"The appearance of things changes according to our emotions, and thus we see the magic and beauty in them, while in reality, the magic and beauty are really in ourselves".

I loved this quote when I found it.  It reminded me that we are all responsible for finding the magic and beauty that is around us.  We can't wait for anyone else to make us happy.  That is our own responsibility.  We have to find the magic and beauty inside of ourselves in order to appreciate it in those around us.

We are currently dealing with a possibly long and difficult illness in our family.  It has been a real struggle over the past year to try and keep a positive attitude and to hope always for the best.  We have struggled to make choices that were in the best interest of the person involved.  These choices have included trying to do this without a lot of medical intervention.

Nevertheless, things have gotten a little more difficult than we planned, and we decided to change tracks and try some medication to see if it would help.  It has not been an easy decision.  Medication has risks associated with it and also side effects that are not easy to bear. 

Probably, if you saw our family, you would not realize what is wrong.  You would probably not even realize who it was that had the problems.  But the trial is still there, hiding somewhere under the surface.  Some days are easier than others.  Some days are highly visible, and some days are less obvious to the eye, but all days bring their own kind of hurt and pain.

One of the speakers at Time Out For Women last year, spoke about finding out that her son had a serious illness.  Her name is Amanda Dickson.  She talked about the day when she found out her son had this disease.  She took him from the doctor's office and went out into her car and cried.  She cried for all the "might have been's".  Then she got out of her car and opened the back door to buckle him into his car seat.  He happily smiled up at her and as she looked at him she thought to herself, 

"This is the worst thing that could happen!  This is what I was so afraid of?  This boy is the same boy I loved before the doctor told us something was wrong.  The same boy I loved when I did not know what was wrong!  None of that has changed.  He has not changed.  I still love him and he is the same boy he was five minutes ago". 

Those words touched my heart in a powerful way.  At that time, we had only been dealing with my child's illness for a few months.  It reminded me that love is the thing that was and is most important of all.  That statement bore witness to me of it's truth.  My own beautiful, wonderful and amazing daughter, is still and always will be, the same as she was before her illness.  

Each one of our children are precious and amazing.  We don't know why they have the trials that they have, we don't know why we can't "fix" them or make them accepted by those around them.  We only know that it is our job to help them learn who to lean on.  To help them be just a little bit better in the face of their trials.  To help them learn that they are loved.  

-----


Patty Ann is a busy mother, grandmother, and wife. She lives her life in the woods she loves up on the top of a beautiful mountain. She loves music, photography and writing. Most of all she loves her Heavenly Father and enjoys writing about his influence in her life. You can find her on her blog at Pitterle Postings

******** Get MMB’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Follow us on: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan and keep-up via Networked Blogs!

******** Get MMB’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Follow us on: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan and keep-up via Networked Blogs!

******** Get MMB’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Follow us on: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan and keep-up via Networked Blogs!

  

We found some tres chic stuff this week on the 'net that we just plain and simple LOVE. No paid sponsorships in this post -- just us telling you what we LOVED this week on the 'net.

Remember how we told ya'll about Pandora and how we pink sparkly puffy heart lurved it? Well, we found another music site and it's consuming mucho amounto of time-o.

Spotify.  Sweet, sweet SPOTIFY. 

It's like Pandora, only you can make playlists of your favorite songs so that you and your peeps can sing along. We did that Thanksgiving Day-- sang our little hearts out to the Sing-Off playlist my sister had made. We were in glorious, sweet glorious, musical nerd heaven.

Once you have it on your computer, it gathers all the music you have on your hard drive into one place and you can go playlist wild. Seriously! It's so freaking cool! 

I actually decided to pay for the monthly membership because it's cheaper than buying every single song/album that I love from iTunes. I can make them on my computer and then download my playlists to my phone(s) and take them with me everywhere I go.

Me gusta. A lot.


