I don't have a lot of goals for this year, because I know it's going to be a crazy year and I have quite a few small goals I want to slowly add to my life as I see that I'm ready. I do want to set some goals, though.
First, have a baby. That's huge. I know that while I'm pregnant, it's going to be a big job to stay on top of my diet and supplements and exercise and everything to stay healthy. I know this because, been there done that. I have other goals I want to work on as well while I'm pregnant, but my number one goal is to have a healthy pregnancy ending with a healthy baby. And when the baby comes, I'm ready (because, remember, been there done that) to let everything else go and just enjoy my baby and survive the first few months.
On top of that, I do have a few goals. I want to write a novel this year. I already have my idea, so I am going to spend a few months outlining it and then aim for 500 words a day. I'm thinking it will be about 40,000 words, so it will take about three months to actually write it.
I also want to continue with BookTube, doing two videos a week. I don't have two videos for this week, due to moving (I might have one), and I don't know how long it will take me to get back into videos after the baby comes, but my goal as of right now is 50 videos. That gives me a little leeway, but will push me to get content out.
Those are my business goals. I do have some personal goals. Right now, I weigh about 130 and have some extra fat on my stomach. I want to spend my pregnancy only gaining healthy weight and then by the end of the year, I want to lose a couple inches off my stomach (as it is now) and weigh 125. I have a diet and exercise plan for this and am confident that I will be able to reach this goal.
I also have some smaller goals. I want to make reading scriptures a more consistent part of my day. I want to do more with homeschooling (activities and reading with the kids and working on specific things like teaching Parker her letters or helping Ashtyn learn how to write the rest of the alphabet). I want to get back to exercising as soon as my morning sickness passes and make it a part of my lifestyle again. But these are smaller goals that I want to take on slowly so that I don't burn out and that they become a real part of my life.
So there are my goals. What are your goals for the new year?
Tuesday, January 2, 2018
Books I've Read - December 2017
How to Manage your Home without Losing your Mind by Dana K. White
| This is a fantastic book! The author is so genuine and full of personality and has great ideas that have all worked for her and I can see how some will work for me as well. All Around the Town by Mary Higgins Clark The writing was well done and the mystery was a good one, leaving me unsure until nearly the reveal. The ending wasn't my favorite, it was a little too "too good to be true" for me, not feeling like it had a realistic ending and was predictable. The story kept me engaged the entire time, though, and the pacing was well done. His Needs, Her Needs for Parents by William F. Harley Jr. This was a great marriage book. I loved how the author focused on working together and how he gives specific things you can do to keep the love and romance alive. I also liked looking at strengthening my marriage through the lens of parenthood, because it is a lot harder once the kids come. Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson
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Monday, December 11, 2017
Books I've Read - November 2017
Midway to Heaven by Dean Hughes
This month, I was still working away at reading all the books I own that I haven't read. This was one of them and I already knew I liked Dean Hughes, so I was excited. It was a fun read. An LDS romance about a man whose wife died a couple years ago and is now struggling with starting to date again and with watching his daughter fall in love, it brought up a lot of touching thoughts about my own marriage and children. I loved the father-daughter closeness portrayed throughout, even when they had disagreements. I loved the tenderness he felt for his wife and how real his difficulty with dating again felt, even though he knew it was the right thing. There were silly parts of the book, but the characters felt they had some depth to them. Dean Hughes also seems to be able to bring up some of the things members of the church struggle with and some parts of LDS culture that are negative, but in a way that still allows the reader to see the truthfulness of the gospel and how a person can reconcile those things.
Standing for Something by Gordon B. Hinckley
This is a wonderfully inspirational read. Gordon B. Hinckley accompanies each virtue with stories from his own life and others', it's well organized, and if everyone lived these virtues, the world would be a much different, better place.
The Miracle of Freedom by Chris and Ted Stewart
This is a phenomenal book. The way they format it--telling the history dispersed with historical fictionalized stories--really kept my interest. Doing so makes the history they tell about feel real and let's you meet people from history in a new way. I also love the points in history that they talked about and learned a lot.
Finding Noel by Richard Paul Evans
This was a great, feel good story. The writing was well done, the characters well rounded, and the back stories well done. The one thing I didn't like as much was the ending was a little too wrapped up neatly, but overall, it was very well done.
Good to Great by Jim Collins
This was a very interesting, useful book. It breaks down the results of a study they did, talking about how the decisions different companies made led to success or failure. It was well-written, well organized, and full of applicable ideas for business, or for any leader.
The Canterbury Papers by Judith Koll Healey
This month, I was still working away at reading all the books I own that I haven't read. This was one of them and I already knew I liked Dean Hughes, so I was excited. It was a fun read. An LDS romance about a man whose wife died a couple years ago and is now struggling with starting to date again and with watching his daughter fall in love, it brought up a lot of touching thoughts about my own marriage and children. I loved the father-daughter closeness portrayed throughout, even when they had disagreements. I loved the tenderness he felt for his wife and how real his difficulty with dating again felt, even though he knew it was the right thing. There were silly parts of the book, but the characters felt they had some depth to them. Dean Hughes also seems to be able to bring up some of the things members of the church struggle with and some parts of LDS culture that are negative, but in a way that still allows the reader to see the truthfulness of the gospel and how a person can reconcile those things.
Standing for Something by Gordon B. Hinckley
This is a wonderfully inspirational read. Gordon B. Hinckley accompanies each virtue with stories from his own life and others', it's well organized, and if everyone lived these virtues, the world would be a much different, better place.
The Miracle of Freedom by Chris and Ted Stewart
This is a phenomenal book. The way they format it--telling the history dispersed with historical fictionalized stories--really kept my interest. Doing so makes the history they tell about feel real and let's you meet people from history in a new way. I also love the points in history that they talked about and learned a lot.
Finding Noel by Richard Paul Evans
This was a great, feel good story. The writing was well done, the characters well rounded, and the back stories well done. The one thing I didn't like as much was the ending was a little too wrapped up neatly, but overall, it was very well done.
Good to Great by Jim Collins
This was a very interesting, useful book. It breaks down the results of a study they did, talking about how the decisions different companies made led to success or failure. It was well-written, well organized, and full of applicable ideas for business, or for any leader.
The Canterbury Papers by Judith Koll Healey
| I really enjoy historical fiction, so I was excited, and I enjoyed it, but it was not as much a historical fiction as a novel. It definitely followed historical characters and was loosely based off of historical events, and I believe the author kept pretty closely with the time that she was writing in. I did enjoy the novel, the pacing was well done and I empathized with the main character quite a bit. It also had some twists that I wasn't expecting (though it wasn't terribly unpredictable). Overall, an enjoyable experience that I came away from having learned some about that time period. The Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer W. Kimball This was a well done book, covering an important topic. I felt that I had already learned most of what was in this book and also could tell that it was written some time ago (the way he approached certain topics and the formatting of the book). I don't know that I enjoyed reading this, but it was a good reminder to me of certain ways to improve myself and my life and I'm grateful for that. The Holy Temple by Boyd K. Packer This is a very well done book. I learned a lot and am left inspired to make the temple and especially genealogy a bigger part of my life. Go Forward with Faith by Sheri Dew This book is so well done and Gordon B. Hinckley's life is inspirational. Sherri Dew brought him to life in a real way. I am so grateful for all he did for the church and for his example and of forgetting himself and going to work for the Lord. This was a great reminder to me to live my life for the Lord, even when it's hard, and to be happy doing it. This is especially the mindset I want to cultivate when it comes to callings within the church in the future. The Writing on the Wall by Dean Hughes (The Children of the Promise series)
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Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Just What I Needed
This happened awhile back, but I wanted to share it, because it had a big impact on me. This past month, I've had a few weeks that have been a bit of a struggle. I don't know if it was the stress of building our house (which is fun but also a big stress), hormonal imbalance (which is what it felt like), some sort of burn out, or a combination of all of that. I'm past it now, but it was hard.
