I like a free tote. Not because I need a tote. I don’t. I have totes of totes hanging out in my closet and under a bench in my foyer. I like totes because they mean I have been somewhere; usually somewhere I need to carry the things I collect from spot to spot. For example, my newest tote that I got at the recent Tennessee Women’s Missionary Union annual Missions Get-Together at Brentwood Baptist Church is stuffed full. There’s a nice thick program, a great church map, brochures from booths promoting various groups that support personal growth, missions, Christian colleges, and Christian non-profits that benefit all sorts of folks. Deep inside are coloring pencils for marking scripture, and notes taken from several break-out sessions on grief, leadership, prayer, and missions. Even deeper inside are mint wrappers, handwipes and cookie crumbs from the delicious, boxed lunches I enjoyed with Northside friends who had come too. Yes, a free tote usually holds the remains of time well-spent with others, and the one I just added to my growing tote collection reminds me that God is faithful to encourage us and grow us spiritually through community with other women.

I would like to encourage you to consider attending next year’s Missions Get-Together. I can testify that the time there is full of thought-provoking Bible study, powerful worship experiences, encouraging and uplifting break-out sessions, and the hustle and bustle of friends laughing and sharing and learning together. The only thing that would make it better next year is if you come too. After all, you don’t want to miss getting a new tote, do you?