Do you love to READ?

I was not a good 'reader' in elementary school. In 2nd grade I had to attend a "remedial reading" class to learn to read better. I didn't mind going, there were only 3 of us in the class and I received focused attention along the way.....I smile when I think about it now. It was the only time someone actually 'walked' through reading with me. See, we had reading "groups"....and limited time. So the fast readers were focused on so we could get through the work. In remedial class I learned phonics, I was given time to read aloud. How proud I was the first booklet book I read by myself!!! It was all part of the plan!

Still, reading was 'work' for me. I got mostly A's in High School but it was still WORK for me. When others were out 'having fun', I had to study! It was hard WORK! The day I graduated, I knew it was due to working hard. I eventually became an avid reader, loving to read, not just WORKING at reading. Due to 4 years in Germany with lots and lots of time, no TV and a hubby who worked 12 hours on and 12 hours off in the Army, I learned to ENJOY reading!!!! Vacuuming once a day is plenty when you have no children and a small apartment. God had a plan!

The seeds of what was to come were planted in Germany! READING became my friend. Books to purchase were very limited, there were no libraries, we had limited funds and mail from the USA was slow, yet I found sources. Friends shared books, people sent me books when they could. I read everything I could find. Mysteries, cookbooks, romance, biographies, devotionals, magazines for girls, kids books, history books......all I could get. Books opened new vistas to me. I could go places in books that I never imagined. Like China, or into the bowels of the FBI or dining in a cafe in the Orient. I cried reading. I laughed reading. I pondered about things reading. I learned the BOOK is always always better than the movie!!

It was meant to be. My wonderful hubby has always been a 'bookworm', since birth, probably! He is the one who gave me my first 'real' novel. In 1971 he gave me "Exodus" by Leon Uris. It was a paperback he found in the barracks, abandoned. I read it fast and furious. I loved it. Historical fiction, they call it. God had a plan! Books helped me pass the long hours of being alone while my hubby toiled away at work, or served CQ. I am grateful for those years.

Who knew back then I was to become a home loving, home schooling Mom? I sure didn't! Yet GOD knew! He had a plan! He was FOR me. He taught me. He led me. I love the verse in Isaiah that says "I , being in the way, was led by the Lord." That was me. Thank you LORD for teaching me to love reading. I still love to read.....more about that tomorrow!

Signing off for now, hugs, Lynette