IMB Americas Homeschool Conference 2026

Our IMB homeschool conferences are top notch! We generally have one every two years. We always have a different educational theme. This year’s theme was Booktopia and focused on reading. I just can’t praise it enough. This year’s conference was a favorite of all. I think it was mostly due to my season of homeschool and the ages of my boys. My main focus was support for finishing high school and prepping them to launch and enter the college years. I left feeling very equipped to do both of these well. 

 

The parent’s days consisted of morning worship and devotions followed by training sessions. We also had daily workshops where you could choose interest based classes. These covered a wide variety of topics related to homeschool. I chose all the high school and college options. They were fantastic! 

 

We had a curriculum fair with several vendors on site to share with us. There was also a college fair for the high school students and their parents. We got to hear from representatives from several schools and some not in attendance sent information and swag to give away.

 

The students had classes of their own. The 2nd- 8th graders all took the IOWA assessment test in the mornings. They had interest based classes in the afternoons. There was a reading fair one evening for the K-8th. Before the conference they had to choose a book that was set in another part of the world and do a presentation on it. That evening they each had a table and everyone walked around and listened to them share about their book. We had so many high school students that we had to do their presentations over two evenings. They had to choose an author and give a 3-5 minute oral presentation about it to the whole group. It was great public speaking practice! We had an evening graduation ceremony to celebrate the juniors and seniors who would be graduating before the next conference. This was followed by cupcakes and fellowship. On the last night we had a talent show where the TCK’s got to highlight their talents. It was very good! 

 

We closed out the conference saying goodbye and thank you to Melody, our education consultant, who will be retiring in late summer. She is going to be greatly missed! We ended with a popcorn buffet that was a lot of fun. 

 

In between we spent countless hours and mealtimes connecting and encouraging each other. I think I love this conference so much because it pours into an area of my life that I spend a great deal of time doing. I’m thankful that the IMB values us as educators of our children and goes above and beyond to provide resources like this conference to help us do it well. 

 

I took very few photos so thankfully Cruz shared a few of his with me. 

 

off to the conference

We left our house around 8:30 am and due to airport delays, we did not arrive at our destination until 3:30 am the next morning. It was a long travel day!

 

 

I always love to see the fountain on the property. 

 

 

Our conference name- Booktopia.  Months before the conference all students get to submit their ideas for a conference name based on the theme.  This year's theme was reading. A list is compiled and then everyone votes for their favorite.  The person who submitted the winning name is always recognized during the conference.

 

 

Cruz and some friends walking to class. 

 

 

The Reading Fair was fantastic!  This was for the K- 8th graders.  It was fun to walk around and hear each of them share about their books.  I also enjoyed seeing all of their creative displays.  

 

Ben chose God's Smuggler as his book and this was his display.

 

ready to share about his book 

 

 

Cruz chose John Grisham as his author to share about.  He chose him because of his ties to Mississippi and Ole Miss. He had a PowerPoint presentation to go along with what he shared. There were at least one hundred people in the audience.  That was intimidating but in spite of it everyone did an awesome job.  

 

 

Walks down to the lake is always everyone's favorite.  It is very pretty and peaceful.  The students spent time there fishing most every afternoon. 

 

Cruz was proud to catch a few fish. 

 

 

 

Ben left for breakfast one morning and came running back in to tell me to look out the window. He then got my phone and took a few pictures. I love that he saw this sunrise and thought of me.  

 

sunrise over the lake 

 

 

Cruz's group in class with their team flag.  

 

These four had a fantastic week together! They’ve all been friends for many years and value times like this when they can be together in person.

 

 

 

Ben with his friend group of middle school boys.  They also had a blast together!

 

Since returning home, we are all in a lull and are missing being together with everyone.  It was a great bonding time not only for the boys but also for me with the other moms. We cannot wait until our next conference so we can all be together again!!! 

Easthaven Mission Team March 2026

In early March we hosted a mission team from Easthaven Baptist Church in Brookhaven, MS.  This is the city where we stay during our Stateside Assignments so many of the people on the team we already knew.  The team consisted of a few high school students that made it extra fun for our boys.  

Throughout the week we made many home visits, helped with an afternoon kid’s club, spent a morning sharing in a local school, led a Wednesday night youth service, and assembled a bunk bed for a family in need. This was a really fun team, and we are thankful for the time we had with them. 

Here are some photos from the week.  

Beautiful clear blue skies and view of Fuego and Acatenango volcanoes from their hotel rooftop.  

I took this one morning before we headed out. 

view of Agua volcano from their hotel

 

 

We spent a morning sharing in a local school.  Before getting started, the team entertained the kids during their break time.  Here are Cruz and Ridge doing balloon art. 

 

Ben and Cade making balloons. 

 

 

Everyone loved Susan's puppet! 

 

I helped the girls make bracelets.  

 

David doing jump rope with some school kids. 

 

As part of the assembly time, the teenagers did a skit for the kids. 

 

Cruz sharing at the school. 

 

 

Their WMU ladies made t-shirt jump ropes to give away during the week.  We left several at the school. 

 

 

the guys 

 

 

a group photo at the school 

 

making home visits

 

Tuesday afternoon kid's club 

 

kid's club 

 

 

Ben helping some kids with a craft. 

 

 

Susan teaching at the Tuesday afternoon kid's club.

 

Susan grew up as an IMB MK in the Americas.  She spoke excellent Spanish and used it beautifully throughout the week. 

 

 

more balloons for the kids 

 

We assembled a bunk bed for a needy family.  Cruz liked helping on this project. 

 

all complete

 

 

Look at that smile!  She was a happy with her new bed. 

 

 

On Wednesday night we helped lead a youth service.  Here is Cruz sharing during that time.  

 

The youth enjoying a meal at Pappy's BBQ. 

 

a team photo

Life Lately February 2026

 I realize it is almost April, but here are some life moments from the month of February.  

 

I started the month by meeting a dear friend for coffee. We had a long visit trying to catch up on all that took place while we had been gone to the States. 

 

We enjoyed watching the Olympics. 

 

 

We made a drive into Guatemala City to renew Cruz's Guatemalan passport. 

 

 

We celebrated Valentine's Day.  Here we are having a date night meal at Pappy's BBQ. 

 

 

Ben made a few visits to the climbing gym.  On this visit he took his friend Ethan. 

 

 

On this visit he took his friend Joshua (who is not pictured).

 

 

I packed away the Valentine's decorations and now have our house ready for Easter. 

  

 

Cruz translating at youth group. 

 

 

In his cooking class during February he made a mud pie (chocolate pie), cream cheese brownies, a key lime cheese cake, and a puffy omelet.  He makes one recipe each week.   

 

 

I made a roast for the first time in Guatemala. 

 

I also tried a new recipe for a sausage and egg breakfast casserole.  It was delicious! 

 

 

I made blueberry ricotta pancakes for the first time.  This was another delicious new recipe. 

 

my pancakes 

 

Ben with his friend Josue matching at church. 

 

 

I celebrated my birthday.   

 

Lastly, we ended the month attending the annual Intermissions Conference at beautiful Lake Atitlan. Here is a group photo from this year's conference.