Free Raising Faith by Melody Carlson Page A

just so she could stay home and finish up her sewing projects. She knew that was probably wrong, but it was the truth.
    “How are the elf skirts coming?” asked Carlie.
    “Almost done,” said Morgan.
    “Good,” said Amy. “Remember we’re supposed to try them on tomorrow.”
    “Oh, yeah,” said Emily, “I just remembered something, Morgan. The youth group was getting together before church tonight —”
    “The wreath-making party!” exclaimed Morgan. “I totally forgot.”
    “Me too,” said Emily.
    “That sounds like fun,” said Carlie. “Can anyone come?”
    “Of course,” said Morgan. “The reason for making the wreaths is to earn money for the ski trip — they’ll divide up the profits from the bazaar with whoever helps out.”
    “Hey, maybe I can come too,” said Amy.
    By the time the girls got to school, it was all worked out. Emily’s mom had the day off, so she could probably give them a ride to the church. “Just meet at my house a little before four,” Emily told them.
    But when four o’clock came later that afternoon, Morgan was still sitting at her sewing machine, finishing up the last elf skirt. And when that was done, she started in on socks. She was just finishing up her third pair of socks when Mom called her to dinner. And after dinner, which Mom had cooked, Grandma announced that she wanted to go to church that night.
    “You’re sure you’re up to it?” asked Morgan.
    “I think it might energize me,” said Grandma as she put on her coat.
    “Sounds like just the ticket,” said Mom.
    As Mom drove them to church, Morgan tried not to obsess over the fact that she was way behind on her sock-sewing project. She knew that all she could do was to trust God. If he wanted her to go on the ski trip, he would have to make it happen.
    “There are only three spaces left on the ski trip,” Emily told Morgan when they met in the foyer of church. “And there were a couple of kids at the wreath-making party who hadn’t even signed up yet.”
    Morgan shrugged. “Nothing I can do about that.”
    “But what if you don’t get to go?” asked Emily.
    She shrugged again.
    “You should’ve come to the wreath-making party,” said Emily. “It was really fun. Carlie and Amy got to know some of the kids in youth group, and it was pretty cool. And we made a ton of wreaths. If they all sell at the bazaar, there’ll be lots of money for the ski trip.”
    “Good.” Morgan forced a smile to her lips.
    They were in the sanctuary now. “Do you want to sit in front?” Emily asked hopefully.
    “I guess …” Then Morgan followed Emily up to their favorite spot right in front of Pastor George’s podium. But even as she sat down, she felt none of her usual enthusiasm. And as they worshiped, she didn’t feel that old thrill. And that spark that normally ignited inside of her felt as if it was barely flickering at all. She knew that wasn’t good. But she wasn’t sure what to do about it. Finally, she did the only thing she knew — she silently prayed, telling God what was wrong, and then she asked him to help her.
    “Are you going to work at the bazaar on Saturday?” Janna asked Morgan after church. “I don’t have you downon the schedule yet.”
    “And we missed you at the wreath-making party,” said Cory. “Where you been hiding, Morgan?”
    “I had to do some things at home,” she told him.
    “Well, we have Emily down,” said Janna as she looked at the clipboard. “She’ll be working from ten to twelve so she can make it to the parade at one. You could work with her if you want.” She winked at Morgan. “I’m guessing you’ll have all sorts of cool things to sell.”
    “Yeah,” said Emily. “She’s making socks.”
    “Socks?” Janna blinked. “What kind of socks?”
    “Polar fleece socks,” said Morgan.
    “Cool,” said Janna. “I might be interested in some of those myself.” She jabbed her husband with her elbow. “Cory might want some too. His tootsies