Gina the Book Worm

I usually go through phases where I read - usually on vacations or when I am traveling is where I do the most reading (other than my personal Bible study), and the past couple of years I haven't even done much travel reading at all. Until this summer. I have been my own little book worm this summer! My friend Stephanie has been talking about, for at least a year now, Karen Kingsbury books and how great they were. I made fun of her - I will admit it. I mean Christian fiction - really - how cheesy can that be?

In May I was in a Christian bookstore and they had them on sale so out of curiosity and boredom I decided to pick one up. Stephanie told me I bought the correct one to begin the series of the Baxter family. So, I read here and there throughout May when I was stopped at a red light or waiting on someone or in a drive thru. When I went on vacation - I became enthralled in this book and the saga of the family. I realized A) I was wrong and Christian fiction isn't just about Amish people and it isn't cheesy. It has real life stories and consequences in it. B) I was wrong for making fun of Steph - she was right - I told her that myself. C) I can be a book worm! I was obsessed with finishing the book at the beach. Once I finished it - I had to go to the book store and purchase the next one (because you know - they tempt you with the first chapter of the next book at the end). To my dismay - they didn't have the second book. Of course - they had every other one, but the one I wanted. So, I picked up a two books in one about September 11th by Ms. Kingsbury. These two books were huge and to my surprise - I was enthralled again and finished them both - in four days. Since I returned from the beach - less than a month ago - I have finished two more and am working on another. I have also checked out two more from the church library.

I know you are probably saying - Gina read something more than fiction - but honestly - these books are teaching me a lot about the human spirit and the struggles people face. I am learning when the going gets tough - keep going - don't give up so easy. The "Baxter family" has been rocked with adultery, murder, HIV, falling away from the Lord and your family, coming back to the Lord, finding lost loves, unwed pregnancy and I have only read three books. But, through it all the Lord never has left their side. People tell us divorce him/her they are having an affair - but Kari didn't. She stuck it out and the Lord led her through that and rewarded her for her obedience. Each family member has its own story and I could go on and on - that is just one example. But, these books are GREAT!

So, ladies if you want a good author to read - go to Karen Kingsbury! God truly uses this woman to touch hearts of many and she has been used to touch my heart as well!

PS - always have some tissue with you - you never know when you might need it :)