Has anyone attended a Vision Weekend?

[Julie in MN]

Just curious...Has anyone attended a Vision Weekend in Missouri? Recommendations?

Thanks so much,
Melissa

Yes, I went to a vision weekend and was blessed by it. I think there have been other posts on occasion, let's see... here's Annie http://board.mfwbooks.com/viewtopic.php ... 255#p82255

Mine was in January 2006, so things of course may be far different now. It was a small group and we stayed with MFW families, so not sure if that is still the case. We were blessed to stay with Marie's mom, who was originally from Minnesota like us. Our youngest would have been 10 at the time, so not sure who he stayed with, but we were blessed to have it work out at that particular time, since my husband got really sick later that year and we probably couldn't have gone any other year. God's timing is the right timing.

Most of the weekend was lecture or sermon format. But that's something I love. I listen to convention talks and our pastor's sermons and Teaching Company lectures while I'm folding clothes or whatever.

But how much better to be able to raise your hand and ask a question. And in-person is just better, like attending a live play vs. watching a movie It was that "convention feeling" of everybody here is doing the same thing and we fit in, no one is asking us why we homeschool, no one is bored when I wonder about math curriculum...

Some of the topics I remember (which probably change year-to-year) included:

- An inspirational sermon-type talk about their experiences in Russia, complete with slide show.
- A dad's class about dad's role in homeschooling, while moms had an overview and Q&A with Marie about details of the curriculum.
- A tour of the offices, including areas for organizing all those books and preparing all those conventions.
- Intro to all the staff and families, including the only time I've met Marie Hazell.

Does that help?
Julie

P.S. I was able to attend again some years later. We all stayed in various parts of Kabekona Hills and it was lovely. We got to hear Luke Everett's testimony in-person. If you haven't heard his inspiring story, you might enjoy the DVD on the website: https://www.mfwbooks.com/item/79944/Hea ... Study-Set/

[ilovemy4kids]

We would love to go to one and it's so close to us. But that whole pesky losing your job thing 3 times in 3 years has made it impossible! The extra money just isn't there for the fee even though it is amazingly reasonable. I would especially love to go now that my grandbabies are starting with MFW while my youngest are in MFW high school. I'm going to be helping teach the grandbabies also! Last year we got the toddler package which grandson 1 has very much enjoyed, and now we are ready for the preschool package! They are going on baby number 3 so I think we will be with MFW for a LONG time!
Sandra

[Poohbee]

Yes! My husband and I attended Vision Weekend just this year, in January. We were extremely blessed by the experience!

Here is part of the description from the current Vision Weekend flyer (found on the MFW website):

• "Come hear David and Marie Hazell share their history, their hearts, and their vision. Joining us will be Luke Everett from Rancho Sordo Mudo (a ranch for the deaf in Mexico) as he tells his life story of how his father's decision to live beyond the status quo continues to impact his family 40 years later."

Truly, it was very exciting for me to meet David and Marie and to, as the flyer says, hear their history, see their hearts, and share their vision. I have always known, but Vision Weekend made even more clear to me, that MFW is certainly more than just a curriculum company. It truly is a ministry through which David and Marie and all of the families who work for MFW strive to impact the kingdom of God, through the MFW curriculum that familes use, through their support of Bible Translation and other ministries like Rancho Sordo Mudo, and through other visions God has given them for the future. In addition, I loved meeting all of the families who work for MFW! What a wonderful group of people!

Also, Luke Everett was the guest speaker when we were there, and from the flyer, it looks as though he will be the guest speaker at some of the upcoming Vision Weekend events. It was amazing and life-changing to meet Luke and to hear his story and learn more about the ministry his father began in Mexico, Rancho Sordo Mudo.

Along with another couple who attended, we stayed in the home of a family who works for MFW. Though my husband was apprehensive about this arrangment at first, truly, they were so hospitable and welcoming, so graciously opening their home to us. We truly enjoyed our stay there!

There was much inspiration and encouragement, not only from David and Marie sharing their story, but from other MFW couples sharing their stories, as well.

Truly, I highly recommend this experience, if you are able to work it out to attend. It really helped my husband and I to get on the same page and to develop a shared vision for our family as far as family ministry and missions are concerned. We met so many wonderful people and had a truly blessed time!

Thank you, David, Marie, and everyone at MFW, for Vision Weekend! What a blessing!

[MelissaB]

Wow, thank you all for the very helpful replies.

Julie - that's so funny! I love listening to sermons while folding laundry, too. (Some of them are on cassettes -- they're old, but still great!)

Jen, thank you for the "updated" information on what the weekend's like now.

