It's Not Just About Us

Yesterday I came away from church with a few great thoughts to ponder.
In the world today we are taught that everything is about us, about what we want, how we feel, and what we desire. Forget about everyone else. They can fin for themselves, our happiness is all that matters.

This thinking is so wrong. Life is not all about us. It's about our families, about God, about what we can contribute to this world to help others. And I don't mean in the 'it takes a village' sort of way. I've never been into that saying because I don't believe in collectivism. What I do mean is that we need to think of others besides ourselves. We need to pray for others, take care of our spouses and children and be the best we can be for them. It's about being a good sister or brother, being a good friend or neighbor, being a good grandma or grandpa, and most importantly, being the best child of God we can be.

We should definitely go after our dreams and never stop reaching. We should definitely seek after the good things in life, because God does want us to have all this and more. But in seeking after those things we need to remember the things that matter most. We need to remember it isn't all about us. It's about loving and caring for one another and living your best life. It's all about being the best you you can possibly be.

In the eyes of God we are all pretty awesome. Now let's go and prove Him right:-)

Suggested Reading

Book: The Maze Runner
Author James Dashner

The Book
When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.
Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.
Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.
Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

Boy, talk about a wild ride! James definitely takes you on one with this book. I had to put it down every now and then to calm my pounding heart. My 14 year old son devoured this book in a day, and we're both anxiously awaiting the next volume.
You can find The Maze Runner at your local book store or on Amazon.com

Also, click on the video link to the right and check the trailer for My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison.

And be sure to get your free copy of The Journey and Place In This World ebooks by clicking on the links to the right!

Blog: Am I Not A Man?-The Dred Scott Story

I love reading about historical figures that I can really look up to. Mark L. Shurtleff's novel Am I Not A Man?: The Dred Scott Story is about such a person.

An illiterate slave, Dred Scott trusted in an all-white, slave-owning jury to declare him free. But after briefly experiencing the glory of freedom and manhood, a new state Supreme Court ordered the cold steel of the shackles to be closed again around his wrists and ankles. Falling to his knees, Dred cried, "Ain't I a man?" Dred answered his own question by rising and taking his fight to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Dred ultimately lost his epic battle when the Chief Justice declared that a black man was so inferior that he had "no rights a white man was bound to respect."

Dred died not knowing that his undying courage led directly to the election of President Abraham Lincoln and the emancipation proclamation.
Dred Scott's inspiring and compelling true story of adventure, courage, love, hatred, and friendship parallels the history of this nation from the long night of slavery to the narrow crack in the door that would ultimately lead to freedom and equality for all men.

By the end of this book I was teary and felt both the pain and the triumph of Dred's story. This brave man renewed my gratitude for my ancestors and the trials they underwent to insure the freedom of their posterity. And I'm grateful to Mark Shurtleff for researching Dred's life and gifting us all with his story.

To preorder copies of Am I Not A Man: The Dred Scott Story or to learn more about this book and the author, log onto valorpublishinggroup.com

Be sure to download your free copy of The Journey and Place In This World by clicking on the links to the right!

I Am Wonder Woman!

When I was a kid I thought the greatest person in the world was Wonder Woman. In fact, I wanted to be Wonder Woman. Well, be her and a nun:-)
I used to think it would be so great to jump high, run like an amazon, compel people to tell the truth with my magic lasso, and be the best bullets and bracelets female on Paradise Island. My imagination went wild with this!
Of course, as I got older I realized I would never be a size 2, blue-eyed amazon running around in a red, white, and blue bathing suit, ridding the world of evil (and I never became a nun, either.) But I have discovered that all women can be Wonder Women in their own way.

We marry, have children, and care for our families. We're housekeepers, cooks, caregivers, teachers, nurses, taxi drivers, supporters, and sympathizers. We're forever fixing rips and tears and sewing on buttons, and we sorrow for the heartbreaks of others and rejoice in their triumphs, plus many other things. We do it all!

