Winning a ticket to the...

Heart of the Matter Virtual Online Conference has been one of the best prizes I have ever won in my life. Not that I've won a lot of things, but whoa buddy, this ticket has made up for many life disappointments. I can now let go of much past bitterness.

My sister and my mom possess the gene that carries the Lady fortuna distinction. Both of them could enter virtually any raffle offered, from a chocolate cake to a trip to Disney World, and walk away with something, if not the whole prize. In fact, after my mom won an actual Disney trip she managed to convince the prize committee to convert the trip to a cruise, because we'd never been on one of those.

I, on the other hand, would spend 31 minutes painstakingly writing out my name and address and birthdate plus answer any necessary essay questions related to why I should win, on as many entries as allowed, then origami crumple them (this was supposed to give the "picker" a handhold grab on your entry), and still never have my name picked.

However, I could not be more thrilled with this prize. Since Thursday I have commandeered both laptops in our house, one for listening to the speakers and one for downloading the great freebies and handouts. I have been both astonished, convicted, encouraged, and reassured as I've listened. There were a dozen reasons not to homeschool when we started a mere two years ago, but there are a blessed many more for continuing, with renewed conviction and excellence.

I am truly grateful to Amy Scott (where I won the ticket), to the Heart of the Matter ladies (who have worked tirelessly to produce this event), to the speakers (who have given of their own hearts, humor and experience), and to my 3 sons (who are the three best reasons).

See, winning a ticket has even given me opportunity to finally give my acceptance speech.

Yee haw!