Books 2020

For the Goodreads Reading Challenge 2020, I surpassed my goal of reading 45 books.  With one day left, I have finished 47 and am closing in on 48!  Would you believe that 5,368,755 people participated in this challenge, pledging to read 322,552,719 books during the year.  The average books pledged per person was 61.  I think that is very impressive.

2020 had lots of difficulties, as the whole world knows, but I often escaped into some of the best books I've read in a long time.  Here are a few of them:

If you enjoy historical fiction, I highly recommend Ruta Sepetys.  I have loved every book of hers that I've read.  Salt to the Sea is about the sinking of the German ship ‘Wilhelm Gustloff’ with 9,000 people on board; some were soldiers but many were refugees who had fled from the Baltic countries as the Russian troops advanced.   Her intertwining of the stories of several people kept me interested.  I really cared about each character

The Fountain of Silence  is set in Madrid and blends a modern story with one set during the Spanish Civil War.

I am not a frequent reader of non-fiction but I really did enjoy both of these books.  The Moment Of Lift confirmed so much that I had learned during my trips to Africa with Kenya Keys.  And Born a Crime taught and entertained while telling of Trevor Noah's early life in South Africa. 

Three books about family...The Honey Bus is a heart wrenching story of neglect and eventual abuse but the main take away from the story is what a powerful influence one person can be in a child's life. 

Millicent Glenn's Last Wish was especially interesting to me because Jane, the daughter, was born about when I was and was also an only child. My mother also worked outside the home and wasn't a 'stereotypical' 50's housewife. 

The Invisible Bridge What a great book! I loved the characters and felt their joys and sorrows. Even some of the minor characters were memorable. I loved Andras's mother.  One of my favorite historical fiction books about World War II.  

The Dreamers and The Pull of the Stars were both set during a pandemic.  The first during a mysterious, fictitious illness  and the 2nd during the Spanish Flu pandemic of 2018.  Both felt very timely as we grappled with COVID-19 in 2020.

Both of these were re-reads.  Wuthering Heights was a revisit from my high school days.  My clearest memory of reading it then was the quote 'He's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.' To my teenaged self this was so terribly romantic. Reading it again as an adult, it didn't seem like a romance at all but a tragedy because what their souls were made of was not anything virtuous or lovely. 

The Shell Seekers was one I loved when I was a young wife and mom and I loved it just as much this year.  Strange that now I am the age of the 'elderly' main characters.

These two were high on my list of favorites -  Lost Autumn and The Giver of Stars.  Totally different settings, rural Tennessee and Australia/England but both were rich in character development and story line.  

Christmas Masterpieces

 Let me brag a little here!  

Matt and George created this fruit Christmas tree masterpiece.  George was the structural engineer and Matt the artistic director and architect.  

It added so much to our Christmas brunch table....and a little nutrition to our menu!

During the pandemic, I've done a lot of baking but usually it has been types of bread and cookies.  For Christmas I decided to make the cake I'd learned about from @cakesbycourtney.  Turned out pretty great, if I do say so myself!

It's a gingerbread cake with a lemon curd filling and a whipped lemon mascarpone frosting.  Totally yummy! And looks quite festive!

Making a cake was something new to try, but my other masterpiece was a tried and true skill - photo book making.  One of my gifts for Isabella was a book entitled "Isabella - Her First Five Years".

Her very favorite books are the ones that feature 'Isabella' as the star. The book I made of her first year of life and the one from our trip to Hawaii are always her picks when we sit down to read. Every photo in this book is of her so I thought she would love it!  And she did!

Christmas Day 2020

What a great Christmas Day!

Delicious food - breakfast pizza, cinnamon rolls, killer hot chocolate, sparkling cider and fruit!

Surrounded by some of the people I love the very most in the world

 A perfect day, even if we did have to wear masks! At least they were cute Christmas themed masks!!

My friend Pam says we looks like we were going to rob a bank!

Christmas in West Virginia

 How I missed Mary, Mary, Jackson and their little foster guy!  I enjoyed every photo they sent me!  As you can see, Jackson was NOT a fan of the jolly old gentleman in the red suit!  Brought back memories of Matt and Scott who felt the same way about him at that age!

Happy to report that those little boys were sound asleep before Santa made another appearance!

While he didn't like Santa, I do believe he was thrilled with all the gifts that Santa left.

I'm hoping that in 2021, the Reynolds will be at our house for Christmas!!!

Covid-19 Christmas Eve 2020

 After a lot of thought, George and I decided that it would be safe for us to have our Christmas Eve family party but we decided to keep it shorter and only have dessert not dinner.  We wore masks except when eating and I feel like we were socially distanced enough that I wasn't worried.

