Fun in the Sun!

For the 24th of July Pioneer Day holiday we went for an all day boating trip with Ray and two of his beautiful daughters. The rest were not able to be there to enjoy the fun in the sun with all of us. (Pioneer day is a state holiday here in Utah for those who are not aware of what it is.)

~Rilee & Sarah doing water Acrobatics at high speed~~This good looking man is my friend Ray~
~Rilee, Sarah and Courtny taking a break from tubing to enjoy a tan and soda~
~Christopher looking good in his shades~
~Rilee, Me and McQuelle chilling out after a swim break~
~Two of the girls flying at high speed~
~McQuelle taking a solo ride~
This was a very long day and we had a great time. Although, I look like a lobster and the kids are so tan, it was a tiring day. We did not get home from down south until 2 a.m. It was worth all the exhaustion and getting fried to have such a great day with a wonderful friend and our kids.

Girl's Camp June 2010

The theme for camp was "Back to the Future". We spent everyday in a different era. Starting with the 1920's and ending in present day. There was so much learned by all of us. We were able to hear stories from each period of time. From when cold cereal came out, when Black's were admitted to public school, hula hooping was the rage, lunch was the heaviest meal of the day for a long time, and how much fun it can be to ride a tandem bike.
Riding the tandem bike was so much fun for all of us. Grant, Cami, Kerstin and Bishop Williams were the best captains on the bike. I tried to be the captain and just couldn't get it down, so I stayed on back (in the stoker position). This was a very fun camp for us all. We learned so much. We made bracelets with beads, earring frames and learned how to start fires. I even got the morning fire going with the help of Bev, for the first time ever.
There was hiking and camp certification along with study time for scriptures and reading. Everyone seemed to have fun. Only a few girls had to go home because they were ill or had other family things going on. They were missed for the rest of the time we spent at camp.
I think I learned a lot about patience too. I was an assistant cook and boy was that easy. The girls helped with everything. It was such a great opportunity to be at camp with all the girls in our ward. I felt privilege to be there for McQuelle's last year at camp as she will not be in Young Women for much longer. It was also great to be there with my younger daughter, Coutny, as well. I am grateful for the chance I was given to be a part of the Young Women for a week. I had fun, this was a great use of one week's vacation.

Book Club

Okay, so I told you all about joining book club in my neighborhood a while ago. I have not been very good at all updating you on the books the past couple months. So here goes.

May was a novel named "Rebecca", which I have not made it halfway through at this point. It is very dull and boring. The grammar is so horrible I can not bear to read it at all. I know that is a poor excuse, but what can I say grammar is very important when reading and writing.

I know I am not perfect, however I try as hard as I can to get it right. So I have stopped reading it and put away for now.

June was "Sarah's Key", by Tatiana De Rosnay. This was a wonderful historical novel, a fictional story based on historical facts. I really learned a lot about the French police and the Vel' d' Hiv' Roundup from 1940 to 1944. An amazing perspective on an event from World War Two which has not been taught in school, neither in Europe, the United States and especially in France.

Tatiana De Rosnay is from Paris France and was surprised to learn of this historical round up of Jews in WWII in her very own land, because it is not taught in school. She came across the information on the Vel' d' Hiv as she was researching for another story to write about events in homes and apartments in the Nelaton area of France. As she learned more about the roundup she knew it was time to write about it in the manner she chose so those who do not know may learn of the horrible things that came about during Germany occupied France in WWII.

Sarah is not mentioned by name until just about half way through the book, she is only referred to as the girl. When her name is finally revealed it is a heart wrenching moment in her story.

On July 16, 1942 a pounding on the apartment door wakes the girls mama. She is terrified to answer the door because of the previous roundup of men that took place. The girl urges her mama to answer the door only to find the French police standing there. They tell her to pack a small bag and gather her children and follow them to the street. The girl goes to get her four year old brother from his room, she gives him some water, a book and his teddy bear and hides him in a secret place in her room. She tucks the key in her pocket thinking she can get her brother out soon and promises him so. She tells her mama she will leave the key for papa. The police start to question her about the whereabouts of papa, he comes out of his hiding place and states he is there as well.

Out in the street they are stared at and laughed at by the Parisian citizens. The girl recognizes her former friends and a man who plays music on the street. The man tries to tell the police they are wrong and they are good people. The police tell him to stay out of it.l They are paraded to the Vel' d' Hiv' stadium and locked up without bathroom facilities, food or water for several days before they are put on cattle cars and sent to a camp not far from O'rleans, which is out in the country.

