A Night Divided by Jennifer Nielson

A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen

      On the morning of Barbed Wire Sunday, the people of East Berlin woke up to the sound of sirens. Investigating, they found that the government had found a way to stop them from leaving: the Berlin Wall. It was a great fence separating East Berlin from West Berlin. The two parts of Germany had been on tight terms for a while, and rumors of a third world war were plentiful.

      The one hundred yards of smooth dirt leading up to the wall was called the "Death Strip." And the fence slowly evolved over the years into a 11.8 foot cement wall. Guardtowers were set on top, where soldiers would point their guns at anyone trying to escape East Berlin.

      For twelve year-old Gerta, the rise of the Berlin Wall takes something more than freedom from her. A couple of days before Barbed Wire Sunday, her father and brother had traveled into West Berlin. The fence had split her family into two parts just like Germany.

     Gerta knows she must take her remaining family members in the East to meet her family members in the West. But escaping isn't easy, and getting caught means death.

  The German police threaten Gerta's family often, but the violence is minimal up until the end. I recommend it for 11+.

-Grace

A Most Beautiful Centerpiece

Last week, I had a cold, so My Robby sent me these. I LOVE tulips. They are such happy flowers...welcoming back the sunshine and warmth.

In fact, they made a most beautiful centerpiece for my table. Only one adornment could make the center of the table more gorgeous...

A chubby baby.  :)

Hope your day is filled with sunshine and warmth...and chubby babies that bring smiles to your face.

Bearing Souls and Secrets

Want to know a secret? I'm human. Ok. It's no secret...but recently I've been feeling the depth of my human-ness. Trying to be the best wife and mother to FOUR kids, taking care of a large and beautiful home, and striving to be a devout follower of Jesus the Christ is a lot of work. It's work I wouldn't trade for anything, but it's still work.

My parents, who live out-of-state, stayed with us for three months (!). Many of you may think that sounds like a trial but it was truly Heaven-on-Earth for me. My dad finished our basement (Goodness, it's beautiful! Pictures to come!), and my mom hung out with me.

By "hanging out", I mean that she did every speck of my laundry, almost all the cooking, half of all the mothering, most of the sweeping...you get the picture. Better yet, she was such a wonderful companion. She never sits, that woman. She had four kids, too. I think four is the number when things get a bit busier, and you don't have time to just sit anymore.

Having her here took my need to blog away for a while. In the words of Little Women, we had each other for "the bearing of our souls and the telling of our most appalling secrets."


The truth is, women need each other. 


Of course, I need my husband, too. For many, many reasons and in many, many ways...but they are different from the reasons I need great women in my life. And that's a blog for another day.


Today, I'm missing my Mama. 

And all of you. 


My companions, to whom I bear my soul and tell my most appalling secrets.

Photo Journal: Bubs' 8th Birthday and Baptism

Welly and Bubs get ready to go.

Y, lookin' cool.

Grandpa and Pappy

Our family just before the service.

The handsome 8 year old. (Complete with a bonk on the forhead, courtesy of his little bro.)

My three handsomes.

Bubs and his cousin, Taylor, were baptized the same day.

Cousins! Y, Bubs, Noah, Taylor, Welly, and Jakey

Crazy Uncle Matt.

Pretty Aunt Lisa and Tate.

Tired Grandpas.  :)

Grandma reading to my kiddos.

A hug for Grammy.

Quite a hug.  :)

The big boy and his new bike.

What a wonderful day it was!

Bubs prepared for his baptism by reading the whole Book of Mormon on his own. He set the goal and followed through with very little prompting from his parents. He told me that when he prayed about it to know if it was true, he felt good and warm right away. Simple and so wonderful.

I love this boy! And I'm so glad to have him set the example for his siblings...including baby number 4 (ANOTHER BOY!!!)

Book Review: Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo

Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven by Todd Burpo

Just before Colton turned four, he had a life-changing experience. During an emergency surgery when he almost died, Colton visited Heaven.

