A Visit with the Maxwells

In our experience with homeschooling, we have been encouraged by other families that have gone before us and are willing to share things that they have learned.  One of these families is the Maxwell family from Leavenworth, Kansas.  The Maxwells have written several books that we have found to be very helpful, spoken at a few homeschool conferences that we have attended, and their daughter, Sarah, also wrote a series of fiction books loosely based on their family's life that we have enjoyed reading out loud with our children.

I don't remember exactly when, but sometime before our trip, I was on their webpage and saw that they had a link to their church with an invitation to attend if in the area.  I realized that we would probably be in the Kansas City area on a Sunday so we kept their information with us.  Ron sent an email while we were in Salt Lake City and surprisingly to us, they invited us to their home to spend the night on Saturday night.

Their home was beautiful and their family was warm and hospitable.  They had recently built a new home and had a large guest room with beds to sleep ten (they have eight children themselves although their youngest is 14).  We arrived after dinner on Saturday and enjoyed visiting with them before going to bed.  Sunday morning, we were served a nice breakfast and then left for church. 

The Maxwell's church is located in a nursing home where they, along with a few other families, are able to show love to the residents and worship together with them.  It was a wonderful experience for our family.  One thing I really enjoyed seeing was when Mr. Maxwell invited a 7 year old girl up with him to lead worship.  She had a wonderful smile on her face as the two of them lead the rest of us in hymns.

We returned to their home for burritos for lunch.  Ron and one of their sons took the children to the park until lunch was ready and I was able to visit with Teri, her three daughters and her daughter-in-law.  What a treat for us to visit with their family.  Michaela and Rebekah especially enjoyed visiting with their daughters.  It was quite a welcome change from our previous night at the Basswood Resort.

Keri