100 books and counting

So the madness continues as I type into excel our expansive collection of children's books. Just last week, Jacob and I carefully scoured the Scholastic flyer for the books we thought we needed. He picked dinosaurs and pirates. I picked Charolotte's Web and Stuart Little.

Then, he carried around a crumpled up flyer from something we received in the mail. A collection of Veggie Tales Books. I am an addict when it comes to mail-order books, so with no obligation purchase (ha ha), our Veggie Tales books will start arriving in four to six weeks.

At the Women of Faith conference, I spent $75 on a gorgeous pink bag that declares "Finally Free" to the world. I would not have paid so much for a bag, but this one came with five books that I plan to read and then share liberally!

The bottom line is that I love books, and I want my fellas to love 'em, too!

I remember when I was a little girl and I decided to play library, so I cut and glued pockets from notebook paper and stuck them to every book I owned. What a wacky kid!

I also remember the time I had planned to be a scribe and had set out copying down the entire Bible. It was a lot harder than I thought. I had to be younger than second grade, and I still only had the OLD King James version. I think I made it through the first three chapters of Genesis before I gave up my mission.

An answered prayer

Years before I had even considered being a mother, I attended my first Women of Faith conference. (note, I am in a posting mood, so I doubt these will not be in order)

At the conference, I was surrounded by amazing women who seemed to have a good handle on their faith in God. And, I, too, was well on my journey in faith. I had already spent a fair number of years praying my family would understand that my "interest" in God was not a hobby.

I have always had a close relationship with my mom. She's a great lady, but I was never able to relate to her spiritually. She had always believed in God, and that seemed to be enough for her, but it never was for me. It's the relationship with the son that I am aiming for. And, as I experienced God in such a powerful way some 10 years ago, I remember wishing my mom could share in something like that. I prayed often for my parents and my sisters over the years.

As someone was unable to attend this week's conference, my mom was able to go. As I was singing with the 12,000 women who attended the conference, I was suddenly very aware of how much had changed in 10 years. Here I was with my mom, and we were both worshiping the same, wonderful, awesome supreme God. Her faith awakened and renewed.

God is so good.

I know I have family, friends, students and even mere acquaintances who are not yet in a relationship with Christ. You can trust that if I know you are not in said relationship that I am praying fervently that you will come to know the one and only true God.

Believing there is a God isn't enough. Jesus is the only way to an eternal life in heaven, and He loves you. And I encourage my Christian friends: Never quit praying for the lost. Eternity is a fate for everyone. You can spend it with God or without Him. It's your choice.

I AM FREE

I drove to Des Moines this weekend to attend the Women of Faith conference. The theme was freedom. The last few weeks of my Bible study focused on freedom. And, you will never guess what today's sermon at church was about.

Me: Hmm. Three times, God? Freedom? Me? A control freak like myself can be free? Hmm. That's nice.
God: Ahem.
Me: OK, again with the freedom? Are we still on that?
God: (insert your favorite parent look here)
Me: Oh, you want THIS control freak to be free. Not just one LIKE me?
God: still nudging
Me: I am going to have to surrender what? Everything? Every little thing? My husband? My kids? My friends? My job? My dreams?
God: Yes, and keep going. You're missing one thing.
Me: I can't think of anything else.
God: "Regina?"
Me: MY PLANNER? You can't be serious. How will I live?
God: "Through me. You will live through me."
Me: I want to …
God: "Then step out in faith. Fall forward. Drop your hands. Trust me."
Me: OK, Lord. But you know you are going to have to show me.