Empowering Homeschool Moms: Christina Carpenter and the Bloom and Blossom Conference

Homeschool MomsConferences
Written By Show Me Homeschool

Summary:

Are you a homeschool parent searching for genuine connection, encouragement, and practical resources to support your journey? In this episode of Show Me Homeschool, host Erin welcomes back Christina Carpenter—homeschool mom of four, founder of Authentic Joy in the Journey, and the visionary behind the Bloom and Blossom conference. Together, they dive deep into the heart behind Christina's mission to empower and inspire fellow homeschooling mothers, sharing how her conference has grown from a local event to an exciting new West Coast location. Christina opens up about building community, running a thriving conference, and the personal and family growth that comes from serving others. 

Listeners will hear Christina’s journey from simply meeting a need in her local area to building a team that’s now taking Bloom and Blossom all the way to California. Hear insights about the unique, mom-centered focus of the conference, how her work has benefited her family and marriage, and practical encouragement for moms who feel lonely or overwhelmed. Whether you’re craving local connection or inspiration to step out and serve, this conversation is packed with motivation and wisdom for your homeschool adventure.

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Transcript:

Erin [00:00:00]:
Hello and welcome back to the Show Me Homeschool podcast. Today my guest is the lovely Christina Carpenter. She is a dear friend of mine and the founder of Authentic Joy in the Journey as well as the Bloom and Blossom conference. And today we're going to talk all about her conference, catch up on what she's doing now, and share some exciting news about how the conference is growing and the new location it's going to be for the fall. 

I'm Erin. And I'm Joe. We're the hosts of the Show Me Homeschool podcast where we guide parents through the wilderness of home education. Each weekly episode will focus on supporting and encouraging homeschool moms and dads through conversational interviews with like minded Christian leaders in the homeschool community.
In our experience, we've seen the lack of resources and support available for homeschool dads, so we want to address that by covering relevant topics concerning husbands and fathers as they lead their families through this lifestyle of home education. We understand the need for creating connections and building authentic relationships to sustain a healthy homeschool environment for yourself and your children. Our goal is not to show you how to replicate our homeschool, but to show you how you can create a home learning lifestyle that is sustainable for your family. Show Me Homeschool is here to come alongside you. 

Erin: So welcome, Christina.

Christina Carpenter [00:01:29]:
Welcome.

Erin [00:01:30]:
All right, thank you so much for having me.

Christina Carpenter [00:01:31]:
You love being back on here. Yeah.

Erin [00:01:33]:
You know, I was thinking about it and I believe you were the very first guest that I ever interviewed on a podcast.

Christina Carpenter [00:01:41]:
Oh, really?

Erin [00:01:41]:
And yes, you really are. I was looking back, so I'm so excited to have you back again. I think this is actually our third time recording together. Second one with Show Me Homeschool. The first time was with my old podcast, Go Homeschooling with Aaron and Amanda. So, Christina, why don't you kind of reintroduce yourself to. To our listeners. Maybe there's a one or two that haven't heard of me yet and talk about homeschooling, like how you came by that and just whatever you feel led to share.

Erin [00:02:09]:
Sure.

Christina Carpenter [00:02:10]:
Okay. So my name is Christina Carpenter and I'm a homeschool mom of four. I've been home educating. It's going on 15 years now. I actually just graduated my oldest. Everybody's about to have a birthday. I know. Yay.

Christina Carpenter [00:02:22]:
And I know you do too, so that's exciting. Everybody's about to have a birthday, so it's. It always feels weird to say like everybody's about this, but I'll Just give you paraphrased, I had 18, 14, 13 and 11 and home education has always just been the right fit for us and it's really lifestyle based. And I felt about five years ago, just this calling to start a home education conference for mothers specifically that focuses on equipping, encouraging, empowering and inspiring mothers. But it's not just homeschool related, it's motherhood related. So it's practical tools, practical advice on top of that encouragement. So that's Bloom and Blossom and then Authentic Join the Journey is honestly it has the same mission, same vision, it's just a little bit more personal, one on one. I do one on one coaching with mothers actually with families.

Christina Carpenter [00:03:15]:
I do both. And I also actually work with like local homeschool groups that are just wanting a little bit more help establishing their mission and their vision and getting established with that too. So it's been a fun wild ride.

