The Forth Nephite

I got the chance to read Jeffrey S. Savage's The Forth Nephite before it came out (its my first ARC, I'm quite proud I have an ARC). It was really good. It is written for teen readers, which happen to be my favorite age group for books. There is time traveling, suspense, and a smidgen of romance (I'm talking tiny). I have always enjoyed Savage's voice when he writes. It is stark, without being bland or harsh, yet descriptive. I also have an affinity for his use of vocabulary.

The Forth Nephite is about a high school football player, Kaleo Steele, that gets caught breaking school rules by his seminary teacher. To get out of the mess he promises his teacher that he will visit a man in Salt Lake by the name of Ladan (the only character I had issues with his name, unfortunately I think of Genie in Disney's Alladin every time I read his name). Ladan sends Kaleo back in time on a journey of discovery.

I did have a love/hate relationship with the set up of his book. He started the chapters of Nephite with a small excerpt of what I imagine as Kaleo's journal. They foreshadow some events, but sometimes I think they are kind of pointless. The book is written in first person, so we already know what Kaleo is thinking and feeling. I guess I can't really figure out what to make of them.

I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading the next in the series. For those of yo who may be thinking,"I don't know, I am not really a reader," I would totally suggest getting Nephite on CD and playing it while you drive. It will make you want to go on a road trip just so you can find out what happens next. The Forth Nephite comes out in August.

Prayer

First off, I did go to Anne's blessing. She is adorable and likes to dance. Velika was busy making a cake, Anne didn't want to sit still so she would cry when my mom held her (it is hard for my mom to get up and move around), so I held her and danced around the room with her. She stopped crying, so that means she liked it right? Plus if I just walked and rocked her she would start to whimper. So, I am guessing she likes to dance.

Last Sunday (July 11th), Jarom spoke in church. I have been having a hard time lately and had forgotten to say my prayers that morning, so in a brief plea sent heavenward in the car on my way to church, I asked for comfort. I had tears rolling down my cheeks for most of sacrament meeting. Not to fear, they were tears of joy and comfort. I was late and made it just in time for the Sacrament. Well I usually look through the hymn book during the sacrament so I can focus on the Savior. That day I flipped to Dear to the Heart of The Shepherd, and let me tell you, there wasn't a word on that page that wasn't meant for me that day.

The talks were all on Elder Eyring's talk Help Them on Their Way Home. I don't remember much of what was said, but I did take note (something I haven't done for ages) on my phone, because the words that were said I needed to hear.

Tuesday night I woke up from a nightmare. When I woke up, I was awake, not grogy or sleepy, AWAKE. I said a prayer and I was able to go back to sleep quickly. That usually doesn't happen when I wake up like that in the middle of the night. I have to lay there in the dark for a while or read until I fall asleep again. I haven't been sleeping very well, so I was glad I was able to curl back up and sleep so quickly.

So the point of this post is to tell you, prayer works. I know you may not always get such quick answers as I did, but it works.

What to do?

My brother is blessing his baby girl this weekend. I really, REALLY want to go. Austin is not so keen on going. I can't go down in my car for lack of gas money, but I hate having no wheels when I am in the valley, so I am disinclined to go with my parents. I know I am whining. I feel better putting it out there though.

I love my crazy dreams

This morning I had a dream about my friend Bethany. I went to visit her and her family (I actually haven't got to see her since he wedding). I road this contraption that looked like a cross between a bicycle and a skate board all the way from Thatcher to Mesa (roughly 147 miles) with my dog on my lap. I visited with Bethany and her family and then headed home. Her husband Daryl gave me a whole roasted suckling pig to take home.

I love that I can entertain myself with my dreams after I am awake.

Movies/TV and Real Life

Since I don't have a washer and dryer, nor anyplace to put them, my mom graciously volunteers to do our laundry every week. So yes, my mom still does my laundry. I know it's sad.

Anyway, when we were going home from picking up our laundry at my parent's house on Monday, Austin saw a car accident (we were in separate cars). A truck hit a motorcycle and the cyclist went skidding across the road. He had road rash and some other scrapes, but he was wearing a helmet, and he got up and walked back across the street. Austin stuck around until the police came and filled out a witness statement, like a good citizen, he was the only one of the three witnesses who did.

After we went home he said, "that was different from seeing that on TV." Having witnessed car accidents before, I knew what he was saying. Austin likes watching shows/movies that have to do with cars. 99% of his video games are car related. He had never witnessed a real accident before. The feelings and emotions that happen when something like that happen are completely different, than watching a wreck on TV.

I have never been one to like watching things blow up or crash, for the main reason that I have witnessed my share of accidents and had enough close calls for myself to know the anxiety that crashes cause. I asked Austin if he now kinda understood my point of view and he nodded in a noncommittal fashion.

I doubt it will change the fact that we have been watching the Dukes of Hazzard (old school) every night until we finish the season, but at least he kinda sorta knows what is going through my head when I see Rosco and Cletus collide.

Catch Up

Let's see...what has happened since the last post. Lots!

1. The GILA VALLEY TEMPLE was dedicated. I love it. I have only gone once, I can't wait to go back. Beautiful!

2. We got a little Ford Focus. I can't choose betweennaming it Foci or Forsyth, but Austin doesn't like either of the names. He wants to name it Fred, Focus Fred. Even though it is just a Focus, I think it is more exciting than Fred.

3. I love Austin more every day.

I think that is it for now. Oh, and Jarom, my baby brother, comes home from his mission on June 28th. I am so excited.

I am obsessed

I have Internet at work so I check the blogs I follow constantly. However, I give nothing back. I don't ever update mine nor do I leave comments on other's blogs. I am such a hypocrite. I am sorry.