At the camp they are separated by men, age 12 and up, and women and children under age 12. after over a month in the camp, which is not run by the Germans but by the French police under orders of the Third Reich, they take all the jewelry and money they have. Some were treated very cruelly during this portion of the stay. The girl is afraid they will discover the key in her pocket, but hey are to preoccupied with her mother to check her as they did her. The mothers are taken away at that moment and the children are left alone with no one. all the men and women over age 12 were then take to Auschwitz and executed. The younger children left alone with no food, water or love.

The girl escapes with the help of one of the other children and the French policeman that took them from their home on the fateful day. They get to a farm in O'rleans where a couple, the Dufaure's, take them in. They feed them and clothe them. Then Rachel, the girls friend, get sick with dysentery and the Dufaure's send for a doctor. The doctor they are used to is missing and no one will tell them, a German doctor comes and leaves with a warning.

Later the Germans come and take Rachel, but they do not discover Sarah in the cellar when they search. Sarah makes them take her back to Paris to get her brother. The Tezac's had moved into her home and could not help her.

Sarah runs in and opens the door and they find the boy dead. Sarah never gets over her brothers death. After being adopted by the Dufaure's she grows up sad and lonely because of the events in the war. At 18 she leaves for the U.S. to be a nanny.

Julia Jarmond is a journalist investigating the roundup for a 60 year commemoration happening across France. She is an American who has lived in Paris for 25 years and has a daughter of her own, Zoe, who she adores and a husband who is less than he should be.

They are remodeling the apartment on the Rue de Santonge, where Sarah's family lived. She finds out the story about Sarah and makes it her goal to let Sarah's son know about the round up and that the Tezac's cared for her financially as long as they could, and made the arrangements to bury her brother at the time he was found in the cupboard.

This was a disturbing historical event, the Jews were not and are not bad people. They did not deserve to be discriminated against them or now. I am saddened by a historical event which was kept hidden for so long. This is part of a terrible war that we should be aware of. I cried through out this book often as I read the events. They remind me of what happened across Europe during WWII. I am so grateful to not have lived during that time. This is a book I recommend to all.

Updates Comming

I have been crazy busy latley! I am writing some updates. They will be posted soon! Sorry!

The Bronze Bow

This month's book was The Bronze Bow, By Elizabeth George Speare. A journey through historical fiction at the time of Jesus in Galilee.

I had a difficult time getting into the book at first. It took one week to get to chapter seven, then somewhere in the middle of the chapter I was taken in and it became increasingly more interesting.

Daniel is the main character and he is seething with vengeance and anger towards the Romans. His father was brutally crucified by the Romans. As he was witness to this cruel form of unjust punishment, Daniel turned away from all he knew to avenge the deaths of his mother and father. (His mother died two weeks after his father due to illness from seeing the death herself in the rain.) His sister Leah became emotionally trapped for the rest of her life in a different way.

Daniel escapes the servitude of Amalek and becomes part of the band of thieves led by Rosh. Rosh believes they must overthrow the Romans by stealing from them as well as anyone else they come across. He sends Daniel to live in the city of Galilee to be the eyes he needs there.

Simon is a Zealot and owns a blacksmith shop. Daniel and Simon go to see a minister speak on the Sabbath. Simon has heard him before and wanted to learn more of him, he is intrigued by the witness he feels when the minister names Jesus speaks. He is determined to find out what he is about and if he is truly the Savior. Daniel needs a place to work so he can take care of his ill sister after his Grandmother dies so Simon tells him to open the smith shop and live in his home so he can take care of his sister. Simon moves to Capernum and lives there in a small home where Jesus stays with him. Daniel moves his sister to the shop and starts the blacksmithing again. However, Simon knows Daniel's heart and warns him to take care of his manners while in town, he tells him to take care of the Romans as he would anyone else so they do not destroy the town at his discourtesies towards the Romans.

Daniel's has two friends named Joel and Thacia, they are twins from Capernum. They visit Daniel often. Thacia finds a way to bring Leah out of herself a little each time she visits. After these visits Leah is a different person and talks to Daniel more.

Daniel, Joel and Thacia make a vow to stop the Romans together. The Bronze Bow found in Psalms in the sign they use as their mascot so to speak. It is how they know Daniel is in Capernum each time he visits.

In the end Daniels hatred of the Romans fades as Thacia brings Jesus to heal his sister. At that moment Daniel finds love in his heart and sees who Jesus is and finds peace at the death of his sister.

I enjoyed this book, in fact I wanted it to continue on after Leah dies and see Daniel and Thacia continue a knew life. I would recommend this book to those who want to know the history of that time frame. The history in the book is very accurate to the time Christ was in Galilee.

