Building Faith and Buying Books

Yesterday was a one day Building Faith at Home (more on this program in a future blog post) conference at our church. I normally would have attended, but I just couldn't swing it. Thursday to Sunday was the annual  Books 4 Kids sale, a fundraiser for local public schools. Only schools who provide volunteers can receive the proceeds from it, which I think is great.

Of course, while 95% of the reason I volunteer at this event is a passion for supporting public schools, I can't deny that it doesn't hurt that I am a sucker for used books. It's such a good cause that I couldn't stop myself from buying, oh, a few. Ok, 21. But of those, 11 were actually on my Amazon.ca Wish List, so I actually saved money. And it was for a good cause.

Even though I wasn't specifically AT the conference Saturday, I was doing things that were in line with the Faith At Home ideas. I attended the introduction of this year's May Queen (who is one of the girls who plays ball hockey) and her consorts, as well as went to a youth soccer game to cheer on my friend's son. Along with having faith in God, another key protective factor is having a sense of being cared about by adults who are not relatives.

Certificates the kids received from MP Jean Crowder, who couldn't attend the event yesterday.

The May Queen's crown... one is current and one is no longer in use. I missed which was which.

I was reminded this weekend how wonderful my friends are, as well. Pastor Chelsey, our new associate pastor, took her ordination exam at Classis on March 1. I had talked to some people on the staff about doing something to acknowledge that.... a lunch, a gathering... something. I'm Eastern European, and frankly, we'll take any excuse to throw a party ;) We said we'd talk to her when she got home and maybe do something next weekend. Well.. I was talking to a friend about it and she was like, "Nah, that's too long away..... she deserves to have something this weekend! Call T. and see if it's ok for me to bring a cake!" It was.

Now, understand...This conversation happened Friday. My friend has 3 kiddos, including a daughter who played soccer Saturday, and her hubby was away on business. Yet she found time to make a cake.

So, I am in awe of her, and also feeling a little bit guilty. While I did make Chelsey a card, it is a complete CASE Literally. Every. Last. Detail. So I am feeling a tad bit lazy. I'll make up for it in April when we have her official swearing in ceremony.

I can't remember the name of the stamp set. It's something punny to do with owls. Whoo something?  Owl something? I really can't remember. The cs is So Saffrom and the dsp is Greenhouse Gala. Ribbon and ink are both chocolate chip.

I want to give a shout out to the designer of the original card I lifted, but I can't remember who made it!