I am often asked to join book launches to make the chorus of cheers and rave reviews louder and stronger. But when my dearest friend wrote a book, I didn’t want to talk about her book. I wanted to talk about her.
I met Connie Albers a hundred years ago in another life when I was trying to make my name great. I have a few fond memories of friendships that were formed through the 2:1 Conference, but it was meeting Connie in 2013 that definitely sticks out during that season.
She cornered me in the DC hotel lobby while I was desperately trying to run back to my room to grab something I had forgotten. I was hosting the event and doing a million other jobs … like running down hotel lobbies. This woman hustled beside me and at the elevator looked deep into my eyes, grabbed my hand and said, “I feel like we’re supposed to work together”.
As soon as the elevator doors shut between us I burst out laughing. At that time I had many people who wanted to “collaborate” on projects, steal ideas, and drain me dry of words to promote their products and events. I was becoming calloused. And I wasn’t interested in another tag along.
Oh how God works.
I’m not quite sure how I ran into Connie again. I just know I am incredibly thankful for second chances. I found out after the conference she was a powerhouse local homeschool mom who had a huge local following and I had missed out on the encouragement because I was living my life online with bloggers sharing edited versions of ourselves. At home, I was starving to hear words of hope.
One morning Connie and I were sitting outside under the Winter Garden oaks drinking heavily sugared coffee deep in conversation – I don’t believe Connie knows another type. Coffee or conversation! She’s unafraid to dive deep into your mess and shine some light there. That day she was pouring words of kindness all over my hurts. I have never met someone as kind as Connie. I should start spelling her name Konnie because her name and this quality are one in the same.
No judgement. No condemnation. No lecturing. Just God’s grace poured into her life and then poured out into others. She eagerly overflows everything the Lord has poured into her.
The next few years Connie became my prayer sister lifting up my family. She loved on us and allowed us to love on her. We shared event highlights, health issues, published columns, heart concerns, speaking events, and even hosted a short-lived local event together. (she was right, we would work together).
Connie graciously offered wisdom during some hard parenting disappointments. And when I pushed away to hide because we were no longer homeschooling my teen … she came and prayed me out of my self-inflicted shame and hurt. Connie doesn’t give up on people.
Parenting Beyond the Rules
For a woman who can bring down the roof at any speaking event, Connie relied on God to orchestrate every single world of book writing connection. Those are not my stories to share, but through her writing journey God showed me what it means to trust Him. Connie believes in the Lord and His Word. It was amazing to listen to her God-stories of provision.
Parenting Beyond the Rules is going to bless a crazy amount of parents and change families!
Yes! The book’s content is great. But the writer, amazing. Not because she is a lyrical genius. Not because she has a long list of education or psychology degrees. Because I’ve met her children and I have seen the proof of her efforts. Her adult children are the real deal.
They create. They lead. They love. They serve. They build. They pray. They worship. They support. They are kind. They are fun. They like their siblings. They like coming home! If I’ve ever had a prayer for my family it is that my children want to come home. Not because they “have to” but because “they want to”. The Albers have created a close knit support system of humans who enjoy being together. They created a home.
I have seen what this book has done in the lives of 5 pretty cool kids. Better, I continue to see the relationship between parents and children lived out today. When we’re out drinking coffee Connie’s phone blows up with text messages from her children, it happens every single time we’re together. And every time she answers their texts. Connie knows how to put family first and she practices it.
I’ve been over to her house and her children want to come home to “hang out” with their parents. Why? Because Connie and Tom took the time and effort to create something far different than what the world thinks is “parenting goals”.
I encourage you, if you’re walking into the preteen season or are raising teens today ~ trust the author of Parenting Beyond the Rules. You will have a treasure of encouragement and guidance in your hands.
This post is an honest opinion of my real life sister-friend Connie Albers. All opinions are my own. You can purchase this book on Amazon. Parenting Beyond the Rules launches April 1st. Read more about Connie and the book here. This post contains affiliate links.