Unexpected

  I have always loved fall the best.  Mostly because it meant new things and fun holidays even in the world that is preparing to sleep.  School starts.  My birthday takes place. Family birthdays--so many birthdays in the fall!
  Yesterday, I took a short walk around my neighborhood.  The world looks so pretty even with the seasonal changes.  I saw geese flying against a brilliant blue sky.  The yellowed leaves littered the ground.  I finally learned why purple is one of the Halloween colors.

I know these are just weeds, but they are gorgeous!

   Some unexpected, crazy things have happened this month--both pleasant and bad things have occurred, and they've all reminded me how many changes life has in store for us.  Yesterday I learned that my grandpa is suddenly going into surgery today because of a hernia that is pressing against his lungs and heart--it should be a simple surgery, but still surgery!  Ack!  Earlier this week, my family lost their pet in a freak accident.  The good news is that sometimes life will take us by surprise in wonderful ways.

I hadn't planned on sharing this news with everyone at this time, but these recent events have reminded me how precious and lovely life really is, and we shouldn't take it for granted.  I know that people generally wait to share such news until twelve weeks because things can happen, but I just wanted to share this because I'm just excited and this news is so meaningful to Greg and me.  I'm glad that I can experience this new change.  Baby is due late May 2015.

Book List

I was asked by a friend on Facebook a few weeks ago to list the ten books that have stayed with me no matter the book.
I, unfortunately, struggled to come up with the books immediately, and then when I looked through my library, I struggled to keep the number to ten.  So, I'd like to share some with you, and give a short explanation as to why they've stayed with me for so long.

1. Agony of Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
I read this as a tween, and I guess the simple answer is that I related to this book well even though Alice was kind of weird to me.

2. A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
I read this book a few times as a child, and I loved it except that I liked the movie version where Sara's dad actually is alive and she has to remind him of that fact he's a dad before she's taken to jail.  More dramatic.  As an adult, I love the story more because of the life lessons I gleaned from it.  No matter the situation, always behave as though you are a princess: kind, loving, thoughtful, dedicated to studies and friends, etc., etc.

3. Little Women by Lousia May Alcott
I read this book as a challenge to myself when I was younger.  I was interested--and still am-- in classics.  I read this book, and I thought it was super boring.  Geez Jo!  Why'd you get married to an old guy!  When I went back and read it as an adult, I fell in love with the book.  I love Mrs. March the most.  She is wise and wonderful mom.

4. Mrs. Mike by Benedict and Nancy Freedman
Favorite book of all time even though I cry so much every time I read it.  I first picked up this book in the library when I was in middle school.  I remember checking it out a couple of times before I acquired this book by chance at a book sale (Score!)  Ever since then, it's the book I always take with me when I move. What's not to love about a story that tells stories?

5. October Sky by Homer H. Hickham
Again, I think I love the stories within the story.  I also appreciate the passion for science and the love of learning shared in this book.

6. The New Junior Classics: Fairy Tales and Fables compiled by Mable Williams and Marcia Dalphin
This book was on the shelf in the library in my living room for a short time before I stole it, and then placed it on my own shelf.  I love fairy tales so much!  This book was also my graduation present from Greg (I asked for it).

7. Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
I have a love/hate relationship with this book--kind of like Rhett's feelings towards Scarlett.  I read this book about five times when I was between the ages of 13- 15 which may or may not have been good for me.  For Christmas one year, I got my own copy of the book and the DVDs with lots of background information which you won't watch after spending four hours watching the movie. I love learning about the Civil War, and this book just made history feel almost alive.  Plus Rhett Butler is such a babe even though he's an older gentleman.  Every time I read this book, I want to yell obscene things at Scarlett 'cause she's such an idiot, but then I have to admire her will to live.

8. Love Stories of World War Two compiled by Larry King
I got this book at the same time I got my own copy of Mrs. Mike.  I love reading positive stories about love and marriage.  Plus, this is another way of experiencing history without reading a history book.  What types of things were people doing during the war?  Where did people go, etc.?  So intriguing.

9. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
I weep when Jane leaves Mr. Rochester.  Also St. John is super annoying.  I'm always glad Jane never 'marries' him.

10. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
This book is tattered now from the many times that my sister and I have read it.  I had to tape the cover together recently.  All I can say is I love this book so much, and if you haven't read it, go read it 'cause it is a fantastic book.

11. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
I went through a phase where I was interested in Russian literature because my mom was doing a lot of family history when I was about fourteen years old.  The summer before I started ninth grade, I read through War and Peace.  Honestly, I can't remember much of War and Peace. I tried reading Crime and Punishment and Doctor Zhivago at some point, but I'll have to try again soon.  If only divorce was not looked down upon in nineteenth century Russia, Anna!

12. Persuasion by Jane Austen
I love the movie so much.  I ended up watching this movie all the time at my grandparents house because they didn't have a wide selection of movies.  (I can only watch Mulan, A Little Princess, and Shrek so many times!)  But anyway, I read this book for book club this year, and I really liked it.  Perhaps I relate to this book so much because I can be easily persuaded and I like to make people happy.  But I also like that their love is rekindled in a strange fashion.

13. David Copperfield and A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
I have to be honest: I never finished David Copperfield because the story was so depressing. Dad dies. Mom remarries. Mom dies. Step-dad is evil jerk.  This story kind of hit home because sometimes I felt like I lost a parent.  I couldn't progress in the book, but I plan to go back and read all the way through someday.  Reading A Tale of Two Cities almost redeemed Dickens for me.  Why does Sydney have to die!?

15. The Belgariad by David Eddings
My favorite fantasy series.  So freakin' good.  Although, I thought Aunt Pol was kind of mean to Garion when I first read this book, but I later changed my mind.  She's quite protective of Garion. This is one of the series that I read to get to know Greg a bit more so to speak.  I think you can learn a lot about a person by the books they read.

16. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
Plshh. I know everybody likes Harry Potter, but they've just said Harry Potter series on their lists.  I'll be more specific with y'all, though.  I love Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban because Harry has hope for once at the end of the story even though he doesn't get to live with godfather.  I also love seeing how hard working Hermione is by keeping with so many classes.  Plus, Harry is still at that kind of cute age before he gets annoying with his angst.

17. Book of Isaiah
I took an intense semester to study this beautiful book of the Old Testament.  Nothing like translating Hebrew and then having lengthy discussions to help understand this book.  I still have all my notes and translations from this class.

Book Review: Einstein Never Used Flashcards

   I just finished a book called Einstein Never Used Flashcards: How our children really learn--and why they need to play more and memorize less.  (Whew!  Long title!) I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book as a recommendation from a close friend.  The authors, Kathy Hirsch-Paske, Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, and Diane Eyer look at and explain a lot of research about early childhood development for all aspects of learning that parents are generally concerned about: social, language, and math.  The research gives you a general idea of what your child can understand at different ages, and the authors basically repeat that PLAY = LEARNING, and that while those classes are good, they aren't necessary.  

  I think I am a big fan of this book because the authors remind me of counsel from the general authorities.  The authors of Einstein Never Used Flashcards remind the readers that children don't benefit from this hurried society.  President Uchtdorf says that we need to slow down and enjoy the moments especially during a time of crisis or being overwhelmed. The book suggest that if parents decide to enroll their young children in activities, that we should think about the reasons for doing so.  Are we being pressured by the Jones family?  Will this be something our child might enjoy?  Like Elder Oaks has said, we have the option to choose good, better, or best.  Many people, including myself, believe it would be best if our families could have dinner together every night instead of rushing off to various events.  Lastly, the authors recommend that children need unstructured play time to replenish their batteries and to learn.  I also believe that adults can benefit from this, too.  While adults don't necessarily 'play' anymore, they can have quiet moments to think about their day and their troubles.  I like what Elder L. Tom Perry says about living with simplicity.  At the beginning of his talk, he mentions how he and his wife would go somewhere peaceful to get away from the demands of life.  I just loved the ideas of slowing down and letting your child learn at their pace--but still parenting and guiding them in their learning!