Over the next several years, he told his parents bits and pieces of his astounding story, revealing that he met Jesus, his miscarried sister, his deceased grandfather, and many others in Heaven.

This quick read is a bestseller, but I admit that I don't believe it completely.

Pros: It helps readers imagine Heaven, makes Jesus feel personable and shows His love for children, and supports the idea of eternal families.

Cons: I don't believe angels have wings. Four-year-olds can have pretty vivid imaginations, especially when they are exciting the interest of their parents. It was months after the surgery when Colton first mentioned having an out-of-body experience.

Who knows? It was an interesting read, and I don't feel like it was a waste of my time. My guess is that sweet Colton had some type of wonderful near-death experience, but the story became embellished over the years.

Heaven is for Real is written and narrated by Colton's father, who is a pastor. It is engaging, although it felt stretched a bit to be book-length. Also, the father's never-ending surprise with every new revelation about Colton's vision/dream/whatever you want to call it, was rather tiresome.

Joys.

Hi Friends,

I'm feeling very blessed because...

*We're feeling settled into our beautiful, new home.
*I'm about halfway through this pregnancy, and feeling the baby move is one of the most wonderful feelings in the world.
*We're getting to know some wonderful people in our new hometown.
*Tomorrow, Robby and I celebrate 10 blissfully happy years of marriage.
*Last week, my parents came up to visit (and worked like dogs helping us get settled in).
*Bubs (now 8) was baptized last week, and it was wonderful.

Life is beautiful.

See you soon.

Emily

Stand for the Family by Sharon Slater

I know. This book is all I can talk about lately. I wrote more about it, though, for Latter-day Homeschooling and thought I might as well share it here, too. (Don't forget to sign the petition...See the end of the post! Thanks!)




Stand for the Family by Sharon Slater

If you've followed Latter-day Homeschooling for a while, you know I'm a serious book-lover. What you probably don't know about me is that I am a rather mellow, laid back kind of person.

There are a few things, though, that I feel very passionate about. Family is one of them, and more specifically, defending the family, as explained in this book.

Stand for the Family has called me to action. Have you ever wondered what it means to 'stand/fight for the family'? I have. I had the desire to do it, but I didn't know how.

Stand for the Family clearly states how each one of us can fight for the institution of the family (and make a real difference!), as well as why it is important.

Speaking of important, there are several books that I consider Must-Reads (The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease, The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom, A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver DeMille...), but I don't think any book I've ever read is more pertinent for our generation as parents. It opened my eyes.

I know. It sounds like I'm bearing my testimony or something. I guess I sort of am.

My husband and I went to hear Sharon Slater speak last week. Before the event, my husband was really dragging his feet. He didn't think he'd hear anything he hadn't heard before. She told a couple stories from the book and illustrated how even a full-time mom with fishy crackers in her purse can make a genuine difference...worldwide!

During her speech, I didn't know if my husband was interested or even listening.

When Sharon Slater closed her remarks, I headed to the back to purchase ten books. (Yes, 10!) As I started the transaction, my husband came up behind me and said, "Make it 20."

What is it about Stand for the Family that empowers two laid-back people to make a stand? Well, besides being a critical issue that we believe in, Sharon Slater shows over and over through research in her book, that it is best for society to preserve the family. It is well-written and well-documented.

Honestly, what else can I say? Please go read this book! And if you want to start standing for the family right now, check out the website Family Watch International and sign the petition at the bottom of the page.

For a breakdown of the chapters in Stand for the Family and to view the press release, click here.


Emily is passionate about books (especially this one). You can find more of her book reviews, as well as day-to-day ramblings at Homespun Light.

Stand for the Family by Sharon Slater

 

Remember how I was just saying that this book has impacted my life and is a must-read for all parents? Well, if you're in Utah, here's your chance to go grab a copy and chat it up with the author.

Stand for the Family Book Signing
at BYU Wednesday!

Sharon Slater will be in Provo, Utah on Wednesday, August 18th for a book signing at the BYU bookstore from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM.  Those attending BYU education week can drop by the BYU Bookstore during  that time to meet Sharon and get a signed copy of Stand for the Family: A Call to Responsible Citizens Everywhere.