Erin [00:03:27]:
Yes. And I've been a participant of the Bloom and Blossom conference and I absolutely love what you're doing. I can you talk a little bit about the atmosphere of homeschooling where you live and how you've seen community be a part of your homeschool journey, where you're at right now?

Christina Carpenter [00:03:44]:
Yeah, that's a great question. Also, just going back to you being a participant, I know that you've come as a guest before, but for those of you that don't know, Erin also was a keynote for me one year and I actually have this fantastic picture of her that's on my website. So if you happen to go to the website under Bloom and Blossom, you'll see a really great picture of her. I love that picture so much. The atmosphere here, where I specifically live in Springfield, Missouri is really abundant. Actually there are a lot of home educators here and it is just exploding in this area. We have a lot of variety of co ops and programs and hybrids. So it's, it's really a thriving community.

Christina Carpenter [00:04:23]:
And personally we've done a few different variations of programs and, and stuff like that. Next year my kids are actually going to continue at a nature school that we've been a part of for a few years. If you guys are not familiar with Laura Stroop, she actually founded a nature school and then she also has a book called Nature School and it. You can buy it on Amazon. It's fantastic.

Erin [00:04:45]:
Definitely. So I know part of why we do what we do is because we see a need in our own lives and when we're looking for resources, we're like, that isn't There, it doesn't exist. So can you talk a little bit more in depth about your purpose behind starting Bloom and Blossom and how you've seen the impact of what you're doing, ministering to other ladies through that? That's also a hard question because, first.

Christina Carpenter [00:05:11]:
Of all, like, you're gonna make me cry. And second of all, it feels. It feels hard to, like, talk about some of these things just because it's so. It's so emotional and it's so big. And seeing some of these ripples and just the opportunity that I've had to be able to come alongside these women is. I just feel so humbled for that opportunity. But, yeah, so the purpose behind Bloom Blossom, like I said earlier, is to equip, encourage, empower, and inspire. And so what really, the.

Christina Carpenter [00:05:38]:
The way that I do that is I want women to come how they are, right? And whatever season that is. So whether you're new to home educating or you've been a veteran, right, I want you to be able to come and be quite poured into, right. I want you to be able to leave feeling refreshed and that you can take a deep breath. And so that's really the mission behind this. It's kind of like a retreat for yourself, right? To just be poured back into. And so, like I said, there's. There's time for encouragement and there's also opportunity for practical tools and guidance from people who have been home educating for a long time, for people who have different backgrounds. You know, me personally, I.

Christina Carpenter [00:06:17]:
I have a blended family. I also have, you know, two boys, two girls. I have children that have neurodivergent, you know, spectrum, you know, type of things. And so where they just see the world differently and so how we can just, like, teach to them and who they are and curate an environment of learning that's best for them. We have people who are dealing with dyslexia and, you know, foster care and adoption and, you know, children that need help regulating. And so it's just a place for us all to come together as moms and home educators and just build community together and say, hey, I see you in that season. Let's link arms and build each other up.

Erin [00:06:53]:
Oh, I love that answer because it's so true. Everything that you just explained and described about your conference, when I've been either a speaker or showing up as a guest, I have felt that because a lot of times as homeschool moms, we get into, like, anytime we're going to take any time away from kids or family, Time. It's a sacrifice. And to be able to be in that mindset of, I actually need this for myself, because pouring into myself or having other women pour into me is worth the time and the money and the effort to get out the door for the weekend and make it a girls trip or whatever, a road trip. And I think that that's the cool thing about what you're doing and what I've experienced with. With Bloom and Blossom is we're used to going to curriculum conferences, you know, where there's. And not that there's not curriculum options, a few vendors there at your. At the.

Erin [00:07:47]:
At the vendor hall. But this is more about motherhood and the. And the woman behind the homeschool Mom. So as you have been planning and hosting these events for five years, I mean, that. Take it back. That's right around, like, when. When Covid started. So can you just share a little bit about how the Bloom and Blossom conference has grown and changed over the last five years? Like, some things that you've seen or needs that you've experienced with the women that you're serving?

Christina Carpenter [00:08:21]:
Yeah. So as you were saying, all. All these things about, like, you know, taking the time for yourself and how important it is to do that, the word that just keeps coming to mind is the investment. Like, we as women, we as the women behind the home education, the homeschool, behind the mother, we are worth investing in. And when we invest in ourselves, the pouring out is abundant. Right. Um, and so, yeah, so it has changed so much. So, honestly, when I first went to do the first conference, I was only going to do one.