Anyways, I was sitting in church a few weeks ago and during the sacrament hymn, I was struggling with my emotions. The morning hadn't been a good one. I had lost my temper with Ashtyn while trying to get ready for church and ended up yelling at her. I hadn't felt like a very good mother or wife and I didn't know what to do to make it better.
The song we were singing really hit me and I was feeling my Savior's love strongly. I felt the reality of forgiveness and mercy and the chance to try to be better tomorrow.
During the talks, the girl in front of me (she has two boys, both younger than Parker and Ashtyn but with a similar age difference between them) turned around and whisper asked if she could talk to me in the hall. I nodded, not thinking much of it, but then she said, "right now?" I nodded again, surprised.
I followed her out, wondering what in the world this could be about.
When I got out there, I was amazed when she turned to me, tears in her eyes, apologizing.
"What for?" I asked, bewildered.
She took a breath. "Did you see over my shoulder?"
"No," I said, even more confused than before.
"Oh," she said, with a little laugh. "Well, I'm still sorry. Let me explain."
During the sacrament hymn, Ben had been singing with gusto. He loves they hymns and has a beautiful singing voice. We can't go anywhere without some little old lady coming up and telling him how much they loved hearing him sing. This girl had known Ben since childhood and had sent a text to her mom that said, "Ben Anderson is sitting behind me. He's singing like he's in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir."
She hadn't meant it in a mean way, was going to turn around and tell him how much she enjoyed his singing. But she had turned around right after that and had seen the tears in my eyes. She was worried I had seen it and taken it the wrong way. She kept apologizing, saying that she shouldn't have sent the text.
I understood. I hadn't seen the text, but I knew she hadn't meant it in a mean way and wasn't upset about it when she told me. Then I opened up and told her how rough my week and morning had been, that I was struggling with being a good mom.
She listened and told me about the time two nights ago when she'd struggled to hold her temper with her boy. We swapped how the stages our kids are in right now are hard and she really understood what I was feeling. We stood in the hallway crying with each other and it was honestly the best thing for me. Telling someone what I was going through and having them really understand helped me, in the next few weeks, get through what I was feeling and be a better mom through it all.
I am so grateful she had the courage and compassion to pull me out in the hallway. It started off as a misunderstanding, but to me, it was the answer to a prayer.
Anyways, I was sitting in church a few weeks ago and during the sacrament hymn, I was struggling with my emotions. The morning hadn't been a good one. I had lost my temper with Ashtyn while trying to get ready for church and ended up yelling at her. I hadn't felt like a very good mother or wife and I didn't know what to do to make it better.
The song we were singing really hit me and I was feeling my Savior's love strongly. I felt the reality of forgiveness and mercy and the chance to try to be better tomorrow.
During the talks, the girl in front of me (she has two boys, both younger than Parker and Ashtyn but with a similar age difference between them) turned around and whisper asked if she could talk to me in the hall. I nodded, not thinking much of it, but then she said, "right now?" I nodded again, surprised.
I followed her out, wondering what in the world this could be about.
When I got out there, I was amazed when she turned to me, tears in her eyes, apologizing.
"What for?" I asked, bewildered.
She took a breath. "Did you see over my shoulder?"
"No," I said, even more confused than before.
"Oh," she said, with a little laugh. "Well, I'm still sorry. Let me explain."
During the sacrament hymn, Ben had been singing with gusto. He loves they hymns and has a beautiful singing voice. We can't go anywhere without some little old lady coming up and telling him how much they loved hearing him sing. This girl had known Ben since childhood and had sent a text to her mom that said, "Ben Anderson is sitting behind me. He's singing like he's in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir."
She hadn't meant it in a mean way, was going to turn around and tell him how much she enjoyed his singing. But she had turned around right after that and had seen the tears in my eyes. She was worried I had seen it and taken it the wrong way. She kept apologizing, saying that she shouldn't have sent the text.
I understood. I hadn't seen the text, but I knew she hadn't meant it in a mean way and wasn't upset about it when she told me. Then I opened up and told her how rough my week and morning had been, that I was struggling with being a good mom.
She listened and told me about the time two nights ago when she'd struggled to hold her temper with her boy. We swapped how the stages our kids are in right now are hard and she really understood what I was feeling. We stood in the hallway crying with each other and it was honestly the best thing for me. Telling someone what I was going through and having them really understand helped me, in the next few weeks, get through what I was feeling and be a better mom through it all.
I am so grateful she had the courage and compassion to pull me out in the hallway. It started off as a misunderstanding, but to me, it was the answer to a prayer.
Friday, November 3, 2017
Books I've Read - October 2017
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
This is a novel that I started when I was younger but didn't really get into it at the time and gave up. Now, it's in my pile of books to read. I did read the whole thing. I have mixed feelings on the book, but overall, I enjoyed it, learned from it, and am glad I read it.
I liked the characters, particularly the aunt. I liked the way they talked about books, stories, and words all throughout the book. I also loved the quotes at the beginning of each chapter, which the author pulled from other books. I thought the plot in the second half of the book was more well done than the first. I liked the ending; I like happy endings, but the author also didn't just tie everything up with a nice bow.
I didn't like the plot very much, particularly the first half. To me, it felt as if she didn't know where her story was going and that when she did, the plot drove the story rather than the character's motivation. It literally felt to me sometimes like something was happening simply so that we could get to where we needed to with the plot. That was annoying and also boring at times. I also felt like the author could have introduced her characters, skipped the entire middle of the book, and only had the last half of the book and it would have actually been better.
Your Endowment by Mark A. Shields
This was a very well done book about getting more out of temple experiences. Using scriptures, words of prophets, and history, Shields discusses symbolism, our journey through life, and the atonement as they are connected with the temple. I learned a lot and know that reading it will have helped me with a better understanding as I do temple work in the future. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is preparing to go through the temple or has already gone through.
The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke
This is a book that I knew of (I believe my mom read this to my younger brother) but I never actually read it. I must have bought it at some point (probably from DI) after Ben and I got married. I wasn't sure I wanted to read this, after my conflicting feelings about Inkheart, but I'm so glad I did! I loved it!
The story follows a detective who is trying to find two boys who ran away from their aunt and uncle and the two boys who find a band of runaway children to join up with. It has elements of magic and plays on the ideas of loyalty and childhood. I loved the characters, I loved the story, and I loved the ending. I can see why this book is such a popular one.
The Final Summit by Andy Andrews
This is a book that my sister-in-law was getting rid of that looked interesting to me and ended up in my pile of books I own that I haven't read. It was okay. I enjoyed some parts of it, but it wasn't my favorite book.
This is a novel that I started when I was younger but didn't really get into it at the time and gave up. Now, it's in my pile of books to read. I did read the whole thing. I have mixed feelings on the book, but overall, I enjoyed it, learned from it, and am glad I read it.