So, the next time you're feeling a little down on yourself or overwhelmed, take a moment to stop in front of a mirror, picture yourself donning a golden crown and belt with lasso, and bullet-proof bracelets. Then give yourself a big smile and say, "I Am a Wonder Woman!" I promise you will feel better:-)

Suggested Viewing

I don't care how cheesy it is, you gotta love the Wonder Woman television series from the 70s. I been watching the first two seasons this past few weeks with my twelve-year-old daughter and it's been a blast.

A beautiful Amazon princess (Lynda Carter) travels to America disguised as Diana Prince, assistant to handsome but trouble-prone Major Steve Trevor (Lyle Waggoner). Using her golden belt, which imbues her with astonishing strength, her bullet-deflecting bracelets, a golden lasso that dispels dishonesty and an invisible supersonic plane, Wonder Woman combats evil.

Heather Moore's New Book: Alma

I love reading both fiction and non-fiction. I like reading a novel that is both even more. If you do too, then Heather Moore's new book Alma is just the ticket:-)

The Book
King Noah is thundering with rage. The former high priest Alma has vanished from the city of Nephi, and every night more of his believers manage to escape. The king blames Amulon and threatens certain punishment unless Amulon recaptures Alma—a seemingly impossible task. But Amulon has a plan. An equally valuable prisoner is at his fingertips: Noah’s wife, Maia, whose newfound faith means bitter humiliation for the king and an opportunity for Amulon to seize power.

Amulon’s disavowed daughter Raquel has plans of her own. Despite her grief, she is determined to begin a new life in the colony Alma and his followers are building. When Lamanites plunder and burn her settlement, Raquel and her young son are forced to flee to the waters of Mormon.

Drama and danger escalate as Alma the Elder organizes the Lord’s Church and baptizes its members, bringing an outpouring of divine grace and power. But even as they rejoice, the believers have profound and perilous trials to face, from the outward threat of Amulon’s treachery to the inward threat of pride and disobedience. With poignant emotion, gripping suspense, and rich inspiration, this new epic story from H.B. Moore vividly brings the Book of Mormon to life.

This Whitney Award winning author has a way with Church historical fiction novels that completely pulls you into the story and doesn't let go until you're finished. When it comes to facts, her research and study of the Book of Mormon prophets is excellent and her books never fail to please. Reading her books increases my love for these great men.
Plus, Heather is a pretty awesome lady:-)
Find out more about Heather and her books by visiting her website at www.hbmoore.com

And if you haven't downloaded your free copy of The Journey and Place In This World, what are you waiting for?
Click on the links to the right!

When Storms Come

In the movie The Count of Monte Cristo, the Count is attending the birthday dinner of Mercedes' son, Albert Mondego. He gives the birthday toast and during that toast he says something that has always stuck with me. When talking about the storms of life, he repeats something Albert said weeks earlier when he was accosted in an alleyway, and adds some extra words of wisdom to it. He said, "When those storms come, say to them, 'Do your worst, for I will do mine.'"

Everyone has times in their life when storms rage and you wonder if one of these times you will be washed away with the tide. I know I do. Yet somehow we stand strong. We are somehow gifted with the strength to withstand the raging waters and go on.

We will be told at different times in our lives that God will not give us more than we can handle. He lets it rain and He lets the winds blow, because He knows it is for our good. He knows we must learn and grow and become stronger.
How grateful I am for that.

So when we faces those storms in life, let's quote the Count of Monte Cristo and say "Come on! Do your worst, for I will do mine!" Then learn and grow from the experiences:-)

Suggested Reading

Book: The Peacegiver
Author: James L. Ferrell

The Book
How is Christ the answer to a strained relationship with child, parent or sibling? What if I am being mistreated — what does the atonement say about that? How can I discover the desire to repent when I don't feel the need to repent? These are the challenging questions of daily life, the questions to which the gospel must provide an answer if it is to have living, cleansing, redeeming power.

