Right now I’m in Chicago at the Book Expo America 2016. Squeal! Isn’t that amazing?

I wasn’t even sure I’d be able to come, but I felt so strongly I needed to be here this year, my husband moved heaven and earth to make sure I could attend.

Isn’t my husband the sweetest man on earth?

I’ll have pictures next week! :)

But for now, a little on my time at the Indianapolis homeschool convention.

To say I dislike homeschooling would be an understatement. “Detest” is more accurate.

Why? I was homeschooled. And I hated it.

So when God put the IAHE convention (Indiana Association of Home Educators) on my heart and said, “Do this,” I said, “No way.”

I wanted to go to Comic Con. Well guess what? Comic Con was sold out. Their waiting list never opened. And God didn’t stop saying, “Do this.”

I reluctantly agreed and contacted the president of our Indiana chapter of ACFW, Rick Barry, to reserve a spot. Of course a spot was available. Of course. ;)

And I loved every minute of it.

Guess what? Homeschooling parents aren’t psychos bent on never letting their kids have friends, have fun, or go outside.

Each person I spoke with was intelligent, scrounging through every single piece of material available for the very best to offer their kids. Science, math, art–these people were intense. And overflowing with love.

They genuinely loved their kids and wanted the very best for them. I saw it over and over and over and over again.

And God spoke very clearly to me. He said, “This is why you’re here. Get over it. Get over your hatred of all things homeschooling, of homeschoolers, and be free. I love them. And I love you. I want you to be free.”

I had to sit down.

Really? I mean, really? That’s why God had me there?

I’d been waiting for most of the convention, you see, to find out why on earth God had practically forced me to go to a place I didn’t want to go. There was a reason, and I was going to find it.

I just assumed it was so my book could bless somebody. (Um, pride anyone? Lol.)

Nope, it was so I could get over myself, so I could be released from bondage (it’s just so much working hating something for so long, you know?), so I could see through God’s eyes, even just a little.

He did it for me.

And now I’m crying. Oh, man! Wasn’t expecting that! Haha! (As I blow my nose…)

So I’m raving to go back next year and take as many ACFW Indiana members with me as I can. This convention rocks. I met so many wonderful people I just can’t even get over it. Selling my book was like the cream cheese vanilla icing on the rich fudge chocolate cake.

(And now I need to go raid my pantry…)

And best of all? I met fellow ACFW member April Frazier, and we got to talk editing. (Happy shiver. Day made. Right there.)

Next week? How awesome was the Book Expo America 2016? Well, I’ll tell you. ;)

I love you all, goodnight, and thank you for reading my post!

In Him,

Michele

(P.S. I totally apologize if any of my pictures are upside down. Yes, I’m scared of this. Really! Last time I took pics with my iPhone and slapped them on my blog post, they went out into the world … upside down. I kinda wanted to die. Since this post is scheduled–I am in Chicago, you know–I’m awaiting its post with fear and trembling. Please, please, please post the right way–please!!!)