Christina Carpenter [00:08:55]:
I really was. I was like, I just feel like I wanted to meet this need. I wanted to bring community. I wanted to connect. I wanted to connect people with. With maybe resources that they may need or with people that can speak into them or help them in their situation or even, honestly, just friendships. Um, and so that I was just gonna do that first one, and then I had a few people say to me, like, oh, I'm not able to. To come to this one.

Christina Carpenter [00:09:21]:
I'll. I'll go. I'll catch up the next one. You know, I have, you know, a trip or something, and I'm like, wait, what? The next.

Erin [00:09:27]:
The next one?

Christina Carpenter [00:09:27]:
That's the next one. And now, like, five years later, I'm actually going on my sixth one, and I'm actually doing my second one this year. Usually I only do one a year, and it takes place in Springfield, Missouri, but this year, I'm actually in the fall, October 10th and 11th. I am launching Bloom and Blossom west coast. And it will be, indeed. Yes, I am.

Erin [00:09:52]:
I'm excited.

Christina Carpenter [00:09:53]:
So excited. So, so excited.

Erin [00:09:55]:
Yeah. And you just announced that. So this will come out a couple weeks after we're recording, and so there's plenty of time to sign up. I know you just opened registration. Do you want to talk a little bit about how it came to be that Bloom and Blossom was taking this big old road trip adventure over to California?

Christina Carpenter [00:10:13]:
It's kind of a long story, but I'm going to go ahead and paraphrase. I'm. I'm actually from the west coast and I love to travel. Right. And so it's always just been a dream of mine to be able to bring Bloom Blossom somewhere else because I love connecting with others and I love traveling. Right. And I love the west coast, really, any coast, but, you know, west coast, because I'm from Washington state, and I just started being connected with so many people in California, and I actually had somebody reach out to me who was a speaker at this last one. Her name's Carrie.

Christina Carpenter [00:10:40]:
Copy with Carrie, she's incredible. And we were just, you know, she just wanted to collab with me, and so she. Honestly, this. This couldn't be done without her. Genuinely. She is really a big part of it. She's doing a lot of the, you know, boots on the ground for me because I'm here in Springfield, Missouri, and so she's just helping with that. And then we have a great team.

Christina Carpenter [00:10:59]:
I've met so many other people. Brittany Sanchez, she is debuting as a keynote, which I'm so excited. Amy Hughes, she's also coming to be a keynote. She has a book coming out called Words Like Honey. Definitely check that out. And then Greta Eskridge is also coming, which I'm so excited for.

Erin [00:11:15]:
Yeah.

Christina Carpenter [00:11:16]:
She's coming to. We have a meet and greet on October 10, which is called the Golden Hour Ticket, and that's being sponsored by Coffee with Carrie. And then we have the main conference day, and she's coming to sit on a panel that day, too. So just a great team. And there's also. I haven't announced from the other panelists, but there's just so many great women in that area that are just ready, honestly, to serve and pour out.

Erin [00:11:38]:
I love it. Yes. And if you've been a longtime listener, you've heard an episode that I've recorded with Carrie, with Coffee with Gary. Love her. She's the sweetest. And I just like, if you could have, like, a dream team, it's what you're putting together out there in California. I absolutely love it and I'm so happy for you. And I think, you know, ultimately, yes, we're talking about Bloom and Blossom, but I just love your heart to serve.

Erin [00:12:02]:
And I know that not every woman has been to a Bloom and Blossom conference that's listening, obviously, but everyone who I know in the homeschool community is serving in some way or shape or form. And I just love that you've put yourself out there and have created this community of women. And I can tell you I have never met someone who networks so much as you do, and I love it. And I. That's kind of why I wanted to have you on again as well, is because, yes, of course I want to promote your Bloom and Blossom conference in California. And we'll have links to registration and all of that in our show notes, for sure. If you're in the area, want to make a road trip or want to take a trip with your girlfriends out there to, to go to the conference, I would love to connect you with Christina, but I just know that there's so many women listening who are maybe in a season of loneliness or in a season of there aren't resources like what you're providing. And, um, so what would you say to a mom who is kind of feeling like, wow, that all sounds great, but I've never been able to experience that in my homeschool journey so far.