I liked the characters, particularly the aunt. I liked the way they talked about books, stories, and words all throughout the book. I also loved the quotes at the beginning of each chapter, which the author pulled from other books. I thought the plot in the second half of the book was more well done than the first. I liked the ending; I like happy endings, but the author also didn't just tie everything up with a nice bow.
I didn't like the plot very much, particularly the first half. To me, it felt as if she didn't know where her story was going and that when she did, the plot drove the story rather than the character's motivation. It literally felt to me sometimes like something was happening simply so that we could get to where we needed to with the plot. That was annoying and also boring at times. I also felt like the author could have introduced her characters, skipped the entire middle of the book, and only had the last half of the book and it would have actually been better.
Your Endowment by Mark A. Shields
This was a very well done book about getting more out of temple experiences. Using scriptures, words of prophets, and history, Shields discusses symbolism, our journey through life, and the atonement as they are connected with the temple. I learned a lot and know that reading it will have helped me with a better understanding as I do temple work in the future. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is preparing to go through the temple or has already gone through.
The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke
This is a book that I knew of (I believe my mom read this to my younger brother) but I never actually read it. I must have bought it at some point (probably from DI) after Ben and I got married. I wasn't sure I wanted to read this, after my conflicting feelings about Inkheart, but I'm so glad I did! I loved it!
The story follows a detective who is trying to find two boys who ran away from their aunt and uncle and the two boys who find a band of runaway children to join up with. It has elements of magic and plays on the ideas of loyalty and childhood. I loved the characters, I loved the story, and I loved the ending. I can see why this book is such a popular one.
The Final Summit by Andy Andrews
This is a book that my sister-in-law was getting rid of that looked interesting to me and ended up in my pile of books I own that I haven't read. It was okay. I enjoyed some parts of it, but it wasn't my favorite book.
| I'll start with the positives. First, I really enjoyed the history in this. The author did a great job of bringing the famous characters to life while remaining true to real history. I especially enjoyed learning about Eric Erickson and his role in World War II because I had never heard of him before. I also felt the writing itself was well done and the ideas discussed in the book are all important and able to inspire you to be a better person (for me, the idea of self discipline even when we are having a hard time emotionally was an especially important reminder to me at this time in my life). There were some things I didn't like about the book. First, the pacing was really slow. Nothing really happened except characters talking and the tension that was supposed to be there (that they wouldn't find the answer) didn't really add tension because you knew they would find the answer the entire time you were reading the book. It also felt that the fictional parts of the book only made the book longer without adding a lot. Simply writing the history part of the story and making it a nonfiction book would have actually kept my interest better. I also didn't like the way the book portrayed heaven and angels and God, because they felt uncaring and it bothered me they would put these characters on a deadline the way they did for something so important. I know he did it for the story's sake, but it still bothered me. No Doubt About It by Sheri Dew I know I'm super late reading this (since it was written in 2001), but I really enjoyed it. This is one of those books that I own but hadn't read before. I don't know if I ever would have read it if I hadn't been trying to read all the ones I own, but I'm so glad I did! It was inspiring and brought the Spirit into my life to a greater degree. I really enjoy the way Sheri Dew talks about womanhood, motherhood, our responsibilities in this life, and how she shares her testimony. Expressions of Faith: Testimonies of Latter-day Scholars by Susan Easton Black This book lived up to it's title. It isn't a particularly long book, but it took me a long time to read; it's the kind of book where I like to read a little bit each day but can't read it for very long at a time. It was very interesting. The scholars had different perspectives and addressed different topics. There testimonies were powerful and it was interesting to hear how each came to know for themselves. Rumors of War by Dean Hughes
Since You Went Away by Dean Hughes This is the second book in the series and it is just as good as the first. The characters are rounded out and I've already seen character development through these two books with room for more, the history is accurate and written to be so interesting, and there is constant tension and a theme of religion and God throughout. I have learned so much and fallen in love with the families; I feel their pain and can empathize with them and the struggles they faced during the war better than I ever have before. Hughes has a way of bringing up things about WWII that I've never thought about before and give me a new perspective on today's issues. Far From Home by Dean Hughes This was just as good as the first two books in the series. This book did have more of the actual combat in WWII, which I know was important but is not as interesting to me. It also had a lot of romance and history and character growth, though. I loved the way Hughes showed how hard the characters had it and how they didn't always just naturally want to be faithful and resilient, but still kept the themes of God and religion and human decency throughout. The struggle that Wally goes through is my favorite to read, because it is so hard for him and yet he keeps trying. I love his character development. When We Meet Again by Dean Hughes Every book in this series is so amazing. Because of the scope of the project, the author does give some exposition (this is especially common when he transitions from one character to another, he'll take a few paragraphs and tell you what is happening both with the character and the war). I understand why he did it and I often skimmed this but it didn't take away from the books in any real way. The character development in this book is so amazing, I have absolutely fallen in love with the Thomas family. The problems the characters face are real life problems that I often didn't have an answer to right away. I love how diverse the cast is and I love the way Hughes has his characters face social problems that really made me think about our world today and how I feel and act. Reading this series has been life changing for me. As Long as I Have You by Dean Hughes
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Wednesday, October 18, 2017
Ashtyn is 3!
Ashtyn is another year older and I'm not sure how that happened. I'm so grateful for my little girl and all the joy she brings into my life. I am so blessed to have her and to be able to spend each day with her. Not every hour is easy (or enjoyable) but I cherish each one (even if I cherish it after she's in bed sometimes). She is a joy and light in my life.
Third birthday: October 17, 2017
Favorite food: Chips with cheese or anything sweet (apparently chocolate ice cream is her current favorite treat, or popsicles from Grandma’s). She also loves “french fries” (or veggie straws) and dipping carrots in ranch.
Favorite toys: Blocks. She loves to build towers, houses, churches, temples, and to pretend the blocks are people. She also likes to make “fences” or “stairs” using only one color and sorting them by color.
Favorite things to say: “The bad guys are getting us!” (she always sees imaginary bad guys, but isn’t actually scared of them most of the time).
“I’m going to lock you in jail!” (when she’s mad)
“You’re not a poopy pants, you’re a flower.” (also when she’s mad, because we’re working on not calling people poopy pants).
She also narrates what’s happening to her in song all the time.
Favorite things to do: Build towers, have me read to her, ride her bike, catch bugs and put them outside, collect “pretty” rocks, dig in the dirt, hold Parker’s hand and walk around, swing and climb at the park, watch Barney,
Favorite People: Kid (her imaginary friend), Chris (her “favorite” friend), Elizabeth (“My cousin! My cousin!”), Aunt Jessica (Ashtyn calls her mom when Jessica babysits lol), Grandma Dee (who “lives far away but comes to our house sometimes”), and all her family. Ashtyn feels shy when she first meets someone, but once she warms up, you’re best friends forever.
Learned this year: How to draw people (with a circle, the face, and arms), how to draw A’s, H’s, S’s, E’s, and B’s (she already knew some others), and how to count from 10 to 29 (she gets confused about 30 and starts counting 20-10, etc.). We also worked some on phonics.
Favorite books: Curious George, Down by the Banks, Big Green Monster, Golden Time Collection
Favorite shows: Barney (her absolute favorite) and Curious George (she had a stomach bug and we let her watch this then). She also really liked Moana and Lady and the Tramp when we watched them for family movie night.