I do believe that a good and healthy time was had by all.

Ornaments made...

Christmas Lights Scavenger was a lot of fun...

Games...we have a few people who are a bit competitive!

Anna and Elsie had real skill at the reindeer toss game!  
Anna was the overall winner and went home with the grand prize!
Yeah for the girls!

Then we enjoyed mint brownies, peppermint ice cream, whipped cream and lots of sprinkles.
Isn't that what Grandparents are supposed to do?  Load 'em up with sugar and send 'em home!

The party was over in plenty of time for us to get ready for brunch and presents on Christmas morning.

Light the World - Inspirational Story

Quite a few years ago when I was the president of our church's women's group, the Relief Society, I was in charge of an hour long program for one of our meetings.  After a lot of research and prayer, I had come up with a reader's theatre and already had women lined up to participate. A friend, who was experienced in drama and theatre, had gone over it with me to share her expertise.  I could tell that she wasn't too excited with my script, but since the first rehearsal was the next day, I couldn't imagine making changes.  It was just too late and I was a bit prideful about what I had prepared. 

Sitting down at my computer, preparing to read over the script one more time before I started on the other items on my long 'to do list' for the day, the strangest feelings came over me.   I just knew that this was NOT the program that the sisters in our ward needed to hear.  Yes, women were coming to rehearse the next day, but the spirit let me know loud and clear that I had to come up with something different. I distinctly remember sitting there staring at a blank word document on my computer screen and praying, "OK, I hear you but please let me know what I need to write to share with the women." Never had I prayed more reverently to "Hear Him"! 

I am not a person who can spontaneously come up with brilliant ideas.  My norm is to think and research over several weeks. How on earth could I come up with an hour long program before the next morning? Amazingly ideas began to flow.  I remembered things I had read weeks before. Scriptures, as well as personal experiences that had been shared with me, blended together in a way that I knew was far beyond my abilities. Within a few hours, a new script was ready.  And I was totally confident that the true author was the Holy Ghost working through me.  

I share this story not to brag or to sound 'righteous'.  This incident from my life was a testimony to me that personal revelation is real.  Our Heavenly Father wants to speak to us and he does that through the Holy Ghost.   Most of my experiences with the Holy Ghost have not been as dramatic as this one, but I have had many experiences when I did 'Hear Him'.  

For me the times when promptings, or revelation, seem most direct are the times when I am inspired to help or influence someone else.    The privilege of receiving revelation is to help us be more Christ-like and what could be more Christ-like than serving others.  President Spencer W. Kimball once said, "God does notice us and he watches over us but it is usually through another person that he meets our needs."

To help God meet the needs of those around us -  Is there any area where we need the Holy Ghost more?

Who knows the needs of those around us better than the Holy Ghost?

The 'still small voice' can guide us to do so much good, if we just listen.

I will remember 2020 as more than just the year of the pandemic.  I will remember it as the year when a Prophet of God encouraged the world to

"Hear Him."

Light The World - Christmas Star

For the first time in nearly 800 years Jupiter and Saturn aligned to form a bright star in the south western sky at a time when they were easily observable.  This astronomical event is called a 'conjunction' and since this conjunction involved two of the big and bright planets in our solar system, it is called a 'great conjunction."

I particularly liked the photo that Katherine took of their 'star gazing'.

With the help of our neighbor's telescope, I could see Saturn's rings and some of the moons of Jupiter.  I found these two photo on the internet that are what I saw in the telescope last night.  The first photo clearly shows Saturn's rings and the 2nd Jupiter's moons.

Here's the favorite photo I took of the Christmas Star over my friend's home which is decorated for the holiday.

I love the words of the President of our church, Russell M. Nelson concerning this star.

While we don’t need to ascribe any special meaning to the actual phenomenon, tonight’s Christmas star will undoubtedly draw our minds and hearts to the original star that appeared in the heavens to mark the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. For the shepherds in Judea, for the Wise Men, and for the believers in the New World, the star brought more than mere physical light—it brought hope.

My dear friends, as we near the end of a challenging year, one that may feel to many as a time of uncertainty and darkness, let us never forget that the light of hope still shines brightly. Jesus Christ is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. As we turn our hearts to Him, He will pour out His love for us in unmeasured ways. I wish you all a very merry and hope-filled Christmas season. #LightTheWorld

Light the World - Influential Friend

 'Dedicate a star on your Christmas Tree to an influential friend. Share a photo of it along with a tribute on social media.'