Erin [00:13:08]:
What would you say to that, Mom?

Christina Carpenter [00:13:10]:
Um, to clarify, do you mean like, sorry, you're probably gonna have to edit this part.

Erin [00:13:15]:
That's okay.

Christina Carpenter [00:13:16]:
Okay.

Erin [00:13:17]:
Do you.

Christina Carpenter [00:13:17]:
Are you at. Can you restate that question? I'm not quite sure if you're saying for me that somebody should create something or if somebody should just step out of their comfort zone and go, either, or.

Erin [00:13:29]:
Or both. So if you're talking to a homeschool mom that is feeling lonely, doesn't have community, how would you speak to that mom about what you've done to be able to create that community or be able to take that step and say, you know what, I'm going to invest in myself and I definitely want to see about how to attend a Bloom and Blossom conference? Or that.

Christina Carpenter [00:13:54]:
Yeah, yeah, that's a. That's a really great question. So there's. That could go two different ways. So if you are in a, an area where you are seeing a need, maybe it's a co op, you know, maybe it's a, a non profit in another store, or maybe it's just simply getting moms together. And so that way they can talk and have community while the kids maybe. So that are just playing, that's okay, too. That's building community.

Christina Carpenter [00:14:19]:
I would say put yourself out there. You will find your people. It might not be something that organically comes right away, but over time, it will organically come. Like, don't. Don't worry about that. Right. It will actually unfold. You will find your people because people are looking for that, and so they will find you.

Christina Carpenter [00:14:37]:
And also, you know, invest in yourself. Get yourself to a conference. And nothing against, like you said, the curriculum type of conferences and conventions, those are needed, too. Those have a purpose, too. But if you are feeling lost after, you know, attending one of those, or if you are feeling lost just in general in your homeschool, get yourself to a conference that is going to breathe life into you because that will give you direction, that will act like a roadmap and point you not only in the right direction, but it will. It will inspire you and it will help you have more joy on your homeschool journey versus just checking boxes.

Erin [00:15:18]:
Yeah, I love that. I think it's so important because as we're talking, you know, like, I mean, I have a podcast, you have a conference. All the ladies that you mentioned are homeschool moms who are doing things to serve other women, whether that's writing books or creating conferences or creating communities or whatever the way that they are that they're serving. And it's important to remember that everything that we're doing is, you know, we get so into our. Our own homeschool and our daily grind, and sometimes it's hard to lift our head up. And there's seasons where it's just like, I cannot pour out at all. So this might be a season where go and learn and, you know, hear from other women who are doing incredible things that maybe you're not in a place that you're doing those things yet. But it could be that maybe God is calling you at one point to do your own thing locally or, you know, start your own blog or your own podcast or whatever else.

Erin [00:16:16]:
But I think that's why it's so important for developing those friendships. So what other things are. Like, what kind of ways do you. Sorry, Christie. Like, I feel like it's. I usually don't record at night. I usually do it during the day because I'm more fresh. But anyway, so edit that out.

Erin [00:16:37]:
Sorry, Christy. So we've talked about your conference, what format. You said that you do a panelist, you have keynote speakers Are you having a vendor hall, or what kind of things are you going to do there? Okay.

Christina Carpenter [00:16:54]:
I am super excited for this. I have a few things to share with that. So we do. Our vendor hall looks different. It's more of like a marketplace type of thing. Makers market. There's different words for it, but specifically, I've always just called mine like. Like our.

Christina Carpenter [00:17:09]:
Like. Like vendors. Right. Um. All right, Chrissy, edit that out, too. I want to start over. Okay. I am super excited to share about the vendors and a few other things about the format of this particular conference with Bloom and Blossoms West Coast.

Christina Carpenter [00:17:27]:
So the vendors are really important to me because they're not the traditional type of vendors that you think of from, like, a curriculum hall. Again, there's a absolute place for that, but my heart is to pour out into the community. And so by doing that, I like to gather local vendors. So usually my vendors look like local moms that are making something on the side, whether it's handmade or it's something that they. They make and sell. So something that they're producing. My goodness. Christy, you're going to have a lot to edit.

Erin [00:18:02]:
Start over again.

Christina Carpenter [00:18:03]:
Sorry, my head is just pounding. All right, I'm going to take a breath. All right, Christy, this is the one. Okay. Yes. I love that question so much because the vendors are such an important part of the Bloom and Blossom conference because it's different from just having curriculum that you can look through. Again, there's nothing wrong with that. It's a.