When I saw this little poster, I got super excited! I feel very passionately about every thing listed here-- especially Staying out of debt and not using Credit Cards for Christmas. I set up a dedicated savings account at my bank and every payday the bank pulls out my specified amount of money. I was really worried that it would cramp my style to save for Christmas.  "I can't afford it." was what I always thought. However, the truth is I can't afford not to.

Candidly, I don't even miss the money. It's gone before I even realize it's missing and I can't touch the money until the day before Thanksgiving. It sits there all year long, earning 4% interest. And the best part? I don't stress about Christmas anymore. Once the cash is gone-- Christmas is done. Last year a large majority of the gifts that we gave were from local artisans that we knew.  I would rather they have the cash than Mr. Mal-Wart.

In my extended family, instead of exchanging gift cards, we choose a charity and everyone makes a donation to the charity in another family members name. Simple and easy. None of us needs more "stuff" so this is a way for us to give. Twice.

 If I had little boys at my house, this is one of the things they would be getting for Christmas this year. I am in love with it!

If'n you're wanting to make it, check out the instructions on Meg+Andy's blog.

 I gave a gift recently to someone and they asked me if Moxie (my 3yro) had wrapped it. Nope. I did. I am terrible at wrapping presents. They just don't look pretty. However, me thinks I could do this. How fun would it be to get a Christmas present -- or even a birthday gift-- with a fun picture on the front?

Me likey. A lot.

The thing I love most about Pinterest is that it makes my creative juices start flowing. I see things like this and actually think I can pull it off. That's the beauty of Pinterest. It helps those of us who are craft-challenged think we're not.


Instead of using a guest book, why not have all the guests at your next swanky party sign rocks that you can then display in a bowl in your house?

Tres chic.


Remember how we were talking on Facebook about all the Christmas songs we hated a while back? You all weighed in and it was pretty funny.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who hates that dumb Christmas Shoes song. I told my kids that if I'm dying, please DO NOT leave me to go buy me a pair of shoes. I don't want new red shoes to dance with Jesus-- I want to see their beautiful brown eyes.

{such a dumb song}

Lemme tell you 'bout my new favorite Christmas album-- Lower Lights Come Let Us Adore Him.

Seriously guys. I freaking LOVE this album. Its traditional Christmas Hymns re-arranged and they are brilliantly done. There's no weird beat-boxing to Silent Night or buying your Mama a new pair of dancing shoes goin' on over here. Just musicians who have remastered the classics in such a way that your ears will think they have witnessed the most amazeballs ear candy and then died and gone to music heaven.

Sans the dumb red shoes.

Pinkie swear.


I listened to the whole thing on their website and then downloaded the whole album to my iPhone so I can play it while I'm in the car. Yeah. It's that good.

Check out this sample and then go get yours. You can thank us later. 



See you next week,





******** Get MMB’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Follow us on: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan and keep-up via Networked Blogs!

Life as a military family has taught me a few things. Some I expected, some, well, not so much. Two years ago, the Navy sent us to the Bahamas. We've enjoyed the quiet, the coconuts harvested in our backyard, and constant access to what is probably the nicest beaches we will ever see. The thing I've realized lately is that our years here have forced me to make an uneasy truce with the following bug:



Before you ask, not, I didn't take this picture. It came from Flikr, and I am baffled how this guy managed to stand still long enough for someone to take his picture. When I see a cockroach, my first instinct is not to grab a camera, which is why I don't have any pictures of my own.

This is not because I haven't had any opportunities. Life in the tropics means life with bugs. All kinds of them. And no matter what you do, or how clean your house is, the cockroaches find a way in. When we first moved here, I didn't deal with them all that well. When one crawled out unexpectedly, I would turn around and run, yelling for my husband to come kill it for me.

Things have a changed a bit over the years, however. We've found cockroaches in both bathrooms, in a laundry hamper, in the bottom of a jar on the counter that had once held confectionery sugar (left out after a birthday the night before), under chairs in the living room, and, my personal favorite, dead in the box of laundry soap powder. (That last one puts the lie to how cockroaches only frequent dirty houses. Clearly, soap is a real attraction, too.)