Please pass this on to others!

See you there! -Emily


PS. To order the book directly from Family Watch International or to find out more about it and read the press release, please click here.

Books With Impact

A friend asked me what books have had an impact on me. There are many, many books that I have loved over the years. These books are ones that have changed my life for the better.





The Burning Within by Ranelle Wallace

RaNelle and Terry Wallace were in a plane crash. Terry walked away with only minor burns, but RaNelle was severely burned. Hours after the crash, she died. Her account of the heavens is beautifully written and inspiring. She speaks of the overpowering love of God and man.

I reflect on the following quote often: "...I was seeing my entire life...Entirety does not describe the fullness of this review. It included knowledge about myself, that all the books in the world couldn't contain. I understood every reason for everything I did in my life. And I also understood the impact I had on others."

She goes on to give accounts of people she helped in life and others who she failed to help. This section of the book has helped me look outside myself and seek out opportunities to be God's hand in this life.

The Burning Within is not only a Near-Death Experience. It is a story of love, overcoming the unimaginable, and of RaNelle finding herself. The NDE is actually a relatively small portion of the book.

Stand for the Family by Sharon Slater

Stand for the Family, unfortunately, is not full of joyful things. It's all about the terrible attacks being made on the family, both overt and covert. It's disturbing at times, yet so important. The author talks about what we can (and must) do to save the family institution, as well as why it is important to our country as a whole. 

It's a well-researched, well-written call to action. I read this book very recently, and now I want to shout about it from the rooftops so everyone I know will read it.

The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas

Here's what I want to ask this book...Where have you been all my life?I wonder how I never read this classic until now. It's amazing.

Marcellus Gallio, a Roman Tribune, is ordered to crucify Jesus. Although he believes Jesus is innocent of any crime, he follows orders. During the crucifixion, he takes the Robe that Jesus wore.

That dark day nearly kills Marcellus. He is overwhelmed with guilt and curiosity. Marcellus travels to Galillee to learn more about this mysterious man who was crucified, taking the Robe along.

This historical fiction classic tells the story of one man's quest for the meaning of life. Full of faith, love, and adventure, this book has it all.

This is not a quick and easy read, by any means, but if you are in the mood for an inspiring Christian classic, this might be the one for you.

Recommended for adults and teens who enjoy classics.

The Creative Family by Amanda Soule
At first glance, this may appear to just be a book full of craft projects. However, look a little closer and you'll find inspiration galore, not just about doing craft projects that Amanda Soule suggests, but about how to live a more creative life. 


Amanda Soule tells the who, what, how, and why of being creative. If you like her popular blog, SouleMama, you are sure to love this book even more.


Here's an excerpt: "A large part of nurturing a spirit of creativity comes from being mindful, slowing down, observing, and looking around you at the beauty and inspiration all around. We are blessed as parents to have the best teachers for this--our children. Stop and watch your children often. Really stop and watch, and you'll see them using such creativity in everything they do..."


You should see me book. Half the pages are dog-eared.

Left to Tell : Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust by Immaculee Ilibagiza

The subtitle of this book says it all...Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust. While the unthinkable is happening all around her, Immaculee Ilibagiza finds peace in God's love.

Immaculee grew up in a Rwandan paradise. It wasn't until she was ten, that she even learned the words Hutu and Tutsi. When her teacher began taking ethnic roll call, she didn't know which tribe she belonged to. However, prejudices deepened into hatred, and when Immaculee was 24, a massive genocide took place. It is estimated that a million Tutsis were killed in three months.

Immaculee hid in a bathroom with six other women. The space was so small, that they had to take turns standing. When someone needed to use the toilet, everyone had to shift to accomodate her. The ladies nearly starved to death. Worse still, they could her the killers outside looking for them, chanting horrible death songs.

Immaculee spent nearly all her time praying in that bathroom. The women couldn't talk to one another because they might be heard, so Immaculee talked to God, who spared their lives because of her prayers.

