Hope for the Family Conference ~ NCFIC

We've just returned from our annual trek to the NCFIC Hope for the Family Conference held in Asheville, NC, this past weekend.

As soon as we arrived on campus, we spotted another Virginia family we usually see at these conferences, and here's Hannah talking with them. We've missed their attendance for the past two years, so it was good to reconnect! The speakers, workshops, singing, and fellowship times were all very encouraging again this year.

We especially missed a favorite speaker, Paul Washer, who was at home recuperating from knee surgery. Pray for his recovery. This year's most poignant message was by Jeff Pollard.

Below Scott Brown is welcoming everyone attending the opening services: Here are Tom and Hannah in front of the Ridgecrest registration building as we headed to the Friday morning services: Walking across the bridge-way from our hotel room to Spillman Auditorium: It was a beautiful morning with the leaves changing colors on the mountain:  A better view of the bridge-way we traversed many times over the course of the weekend: There were many occasions for connecting with other families...between services, at meal times, and on Saturday evening at the end of the conference. Here are some menfolk conversing between sessions: A blog reader for many, many years, Kathie and her family from Maryland, attended the conference for the very first time this year.

We had never met in person, so it was wonderful to spend some time together and enjoy a meal on the last evening: Here I am below with Kathie...it certainly felt like I had known her forever, and the conference was especially fun for me this year because of having met her. She even brought me a huge stack of quilting books!

More new friends from Georgia... And from Indiana...
The evening fellowship times usually last way into the wee hours of the morning with lots of chatting and getting acquainted--at least for the young adults! We oldsters turned in before midnight.

Here's Hannah with some girls she met this year from Michigan and South Carolina: Here I am with a friend of a friend from Alabama...

This couple traveled all the way from Missouri and were first time attendees. We talked with them quite a while and found out we had mutual friends (the Servens!)...small world!: Sunday morning we loaded up, checked out, and said good-bye to another year of conference memories.

Next year's conference, The Theology of the Family, will be held October 29 - 31, 2020. Why not make plans now to attend!

~Deb

Comments

[Chris Odorisio]

What a wonderful treat to meet old friends renewing friendships and making so many new friends! Looks like a beautiful setting for the conference too, the fall leaves are so vibrant in your pictures! Love your scarves too Deb! Very festive.

[victoria]

Looks like you had a great time at the conference. I recognize quite a few of those faces.

[Tammy C]

Glad you had a good time with friends and learning from the speakers.

I would be in bed at midnight also but remember many conferences and church camps staying up late.

[Barbara J.]

Oh, Deb, I meant to comment on this much sooner but the time got away from me. I enjoyed seeing all the pictures. You and Tom look wonderful for "old" folks which you are not! Loved seeing the color in the trees also. We're finally having some Fall like temperatures but not much color here - need to make a trip farther north.

[Kathie]

I'm so glad we were finally able to meet in person! I've been talking about the conference to all who will listen. Bundle up tonight...cold weather is on its way!