as for the attendance, it was just over 30,000 on Friday, and 31,000 on Saturday and Sunday.  It was over 200 baptized.
There was over 100,000 tied in to the international convention in New Jersey and of those conventions tied in almost 1000 were baptized.

I did it, I made it to the first day of the Regional Convention in Milwaukee, WI.  It was beautiful.  When we arrived on Thursday, we went to try and check in, but the rooms weren't ready.  We wanted to go find Miller Park, so we could get acclimated to where it was and how to get there. We knew the interstate would be chaos so I had looked up an alternate route which was super easy to get to and then took that main street instead of the interstate, and that was smooth sailing. 

We were amazed how huge the place was.  We didn't go in, but we just pulled up and checked the place out. Then we were all starving so we went to have lunch at an Ihop.  The girls had never been to one, so they were super happy.  Funny thing they do is they plan out what they are going to order and then share it. They have been doing this for some time now, but it is still funny to see. 

We went to go get groceries and then it was time to go check in.  We got to our rooms, and we were across the hall from each other.  The girl's room had a beautiful view of a golf coarse, and their bath tub had jets in it.  our room was of the street, which was still pretty, but we didn't have any jets in our bath tub.  Oh well, that was fine. 

Then because I was so tired, and EO was too, we just ordered a pizza.  the girls I think ordered form jimmy johns.  They order from there from time to time in Superior.  I had posted on FB where we were and a short time later, Colton called and asked if there was a hotel across the street from us. It turns out, that was where he was staying with McDonalds.  He came trotting across the street and visited us for a little bit. He was coughing and hacking, just like EO and Lauren.  He said the night before his temp was 103.  He was still running a temp but it wasn't as high.  In fact the next morning he texted me saying he wasn't going to make it as he was just too sick.  

But I did.  I actually made it to the first day of the convention.  it was wonderful.  We saw Mike S. and he escorted me to an area that I could park.  EO was able to sit with me too.  The girls went and sat up in the section where a lot of our cong was sitting. and that happened to be the section where we were assigned to clean too.

The day was a real struggle for me.  I ran a fever most of the day.   The last 2 hours EO said, I shifted around so much he was concerned.  He asked to take me back to the room, but I didn't want them to miss out.  Then the last hour, I was in agony.  My fever was spiking my lymph nodes were swelling and my body was screaming.  most of the day, that i had run a fever, I struggled to take notes. then in the afternoon, I pretty much gave up.  once in awhile I would jot something down, but it wasn't for long.  i just struggled to concentrate. 

We left really quick when it ended.  I could hardly walk and was so thankful i had a wheel chair so I didn't have to walk much.  

By Saturday... i was a mess.  i left the door open for the hope that i would be well enough to attend, but there was no way.  I was so sick.  plus i broke out in a rash really bad and I couldn't handle sitting at all.  even making myself food was too much work.  Lauren too stayed behind Saturday.  Her cold was maxed out.  EO also was horrible sick with his cold, but he went as Steph wouldn't have been able to attend.  Lauren slept most of the day, and i slept part of it too. 

Come Sunday... I was even worse.  It felt like i had a rash in my throat.  i could hardly talk, i looked the worse i have ever looked.  So I didn't make it Sunday either.  I slept a good chunk of the day, holding my head up was next to impossible.  I did however look closely at our new book.  I am so excited to study it, it is just so so so AWESOME!!!!!  I love the format, the experiences and examples, the illustrations, the charts and graphs.  LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!!!!

  EO and the girls managed to go though.  They were very encouraged and said it was all so exciting.  Steph came home with a list of goals and encouraged beyond description.  In fact they all had goals to make improvements.  It was music to my ears.  By the time they had gotten back, I was able to sit up for just a few minutes to eat, but then I was right back to bed.

Colton was able to attend Sat & Sun.  He said he wouldn't miss Logan's baptism for anything.  He too said he was very encouraged and he was really excited about the convention as well.  In fact, steph took tons of "snapchats" of the talks and sent them to him on Friday.  I sent him pics of the releases and we picked up copies for him. 

Steph had also sent me a number of "snapchats" from both days too.  Which was wonderful to see!  

Late Sunday night, I needed to pack.  So I would get up and pack a couple things, and lay down, then get up and pack a couple things and lay down.  EO too helped me pack up as well.  But when ever I laid down, he would sit, so I didn't feel like I had to keep going.  

We left about 8:30 (after breakfast) Monday, to head home.  I was so so so sick.  my guts were an awful mess. I just did my best to hold myself together as much as I could until we got home.  EO did most of the unpacking.  I just had a few things to put away. 

and then this morning, we got up and got right back to our morning worship routine.  EO is sleeping, poor guy, so sick all weekend with that terrible cold, but he was such a trouper.  Now he can rest.  

Steph unpacked and repacked and she and Lauren left not real long after we got home.  I had already been in bed when they left.  But with as sick as I was...still am, i did the best i could.

i'm not sure, but this could be the last convention I will attend.  if we are back to Rochester next year, maybe i will try one more time.  But, it is just so hard to know how sick i will be, and what i will be able to do.  i thought for sure i was going to be able to attend Sunday.  and i don't know what this rash is from, other than stress. I am broke out from my head down, face, neck, chest, belly, arms, legs... even my ears.  

my digestive track is extra bad, my lymph nodes haven't settled down.  today they are really throbbing. in fact they hurt more than my back and hips... so that is pretty bad. i move like i am 105 years old.  super slow and just so miserable. 

So with the C.O. visit tonight, i know i won't be attending.  who knows what condition will be in on Thursday.  But my hope is to attend on Sunday.

i can always hope.