The Hiding Place

I love reading this book! This was the secomd time for me, and I think I gleaned some things from it the second time that I didn't before.

 I realize that forgiveness and love are themes of the wonderful story of Corrie Ten Boom, but FAITH really jumped out of the pages at me as I read this time. Her entire family had such unshakable faith. What tremendous examples they are to modern day Christians! And what wonderful miracles they became benefactors of (Nollie's daughter telling the truth to the soldiers about their hiding place and nobody being found; Corrie being able to carry the bible with her into the camps; The vitamin drops not running out and so many others that I haven't listed...)! All because of faith!

I think that the Ten Booms must be very happy in heaven together. They've done such commendable things for others in their life times. These are the kind of people that I hope to meet in heaven some day! 

August's Book

Sorry I was a slacker and forgot to choose a book for August. (Thanks Bekah for reminding me.) I also missed the memo on reading the Ensign for July. (I will blame that on the fact that July was a very busy month and that I got married. That's good cause for justification right?)

I have not had a book to read for about a month now and feel totally lost. What do I do during my lunch break at work? I just haven't known what to read, and am still on the waiting list at the library for the book I want.

Anyways, I have chosen for August to read The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. I have heard good things about it and have wanted to read it for quite some time now. I hope we all enjoy it!

Did anyone ever read the Uglies? If not, I guess I won't post on it because I don't want to be writing to myself.

July Ensign

Great idea for July reading Hannah...especially since July is such a busy month for everyone! I just want you all to know though, that if you would like more time to read...have a baby! I get to sit and read every time she's hungry, and babies are hungry a lot! Although, I'm sure that will eventually change and I'll be chasing her around instead of holding her and reading.

Anyway, the July Ensign...I think I read practically the entire thing in one day. My favorite article in it though, was the first presidency message by President Monson entitled, 'Love at Home'. I felt like it was taylored just for my needs since Wes and I have just added to our family. There is some wonderful counsel in this article, but my favorite part was this: "What is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know."

It is true; the most important people in our lives are those in our families and those closest to us. We need to let them know how much we love them. I think we need to show them and tell them. We can't just do one or the other. It needs to be both. So, I challenge each of us to think of someone close to us that we haven't been serving or that has been a little harder to love lately and show them or tell them how much we care. Good Luck, and I hope you all are having a fun summer!

The Wednesday Letters

Ok, after having a conversation with Mandy about this last night, I have finally found the motivation to post about this book! It's funny because it's like we're all waiting for someone else to be the first to write about it before the rest of us will decide to. Well, let me be the one to take the plunge and then I hope other posts will follow from all of you!

It has been so long since I read this book (ok, only like a month) that I hope I can remember what I wanted to say about it. Don't judge if I have already forgotten some of the characters' names.

I really did enjoy this book. It was one of those pleasant, easy reads that you can just curl up with and relax to. I love the idea of the husband (forgot his name) writing to his wife every Wednesday. That is a lot of letters! And a lot of love and dedication too. I don't expect something exactly like that from Tom, but I am hoping that we can create our own little ways and traditions of sharing our love with each other.

I really found myself pulled into the story and the moments of drama that came with it. As a typical girl, I just love a good story about boy + girl coming together. There was a time when I was convinced that I wasn't going to get my happy ending and that Rain was going to end up with stupid what's his name. Yay for the truth being revealed at the end and Malcolm winning over his true love! (and also good job for not going to bed with the attractive young Brazilian girl in the beginning of the story too). I really appreciated the fact that this book was clean, and clearly written with Christian views and ideals in mind.

I believe that there is a sequel to this book now which should be a good read if it's anything like The Wednesday Letters. Good book choice Bekah! I hope you were all able to enjoy it, and if not, you should read it some time in the future.

P.S. I have read Uglies and will hopefully post about it soon. Has anyone else read it? It's very interesting. Different, but intriguing.

June's Book!

So I'm scheduled to choose the book for June, but as most of you know, I'm in the MTC right now! (Don't worry, I wrote this ahead of time and set it to post today)

So for this month and from this time forward you're welcome to remove me from the calendar OR read my suggested books and write me a letter about it!

I prefer the second option, but that is most likely because it means I'll get mail. I'm supposed to be in Nashville on the 13th, so from then until next November my address is:

Sister Elle Jane McCall
Tennessee Nashville Mission
105 Westpark Drive Ste 190
Brentwood, TN 37027-5010


Happy Reading!

Wednesday Wednesday

So I started Wednesday Wars but did not finish before I had to return it to the library.  I was fun what I did read of it.  It reminded me of my middle school days.  Somethings were so dramatic.  It was fun to way of writing.

Now to Wednesday Letters....I finished in in like 2 days.  I don't want to write about it now because I don't want to give away the ending.  I really hope you all get a chance to read it.  I LOVED it and I'm anxious to hear your thoughts.  Till then---happy reading!

A Little Behind

Well girls,

I finally finished Jane Eyre about a week ago. It was a bit of a challenge for me to get through it because I lost motivation and interest a few times. I recognize that it is good literature, just as I recognize Jane Austen's literature (I don't like Pride & Prejudice, shocker?), but the romantics just aren't my cup of tea.  Wuthering Heights is the only book I've liked in the genre. 

So I'm glad I read Jane Eyre, but I'm also thrilled that it's finished. I understand that Jane's bleak and reasonable outlook on life were very well written and an accurate depiction of reality. There were a few quotes that I underlined to go back to later. Jane's devotion to God and her responsible nature were upstanding characteristics. But I did not enjoy reading the book. When I finished it I was not thrilled from what I had read and left begging for more. And no, I don't think that Mr. Rochester is some fantastic man that I'd fall in love with.

I feel like Anne in this comic.

♥

Since the new movie just came out I'm glad I finished the book up before I've seen it so that the end wouldn't be spoiled. I have a feeling that the film may be a little more enjoyable to me.

And on to March: children's books!
My absolute go-to favorite picture books are:

Skippyjon Jones

and

The Paperbag Princess