And congratulations, Sandra. What an amazing blessing to see your grandchildren homeschooling ... I hope to one day see our girls raising children who love the Lord.

Thanks so much everyone!

Melissa

[amelasky]

My husband and I attended Vision Weekend last October. It was a great weekend. Very glad that we attended. I would go again if it ever worked out again to go.

[Poohbee]

Goodness, I haven't been on here in awhile! I just registered for the March vision weekend...who else it going? We are looking forward to it!

Oh, Lori, I'm a bit jealous that you will be staying at Kabekona Hills for your retreat. ;-) When my husband and I attended in 2012, MFW had just recently purchased some of the land at Kabekona Hills (at least I'm thinking it is the same place), and we visited the land and walked around a bit. It was gorgeous! It will be a beautiful place for you to stay.

My husband and I were very blessed by Vision Weekend! It was wonderful to get away together as a couple and to spend some time talking about and developing a shared vision for our family. It was such a blessing to meet David and Marie, to listen to them share their hearts and what God has done and continues to do in their lives and in their ministries, through MFW and God's Word for the Nations. It was also a blessing to visit the MFW warehouse/offices and to meet all of the hard-working MFW families who put together the curriculum, ship items, answer phones, create and print items we use, travel around to conventions, etc. We loved meeting and listening to Luke Everett! What an amazing story and ministry he has! I highly recommend Vision Weekend! I'm sure you will have a wonderful time! I wish I was going to be there to attend again, to stay at the retreat center, and to meet both of you and any others who will attend. Have a wonderful time!

[Joyhomeschool]

I will be there.. So excited.

Does anyone know how many couples will attend? The website said "space is limited" so I suppose they keep it rather small. Just curious!

I heard 10 to 15 i thought

[Yodergoat]

Unfortunately for us, we were not able to make it due to several inches of ice and snow. About half of the 6+ hour drive from our home would have been through areas that received similar amounts, and we do not have a vehicle well-suited to this sort of driving. I had to call MFW this morning and cancel. I felt like I really need this time with my husband to focus on Christ and our family, and it grieved me to think we might miss the event just because of weather.

But, all is not lost. On a happy note, MFW was understanding and they have graciously allowed us to use our registration fee toward the Vision Weekend held in November, so we are signed up for that. And, since my husband was already taking these days off, he is home now to enjoy this beautiful snow and doesn't have to face driving through it to get to work. I know it's not much compared to some folks... but it is a rare and special treat for us. Our area has not received a snowfall quite like this since I was a child.

I had been really flustered and fretting about whether or not we would be able to go to the Vision Weekend during the days leading up to the snowfall, and felt close to despair at the though of missing it. My attitude has changed now, though, and I see the beauty in what we've been given even though of course I would have liked to go. God has given us another time for the retreat, and now I feel that I can say, "This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it."

I have been in prayer for those who get to attend and hope it is a time of refreshing and special blessing for them. I only regret that I won't get to meet them face to face!

[Joyhomeschool]

We were sorry to have missed you. Im glad that you were able to see the bright side. Who knows what God has in store for you at the next one!

[Carol - Staff]

Held twice each year at the beautiful Kabekona Hills Retreat Center in the rolling mid-Missouri hills, it’s an opportunity for you and your spouse to prayerfully discover God’s call for your life. Our next Vision Weekend is Oct. 25-28, 2018 so click the link to learn more. Register soon Vision Weekends fill up fast!
https://www.mfwbooks.com/item/VISIONWEEKEND/

[manyblessings]

We've been wanting to do this since last year, but our daughter has a lot of sleep issues. Thankfully she seems to be on the verge of a breakthrough. When she is sleeping consistently through the night for a few months, we would be willing to leave her with family while we went away for this weekend. Prayers for more peaceful sleep appreciated I know we could go to one near us and go home at night, we did see one in our city. But it would be ideal to be able to go away for the night, too

[Christy - Staff]

Lourdes,

We'll be praying for restful and consistent sleep for your little one.

Vision Weekend is only held in Rolla, Missouri twice a year at Kabakona Hills Retreat Center ~ once in the spring and again in the fall. I believe you may be thinking of A Weekend to Remember that is part of the Family Life events held around the U.S.

We'd love for you to come see all of us at MFW and spend a great weekend with your husband dreaming and planning your next steps in God's calling on your family.

[manyblessings]

Oh yes! I did have the two things confused. Going to Rolla would be a nice trip one day In the meantime we will just remain prayerful about God's next steps for our family. Thank you for your prayers. Our daughter had a better night last night, though she still woke up once or twice. I let a Christian lullaby CD play quietly on loop all night, and that seemed to help.