200 Minivans

     Yep, we did.  The kids and I pulled our minivan into the line of 200 others and went to a home school conference.  I thought the kids' favorite part would be the motel pool.  I thought my favorite part would be meeting my friend over lunch.  Instead... every one of my 5 children had a deep, joyful retreat experience at Kids Convention.  They were bubbling with worship songs and quoting scripture for fun.  They made new "best friends":  their leaders, who starred in a 2-day WWII drama.  They beg to go back next year. 

      Meanwhile, I self-consciously donned my name tag, left the coffee in the car (regulations), and slipped into a row of other un-relaxed mothers ready to take notes.  The very first presenter spoke my language with a garden analogy.  He told us that we need to be careful not to get over-zealous in our weeding and thereby wound our little "plant-children."  I was convicted.  Then I got completely hooked when I peeked in the vendor hall and saw floor-to-ceiling bookcases with cloth-bound used books.  New and old books were on every wall waiting to be felt and smelled and hugged.  I was tempted to just disappear in there for the weekend.  Instead, I got out my map and plotted my workshops.  I really enjoyed being taught for a change, and the cherry on top was meeting new people.  Plus, my friend and I shared lunch, two days in a row.  

Here are the bookstore people that inspired me with their display:  Gary and Jan Bloom