Eva:  Heather, you know Matt's my hero too! Allison, I know that all Faith Kidz (Cook's children's line) books have a special feature at the end. Can you tell me a bit more about the parental guides at the back of the books?

Allison:  I have a special place in my heart for young parents. I was 16 when I gave birth to my son and I was clueless about how to instill spiritual building blocks in my son's life. These guides give instruction to parents to encourage their children to make U-Turns toward the Fruit of the Spirit, toward Love, Joy and Peace. They do this through exercises that encourage Sight, Sound and Touch lessons. Sure, some parents may know to do this automatically, but for many parents, these are building blocks for them as well.

Eva: Allison and Heather, this question is for the two of you. I have a granddaughter who lives nearby, spends the night quite often, and I read to her all the time. She loves these books! She has actually memorized Picnics and Peace! Why do you think it's so important that we read to children and what ministry do you envision with them?

Heather: Jesus often spoke in parables without offering an interpretation. In that way he spoke to those whose hearts were open to hear His message. Storybooks do the same thing: kids can take in the message of the book as much as their maturity will allow. But storybooks aren't just about lessons. They are about storytelling. What better gift is there to give a kid than a cozy lap and a great book?

Allison:  Reading to children opens a door for them to experience a different way of life. Our focus is so limited as kids; we feel the world is exactly like that which we live in from day to day. It's good for kids to see that other people live differently, make different choices, even a little doggie family. This is especially important when a child lives in a troubled home, perhaps with challenging situations and issues that make it difficult to grow up with love, peace and joy. They need to see the choices available to them.

Eva: A final question for Allison and then a final question for Heather. Allison, what's new with U-Turns?

Allison:  Nothing. Nothing's new. Ha! Got ya! Every day is a new experience. The God Allows U-Turns outreach ministry is growing so quickly that it's hard to keep up. We have in development a TV talk show, a women's conference, and a quarterly newsletter - all three premiering in 2004, God willing. The U-Turns Foundation is growing and we just presented the first Strength of Choice award to Gene and Carol Kent this past July at CBA in Orlando. Cook Communications is also publishing next year U-Turns interactive adventure books for youth, ages 8-12. (Thanks to Heather!) We also have a line of logo merchandise, remind me to send you a U-Turns ball cap, okay? And our newest project is a line of God Allows U-Turns greeting cards being produced by Masterpiece Studios out of Mankato, MN. Our web site is going through it's third major revision and January will see a new online look www.godallowsuturns.com.

But Eva, what I am finding out right now is that God using this time to strengthen my own walk with Him. I'm experiencing another major U-Turn in my life right now that is causing me to slow down and to rest more in Him, to stop focusing on the huge strategic plan of the ministry and instead focus more on God's true plan for my life. It's a glorious time and I wouldn't trade these refining fires for anything. God is so good!

Eva: Oh, Ali! Yes, He is!! Heather, would you say a simple prayer for our precious children...that the Fruit of the Spirit would blossom in their little lives?

Heather: Holy Father, we praise you. You are Almighty God, and yet you love us as if we are your only child. Even a mother or father cannot understand the depth of your love for us. And so we entrust our children to you. We know you will care for them even better than we can. We ask you to woo them and win them over to life of love for you. We ask you to watch them and ward them so they will always be safe. And we ask you to fill them with your Spirit so they can bear your fruit. Thank you for hearing our prayer and for answering beyond what we ask or imagine. In Christ, Amen.

Eva:  Amen...and Ali...send me that cap!

Award-winning national speaker, Eva Marie Everson is the author of Shadow of Dreams, Summon the Shadows and the recently released and highly anticipated Shadows of Light. Her granddaughter (pictured left, reading Picnics & Peace) loves the U-Turns for Kids books! Eva can be contacted for comments or for speaking engagement bookings at www.EvaMarieEverson.com