After all these encounters, I've begun stoically killing, capturing, and throwing them outside on my own.  I don't freak out nearly as much, and my first thought now is not "where is Oliver", but "where is a shoe". When one of the geckos everywhere here made its residence in our house, we let it be because they eat cockroaches. There is always room in our house for a cockroach killer.

The final clue that I had changed came a few nights ago. At 0500, our oldest woke us up to tell us there was a cockroach, a "huge one" in his words, sitting in the corner of the bathroom staring at him. He didn't want to use the bathroom until someone killed it. Groggily, I told him to use ours, then rolled over and fell asleep again. Unsurprisingly, a few hours later there was no sight of  the nefarious insect. Surely, it will turn up again, but it wasn't worth losing sleep over.

Sometimes, you gotta make peace with the insects.
------

About the Author: Ana is a restless soul who would love to keep moving around the world the rest  of her life. This is probably why she married a submariner in the U.S Navy. They have two energetic little boys, and  currently live in the Bahamas. She blogs about life in paradise at Sunrise on the Water.

Pic is from Flikr.





******** Get MMB’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Follow us on: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan and keep-up via Networked Blogs!

  ******** Get MMB’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Follow us on: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan and keep-up via Networked Blogs!

   ******** Get MMB’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Follow us on: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan and keep-up via Networked Blogs!

Traditions establish identity. I don't know a person who isn't proud of their family traditions. Those traditions make us who we are. They teach us what “the good life” looks like and create feelings of unity and love which instill desires for more family experiences and deeper relationships. Traditions give us hope for our futures.

Those blessed family traditions teach us to love and want families. They bind us together with deep, emotions. Those treasured experiences are also what helps family members forgive each other. And, often times, traditions even bring people back into the family fold after being offended or going astray.

Ideas For Family Traditions

In the year 1998 our Thanksgiving holidays changed forever. We have always had great traditions for all of our holidays, but that year we experienced thankfulness a bit differently and we liked it.

1998 was the year of the Thanksgiving book. We started making a family book where we gave thanks each year for the blessings we had received. We each took a page and recounted experiences which we had over the year which blessed our lives. Births and blessings were recorded in great abundance. We then took turns reading the blessing sheets. This new tradition created a sense of gratitude through reflection which made the day more special.

Then in 2007 we started a new tradition again. The point was the same, but the effect was a bit different. We started the Thanksgiving tablecloth. Each Thanksgiving after dinner we take a few moments to write what we are thankful for on the tablecloth with fabric markers. We write words and draw pictures, and record the date and our names.

Each year since, when the Thanksgiving table is being set and the dinner is in progress there is conversation about the tablecloth. We remember the blessings of years past. The discussion around the tablecloth has a beautiful reminiscent feeling which fills my soul with gratitude and love for those I am eating with. It is a truly magical thing.

Sadly, we haven't used the Thanksgiving binder for a while. Somehow we just forgot over the years. Those handwritten years will be priceless parts of family history though. Maybe this year we will add to the book again.

But, even if we never do, the Thanksgiving tablecloth will be there to remind us each year of our blessings from the past.

If you have a tablecloth that never seems to get used, you may want to consider starting yourself a new, meaningful tradition.

God bless your family this Thanksgiving. Start the day ready to love all the memories this blessed day will create for your family! .

-----

Nicholeen Peck is a popular public speaker, television personality, and author. Her blog is Teaching Self Government. The BBC show of her family can be found there, as well as answers to frequently asked parenting questions. To buy her book click here.






******** Get MMB’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Follow us on: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan and keep-up via Networked Blogs!

The great thing I love about Thanksgiving is the wonderful food associated with this beautiful holiday. Sure I like to go visit the family and friends; but the food, ohhhh the food! I love it all! – the turkey, stuffing, potatoes, green beans, yams, and pie. My favorite is the yorkshire pudding my wife will make, drizzled with a little gravy.

