Good evening,
Whew! Crazy, busy day in the office today. We are on the home stretch, moving full force ahead, getting the final details together for Family Conference next week! Can you imagine five women in the office along with two interns making sure all the I’s are dotted and t’s crossed? I bet you don’t even want to go there!
I decided to take a walk when I got home last night. It was such a beautiful evening in St. Louis. I wanted to take a little time to think about things and organize, in my head, what I needed to accomplish before I take off on Monday and of course, what I needed to pack. I love that part, laying things out and getting ready. Are you getting ready, too? There is a lot to do if you are traveling with a family. Wow! I remember those days. It’s exhausting just getting ready!
So, I took off on our Katy Trail and walked by Grant’s Farm, which is a landmark here in St. Louis. I saw these beautiful Clydesdales!
They are kind of symbols in St. Louis and represent St. Louis. I am sure you have something like this in your city or town. You see it and you think of your community, you think of home. Well, I already told you that I love the St. Louis Cardinals and our Clydesdales show up for all of our important games: opening game, playoff games and of course, the World Series.
You know those things that make you feel like “being home”? We all have them. How appropriate as we are so close to coming home with our NFED family! This really made me get so excited and pumped up to come to Columbus, Ohio. But equally important is to let everyone know that home is where the heart is and not necessarily a specific place. My hope is that you all consider the NFED as “home.”
So, I digress. Back to the office today. Whew! Crazy, crazy busy! Let me just give you a glimpse inside our office today.
Here is Kelley, doing something important, not sure what. Just kidding! I think, at this point, she is trying to figure out a way to squeeze another family into our jam-packed conference.
Lea is getting our supply bag together.
Kayla, our wonderful temp, is getting working materials we need to take with us.
And we are fortunate to have interns this summer! Go figure – we have a pre-med student and a pre dental student helping us with Conference this summer. I heard one of them talking about one of their courses – some biophysical chemistry course – whew, whatever! We have some smart cookies working with us this summer. Here they are putting our packets together.
Jodi is also doing all kind of important things, getting press interested in the conference and working on pictures for the Conference.
And Amy. What can I say? She is BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!
Me? I am in my office eating chocolate bon bons! Kidding again. Today, I am begging dentists to provide pro bono care for a couple of kiddos, trying to find sponsors for various programs and, of course, I am trying to get my act together for Family Conference.
Thank you with all of my heart for all of you who donated to support this year’s Family Conference. We greatly appreciate the funds to pay for Conference and to get families who really need to be at Conference here. If you have not donated and want to, you can still donate. Every dollar helps! If you can’t donate this year, maybe next year you can consider a donation to this life-changing event.
If you are coming to Family Conference, see you in Ohio! If you can’t make it this year; follow us online.
Who says we are working hard? Happy 21st birthday to our intern, Cory!
Hugs and my love to you and your families,
Mary