Learning to Never Stop Learning

     I was right, but that is perfectly okay. I am simply a nobody set out to do God's business. God has a way of keeping us humble, and again, that is okay. Though the crowds were very small at Mass Hope, and sales were few, I did get to experience some great quality time with my oldest son. I watched people and learned things that will stick with me forever. Did you know that in a group of teenagers, there is always the loud one who will beg everyone else to see what the free item on the table is all about, but they never go and get it for themselves? The others never seemed to care, but the one who truly wants the prize will keep insisting that they all go and check it out. Then there are the other children who will take a prize, and then leave, only to come back with more friends so they can get a free item too. AND, sometimes there are the ones who go off, and then come back hoping to get to pick twice! Yes, it was quite the eye opener. 
     Also, another thing I learned was that my son (and I) could get kind of goofy after spending ten hours behind a booth, hearing the same speech over and over again as the people next to us hawked their wares to everyone who walked by (maybe I need to write a unit study curriculum and sell that! Those seem to go like hotcakes!) Anyway, I had a little knight kit in my stuff at the convention, so JJ and I put him together and named him Brad. (See the picture at the bottom of the page if you care to meet him.) Brad kept us giggling even as people hurried by, some taking time to stop and ask what we were about. The problem was there were three other huge booths that sold fiction books and many people had already purchased what they wanted by the time they arrived at mine. The ones who did stop were very thankful for my purpose in writing the books, and as moms they appreciated the fact that the material in the books was trustworthy, clean, and uplifting, directing the readers to Scripture and Godly lessons that we all can benefit from. Many took cards and said they would be in touch later through my website.
     The best thing that happened though, was the fact that two vendors approached me about my series and after talking for a while, they expressed an interest in reading my books so they might sell them in their stores. As I learned from one very kind vendor, I should always offer an interested vendor a book so they can read it and check it out. So I gave away two of my books and I am praying that the Lord opens up the door for my books to get spread through other sales people. I had prayed the Lord would open the doors He wanted open, and do what He would during the convention. I believe that everything happened just as He wanted, and yes, even though I went away feeling a little saddened more books did not sell, I feel hopeful for the future and in the fact that His work is not over yet. So, learn to never stop learning and I believe the Lord can give us wisdom in every area of our lives, if we only let Him direct our paths. 
 

The first picture is how our booth looked at the beginning of the show. The second pic is of JJ and I, and the third pic is poor Brad. He was the knight we made and I really thought he was cute. JJ had had enough of sitting so he threatened to hurt Brad with his remote control spider he got if I did not take them home. It was a long afternoon.