Next month: Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

The struggles of a Child

This is a difficult post to compose this week, however I felt compelled to disclose this struggle with those I know love my child as much as I do.

My wonderful child is going through a stage of life in which I would like to avoid, this is not something I want to witness. This Child is wonderful in so many ways, some only a mother would notice. Rebellion, frustration and anger seem to be enthralling this Child at this time.

I had an "interview" session with each of my Children last week. I learned so much as I questioned them about their current and future goals. The testimonies I heard were so wonderful and gracious. The one I wish I heard is not there. One Child stated they do not believe in God, nor do they wish to be a member of a church of any kind at this time.

I held my composure as my child stated these feelings to me. I listened, learned and had pain in my heart and soul as this was revealed to me. A hug and an I love you was given this Child. Then I proceeded to explain why I know their is a God and my testimony of how I know this is true was then given to this Child.

The child was understanding of my testimony to them, however they dismissed me at that point. I was told that's great you have something to believe, but I just cant believe it. There is nothing out there beyond us and that's what I feel.

I stated after this revelation, which I had already suspected, the rules in this house are we go to church and all our meetings. This is the way it is and you will have to attend while you live in this house. The Child said that they would have to since they live here, but when they move out they will make the choice on their own. I then stated that would be fine, but the rules of this house will always be the same.

I love this Child, as well as their siblings, so very much. The best of intentions are all that I have for them at any given time. I hope and pray all the best for these beautiful angels I have been blessed with. And as Elder Russell M. Nelson (I believe it was he) stated, "you cannot fail as a parent as long as you have continually tried."

I know I am doing the best I possibly can, I will not give up on this Child. They will come around it will just take time.

I finally joined a book club!

After about 15 years of debating and looking into it, I joined the book club in my ward last month. I was able to go to a planning meeting and hear about all the books that were read last year and what was possible for this year. I had a nice time being with others who have been able to give me a different light on some of the books I wanted to read or have already read.

So, I was able to be the host for March. When you host it is at your house on the fourth Wednesday of the month in which you are hosting. You provide the book title and refreshments. At the meeting you lead the discussion, easy task for me since I am a talker anyway. You also introduce the author and give a brief history of him and some of the books they have written.

This month's book was The Shack, by William P. young. He is originally from Canada, however he now live in Oregon with his wife and six children. This book, as I believe, was a heeling for him as it is about healing through a tragic loss. Mr. Young was raised for six years in an aboriginal tribe in the former Papua New Guinea, they were considered to be stone-aged. He was abused sexually as a child, then chipped back to Canada to boarding school where it happened again for several years. The book gives a perspective of the Godhead that will shock some and impress others.

Here are my thoughts on the book:
I liked it. It was very interesting to see the pain that Mack went through from childhood through adulthood. He never really let go of the abuse he and his family suffered at the hands of his alcoholic father. No forgiveness was in his heart for his father, even after his father had died.
He married a very sweet lady and had six children. His youngest daughter, Missy, was kidnapped on a camping trip and murdered. Only her blood and red sundress were found in the shack that day.
The entire family was devastated. Mack blamed himself and was not able to see that his daughter blamed herself and stopped talking because of it.
Nan, his wife, called God "Papa", which Mack though was very sweet that she felt that close to him.
Four years after Missy is believed to be murdered Mack receives a note from "Papa" asking him to come to the shack to talk about forgiveness. he is very upset about this, but decides to go anyway.
That afternoon at the shack he walks back into the darkest moments of his life. He meets God, Jesus and the Creator (Holy Ghost). God is a Black Aunt Jamima looking woman who sings and walks around barefoot and loves to cook. Jesus is a carpenter and looks like an Asian/Indian with chiseled facial trademarks of leather, but talks to Mack as if he were his friend. Jesus is tender and soft spoken. The Creator (Holy Ghost) is a short robust woman who walks around creating all the beauty of the earth, including the thorns and thistles. She giggles a lot and talks a lot about the beauty of the world.
Mack is lead through a journey of healing and forgiveness as he sees Missy is okay and is able to feel her wrap her arms around him through a think veil.

This was a very different way of healing through writing. I saw a lot of similarities to some religions as i read this portrayal of the Godhead. I also noted the similarities of the abuse Mr. Young went through as he portrayed the kidnapper and the Godhead.

I recommend this book to others so they may be able to see how forgiveness and healing can only come through the healing of our God and faith in Jesus Christ.

Next month's book: The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth Speare