Sunday, October 1, 2017
Books I've Read - September 2017
First, I want to say, I read a lot of books this month. This was due to a combination of a lot of the books being shorter (because I'm trying to read all the books I own and some of them are shorter or quicker reads, as in I read it in a day) and also I had sick kids at two different times, which meant a lot of early mornings, late evenings, and looooong afternoons spent in our house, snuggling kids, letting kids sleep on me, which really just meant I had more time to read.
I also wanted to warn you. I loved a lot of the books I read this month and shared quite a few quotes from them, so it's a little bit of a longer post. With that, let's dive right in!
What We Wish We'd Known When We Were Newlyweds by John and Kimberly Bytheway
I know we're not newlyweds anymore, but this book was in my pile of books I own but haven't read yet and I honestly had a ton of fun reading it! It first of all reminded me of the first year that Ben and I were married and it was amazing to me how many of the same lessons Ben and I learned together that the Bytheways did. I also think it's good to continually be reading books on making your marriage better because for the most part, we all know how to make a marriage better. It's the application that's tricky. Being reminded of things that you could be doing better is always good.
One of my favorite parts was when they talked about how most marriage therapists, when a marriage is in trouble, focus on communication skills. However, what we need to focus on to make our marriage better isn't communication skills (we all know how to communicate), but individually being more Christlike. If we can strive to be Christlike even when we're upset, angry, sad, or feeling picked on, then we will treat our spouses better in those moments and have no need for "communication skills". If we can pray for and develop qualities of compassion, patience, understanding, charity, etc. then our marriages can only be strengthened by it.
Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
When I was younger, I adored the live action Disney Peter Pan movie. I have to say, I loved this book even more than I loved that movie. I cannot wait until my kids are old enough for me to read it aloud and share the world of Neverland with them. I also noticed that Peter Pan, as with all classics it seems, there is so much in it for grown ups as well as for children. If you've never read it, I definitely would recommend it.
Glimpses into the Life and Heart of Marjorie Pay Hinckley by Virginia H. Pierce
This is a book I own that I hadn't read before. It is a collection of writings and talks by Sister Hinckley combined with interviews from others about Marjorie Hinckley as a person. I felt uplifted and inspired to be better as I read the entire book. It is one of my new favorite books and I definitely recommend it. I feel it is one that, when I'm feeling weary or discouraged, I can pull out and read through some of her words and it will lift me through those hard times.
Some quotes:
"How can we know if this gospel is a thing of God if we do not do the works of God?"
President Lee (who Sister Hinckley describes as knowing the scriptures so well "it was difficult to know when the words were his and when he was quoting"): "I don't think I ever consciously memorized a scripture. I guess I have just worked them through so much that they have become a part of me and my vocabulary."
"The fact is, we know when we are doing our best and when we are not. If we are not doing our best, it leaves us with a gnawing hunger and frustration. But when we do our level best, we experience a peace." She then describes reading a talk by Pat Holland right before needing to write a talk of her own. She sat down wanting to write a scholarly talk similar to Sister Holland's but then realized that they are different women and have different talents. It wasn't until she sat down to write her own talk, and not a Pat Holland, talk that she was able to write it. And both talks bring a different kind of benefit to the listener.
"Children rise higher when they are treated with respect. use courteous and respectful language when you talk with one another ... You don't teach a child not to hit by hitting. We cannot expect to be respected if we treat others in a demeaning way."
"My mother taught me some basic philosophies of rearing children. One is that you have to trust children. I tried hard to never say "no" if I could possibly say "yes." I think that worked well because it gave my children the feeling that I trusted them and they were responsible to do the best they could."
"We have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us. We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove anything, to be what we are." She then outlines the responsibilities mothers have to their husbands, their children, and their homes.
"Since college was not an option, I decided, well, if this is my life, I'd better educate myself. And I worked hard at it. I read and read and read ... The Lord gave you a brain. He intended that you use it ... The thing that motivates me is the knowledge that I am a spirit child of God ... Do your best. Learn everything you can. The day may come when you will need it."
President Kimball: "We are not asking for something spectacular, but rather for the women of the Church to find real self-fulfillment in the pursuit of righteousness in worthy endeavors."
Brigham Young: "Daily toil, however humble, is our daily duty and by doing it well we make it a part of our daily worship." I love that quote, I feel especially as a mom of young kids.
"I love the scripture from Doctrine and Covenants 10:4: 'Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength.' Choose carefully each day that which you will do and that which you will not do, and the Lord will bless you to accomplish the important things that have eternal consequences."
"Let us not waste our time saying with bitterness, "Is this what I was born to do?" Let us rather ask ourselves the question that was asked Esther: "Who knoweth whether thou are come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"" I love this because it changes our perspectives. Rather than looking at life as something that should be fair or bring us happiness all the time, it helps us look at life through the lens of what we can do with what we have been given.
I have truly loved reading this book. I never knew Marjorie Hinckley, but her words and the way she lived her life, through this book, have blessed me to become a better person and to try a little harder each day.
Dear Mr. President by Andrea Davis Pinkney
This is a book a dear 90-something woman in our ward gave me after I spent some time reading to her. I never got around to reading until now, because it looked intimidating. It's a fictional letter conversation between Lincoln and a slave girl during the civil war. However, it was an easy read (history meant for a younger audience) and, I thought, very well done.
The Overton Window by Glenn Beck
I got this book from my sister-in-law and it ended up in my pile of books I've never read. This is a political thriller about what happens when government gets too much power, in the name of "protecting" the citizens, and what happens when the populace is too divided and too oblivious (due to things like watching TV and not being involved at all in politics). There were some parts that were harder for me to get through, just due the fact that it was so political, and other parts that I really enjoyed. There were a couple instances of torture that did bother me, but I didn't feel they were poorly done, that sort of thing just bothers me in general. There is a sequel and I may read it sometime in the future.
Honey for a Child's Heart by Gladys M. Hunt
This book was about the benefits of reading out loud as a family and I absolutely loved it! This is one of my favorite topics and I loved the way the author focused on the benefits to children as people, rather than the academic benefits (which is already covered and very well done in The Read Aloud Handbook). She talked about relationships being improved, character growing and developing, and a relationship with God blossoming as parents choose and read good books with their children.
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
This was written by a professor who was dying of cancer and gave a "last lecture" at his university. Then he wrote the book expounding on that speech. It was a touching story with some really great inspiration for living a better life sprinkled throughout the book. I enjoyed it, though I didn't absolutely love it.
Look Up, My Soul by Gerald Lund
This is a book that my mother-in-law and sister-in-law gave me for my 21st birthday. I started reading it then, but must have gotten busy with school because I never finished it. Thus, it was in my pile of books to read before I move. I'm so glad it was!
This book is about having hope in God's promises. I have read a lot of Gerald Lund's novels, but this was the first nonfiction of his that I picked up. I loved it! I have felt so much inspiration to be better and the Spirit has been more a part of my life. Every time I go to church or the temple, I'm reminded of things I read in this book. Gerald Lund is so knowledgeable about the gospel and he has a gift of explaining it.
At the expense of making this post too long, I want to share some of my favorite insights and quotes.
"Discouragement, depression, and despair may be common companions of adversity and tribulation, but they are not inherent within the nature of life's challenges."
