BELONGING TO HEAVEN by Gale Sears--Book Review

BELONGING TO HEAVEN by Gale Sears. I enjoyed this book. The descriptions were beautiful. I loved the people, seeing how they each grew, and feeling of their love. It gave me pause as I considered what I would do and how I would handle the situations these people faced. It it truly an inspirational read that anyone would love. I highly recommend it.

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Hawaii. A land of deep tradition and rich culture. A people of family and faith. A paradise on earth.

Jonathan Napela is a descendant of the Hawaiian royal line, and his future is bright with a new wife and a position of influence in the community. As a devout man, he believes in God, but he feels there is something more—something he is missing. When he meets Elder George Q. Cannon and is introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jonathan feels as though he has finally found where he belongs.

Jonathan's friendship with George provides remarkable opportunities for the young Hawaiian to grow in his new faith. His joy in the gospel is tested though, when he is challenged by those he once called friends, and later when he struggles to gather Saints to Laie. And when leprosy threatens to take his beautiful wife, Kitty, from him, Jonathan faces an impossible choice: send his wife to the leper colony of Moloka'i alone, or risk how own life to accompany her. Drawing on his deep reservoirs of faith, Jonathan comes to understand that opening his heart to sacrifice is the purest expression of love.

This novel, based on a true story, is an extraordinary example of a man who chooses to serve God and family when others might have given up.

(Picture and backcover blurb taken from Desertbook.com)

EVERTASTER by Adam Glendol Sidwell--book buzzin'

EVERTASTER by Adam Glendol Sidwell. I met this author at the Storymakers conference. His book sounds wonderfully tasty and I'm excited to eat, I mean read it. :) Take a look.

A legendary taste. Sought after for centuries. Shrouded in secrecy.

When eleven-year-old Guster Johnsonville rejects his mother’s casserole for the umpteenth time, she takes him into the city of New Orleans to find him something to eat. There, in a dark, abandoned corner of the city they meet a dying pastry maker. In his last breath he entrusts them with a secret: an ancient recipe that makes the most delicious taste the world will ever know — a taste that will change the fate of humanity forever.

Forced to flee by a cult of murderous chefs, the Johnsonvilles embark on a perilous journey to ancient ruins, faraway jungles and forgotten caves. Along the way they discover the truth: Guster is an Evertaster — a kid so picky that nothing but the legendary taste itself will save him from starvation. With the sinister chefs hot on Guster’s heels and the chefs’ reign of terror spreading, Guster and his family must find the legendary taste before it’s too late.

21 PRINCIPLES by Richard G Scott--Book Review

21 PRINCIPLES: DIVINE TRUTHS TO HELP YOU LIVE BY THE SPIRIT by Richard G Scott. As many of you may know, our youngest son returned home not too long ago. I would be lying if I said that I haven't struggled with different emotions related to that situation. This book has reaffirmed some of the things that I already knew, but hadn't thought about in relationship to my sons—the one still with us as well as the one who has gone home. I love the principles and the stories that illustrate the principles that Elder Scott shares. It is an uplifting, enlightening book that I would recommend for any and everyone, especially those who may have questions and/or are struggling with different things life throws at us.

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"As you seek spiritual knowledge, search for principles," counsels Elder Richard G. Scott. "Principles are concentrated truth, packaged for application to a wide variety of circumstances."

In this exciting book, Elder Scott offers 21 principles distilled from his life experiences. These "concentrated truths" will help you understand more fully how to be guided by the Spirit. Elder Scott's brief explanations open the way for your own discovery and exploration.

"I bear witness that Jesus Christ knows you personally," Elder Scott writes. "He will provide answers to every difficult problem in your life as you trust Him and do all you can to understand and apply His doctrine and strive to live by the Spirit." 21 Principles will be a valuable tool in that quest.

Blurb and picture taken from DesertBook.com.

THE LODGER: A SPIDER LATHAM MYSTERY by Liz Adair--Book Buzzin'

THE LODGER-A Spider Latham Mystery by Liz Adair. This one sounds great! I love Liz's book. Stay tuned for my book review.

           The telephone rang, and Laurie went to answer it.

 
           She listened. "No," she said, winking at Spider, "he's here. Matter of fact, he was just sworn in this morning." She paused, listening again. "What!" The freckles on Laurie's nose stood out as the blood drained from her face.  Her eyes widened.
 
           "What's the matter?" Spider asked, sitting up straight.
 

           "Wait," she croaked into the receiver.  She thrust the instrument toward Spider. "It's Kyle Bates calling for the deputy sheriff," she rasped. "His son was out rabbit hunting with Cody Larson this afternoon, and they found a body."

ONE DROP AT A TIME by M. Russell Ballard--Book Review

ONE DROP AT A TIME by M. Russell Ballard. This wonderful little book was delightful to read. I loved the message that was compared to the work ethic of a bee. My two-year-old loved the beautiful pictures. It is a message for everyone. I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone who needs a pick me up.

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Do you sometimes wonder if your little efforts could possibly make any difference at all? Consider a simple example from nature.

Honey is “one of the foods that includes all the substances— enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and water—necessary to sustain life,” writes Elder M. Russell Ballard. And yet, “Over its short lifetime of just a few weeks to four months, a single honeybee’s contribution of honey to its hive is a mere one-twelfth of one teaspoon. Though seemingly insignificant when compared to the total, each bee’s one-twelfth of a teaspoon of honey is vital to the life of the hive.”

Your simple, daily acts of service matter, and this charmingly illustrated little book will lift your heart as it demonstrates the power of many righteous people working together to fill the world, one drop at a time, with the sweet truths of the gospel.

Lots of Buzzin' coming!

I spent a wonderful weekend in Provo, Utah at the Storymakers writing conference. Good food. Good company. Good classes. Lots of new books. :) Stay tuned for all the books I'll be buzzin' on Tuesday's. There are some great one!!

BEGINNING OF BETTER DAYS a Mother's Day Spotlight

THE BEGINNING OF BETTER DAYS. With Mother's Day around the corner, I thought this book was a good one to buzz about. Be sure to take a look at it and the video!

How important are women in the restored church of Jesus Christ? We learn something about the answer to the question from a simple historic fact: In 1842, the Prophet Joseph Smith took time to attend several meetings of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo and give personal instruction to the women there. He did this at a time of great personal turmoil, when persecutions were raging and his responsibilities were heavy. He did it at a time when society barely acknowledged women as having any kind of status at all. On six separate occasions, he taught the women personally about their privileges, their opportunities, their obligations, and the blessings the Lord had in store for them in His kingdom.

The Beginning of Better Days includes Joseph Smith's six timeless sermons to the women of Nauvoo, along with personal essays from Sheri Dew and Virginia H. Pearce that help us better understand the sermons and their relevance for Latter-day Saint women today. "We have attempted to share a little about our own processes of discovery regarding the sermons," writes the authors. "This is what worked for us. What works for you may be similar — or it may be completely different. The important thing is to dig in." (taken from desertbook.com)