The not so great thing about Thanksgiving is also the food. More specifically, the mass quantity mysteriously found in my mouth throughout the day. I don’t know how it gets there, but it does. Soon after, I find myself uncomfortably full, glassy eyed, lethargic, and even worse--feeling guilty and frustrated with myself that I ate too much. Sound familiar? We've all been there...

As Thanksgiving approaches, some of my friends and athletes have asked me how to avoid bad eating habits on Thanksgiving, and how to maintain fitness during the holidays. So, I decided to create "Dan's Thanksgiving Top 5 List"- a simple set of guidelines you can do to maintain your fitness level and avoid the pitfalls of excessive eating during the holidays, without feeling like you have to “go without”.

1. Enjoy the Food and Take your time. This isn’t a contest of who eats the most the fastest! Enjoy and savor the foods that have been prepared. You will be able to determine how full you are much easier if you slow it down and as my son says, enjoy the taste!

2. Eat your stuffing and rolls last. Do you ever go to a restaurant and fill yourself up on bread before the entrée even arrives on your table? Then you force down the rest of your meal because you feel like you have to? So do I. Try eating your meat and veggies first, and then eat your breads. Trust me, it works!

3. Eat lots of vegetables & salad first. Eating the good carbs found in vegetables and salads provides your body with needed fiber and helps control the peaks and valleys of feeling full.

4. Take a hike. There is one thing I don’t feel like doing after I exercise -- Eating. So, before your big meal, tell your spouse to stir the gravy and set the table while you go for a quick 20-30 walk/run. Or, better yet, go for a walk with the entire family before dinner!

5. Drink a lot of water. Water will help you feel full earlier and desire smaller portions, as well as keep you hydrated.

Lastly, remember to reflect on all the many things you are grateful for and do NOT doubt yourself or your efforts.

Happy Thanksgiving!

-----
About the Author: Dan Aamodt is a part-time triathlon and running coach. His experience spans over 22 years, including racing in the Hawaii Ironman World Championship and over 100 other events. He enjoys coaching adults and youth at all fitness levels. Dan resides in Draper, Utah with his wife, Michelle, and their two children Sam and Abbey. For more information on coaching, you can reach Dan at dan@TriResourceHQ.com


******** Get MMB’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Follow us on: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan and keep-up via Networked Blogs!

My sister went to Time Out for Women this past weekend, and came away with a pretty cool idea that we are going to try at our Thanksgiving Feast tomorrow. She got the idea from Hillary Weeks, who spoke about the power of thoughts.

Having had my life unravel over the past year, and now slowly trying to put the pieces back together again, I was more than intrigued with the experiment. I cruised over to Hillary's blog (who, btw, came to CBC10 and I nearly screamed with delight when I saw her beautiful mug there!) and read three of her blog posts about the thought experiment.

I found myself nodding in agreement over and over as she talked about how depressed she started to feel after a week of counting all the negative thoughts -- I could totally relate. It's an easy trap to get caught in, and truthfully a really sneaky trick Satan pulls on us all. Sometimes we think we are "awakening" to the things around us, when in reality all we are doing is getting caught in the Negativity Snare.

When you are in the middle of the muck, its easy to forget the little things, the positive things, that make our life enjoyable. Simple things like: My morning Diet Coke with the pellet ice from Top Stop; The sunshine flowing into my office while I type this; chips and salsa with my girlfriends; My awesome space heater keeping my toes warm; Talking to Caroline on the phone and hearing Moxie laughing like a crazed lunatic. So many little, positive things that can easily get glossed over when the muck of life is swimming around you and your fighting to keep one nostril out of that mucky water.

Just thinking of those six things for this post made me feel all sorts of sparkly inside. So, I'm super excited for our family's version of Hillary's experiment and to see how over the moon happy our family will be by the end of tomorrow.