"Real charity is not something you give away. It is something that you acquire ad make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again." - Elder Marvin J. Ashton
"Those of us who desire to be more like the Father and the Son may become discouraged as we contemplate all of the commandments, requirements, and expectations. We may feel overwhelmed by how far short we have fallen of the mark. It is enough to cause us to lose heart and give up. But we should never forget that we don't have to do this alone ... we can draw upon the power from on high."
"Not only are we to endure trials and setbacks, but we are to endure them well."
"If we don't have the Spirit, it's not just personal revelation that we lack. Hope, faith, and courage and patience are all gifts of the Spirit."
"Good desires are not enough ... We must apply gospel principles to situations and look for both the positive and negative consequences of our actions. We also need the Spirit to give us the wisdom to see what is right, not just what is desirable." I loved this concept, that not all desires (even good desires) are in line with what God wants. That's why we need to study scriptures (so we know the gospel principles) and listen to the Spirit (so we are in tune with what He wants of us, not just what we want). I really feel this is an important concept to remember as Ben and I go through our life together. We have a lot of good desires, but we need to be willing to change them if God asks something different of us.
Neil A. Maxwell: "What we insistently desire, over time, is what we will eventually become and what we will receive in eternity."
David A. Bednar: "I frankly to not think many of us "get it" concerning this enabling and strengthening aspect of the Atonement, and I wonder if we mistakenly believe we must make the journey from good to better and become a saint all by ourselves through sheer grit, willpower, and discipline."
His daughter Cynthia: "When I'm discouraged and overwhelmed (not to mention grumpy) then I know I have been neglecting my gospel study and prayer."
"If we are going to draw on the deeper power of the scriptures, it will require more than an occasional, casual reading. It will require effort. Patience. Perseverance."
This book is definitely worth the time to read.
The Wish by Gail Carson Levine
This was also in my books that I own but hadn't read yet. I believe I bought this book when we were newlyweds on some sort of deal. Gail Carson Levine also wrote Ella Enchanted, which was my favorite book growing up and is still one of my favorite books. This book was good (it was for ages 8-12), but not nearly as good as Ella Enchanted. I enjoyed it nonetheless.
The story is about a girl who, after her two close friends move, is being teased at school. She is unpopular and just wants some friends. She gives up her seat on the bus and the old lady who took her seat gives her one wish: to be the most popular girl at her school. She loves it but realizes that soon school will end and so will her popularity. I loved the themes of this book and the way it promotes inclusion and thinking about others. It also touches on the fact that it's best not to care what other people think, although that can be really hard at times (especially as a preteen and teen). It was very well done for its target age group.
Walk Tall, You're a Daughter of God by Jamie Glenn
My mom gave me this book when I was a teenager and I read some of it, but I didn't remember much of it, so I put it in my pile of books to read before we move (I couldn't remember if I'd actually finished it or not). It's a quick read, but worth it. It was written by the lady who wrote the song. In the book, she expounded on the lyrics of the song. It was well written and the content brought the Spirit.
The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
This is another book from my childhood that I have no memory of reading. I really enjoyed it, despite it being an easier read. One of the things that I noticed right away were all the differences throughout the book from the movie. For example, in the book, Dorothy's shoes are silver, not red. They don't meet the wicked witch of the West until over halfway through the book (all the challenges they face before that come up naturally). The good witch Dorothy meets with munchkins is not Glinda (she doesn't meet Glinda until almost the end of the book). Those are some of the biggest differences, but there were so many throughout the book. I did think, for the most part, the book was better (isn't it always?).
I did thoroughly enjoy it (it's not my favorite children's classic though). I definitely think that if you want to get into reading classics, but you're intimidated, start with children's classics. They're beautifully written, bring a simplicity back to life, but are easier to understand than some of the adult classics.
Way to Be! by Gordon B. Hinckley
This is Gordon B. Hinckley's book on the 9 B's. I've heard a lot about these (and heard quite a few of the stories in this book before), but hadn't actually read it. I got it at DI not too long ago, to add to my library. I loved it! I love the spirit of optimism and hope that both President Hinckley and his wife share. I definitely want my kids to read it as they grow up to teenagers.
I'll just quickly share the 9 B's here, with an excerpt from the book.
Be Grateful
"Your very attitude toward life can be evidence of whether or not you are truly grateful for life, for the blessings you have, for the comforts and privileges and opportunities you enjoy, for the talents you have been given, for everything.
Be Smart
"Resist thinking that what you do now doesn't matter, because it does ... There are few things more pathetic than those who have lost their curiosity and sense of adventure, and who no longer care to learn ... You don't have to be a genius to do great things. The important work of this world is done, for the most part, by ordinary people who do their work in an extraordinary way."
Be Involved
"When I say Be Involved, I am suggesting that you Be Involved in good works. Or, in other words, be willing to work ... Most of us tend to be inherently lazy. We would rather play than work. We would rather loaf than work. A little play and a little loafing are good from time to time. But ... it is work that gives us the feeling of accomplishment. And it is work that allows us to feel that we are making a difference in the world."
Be Clean
President Hinckley told of the hard work he did as a child, with chores and such, and then said, " ... The result was wonderful. The house was clean, our spirits renewed, and the whole world looked better. Everything does look better when it's clean."
Be True
"Be true to your own convictions. you know what is right, and you know what is wrong. You know when you are doing the proper thing. You know when you are giving strength to the right cause. Be loyal. Be faithful. Be true."
Be Positive
"I would like to suggest that we stop seeking out the storms of life and enjoy the sunlight. I am suggesting that we 'accentuate the positive'. I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment virtue and hard effort. There is good all around us--if we will only look for it."
Be Still
"There are voices everywhere trying to influence us. We all need time to think. We need to drown out the clamor and noise and simply be quiet. We need time to ponder and meditate and to contemplate the deeper things of life. We need time to read and to immerse ourselves in the thoughts of great minds."
Be Prayerful
"Prayer will change your life. It will bring you peace. It will give you direction and guidance. It will help you feel that you are not alone in this big and sometimes brutal world. The Lord answers our prayers. I know that. I have seen it again and again."
The Abolition of Men by C.S. Lewis
This was a fabulous book, though definitely not an easy read. I had a hard time understanding some of it, but I love C.S. Lewis. "In The Abolition of Man, C.S. Lewis sets out to persuade his audience of the importance and relevance of universal values such as courage and honor in contemporary society." I loved the way he talked about education and the way he discussed progress having a foundation in traditional principles.
Mindset by Carol s. Dweck
This is a book that I've been hearing about on blogs for so long and I loved the idea of the book, so I finally bought it a few months ago. I started it, got about half way through, then started reading through all the books I own and put this book on hold. I finished it this month while sick kids were sleeping on me (it's simply much easier to read on your phone than out of a book in that position). But I loved this book, it has changed the way I see my life, other people, and parenting.
The idea behind this book is that there are two mindsets. The fixed mindset is the belief that talent or intelligence or skill, etc. are fixed. You're either born with it or not. If you have to work for it, it's not worth as much. Practice doesn't improve it. Along those lines. The growth mindset is the opposite. "The growth mindset is based on the belief that your basic qualities are things you can cultivate through your efforts, your strategies, and help from others.