The Peacegiver is a book about the answers to these questions. In both content and form it is unlike other books about the atonement, for it unfolds as compelling story in which the characters learn about the Atonement as they struggle over the problems in their lives — problems we each share. The book therefore allows us not only to "learn about" the Atonement but also to have an experience with it.

"My peace I give unto you," the Savior declared. The Peacegiver explores in a deeply personal way what we must do to receive the peace he stands willing to give.

No matter how many times I read this book, I always come away learning something new, and even though I still have so much more to learn, this book has helped me to understand the atonement more than I ever had before.
Get your copy of The Peacegiver from your local bookstore or Amazon.com

Our World Is But Our Looking Glass

I have the privilege of associating with a lot of great women. Some are very outgoing and live life with gusto. Some are continually active, striving to do what they can to make our country and our world a better place, while others are shy and a little withdrawn and wonder if anything they do makes a difference.
A few weeks ago I was visiting with one of these amazing women. She is in her sixties, all of her kids are married with kids of their own, and she and her husband raise sheep, goats, and cows.
While we visited, she apologized to me for not reaching out more and said she had a hard time getting to know people. She also said she didn't think there was much about herself that was interesting, and she didn't think she had anything to say that people would want to hear.

I told her she couldn't be more wrong.

Everyone has something special about them because everyone is special and has something to contribute. We just tend to forget from time to time. Some of us forget and never can remember.
We are all of worth and worthy of being loved, if we let ourselves be.
So even if you are shy, introverted, or withdrawn, you're still pretty amazing. If no one ever tells you that, then I will. You're amazing!

Here is a beautiful little poem to help us remodel our outlook on life and ourselves.

Mind is the master power that molds and makes,
And we are Mind, and evermore we take
The tool of thought, and shaping what we will,
Bring forth a thousand joys, a thousand ills,
We think in secret, and it comes to pass -
Our world is but our looking glass.
-- James Allen

Suggested Reading

Book: Stardust of Yesterday
Author: Lynn Kurland

The Book
Inheriting a castle--and a ghost to go with it--Genevieve Buchanan finds herself falling in love with the spectre of Kendrick de Piaget, an arrogant thirteenth-century knight.

Genevieve Buchanan inherited a castle-and a ghost to go along with it. But Kendrick de Piaget was no typical ghost. He was a handsome and infuriatingly arrogant thirteenth-century knight.
At first he wanted to frighten Genevieve, though she was more charmed than scared by his ghostly tricks. But when his thoughts turned to wooing her instead, Genevieve had to face her greatest fear: falling in love.

Dano the Mano!

Today I have been having a major blog-writing block today, so a little while ago, my 14 year old son happened to be in the room and I asked him what I should write about. He said, and these are his words, "Write about me, because I'm cool and people want to hear about me." And this coming from a kid who always gives one-word answers, has a very sneaky smile, and has at least two spastic moments a day. (Wait, actually all my kids have spastic moments!)
So I dedicate today's blog to my son, Daniel, the coolest 6'2, lanky 14 year old I know:-)

Suggested Reading

Book: The Birthright
Author: Loralee Evans
The Book
As a young girl, Miriam must flee her home in a Lamanite village to escape her birthright—to be offered as a sacrifice to the Lamanite gods. During her flight in the deep jungles, Miriam crosses paths with Jacob, a young Nephite soldier who saves her life and leads her to safety among the Nephites. Years later, now a young woman, Miriam meets Jacob again. She is surprised to find that the sisterly affection she felt for him so long ago has developed into something deeper. But before she or Jacob can discover their true feelings for one another, war comes to the lands of the Nephites, and both Miriam and Jacob find themselves thrown into a whirlwind of struggles. As they fight to keep their faith alive, they are drawn even closer together.

I've read this book several times and I enjoy the story more each time I read it:-)