the distance between you was less.
I loved reading your description, Kay. How easy to picture you and your friends with your cameras, sense of adventure, and laughter as you explore. Sounds like a wonderful time!
Looks like a great time was had by all! I’m looking forward to a weekend with my sister and her husband (and my husband!) at their new lake house next weekend.
That sounds wonderful, D’Ann. I love lakes. They are just so peaceful.
I loved this update on the conference, Karen! I’m so glad it was a wonderful time. 🙂 Hanging out with other Christian writers is good for the soul!
Amen! So much encouragement and godliness floating around those rooms!
A few weeks ago my family all drove up to the mountains to go to a few apple orchards. It was nice since we really don’t get to do a lot all together anymore. 😁
What a charming trip. That sounds lovely, Bridget.
The last time I got away for the weekend was about a month ago. I was invited on my future daughter-in-laws bachelorette trip! We all stayed in a big antebellum type house near the river in Natchez, MS. We had a great time! We did a pedal cruiser tour around down town, shopped and ate a lot! So fun!
That sounds super fun, Bev. And what a joy to be invited by your future daughter-in-law. So great to see that you both already get along so well. 🙂
My oldest son came to visit last weekend to celebrate my birthday. We toured a horse farm and had a delicious dinner. Thanks for the giveaway!
Ooo – I want to tour a horse farm! How fun! So glad you got to spend the special day with your son, Susan. 🙂
It was Christmas last year. Blessings
Christmas is always such a special time. Love that!
I spent a week in the mountains with my sister in August. We hiked and shopped and ate good food nearly every day. That is my idea of fun!
That sounds heavenly, Joyce. I love the mountains!
Book conferences can be so fun! I love getting to meet authors and connect with other people that love books as much as I do. Thanks for the chance to win!
I couldn’t agree more, Megan!
It has been ages since getting together for a fun weekend. But it looks like you had a really wonderful time.
I did. Thanks, Jocelyn. I hope you have the chance to have a fun weekend one of these days. Even if it is just a stay-cation at home with a little pampering. 🙂
Last weekend I/we got to go to an 80th birthday party for three members of our orphan family. We have been together to celebrate holidays for about 40 years. Our children thought of each other as cousins. All of us had family in the Midwest so became close when we all moved to Colorado after college.
What a wonderful celebration! I love that you have all stayed so close through the years. That is remarkable!
My church had a retreat in April. That was so fun and spiritually refreshing. I got to chat with people that I don’t usually get to spend time with. We had great speakers, great activities, and wonderful music. It was held at our church but we still did very unusual things. My church’s librarian and I were able to promote our collection, and it has been used a lot more since. Thank you for this chance to read these new to me authors.
That sounds lovely, Lorraine! We all need those spiritual uplifts every now and then. And yay for the chruch library!
It’s been a couple of months since my whole family met but we are getting together Sunday to celebrate our October and November birthdays. It’s extra fun now that we have a baby in the family again. My nephew and his wife had a girl in June.
Congrats on the new addition to you family, Pam! Babies bring so much joy and energy, don’t they? Hope you have a wonderful time with family this weekend.
We have a WINNER! Congratulations to Lorraine Groom-Ashmore. She has won the pair of giveaway books. Lorraine, I sent you an email. Keep an eye out. 🙂
Probably a long time ago because I can’t Romberg when the last one took place