January 07, 2013

An NAEA Blessing!


Most of you know that I'll be doing a session at this years NAEA in Fort Worth (If you will be there...come visit me...my session is Blogging & Other Shameless Self Promotion! Also I'll be heading a table up at the round table discussions for elementary).  Money to get there has been a great concern...since I'm the only income for my family.  Before we had Eli...we knew we wanted my wife to be able to stay home with our children, and we did everything we could to set ourselves up for that to happen.  Now almost 2 yrs into it...we have seen God provide for us over and over.  We've not struggled or wanted for anything.  We are careful with our money...and make wise choices, but to say we've gone without....I can not!  This trip is going to be a big expense that is well over what we're use to since going to only my income.  However, we felt it was important for me to continue to pursue the doors that have opened up over the past few years professionally.  Sunday...a man that use to be in the adult Sunday school class I teach came up to me. He proceeded to share that God had put it on his heart to pay for the hotel room we'll be staying in while in Fort Worth.  He is going to cash in all his "points" and put us up near the conference.  WHAT?!?!?!  I was blown away.  I had talked to him a bit the past Wed. about a grant I was writing to help pay for the trip, but never thought anything of our conversation.  Here is the kicker...he sent the link to where he was going to get our hotel room...it was the exact hotel my wife was going to book for us(has a great indoor pool for the kids!!).  

AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  & PTL!

8 comments:

  1. Mr. E,
    Yes, God if good. Also, with some really nice surprises sometimes. Enojoy!
    Mrs. G

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  2. Wow, that is really wonderful! It's great to see God's hand at work to care for your needs :).

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  3. Very cool. It's always such a challenge to justify the expenses, especially with a young family like yours, so this is truly a wonderful gift. I have taught workshops at my state conference for years, and while I always say that I get so much out of teaching workshops, the fact is, when you teach you have less time to attend workshops, yet you still have to pay for the conference. I understand why, but still, it's a shame that our organizations don't have the funds to make it easier for presenters. I think if there was some compensation, or really worthwhile perk, more people would be willing to give up their time to present workshops. As a retiree, I'm a perfect person to present workshops, since it is less important for me to attend, but also as a retiree, there is no school district I can ask for monetary support. I wish...

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  4. I will be at conference again this year! Hopefully I'll be able to make it to your session!! :)

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  5. What a great thing to happen! You deserve it. I hope you enjoy the conference and wish you great success with your presentation. If you can manage it, see a few presentations before you give yours. I think it might free up some worry wondering what the expectations are. I found the ones I went to in NYC a lot of fun, and somehow more casual than I thought they would be. Wish I was going again. Have a blast!

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  6. That's wonderful news! All of your sharing has been returned in kind : ) Soak it all in and enjoy! I paid for myself to attend my state convention, maybe sometime I'll get to the NAEA!

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  7. What a special story- See- people are good and good things come to great people! I am also presenting on Blogging at NAEA (FUN!) and I can't wait to meet you in person. Please stop by the AOE booth or lets plan a time to meet up.

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  8. @ Jessica I'm looking forward to meeting you...and many others of our blogging community!!!

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