Joining a Book Club

Our ward has a book club that's existed for quite a while. But I never thought I had the time to be a part of it. It took one of my friends giving me a personal phone call to invite me and another friend delivering the book to me when she finishes reading it each month.

So here's a book from Book Club that I never would have read on my own:
(I recommend it highly to Jr. High age boys.)

The Baseball Box Prophecy by Bruce Newbold

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was not the kind of book I usually enjoy, being fantasy and all. :) But it was well-written and there were enough true principles running through it to keep me thinking and happy all the time I read.
Themes: of following your feelings--being in tune with them--using them to determine what is wrong or right to do, of doing what's right and everything will turn out okay, of acting as far as you know how to act with the faith that you'll be given the next step as you go, of love, of redemption, of coming from afar with inborn gifts, of being connected to all people across time.



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Making the connection to Jesus

Something I've been thinking about:

As a child, you go to church and learn about Jesus. But you're taken care of and protected by your parents. You don't have much need for a Savior.

All of a sudden, at 12 or 15 or 19, life happens.

As a parent, how do you get your child to sync that
(1)the daily problems in their real life
and
(2)what you've been trying to teach about the redeeming and enabling power of the Atonement and Jesus' Way
go hand in hand?

It's probably a life-time process, but there's a fragile time for some young people before they begin to "get it." Why?

Pinewood Derby 2012

A most unusual thing happened at the Pinewood Derby this year...

Aaron won his first three heats!
He wasn't very happy about it, though. It was funny to see him come away from the second and third races so disappointed about his wins...then to see him so relieved when he only got second place in his fourth heat.


He ended up in 6th place and was just fine with that.
This boy doesn't have a competitive bone in his body, apparently.
I think he's so tender-hearted that he can't stand to be the reason that anyone else would feel like a loser. Very interesting.

At Parent Teacher Conferences, Aaron's teacher (who has taught five of the other kids) asked him if he feels pressure to measure up to all his older siblings. He looked at her blankly--didn't have a clue what she was talking about.

What a great character trait--to accept yourself for who you are and not worry about comparing yourself to anyone else.

Dating Organized

Happy Birthday to Quin!

I find it really hard to shop for an early January birthday. So if I don't find Quin a present while I'm Christmas shopping, it just doesn't happen. Luckily, he's a man of few material wants...coupons and certificates seem to make him as happy as anything. :)

I'm really excited about this year's gift--a dating schedule. We're specifically planned for the next two months AND have an outline for the rest of the year. Ang and Bruce nicely agreed to accompany us on some of our excursions--should be a lot of fun!

Here it is:

Quin and Alison Date Nights 2012

1st Friday
Sports and smoothie night

2nd Friday
Temple and Dinner night

3rd Friday
Movie and popcorn night

4th Friday
Fast food and Culture night

5th Friday
Surprise night