Christina Carpenter [00:18:26]:
There's a time and a place for that. But at Bloom and Blossom, I try to have vendors that are actually from the community where the conference takes place. So, for example, this Bloom and Blossom West Coast San Diego, I'm looking for vendors that are in that area that are. That are moms that make something on the side. I have somebody who makes candles. I have somebody who makes, like. Like, stuff that you would find on Etsy to supplement in your homeschool. I have a beautiful jewelry vendor that makes, like, embroidery type of stuff.

Christina Carpenter [00:18:58]:
Oh, and I have this one. Girl, this one is so great. It is a paper doll book. It's incredible. Oh, it's so cute. I actually already bought it ahead of time because I wanted it ahead of time, and my daughter has been playing with it. So that's kind of what the vendor hall will look like. So it's something to just kind of, like, peruse and shop.

Christina Carpenter [00:19:15]:
And some things will benefit your kids, and some things are a benefit to you. It's just a time to be able to walk around and shop. And another really fun thing that I have this year, we're going to have the Q and A panel, we're going to have our keynotes. But also, I'm actually giving my oldest daughter time on the stage. She just graduated. Yeah. So I'm going to have my mc, Actually, my emcee that's been with me the whole time is going to be out there. She's coming out there.

Christina Carpenter [00:19:41]:
Her name's Carrie as well. And she's actually going to interview Lily and I on stage, which is actually going to be fun because I'm going to give her the questions ahead of time. But I'm. I'm not really going to have much conversation with Lily about it. I want it to be really fresh and raw up there. So you guys are getting a really authentic look at what home education looked like in our home, what it looked like for her growing up, because she's been home educated the entire time. And so if you have any questions, send them my way, because I would. I would love to hear what you guys want to know and answer those on stage.

Erin [00:20:14]:
Oh, I love that. See, and that's so cool, too. I love that you're giving your daughter that public speaking opportunity. I know that was part of her education, and I just love that you're expanding on that even after graduation. That's so cool. Um, so I want to kind of turn the conversation over a little bit into something different and talk through how it's been being a. A mom who's serving so much in the community. You know, you do that with your.

Erin [00:20:45]:
With your coaching, and, you know, you're. You wear a lot of hats. So how have. Have those hats benefited your homeschool? How have you seen what you're doing impact your kids? Like you. You just mentioned your daughter is going to speak at this conference. How is. What you. You're doing impacted your kids? And have you seen their gifts blossom?

Christina Carpenter [00:21:08]:
Oh, that's. That. That's a loaded question. Because I can tell you that there have been. There have been times where I have been really stretched, and I think that I have, like, not been great at time management. And so that has been something that I had to really work on. But as a family together, we have worked through that. So, like, even now, while we're recording this, like, I asked my husband, hey, can you take the kids and go, you know, handle dinner tonight while I do this recording? And so I would say that even in the times where I have felt like, oh, man, that might be A low point or something.

Christina Carpenter [00:21:45]:
Oh, man, I shouldn't have done that. I think it has actually brought us all closer together because it's made us more of a team, right? To be able to be like, oh, mom's working on that. It's, it's had us practice a lot of fruits of the spirit, right. A lot of patience, a lot of kindness, a lot of forgiveness. Just when we're talking to each other, if I'm a little bit more snappy, sometimes it's like, hey, hold on, I'm trying to do this. I'm sorry that I responded that way. It's helped us with our communication and so I really feel like that as a family has been really helpful. But as far as, like, their gifts and seeing them blossom, I would say that they are, they have become really servant hearted, very servant hearted through this experience.

Christina Carpenter [00:22:30]:
Because when they see that there's a need or they see that I'm trying to meet a need, they come behind me and do the same thing. Like my boys, they help set up and tear down. And my girls, they want to be there and they help us out and they, you know, point people in the right direction. They fill the bags, they stay up late with me putting stuff in the swag bag. So it really has become like a team effort. And so that's going to make me cry.

Erin [00:22:55]:
Yes, I love it. And I have seen all of those things that you just described as. I've been a guest at the different conferences. So when you started, you said, you know, I'm just doing this this year. And now you've got a second location. You are hosting another, your Bloom and Blossom at your normal time in the winter. So can you talk a little bit about how that has built your confidence too, as a homeschool mom or someone who puts yourself out there? Because I know, um, we're talking about conference, but I think that this hits a nerve with other, other women that are homeschooling. It's just we don't always feel confident in our next steps.