Everyone is a mix of both, but the growth mindset is better for self improvement and healthy relationships, so the more you can view life through that lens, the better (also, just a side thought not discussed in the book, God views all of us through the growth mindset and his entire plan is based off of that). I feel that for me, growing up I had a lot of the fixed mindset in some areas (like art, just for an example) but the growth in others (like in dance). When I got married to Ben, I feel that my growth mindset took a leap forward (Ben is very growth mindset oriented) and reading this book showed me even more ways that I can improve. I loved it and definitely recommend it for anyone.
"I don't divide the world into the weak and the strong, or the successes and the failures ... I divide the world into the learners and the nonlearners." -Benjamin Barber
Letters in the Jade Dragon Box by Gale Sears
I loved this book! It is an LDS historical fiction set in Hong Kong after the death of the communist Chinese chairman Mao Tse-tung. It had beautiful themes of family, love, forgiveness, strength in adversity, and faith. The characters are strong and real, the character development is inspiring, and the history is told in such a way as to be interesting. I'm so glad I read this book!
Believing Christ by Stephen E. Robinson
I believe my mom or brother had this book when I was growing up and I'd heard of this concept before (of moving past simply believing in Christ and actually believing Christ when He says that He can save us), but I'd never read the book. Awhile back, I saw a hard copy of it at DI and bought it, so that's how it ended up in my pile of books that I own but hadn't read yet.
I thought this book was very well done, though the author did repeat a lot (I think using the repetition to bring his point home) and could have probably been shorter. Honestly, I think most nonfiction books could be written to be shorter. Nonetheless, I would definitely recommend it.
"The 'good news' of the gospel is good news to me not because it promises that other people who are better than I am can be saved, but because it promises that I can be saved."
"The most important goal in mortality is becoming one with Christ through the gospel covenant and gaining access through that union to his perfection."
"The Savior in turn agrees to cover our mistakes while we are learning and progressing ... From the moment we enter into the covenant with him, our mistakes are covered ..."
"Above all else, God wants our hearts. Imperfect performance can be corrected, sins can be remitted, mistakes can be erased--but God can do nothing with an unwilling and rebellious heart until it repents. Weakness can be saved; rebellion cannot."
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Kate Douglas Wiggin
Another children's classic I've owned since I was a child but never read until now. I loved it! I wasn't sure at first, because I didn't really like how her mother sent her away to her aunts (I guess I didn't understand that the education there was better until later in the book, then it made more sense to me) and I hated some of the ways and reasons her aunts "disciplined her." I have recently been learning more about the best ways to handle kids acting out and I also have a golden rule with kids (not that I'm perfect with it, but I really try) that if it's not hurting people or property, it's okay. As adults, it's easy for us to worry about everything kids do and not let them be kids. This definitely happens with Rebecca. However, I loved how Rebecca loved to read, that she applied herself to her studies and did so well, and I loved the overall message of hope. It was there even during times when the situations looked hopeless. I also loved the themes of love, goodness, and kindness throughout the book. In my opinion, this is basically an Anne of Green Gables for a younger audience (which, also in my opinion, is a good thing!).
The Constitution A Heavenly Banner by Ezra Taft Benson
This is a really short read, but one that I feel everyone should read. It was very well thought out, very inspiring. In the book, Bensons talks about how and why the constitution is an inspired, God-approved document and how and why we need to uphold it. It really has inspired me to study the constitution more and really understand what is in the constitution.
My favorite part of the book is when Benson talks about government. He says, "The important thing to keep in mind is that the people who have created the government can give to that government only such powers as they themselves, have in the first place. Obviously they cannot give what they do not posses. So the question boils down to this: What powers properly belong to each and every person in the absence of and prior to the establishment of any organized form of government." I love that. It makes it so clear to me why the government shouldn't be involved in things such as healthcare (if there were no government, one person shouldn't force another to get health insurance) and why taxes are unconstitutional (if there were no government, one person wouldn't force another to give, they'd simply ask, make needs known, and trust in human goodness).
It was a phenomenal read, I can't recommend it enough (it was also, again, a short read and actually not a hard one). Go read it!
I also wanted to warn you. I loved a lot of the books I read this month and shared quite a few quotes from them, so it's a little bit of a longer post. With that, let's dive right in!
What We Wish We'd Known When We Were Newlyweds by John and Kimberly Bytheway
I know we're not newlyweds anymore, but this book was in my pile of books I own but haven't read yet and I honestly had a ton of fun reading it! It first of all reminded me of the first year that Ben and I were married and it was amazing to me how many of the same lessons Ben and I learned together that the Bytheways did. I also think it's good to continually be reading books on making your marriage better because for the most part, we all know how to make a marriage better. It's the application that's tricky. Being reminded of things that you could be doing better is always good.
One of my favorite parts was when they talked about how most marriage therapists, when a marriage is in trouble, focus on communication skills. However, what we need to focus on to make our marriage better isn't communication skills (we all know how to communicate), but individually being more Christlike. If we can strive to be Christlike even when we're upset, angry, sad, or feeling picked on, then we will treat our spouses better in those moments and have no need for "communication skills". If we can pray for and develop qualities of compassion, patience, understanding, charity, etc. then our marriages can only be strengthened by it.
Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
When I was younger, I adored the live action Disney Peter Pan movie. I have to say, I loved this book even more than I loved that movie. I cannot wait until my kids are old enough for me to read it aloud and share the world of Neverland with them. I also noticed that Peter Pan, as with all classics it seems, there is so much in it for grown ups as well as for children. If you've never read it, I definitely would recommend it.
Glimpses into the Life and Heart of Marjorie Pay Hinckley by Virginia H. Pierce
This is a book I own that I hadn't read before. It is a collection of writings and talks by Sister Hinckley combined with interviews from others about Marjorie Hinckley as a person. I felt uplifted and inspired to be better as I read the entire book. It is one of my new favorite books and I definitely recommend it. I feel it is one that, when I'm feeling weary or discouraged, I can pull out and read through some of her words and it will lift me through those hard times.
Some quotes:
"How can we know if this gospel is a thing of God if we do not do the works of God?"
President Lee (who Sister Hinckley describes as knowing the scriptures so well "it was difficult to know when the words were his and when he was quoting"): "I don't think I ever consciously memorized a scripture. I guess I have just worked them through so much that they have become a part of me and my vocabulary."
"The fact is, we know when we are doing our best and when we are not. If we are not doing our best, it leaves us with a gnawing hunger and frustration. But when we do our level best, we experience a peace." She then describes reading a talk by Pat Holland right before needing to write a talk of her own. She sat down wanting to write a scholarly talk similar to Sister Holland's but then realized that they are different women and have different talents. It wasn't until she sat down to write her own talk, and not a Pat Holland, talk that she was able to write it. And both talks bring a different kind of benefit to the listener.
"Children rise higher when they are treated with respect. use courteous and respectful language when you talk with one another ... You don't teach a child not to hit by hitting. We cannot expect to be respected if we treat others in a demeaning way."
"My mother taught me some basic philosophies of rearing children. One is that you have to trust children. I tried hard to never say "no" if I could possibly say "yes." I think that worked well because it gave my children the feeling that I trusted them and they were responsible to do the best they could."
"We have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us. We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove anything, to be what we are." She then outlines the responsibilities mothers have to their husbands, their children, and their homes.
"Since college was not an option, I decided, well, if this is my life, I'd better educate myself. And I worked hard at it. I read and read and read ... The Lord gave you a brain. He intended that you use it ... The thing that motivates me is the knowledge that I am a spirit child of God ... Do your best. Learn everything you can. The day may come when you will need it."
