2017 Theme: JOY
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ~Romans 15:13
Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people. ~Philemon 1:7
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ~Hebrews 12:2
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” ~Nehemiah 8:10
Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people. ~Philemon 1:7
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ~Hebrews 12:2
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” ~Nehemiah 8:10
Main Sessions
Joy in the Journey
Break Out Sessions
Creating Joy in Marriage
Marriage is beautiful. Marriage is hard. Throw in the dynamic of a foster or adopted child and a joyful marriage can, at times, seem impossible. In this session, Tara Hutton will use her own stories as the backdrop for conversation about the foundation of a joyful marriage.
Marriage is beautiful. Marriage is hard. Throw in the dynamic of a foster or adopted child and a joyful marriage can, at times, seem impossible. In this session, Tara Hutton will use her own stories as the backdrop for conversation about the foundation of a joyful marriage.
Hope and Encouragement from an Adult Adoptee
Krystal Vento entered into this world in an abusive, harsh, dark environment. After traveling from one foster home to the next, she was finally given a home with a loving family in Ft. Worth at the age of five. She then spent much of her childhood and young adult life growing up in Arkansas with her adoptive family. She has a deep desire to share her story from the perspective of an adoptee, in hopes of encouraging others who are on the foster care/adoption journey. Her hope is to make the Lord and His faithfulness known as she shares her story and His redemption throughout her journey.
Krystal Vento entered into this world in an abusive, harsh, dark environment. After traveling from one foster home to the next, she was finally given a home with a loving family in Ft. Worth at the age of five. She then spent much of her childhood and young adult life growing up in Arkansas with her adoptive family. She has a deep desire to share her story from the perspective of an adoptee, in hopes of encouraging others who are on the foster care/adoption journey. Her hope is to make the Lord and His faithfulness known as she shares her story and His redemption throughout her journey.
The Truth and Joys of Older Child Adoption
Older child adoption has often garnered a fear-driven stigma in the foster-adopt community. Yet, if we are called to adoption and/or fostering, we owe it to all children to discern what our role should be in their care, regardless of their age or ethnicity. Come candidly and honestly explore challenges and celebrate the tremendous joys that characterize this unique niche of orphan care.
Older child adoption has often garnered a fear-driven stigma in the foster-adopt community. Yet, if we are called to adoption and/or fostering, we owe it to all children to discern what our role should be in their care, regardless of their age or ethnicity. Come candidly and honestly explore challenges and celebrate the tremendous joys that characterize this unique niche of orphan care.
Joy After the Journey Home
In many cases, international adoptions hold very few answers to the questions about a child's beginning story. Yet, after the journey home, parents are called to come alongside their kids as they grieve, as they question, as they express anger, and as they find their identity in a new family and a new culture. Come together with other adoptive mothers to explore how we can join our children in discovering joy in their stories.
In many cases, international adoptions hold very few answers to the questions about a child's beginning story. Yet, after the journey home, parents are called to come alongside their kids as they grieve, as they question, as they express anger, and as they find their identity in a new family and a new culture. Come together with other adoptive mothers to explore how we can join our children in discovering joy in their stories.
Connecting and Ministering to the Hearts of Birth Families
Foster and adoptive parents have a powerful ministry to the children they welcome into their home, but it can be so much more. Jocelyn Hattenberger is passionate about ministering to the hearts of her foster children’s biological parents. Come hear ideas for connecting with birth families, forming Christ-rich bonds, and standing in the gap for hurting hearts in hard places.
Foster and adoptive parents have a powerful ministry to the children they welcome into their home, but it can be so much more. Jocelyn Hattenberger is passionate about ministering to the hearts of her foster children’s biological parents. Come hear ideas for connecting with birth families, forming Christ-rich bonds, and standing in the gap for hurting hearts in hard places.
Experiencing Connection and Joy
Amber Divers has been at the end of herself, with the house falling apart, feeling absolutely clueless as how to better love on the children in her care. She knows what it’s like to dread facing the next day because you don’t know what the day will hold or how bad it could get. Thankfully, she also knows the joy that comes from healing through relationship. Come hear a message of hope and encouragement as she shares a bit of her own story and then offers practical TBRI tools and principles that transformed the life of her family and home.
Amber Divers has been at the end of herself, with the house falling apart, feeling absolutely clueless as how to better love on the children in her care. She knows what it’s like to dread facing the next day because you don’t know what the day will hold or how bad it could get. Thankfully, she also knows the joy that comes from healing through relationship. Come hear a message of hope and encouragement as she shares a bit of her own story and then offers practical TBRI tools and principles that transformed the life of her family and home.
Creative Quiet Time
The most important thing we can do as Mothers is to love Jesus well. Sometimes our time spent connecting to the Lord can often be rushed or put on the back burner. Our prayer for you this weekend is that you’ll be refreshed and reconnected. Spend time meeting with the Lord as you work your way through creative stations.
The most important thing we can do as Mothers is to love Jesus well. Sometimes our time spent connecting to the Lord can often be rushed or put on the back burner. Our prayer for you this weekend is that you’ll be refreshed and reconnected. Spend time meeting with the Lord as you work your way through creative stations.
Anchored in The Word
A wellspring of peace, hope, and joy comes through daily encounter with Jesus. But often, the demands and messiness of daily motherhood leave us longing for deep connection with very little time. Come learn how to cultivate a simple, yet powerful scripture and prayer experience while listening to scripture, reflecting on The Word’s message for your life, and communing with The Creator who loves and cares for you deeply.
A wellspring of peace, hope, and joy comes through daily encounter with Jesus. But often, the demands and messiness of daily motherhood leave us longing for deep connection with very little time. Come learn how to cultivate a simple, yet powerful scripture and prayer experience while listening to scripture, reflecting on The Word’s message for your life, and communing with The Creator who loves and cares for you deeply.
Faith Comes by Hearing
Twelve years ago, she laid it down. She laid down the searching, the agonizing and crying out to God for her unknown children. He lifted her burden; and then completely, she had peace. After the peace, the children came. And the Lord faithfully inspired her faith when He whispered His plan and then rewarded her faith by fulfilling His word. Janice is happy to share the testimony of how God gives us desires and faithfully satisfies them. God speaks His word and from hearing that word, faith arises, a faith the size of a mustard seed that holds great power…
Twelve years ago, she laid it down. She laid down the searching, the agonizing and crying out to God for her unknown children. He lifted her burden; and then completely, she had peace. After the peace, the children came. And the Lord faithfully inspired her faith when He whispered His plan and then rewarded her faith by fulfilling His word. Janice is happy to share the testimony of how God gives us desires and faithfully satisfies them. God speaks His word and from hearing that word, faith arises, a faith the size of a mustard seed that holds great power…
Session Schedule
Friday
Worship/Intro-welcome session: 7:00-8:30
Saturday
Worship/Main session: 8:30-9:30
Breakout 1: 9:45-10:45
Breakout 2: 11:00-12:00
Q&A with Panel: 2:00-3:00
Worship/Main session: 4:30-5:30
Sunday
Worship/Devotion/Commission: 10:00-11:00
Worship/Intro-welcome session: 7:00-8:30
Saturday
Worship/Main session: 8:30-9:30
Breakout 1: 9:45-10:45
Breakout 2: 11:00-12:00
Q&A with Panel: 2:00-3:00
Worship/Main session: 4:30-5:30
Sunday
Worship/Devotion/Commission: 10:00-11:00