Erin [00:23:39]:
So when we see ourselves being asked by the Lord to be putting ourselves out there, even greater than we think, we can be stretched. What has that done for you personally and how has that impacted your homeschool way of thinking and lifestyle?

Christina Carpenter [00:23:55]:
Man, you are asking hard questions. Okay, so as far as the confidence, I think that when we really break some of these things down, a lot of times we feel, we collectively feel fearful when we walk forward in something because we're afraid of failure. We're afraid of what if And I think for me it has really boiled down to defining what failure looks like, right? And so for me personally, if I feel like I am called to do this and this is what God wants me to do, it is a failure. If I don't obey, if I don't walk through that door, that to me looks like failure. So I have had, you know, times where it has felt like more successful and then times where it's like, oh, over here. And then there's times where there's lots of engagement and then there's lower engagement and there's just been this, this swing, right? There's not always consistency. And also analytics. If you look at, you know, the analytics on some of our Instagram or, you know, our website or even, even you probably experience this too.

Christina Carpenter [00:25:03]:
Like that's not always indicative of success, right? So if we are, if we can be clear to not measure success by analytics or by data or by any of those other things and measure it from a different perspective, that is what matters. Because I will tell you, oh, now you're making me cry again. And the success that I see when I sit across the table from another mom and see she gets it and she's moving forward, or the success that I see when I am still hearing the ripple effect of people coming to bloom and blossom and they're like, man, I heard Aaron speak and that really spoke to me. Or you know, man, I heard Carrie speak. And you know, that that was like she was talking to me. That is what I'm measuring success by. So if you're in a similar season where, you know, you are measuring by something that is subjective, I would encourage you to go back to what is your vision and your mission? What does success really look like? And you can even put that back in your homeschool. Because a lot of times people are like, oh, success.

Christina Carpenter [00:26:11]:
I checked all these boxes, I finished this curriculum, I finished this workbook. But is that success? Because if your kids are having a terrible time, if you're feeling miserable, if that wasn't a life giving curriculum for you, yay, you check the boxes. But I don't know if that was fully successful. So I would even apply that to, like I said, your homeschool.

Erin [00:26:34]:
Oh, I love that. That is such a good example. And you just came off with that off the fly a little bit.

Christina Carpenter [00:26:40]:
It's on my heart, man.

Erin [00:26:43]:
And that, I love that because that is so true. There's been many times where I have looked at something external that was like, gosh, on paper this looks like A complete and utter failure. Failure. But then, like you said, someone would come back and just that one person says, hey, you really touched this. Or your kid succeeds in something that wasn't measurable by worksheet, and you're like, okay, this is totally worth everything that I'm investing and doing. And, wow, I love that.

Christina Carpenter [00:27:12]:
Thanks.

Erin [00:27:13]:
Did you have something else to add? You look like you had something else to add.

Christina Carpenter [00:27:16]:
I was just thinking, that's funny that you could read my face through this. I was just thinking about a mom that reached out to me and she said something. She saw that I was doing Bloom and Blossom west coast, and she said the nicest things to me. And then one of the things that.

Erin [00:27:29]:
She said that really stuck out to.

Christina Carpenter [00:27:31]:
Me, she said, I post a lot of book recommendations because I have an addiction, really, to books. And so she was like, you know, I really. I really appreciate all of the things that you post, even, you know, your book recommendations. She's like, my kids and I, you know, we just got done reading, you know, the series that you suggested. And, like, this woman doesn't usually talk to me that much. Like, you know, we're just in the community together. And I know she sees my stories, but we're not. Like, our paths will cross occasionally.

Christina Carpenter [00:28:00]:
I would consider her a friend, you know, but we don't have a lot of engagement. And, you know, she took the time to tell me that, and that was really meaningful for me. And so I guess my point is like. Like, analytics and data are not always, you know, again, indicative of what is actually happening outside of that.

Erin [00:28:17]:
So also, if that's you.

Christina Carpenter [00:28:18]:
If you have something to share, share it, because you never know who you're impacting. But, you know, on the other side.