President Kimball: "We are not asking for something spectacular, but rather for the women of the Church to find real self-fulfillment in the pursuit of righteousness in worthy endeavors."
Brigham Young: "Daily toil, however humble, is our daily duty and by doing it well we make it a part of our daily worship." I love that quote, I feel especially as a mom of young kids.
"I love the scripture from Doctrine and Covenants 10:4: 'Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength.' Choose carefully each day that which you will do and that which you will not do, and the Lord will bless you to accomplish the important things that have eternal consequences."
"Let us not waste our time saying with bitterness, "Is this what I was born to do?" Let us rather ask ourselves the question that was asked Esther: "Who knoweth whether thou are come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"" I love this because it changes our perspectives. Rather than looking at life as something that should be fair or bring us happiness all the time, it helps us look at life through the lens of what we can do with what we have been given.
I have truly loved reading this book. I never knew Marjorie Hinckley, but her words and the way she lived her life, through this book, have blessed me to become a better person and to try a little harder each day.
Dear Mr. President by Andrea Davis Pinkney
This is a book a dear 90-something woman in our ward gave me after I spent some time reading to her. I never got around to reading until now, because it looked intimidating. It's a fictional letter conversation between Lincoln and a slave girl during the civil war. However, it was an easy read (history meant for a younger audience) and, I thought, very well done.
The Overton Window by Glenn Beck
I got this book from my sister-in-law and it ended up in my pile of books I've never read. This is a political thriller about what happens when government gets too much power, in the name of "protecting" the citizens, and what happens when the populace is too divided and too oblivious (due to things like watching TV and not being involved at all in politics). There were some parts that were harder for me to get through, just due the fact that it was so political, and other parts that I really enjoyed. There were a couple instances of torture that did bother me, but I didn't feel they were poorly done, that sort of thing just bothers me in general. There is a sequel and I may read it sometime in the future.
Honey for a Child's Heart by Gladys M. Hunt
This book was about the benefits of reading out loud as a family and I absolutely loved it! This is one of my favorite topics and I loved the way the author focused on the benefits to children as people, rather than the academic benefits (which is already covered and very well done in The Read Aloud Handbook). She talked about relationships being improved, character growing and developing, and a relationship with God blossoming as parents choose and read good books with their children.
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
This was written by a professor who was dying of cancer and gave a "last lecture" at his university. Then he wrote the book expounding on that speech. It was a touching story with some really great inspiration for living a better life sprinkled throughout the book. I enjoyed it, though I didn't absolutely love it.
Look Up, My Soul by Gerald Lund
This is a book that my mother-in-law and sister-in-law gave me for my 21st birthday. I started reading it then, but must have gotten busy with school because I never finished it. Thus, it was in my pile of books to read before I move. I'm so glad it was!
This book is about having hope in God's promises. I have read a lot of Gerald Lund's novels, but this was the first nonfiction of his that I picked up. I loved it! I have felt so much inspiration to be better and the Spirit has been more a part of my life. Every time I go to church or the temple, I'm reminded of things I read in this book. Gerald Lund is so knowledgeable about the gospel and he has a gift of explaining it.
At the expense of making this post too long, I want to share some of my favorite insights and quotes.
"Discouragement, depression, and despair may be common companions of adversity and tribulation, but they are not inherent within the nature of life's challenges."
"Real charity is not something you give away. It is something that you acquire ad make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again." - Elder Marvin J. Ashton
"Those of us who desire to be more like the Father and the Son may become discouraged as we contemplate all of the commandments, requirements, and expectations. We may feel overwhelmed by how far short we have fallen of the mark. It is enough to cause us to lose heart and give up. But we should never forget that we don't have to do this alone ... we can draw upon the power from on high."
"Not only are we to endure trials and setbacks, but we are to endure them well."
"If we don't have the Spirit, it's not just personal revelation that we lack. Hope, faith, and courage and patience are all gifts of the Spirit."
"Good desires are not enough ... We must apply gospel principles to situations and look for both the positive and negative consequences of our actions. We also need the Spirit to give us the wisdom to see what is right, not just what is desirable." I loved this concept, that not all desires (even good desires) are in line with what God wants. That's why we need to study scriptures (so we know the gospel principles) and listen to the Spirit (so we are in tune with what He wants of us, not just what we want). I really feel this is an important concept to remember as Ben and I go through our life together. We have a lot of good desires, but we need to be willing to change them if God asks something different of us.
Neil A. Maxwell: "What we insistently desire, over time, is what we will eventually become and what we will receive in eternity."
David A. Bednar: "I frankly to not think many of us "get it" concerning this enabling and strengthening aspect of the Atonement, and I wonder if we mistakenly believe we must make the journey from good to better and become a saint all by ourselves through sheer grit, willpower, and discipline."
His daughter Cynthia: "When I'm discouraged and overwhelmed (not to mention grumpy) then I know I have been neglecting my gospel study and prayer."
"If we are going to draw on the deeper power of the scriptures, it will require more than an occasional, casual reading. It will require effort. Patience. Perseverance."
This book is definitely worth the time to read.
The Wish by Gail Carson Levine
This was also in my books that I own but hadn't read yet. I believe I bought this book when we were newlyweds on some sort of deal. Gail Carson Levine also wrote Ella Enchanted, which was my favorite book growing up and is still one of my favorite books. This book was good (it was for ages 8-12), but not nearly as good as Ella Enchanted. I enjoyed it nonetheless.
The story is about a girl who, after her two close friends move, is being teased at school. She is unpopular and just wants some friends. She gives up her seat on the bus and the old lady who took her seat gives her one wish: to be the most popular girl at her school. She loves it but realizes that soon school will end and so will her popularity. I loved the themes of this book and the way it promotes inclusion and thinking about others. It also touches on the fact that it's best not to care what other people think, although that can be really hard at times (especially as a preteen and teen). It was very well done for its target age group.
Walk Tall, You're a Daughter of God by Jamie Glenn
My mom gave me this book when I was a teenager and I read some of it, but I didn't remember much of it, so I put it in my pile of books to read before we move (I couldn't remember if I'd actually finished it or not). It's a quick read, but worth it. It was written by the lady who wrote the song. In the book, she expounded on the lyrics of the song. It was well written and the content brought the Spirit.
The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
This is another book from my childhood that I have no memory of reading. I really enjoyed it, despite it being an easier read. One of the things that I noticed right away were all the differences throughout the book from the movie. For example, in the book, Dorothy's shoes are silver, not red. They don't meet the wicked witch of the West until over halfway through the book (all the challenges they face before that come up naturally). The good witch Dorothy meets with munchkins is not Glinda (she doesn't meet Glinda until almost the end of the book). Those are some of the biggest differences, but there were so many throughout the book. I did think, for the most part, the book was better (isn't it always?).
I did thoroughly enjoy it (it's not my favorite children's classic though). I definitely think that if you want to get into reading classics, but you're intimidated, start with children's classics. They're beautifully written, bring a simplicity back to life, but are easier to understand than some of the adult classics.
Way to Be! by Gordon B. Hinckley
This is Gordon B. Hinckley's book on the 9 B's. I've heard a lot about these (and heard quite a few of the stories in this book before), but hadn't actually read it. I got it at DI not too long ago, to add to my library. I loved it! I love the spirit of optimism and hope that both President Hinckley and his wife share. I definitely want my kids to read it as they grow up to teenagers.