Each time it seemed that Immaculee's life would end or that there was no way to go on, she prayed "show me" how to do this, and God would literally show her what to do.

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

This is a true story about the author's experiences during the holocaust. Corrie ten Boom was a leader in the Underground. With the help of her family, she kept many Jews safe from the Nazis. However, she was eventually caught, and along with her family, thrown into prison and a concentration camp.

This inspirational story is about how Corrie found faith and held onto it for dear life. She witnessed many miracles, but the greatest miracle to me, is that Corrie and her sister, Betsie, were able to maintain such a positive outlook because of their unwavering faith in God. I mean, Betsie prays IN GRATITUDE for the fleas in the bunker, which do, amazingly enough, turn out to have a good purpose.

Here is a brief excerpt:

"Corrie Ten Boom stood naked with her older sister Betsie, watching a concentration camp matron beating a prisoner. "Oh, the poor woman," Corrie cried. "Yes. May God forgive her," Betsie replied. And, once again, Corrie realized that it was for the souls of the brutal Nazi guards that her sister prayed."

The Hiding Place is a life-changing classic. It is a quick read. Although it is about the holocaust, it is not deeply depressing but enlightening and uplifting. I hope you enjoy it! It is one of the best books I have ever read.

A Thomas Jefferson Education and Leadership Education by the DeMilles

I didn't realize that this book had already changed my life before I even read it. One of my BYU professors read an excerpt from A Thomas Jefferson Educationthat has truly stuck with me through the years. I am relieved to see the actual story in print. It has influenced my parenting as well as my views on creativity in education. Here is the story...
"The teacher handed out crayons and paper and announced that it was time to draw a picture. The little boy enthusiastically grabbed the crayons and began to imagine all the things he could draw: mountains, lakes, airplanes, his familiy, his dog, the ocean, the stars at night...
Hundreds of ideas raced through his creative little mind.
His teacher, seeing that he had started drawing, stopped him and said that today the class would be drawing flowers. The boy's mind again ran wild: daisies, daffodils, roses, carnations, violets, lilacs, pansies, mixed bouquets, green gardens full of rainbows of colors...
The teacher again interrupted, informing the class that today they would be drawing a certain kind of flower.
Taking colored chalk, the teacher went to the board and drew a green stem, with two leaves, and four identical pink petals. The little boy, eager to please, dutifully copied her drawing.
After several attempts, his drawing looked exactly like hers. The teacher congratulated him for doing such good work.
As the school year passed, the little boy became a very good student; he learned to listen, obey instructions and get the right answers on tests. His parents were very proud of him, and his teacher was impressed with his excellent progress.
When the next school year arrived, the boy had done so well in his classes that he was enrolled in an accelerated program. During the first week of class, the teacher handed out crayons and paper and announced that it was time to draw a picture. The little boy, still in love with art, enthusiastically picked up his crayons and waited for instructions.
After several minutes the teacher noticed that the little boy wasn't drawing. "Why haven't you started?" she asked. "Don't you like to draw?"
"I love to draw," responded the little boy, "but I was waiting for you to tell us what the assignment is."
"Just draw whatever you want," the teacher smiled and left the little boy to his creativity.
The little boy sat for a long time, watching the minutes tick off the clock and wondering what he should draw. Nothing came to mind.
Finally, in a burst of creative inspiration, he picked up his crayons and began to draw:
A green stem, with two leaves, and four identical pink petals."
This story breaks my heart. It broke my heart enough that it changed my life.
A Thomas Jefferson Education: Teaching a Generation of Leaders for the Twenty-first Century by Oliver Van DeMille is a book about traditional, classics-based education. It is not just a homeschool book, but a book about what has worked historically in terms of education. It is a look into how our Founding Fathers were taught and inspired and an appeal for current educational systems to return to the classics.
The book is well-written, accessible, and thought-provoking.
I recommend it to anyone who is interested in life-long learning for themselves and the young people they interact with.


Please share any books that have changed your life for the better and how. Thanks!