For the past two days I’ve been speaking at the Association of Christian Schools International convention in Birmingham, AL. It’s been a beautiful experience.
It often amazes me how much can be accomplished in just a few days. This trip is no different. I arrived late Wednesday morning with two members of my staff. We set up our exhibit space and two of us had dinner with a friend who we used to attend church with.
Thursday I spoke three times, we interacted with many people at our exhibit booth, we had dinner with the other convention guests, and we attended an outstanding concert. It was a long day!
Today I spoke three more times and we interacted with even more people at our booth. Then we packed up unsold products and went to a different friend’s house for dinner. There we interacted with several women who wanted to meet me. I learned a lot from the questions they asked me about their children. I definitely enjoyed meeting them and sharing my insights. It was another long day!
Our days have been very full. But, how our days have been isn’t the most important thing to me. Instead, it’s how people’s days will be.
Will teachers who heard me speak try some of the ideas I explained? Will they try them more than once if they don’t work smoothly the first time? How will children benefit? What about the moms we met tonight? Will they remember some of our conclusions? Will they relate differently to their children because we talked tonight? I have high expectations for the moms and the teachers at the convention because they were teachable, attentive, and joyful. I believe many children will benefit.
I think the most important days of a convention are the days that follow.
January 26, 2008 at 10:21 am
I was at the strong-willed session yesterday morning. I’m a school secretary and I was encouraged with what I learned that will most certainly be beneficial to all our early childhood teachers (our director purchased the CD). On a personal note, I had told my daughter that this session was available and she could hardly wait to hear what I learned. In fact, she called me as I was in another session hoping to get a report. They have 2 strong wills, ages 4 & 2. I’m sure you’ll get an order today for the full version of Focus on Solutions available on-line. They have been searching for technique to try to deal with Grace’s stong will and I’m certain they will try your suggestions. Thanks for your encouragement and may God bless your ministry to parents, grandparents & educators everywhere. You’ve certainly blessed me !
P.S. I’m not a blogger, but my son-in-law (father of the strong wills) is and he will be elated to know that you are a Packer fan.
He’s the biggest Packer fan I know.
January 26, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Hi! My name is Tracy and I live in Nothwest Missouri. My mom just attended the conference in Birmingham with Emmanuel Christian School. She was very excited about your session pertaining to strong-willed kids and has given me lots of info from it! I have a strong-willed 4-year-old and am looking forward to trying some of the techniques you have offered. I pray that they will help! I’m excited to learn about your site and blog and look forward to checking it out often!
PS We, too, are big Packer Fans and are recovering from the loss! Nontheless, GO PACK GO……maybe next year!!
January 26, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Kathy … it’s all ripples. The teaching and resources … they are stones skipped across a still receptive lake and when they sink … there are just bands and bands of ripples. It does change parents and teachers … this DOES flow down to kids … I have seen it again and again when you speak.
Keep up the great work my friend …
January 27, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Sarah – Thanks for the encouraging reminder that you’ve seen the effect of my ministry. I loved teaching you and your colleagues in Seoul. Maybe I’ll get back there some day! -Kathy
January 28, 2008 at 9:49 am
Hi Kathy – I attended all of your sessions this past week in Birmingham and I LOVED them all! It is now 9:45, on Monday morning, in Tuscaloosa, AL and I have already used many of your correcting and complementing techniques. It is amazing to see the kids as I am responding to them differently. You can see a puzzled look in their eyes , probably wondering why I am being so much more positive. As a parent and a teacher, your sessions have changed the way I want to teach and parent! Thank you so much! You are a blessing!
January 28, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Rachael,
Like with Vera and Tracy, I’m very encouraged to know my teaching helped you. Congratulations on following through and trying new ideas! -Kathy
January 28, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Dr. Kathy,
My biggest regret about the ACSI conference is that I was not able to attend all of your sessions. You gave such wonderful insight. (I attended the session about “How am I Smart?)
Our faculty met today to go over all that we learned at ACSI and everyone wants to see the DVD that I bought. It is my hope that we can have you out to our school at some point.
I also bought the Psalm 23 CD and we listened to it on the way home from the conference…..so good!
Thanks for all you did…inspiring and motivating.
February 4, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Kathy,
You ROCK! Thanks SO MUCH for your passion to reach out and help! I attended three of your sessions in Birmingham and LOVED them. (Would have attended them all, but didn’t want you to think I was obsessed!) I took SO MANY notes and will use them as I meet with my students’ parents about issues kids face and how we can handle them TOGETHER- with God as our guide. I bought both your books and grabbed a couple of the seminar CDs. I LOVE them and will share them!
Thank you for all you do, Kathy. May God continue to use your hands, feet, …and mouth as you serve Him.