I'll just quickly share the 9 B's here, with an excerpt from the book.
Be Grateful
"Your very attitude toward life can be evidence of whether or not you are truly grateful for life, for the blessings you have, for the comforts and privileges and opportunities you enjoy, for the talents you have been given, for everything.
Be Smart
"Resist thinking that what you do now doesn't matter, because it does ... There are few things more pathetic than those who have lost their curiosity and sense of adventure, and who no longer care to learn ... You don't have to be a genius to do great things. The important work of this world is done, for the most part, by ordinary people who do their work in an extraordinary way."
Be Involved
"When I say Be Involved, I am suggesting that you Be Involved in good works. Or, in other words, be willing to work ... Most of us tend to be inherently lazy. We would rather play than work. We would rather loaf than work. A little play and a little loafing are good from time to time. But ... it is work that gives us the feeling of accomplishment. And it is work that allows us to feel that we are making a difference in the world."
Be Clean
President Hinckley told of the hard work he did as a child, with chores and such, and then said, " ... The result was wonderful. The house was clean, our spirits renewed, and the whole world looked better. Everything does look better when it's clean."
Be True
"Be true to your own convictions. you know what is right, and you know what is wrong. You know when you are doing the proper thing. You know when you are giving strength to the right cause. Be loyal. Be faithful. Be true."
Be Positive
"I would like to suggest that we stop seeking out the storms of life and enjoy the sunlight. I am suggesting that we 'accentuate the positive'. I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment virtue and hard effort. There is good all around us--if we will only look for it."
Be Still
"There are voices everywhere trying to influence us. We all need time to think. We need to drown out the clamor and noise and simply be quiet. We need time to ponder and meditate and to contemplate the deeper things of life. We need time to read and to immerse ourselves in the thoughts of great minds."
Be Prayerful
"Prayer will change your life. It will bring you peace. It will give you direction and guidance. It will help you feel that you are not alone in this big and sometimes brutal world. The Lord answers our prayers. I know that. I have seen it again and again."
The Abolition of Men by C.S. Lewis
This was a fabulous book, though definitely not an easy read. I had a hard time understanding some of it, but I love C.S. Lewis. "In The Abolition of Man, C.S. Lewis sets out to persuade his audience of the importance and relevance of universal values such as courage and honor in contemporary society." I loved the way he talked about education and the way he discussed progress having a foundation in traditional principles.
Mindset by Carol s. Dweck
This is a book that I've been hearing about on blogs for so long and I loved the idea of the book, so I finally bought it a few months ago. I started it, got about half way through, then started reading through all the books I own and put this book on hold. I finished it this month while sick kids were sleeping on me (it's simply much easier to read on your phone than out of a book in that position). But I loved this book, it has changed the way I see my life, other people, and parenting.
The idea behind this book is that there are two mindsets. The fixed mindset is the belief that talent or intelligence or skill, etc. are fixed. You're either born with it or not. If you have to work for it, it's not worth as much. Practice doesn't improve it. Along those lines. The growth mindset is the opposite. "The growth mindset is based on the belief that your basic qualities are things you can cultivate through your efforts, your strategies, and help from others.
Everyone is a mix of both, but the growth mindset is better for self improvement and healthy relationships, so the more you can view life through that lens, the better (also, just a side thought not discussed in the book, God views all of us through the growth mindset and his entire plan is based off of that). I feel that for me, growing up I had a lot of the fixed mindset in some areas (like art, just for an example) but the growth in others (like in dance). When I got married to Ben, I feel that my growth mindset took a leap forward (Ben is very growth mindset oriented) and reading this book showed me even more ways that I can improve. I loved it and definitely recommend it for anyone.
"I don't divide the world into the weak and the strong, or the successes and the failures ... I divide the world into the learners and the nonlearners." -Benjamin Barber
Letters in the Jade Dragon Box by Gale Sears
I loved this book! It is an LDS historical fiction set in Hong Kong after the death of the communist Chinese chairman Mao Tse-tung. It had beautiful themes of family, love, forgiveness, strength in adversity, and faith. The characters are strong and real, the character development is inspiring, and the history is told in such a way as to be interesting. I'm so glad I read this book!
Believing Christ by Stephen E. Robinson
I believe my mom or brother had this book when I was growing up and I'd heard of this concept before (of moving past simply believing in Christ and actually believing Christ when He says that He can save us), but I'd never read the book. Awhile back, I saw a hard copy of it at DI and bought it, so that's how it ended up in my pile of books that I own but hadn't read yet.
I thought this book was very well done, though the author did repeat a lot (I think using the repetition to bring his point home) and could have probably been shorter. Honestly, I think most nonfiction books could be written to be shorter. Nonetheless, I would definitely recommend it.
"The 'good news' of the gospel is good news to me not because it promises that other people who are better than I am can be saved, but because it promises that I can be saved."
"The most important goal in mortality is becoming one with Christ through the gospel covenant and gaining access through that union to his perfection."
"The Savior in turn agrees to cover our mistakes while we are learning and progressing ... From the moment we enter into the covenant with him, our mistakes are covered ..."
"Above all else, God wants our hearts. Imperfect performance can be corrected, sins can be remitted, mistakes can be erased--but God can do nothing with an unwilling and rebellious heart until it repents. Weakness can be saved; rebellion cannot."
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Kate Douglas Wiggin
Another children's classic I've owned since I was a child but never read until now. I loved it! I wasn't sure at first, because I didn't really like how her mother sent her away to her aunts (I guess I didn't understand that the education there was better until later in the book, then it made more sense to me) and I hated some of the ways and reasons her aunts "disciplined her." I have recently been learning more about the best ways to handle kids acting out and I also have a golden rule with kids (not that I'm perfect with it, but I really try) that if it's not hurting people or property, it's okay. As adults, it's easy for us to worry about everything kids do and not let them be kids. This definitely happens with Rebecca. However, I loved how Rebecca loved to read, that she applied herself to her studies and did so well, and I loved the overall message of hope. It was there even during times when the situations looked hopeless. I also loved the themes of love, goodness, and kindness throughout the book. In my opinion, this is basically an Anne of Green Gables for a younger audience (which, also in my opinion, is a good thing!).
The Constitution A Heavenly Banner by Ezra Taft Benson
This is a really short read, but one that I feel everyone should read. It was very well thought out, very inspiring. In the book, Bensons talks about how and why the constitution is an inspired, God-approved document and how and why we need to uphold it. It really has inspired me to study the constitution more and really understand what is in the constitution.
My favorite part of the book is when Benson talks about government. He says, "The important thing to keep in mind is that the people who have created the government can give to that government only such powers as they themselves, have in the first place. Obviously they cannot give what they do not posses. So the question boils down to this: What powers properly belong to each and every person in the absence of and prior to the establishment of any organized form of government." I love that. It makes it so clear to me why the government shouldn't be involved in things such as healthcare (if there were no government, one person shouldn't force another to get health insurance) and why taxes are unconstitutional (if there were no government, one person wouldn't force another to give, they'd simply ask, make needs known, and trust in human goodness).
It was a phenomenal read, I can't recommend it enough (it was also, again, a short read and actually not a hard one). Go read it!
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