Anyway, I know this isn't the greatest review, but I wanted to share this with y'all instead of leaving it as a draft.  I like that even as a non-fiction book with a great number of studies mentioned, this book is easy to get through.

Geography and Faith

  Lately, Greg and I have had the opportunity to go out with the sister missionaries to help facilitate lessons with investigators.  I've enjoyed going to these lessons because I get to strengthen my testimony and meet new people.  We've meet with this really awesome investigator who is reading the Book of Mormon, practiced the Word of Wisdom, and has occasionally attended church.  When I asked him how he felt about reading the Book of Mormon, he says, "I really just want like a timeline or background history of this area as well as a map to help me visualize the locations of these places in America."
  As someone who studied the Bible extensively for school, I laugh a bitter laugh at this statement. Several scholars and I understand how he feels only we want to know where to locate routes and places mentioned in the Biblical world, and when exactly certain events took place...

  Examples of things we are kind of unsure of:

  Mount Sinai and the Route of the Exodus: We don't know which way they went up from Egypt to Canaan, and we have a few well-educated guesses as to the location of Mount Sinai and other locations mentioned.  We also don't know how the Israelites settled in Canaan: did they settle peacefully or battle it out with the locals?  We don't even KNOW when they left Egypt! 

 We don't know where the city of Ur that Abraham hails from is located.

 If Jeroboam I built two golden calf altars at Dan and Bethel, how come we can only find the site at Tel Dan?  What did the golden calves really mean to the kingdom of Israel?

 I think it is difficult to read any book and not have questions about the details.  Recently, I've read through Harry Potter and I've been thinking about them a lot. I love the story, and when I read it, I gobble it up.  But sometimes, I wonder about the fine details.  What kind of society is the wizarding society?What happened to Harry's grandparents?  What happens to Harry and Dudley when they are grown up?  How many people know about wizards because of their relationships to wizards and witches?  But sometimes, when I get too caught up in the all the questions, I lose sight of the point of the story the author is trying to make.  When we are reading a book about God and those who believe in God, I think that sometimes we allow those fine details overshadow the ideas of faith that are also mentioned in the book.  Yes, sometimes we don't know everything, and sometimes we will never find out in our lifetime all the answers we have questions to, and yes it is good to talk about the details, but when we allow these details to overrule our faith, we can lose sight of what's really important.  From the scriptures, we can study the lives of believers and learn from their examples.  The scriptures help strengthen my belief in God.  I know that because of the scriptures, prophets of old and modern times, prayer, and answers to prayer that God is real and that He loves us.

  So, we don't know everything about the Bible and the Book of Mormon.  I could say that perhaps those who were writing them didn't include all the details because they were writing about things they knew and understood.  Doesn't Mormon say that he is making an abridgment of the history of his people?  We know that the Bible is a combination of the Torah or the law, prophets, and writings of the Jews.  So having a combinations of different types of literature makes it difficult to pin-point details such as history, geography, etc.  The authors wrote things were (hopefully) inspired to write, and the redactors or those who abridged were trying to keep to the important themes, messages, and ideas.  We know that the Deuteronomistic historian (DtrH) had plenty of material to write a history because he/she/they referenced other books like the chronicles of the kings of Israel occasionally (1 Kgs 15:31).  I'm sure they wrote the important messages down to the best of their abilities.  And don't the authors of the Book of Mormon often say that they hope that they are writing useful things, and they recognize their imperfections, and then don't they ask for us to overlook them?  What we should remember is that scriptures are the testimonies of others, and they give examples of the relationships people had with God, and these people who wrote them were imperfect like us.   I like what Elder Holland said in conference a while ago. "Except in the case of His Only Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with.  That must be terribly frustrating for Him, but He deals with it.  So should we."  Do we need to be more charitable to these authors and redactors?  Yes.

  Anyway, my point is don't let the small things get in the way of the big picture.  Have faith.  Get understanding of the important things like the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  "What we know will always triumph what we don't know.  And remember, in this world, everyone is to walk by faith."- Jeffrey R. Holland