Erin [00:28:25]:
Yeah, I love it. So another question related to how hosting a conference, how coaching, and how we're being a working homeschool mom has impacted your homeschool. Is your marriage, how have you and your husband partnered together and what you're doing? How has he supported that? What does that looks like for you as a couple, man?

Christina Carpenter [00:28:48]:
You were just pulling out all of the big guns. Peter. I will say that that has definitely brought us closer. He is somebody who supports whatever I want to do. He really is. And so that has been really good for us. When I told him I was going to do Bloom and Blossom west coast, he was a little like, are you sure? Like, you know, like, this is. This is a big deal.

Christina Carpenter [00:29:14]:
You're not on that side of the world. You know, you're not over there And I was like, yes. I was like, I have a great team and I'm going to do this. And then he brought up things that I, you know, are, you know, let's think about this, this and this. And it was good for me to pause and kind of think those things through. But ultimately, you know, he also agreed it's, you know, it, it was the right choice too. But I love that he was able to challenge me in such a supportive way versus a critical way. And so as far as helping our marriage, I think it has definitely helped with communication and just showing each other that we are there supporting each other no matter what.

Erin [00:29:55]:
I love it. And you've, you didn't mention the fact that he was also a speaker at the last conference. And I mean he's always the behind the scenes guy too. And he's your biggest hype. Hype guy.

Christina Carpenter [00:30:06]:
Yeah, he actually, he embarrasses me. I actually probably not going to hand him the, the speaker or microphone back because. No, I'm just kidding. He, he does a phenomenal job, but he does hype me up and man, I don't know what to do with my face when he does that. So like I just try to hide when he's up there.

Erin [00:30:23]:
I love it. Well, where can our listeners find you and find the conference so that they can sign up?

Christina Carpenter [00:30:32]:
Yes, so there are several different places like I'm all over. So you can go to www.christinacarpenter.org and under that there's a contact form. So on the first page, if you go ahead and fill that contact form out, even if you leave it blank, but just put like your name and your email that will put you in our newsletter email list and so you will get updates on all of the events that are going on. I also put a lot of book recommendations and some of my favorite things in those newsletters as well. I'm on Instagram and Facebook. On Instagram, it is authentic. Join the Journey and Bloom and Blossom conference. On Facebook it's authentic.

Christina Carpenter [00:31:11]:
Join the Journey and Bloom and Blossom.

Erin [00:31:14]:
Excellent. And we will have all of those details on the show. Notes so that you can just click and go. And I think that's everything. I think I'm excited about your conference. I can't wait to hear about it. And I'm still trying to figure out how I can get there myself because. Oh yes, please come.

Erin [00:31:29]:
It's gonna be one fantastic. Yeah, you don't wanna miss it. I mean the speaker lineup and just everything that you're doing and you know I just. I wanna say, too, I. I love to gush about you and what you're doing. And I think some people could listen to that and be like, oh, my gosh, that's kind of. But I think it's so important for other women to hear other women building each other up. And that is something that you have always modeled in the community that you've built.

Erin [00:31:54]:
And the way that you've embraced me at your conferences, whenever you would ask me to speak, and you really took a chance on me as well. And I just. I love your heart for serving women. And I just like, if you're listening to this and you're like, well, that's great for them. I don't have that. Pray, ask God to send you that person who is your hype girl who will build you up, and then also ask him how you can be that for someone else. Because a lot of times like that kind of follows. The whole theme of what we're talking about, is if you don't see something in your community, start something in your community.

Erin [00:32:29]:
Because you never know. Like Christina said, who needs to hear that word of encouragement? Who needs to see that modeled for them? There are a lot of hurting women out there. There are a lot of homeschool moms who are dealing with really hard things. And in those times and moments of pain or fear or hurt, having that one person just say, hey, I like your hair today, or, you know, it can be as simple and as genuine as that. So I want to say thank you, Christina, for coming on. And if you've listened and been encouraged, go to the conference. This is like, a hundred percent who Christina is. She is authentic.

Erin [00:33:05]:
She is wonderful. And I'm so lucky to call her my friend. Well, thank you for having me friend.

Christina Carpenter [00:33:11]:
And thank you for all those kind words again. You're gonna make me cry again.

Erin [00:33:16]:
All right, well, we'll. We'll talk to you next week, and thank you for listening. We'll have all the links for everything bloom and blossom in the show. Note.

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