As I landed on the tarmac in Orlando, I braced myself for what I thought would be a very stressful and overwhelming weekend. Jen Ig and I were going to the Florida Parent-Educators Association's annual homeschool convention. Since I had never been to a homeschool convention, I had all sorts of fairly negative preconceived notions about what it would be like. Conventions were just not for me, and I could homeschool just fine without them, thank you! What misconceived otions I had!

I found myself surprised by the grace and kindness of people, by the overpowering excitement that permeated the huge hall, and by my own reactions to the people we met. I really sensed the beauty of being a part of something bigger than my own little homeschool. Not only were we welcomed by the FPEA staff, but truly everyone we met was kind and considerate. At one point we lost a very expensive camera, and people were so helpful. In any other place we could have expected never to see it again, but not here! We had it back within an hour of losing it. Every single FPEA person we dealt with went well beyond his or her call, and I was impressed.

I was encouraged just by being there.

What really struck me personally, though, was the current of expectation and enthusiasm that I could palpably feel in the vendor hall. I was encouraged just by being there. I was motivated and excited to get back to my own homeschool and implement some of the marvelous things I had learned there. Eighty-five separate seminars were given by the some of the biggest names in the homeschool world. We could learn straight from the lips of the authors of our favorite homeschooling books! We could chat with them at their booths and see them face to face. We could even ask them specific questions about their curriculum! It was a marvelous adventure to me.

Perhaps it was the fact that I was there with 5,000 other people all motivated to be the movers and shakers in their own children's lives that made my own journey all the more real. Perhaps it was that I knew without a doubt that I was not alone in this long voyage of discovery that made the trip to the convention worth every moment. Whatever it was, all I can say is that I now look forward to conventions, to that encouragement and inspiration that we homeschooling moms so desperately need; and I can't wait to get back!

Kate Kessler and her delightful husband, Mark, an IT wizard, enjoy their five marvelous children and cat, Pippen. As a Classical/Charlotte Mason homeschooler, Kate enjoys a varied curriculum, reading historical fiction with her children, and answering their innumerable questions. She also works as a freelance writer. www.HomeschoolBlogger.com/TOSOnlineLab