Today I highlight an influential friend, Rinda Hayes, who 15 years ago started KenyaKeys by finding sponsors for 13 students so that they could attend secondary school. Today almost 1000 young men and young women have received an education thanks to Kenya Keys. Rinda introduced me to the world of non-profits, but more importantly she introduced me to the wonderful people and adorable children of Kenya. My life is forever changed.

Instead of dedicating the star on my Christmas tree to her, I'll dedicate this Kenyan angel which is totally made from recycled trash by handicapped adults at the Bombolulu Workshops in Mombasa, Kenya

Light the World on the Sabbath

 Sunday's prompt was to "Take time to reflect like Jesus did.  Tune out distractions and find a quiet place to think about what brings you closer to God."  When I did this so many thoughts came to me.  I feel close to God when

• I read the scriptures or the words of the prophets - over the last 10 years or so they have brought me so much peace and joy.
• I listen to beautiful music - the hymns, classical music, Mormon 'easy listening' music
• I attend the Temple - Oh how I miss it!
• I serve others and try to be a 'charitable person' rather than just do charitable acts
• I teach gospel lessons
• I listen to gospel lessons and talks
• I am around children.
• I remember His 'tender mercies' to me
• I am surrounded by the beauties of the world.  I wish I could sing and then I'd be tempted to loudly sing, "I think the world is glorious and lovely as can be."
• I think about my ancestors - my family in Heaven
• I pictures the stained glass window of the Good Shepherd from the Presbyterian Church in Lonoke
• I count my blessings.

Today this quote brought me closer to Him and gave me peace so I shared it on social media.

"In a world of work, worries, and worthy endeavors, we keep our heart, our mind, and our thoughts on Him who is our hope and salvation" a quote from Elder Neil L Anderson one of our church leaders. A beautiful reminder as we approach His birth and the celebrations that surround that special event, especially this year when so much seems different. Jesus is the reason for the season.

Light the World - Christlike Love

 One day the prompt was "Who represents Christlike love to you?  Highlight them on social Media".  

It was hard to pick just one Christ-like person to highlight today as my life has been blessed by so many! Finally decided that I needed to highlight my Aunt Dawn Jensen Boyle, the wife of my mother's brother Eddie Boyle. She radiates an inner joy and love that blesses all who know her. Dawn has a way of making people feel important. I recently read the letter she wrote to me after I had called to tell them that I was going to be baptized. She wrote, ‘Talking to you last night was one of the biggest thrills of my life’. Every time I see Dawn she makes me feel like seeing me again is a thrill. Don’t you think that is the way it will be with the Savior? He will be thrilled to see us!

Dawn with two daughter-in-laws, grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

Light the World - Honor Your Parents

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is providing prompts each day in December to help its members share the light of Christ with the world.  Todays prompt is to 'Honor your parents with a phone call or a visit or a social media post.'  How how I would like to visit with them or give them a call but since that isn't possible, here is my social media post.

I hit the jackpot with my parents. The gave me the gift of their time and attention . From them, I learned the importance of family! I learned how to serve my church and my community. Their examples molded me into the person I am. I am forever grateful for them and look forward to the day I will see them again. #lighttheworld 

Five of the Best Years Ever

Five years ago today, John, Monica and 2 month old Isabella took the long flight from Buenos Aires to Boise to make their home in the US.  

Because they had a lay-over of several hours in Salt Lake, I flew to Salt Lake and surprised them.  My flight got in a short time before theirs.  After figuring out what gate they would be using, I walked that way and ran into them on the concourse.  Funny that Monica recognized me first!  Tammy picked us up and took us to downtown Salt Lake.

I will never forget holding that sweet little Isabella for the first time.  Oh what joy and what instant love!

These last 5 years have shown me the truth of the statement, "If I had known how much fun grandchildren were, I would have had them first."

Gavin Witherspoon

My Great, Great, Great, Great Grandpa was Gavin Witherspoon who was born in 1747 in Williamsburg District South Carolina and fought in the revolutionary war. This is a 'tradition' that was handed down through the family about him, "Corporal Gavin was a very large man, weighing it was said, over 250 pounds. One day, while off duty, he came upon 5 British soldiers, who had stacked their weapons and were some distance away eating, he crept noiselessly to their guns, secured them and ordered the 5 to surrender, which they did; and when he marched them into his camp, the captain was very much surprised to see one man bring in 5 prisoners, so he say, "Why Corporal! How did you manage to capture 5 men at one time? Gavin replied, "I surrounded them." The Captain said, "Well sir, if there is anyone in my company who could surround 5 men, you are the one." I don't have a photo of him, but here is the house his father James Witherspoon built in 1749 which is still standing today. Mary and I visited a few years ago. Today it is part of the historical museum.