Read Hillary's blog posts:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3


My sister purchased each family that was coming to dinner tomorrow a fun clicker. When we all get to her house, we have a great big glass fish bowl that each family will be putting ten One Dollar Bills in-- making our "pot" $30.00. Then we're going to tell the kids that we are counting all the POSITIVE Thoughts that we all have during the day-- things we're grateful for that we find ourselves thinking about. Before we go to the evening movie, we will add up all our positive thoughts, and whichever child comes closest to that number wins the cash.

I am really excited about this new tradition because I think it will be a great way to spend the day-- thinking of all the positive things in our lives that we can be grateful for-- and helping all the children recognize when they are having those good, happy thoughts.  I want to continue this on through the Christmas Season and maybe by the beginning of January our home will be a more happy home, brimming with positive, purple, sparkly thoughts.


----




******** Get MMB’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Follow us on: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan and keep-up via Networked Blogs!

One of the things that is really interesting about reading the scriptures every morning with my family, is that we get to see how many times the Lord repeats himself when He is speaking to His people.  I think that repetition is one of the ways that He uses to get our attention.  There are three words that have really stood out in our family scripture study this week.  Those words are – behold, hearken and listen.

It would seem, the Lord would like us to make an effort to hear, pay attention, comprehend, listen attentively, and give heed to the heart-changing, life-giving, soul-saving, words of counsel and advice that come directly from Him.

When we behold, hearken and listen, miracles do happen.

I listened last month when the Spirit prompted me to go to the house of one of the Sisters in my ward.  I don't know why I was prompted, but the feeling was so strong that I did not want to say "no".  It did not come at a convenient time.  It came when I was tired, weary, and wanted to rest.  But when the prompting came, I followed it.
I went to this good sister's home, bearing a gift of home-canned, peaches and pears.  She was home and having a very bad day.  She has been ill.  She has been lonely.  She needed a friend.  It was good to visit with her.  It was good to talk about the gospel.  It was good to share our sisterhood.  By going over to her home, not only was I able to give her the encouragement and support she needed, but I felt better for the visit.

Actually, the visit was better than good.  It was a simple, little miracle.  For both of us.

She had been feeling lonely and blue because it was the anniversary of the day her husband passed away.  She did not want to complain to anyone, she just needed someone to talk with, someone to share with, someone who would listen to her grief.  She asked me how I knew.

I didn’t know, but the Spirit did.

The Spirit knew that she needed someone else to turn to.  The Spirit knew that her heart was aching.  The Spirit knew that she needed to feel the love of a sister and a friend.  And, I think the Spirit also knew that I needed those things too.

I am amazed at the small, everyday miracles that can happen if we will just prepare our hearts and make ourselves willing to serve Him.

-----

Patty Ann is a busy mother, grandmother, and wife. She lives her life in the woods she loves up on the top of a beautiful mountain. She loves music, photography and writing. Most of all she loves her Heavenly Father and enjoys writing about his influence in her life. You can find her on her blog at Pitterle Postings

******** Get MMB’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Follow us on: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan and keep-up via Networked Blogs!

We moved again.


******** Get MMB’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Follow us on: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan and keep-up via Networked Blogs!

******** Get MMB’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Follow us on: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan and keep-up via Networked Blogs!

  ******** Get MMB’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Follow us on: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan and keep-up via Networked Blogs!

See you next week,




******** Get MMB’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Follow us on: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan and keep-up via Networked Blogs!

After my post, What Would You Do, I thought it was important to give an update on my friend's situation with her husband.  And from so many who commented on how the "facebook situation" should be handled, I was in awe....for a couple of reasons.

1. That so many knew instantly how they would've handled the situation.

2. That so many weren't afraid to share how they would've handled the situation.

I think what I felt after reading many of your responses, was a confirmation of what I knew was true in my heart, but didn't have the nerve to say to my friend at the time.

To quote Rachel Sue, "Red flags are flying. At least in my head. Big, huge red flags. Not okay."

Then there were those that were hesitant to judge the situation, feeling that they didn't know the whole story.  And while I understood their feelings.....they left me feeling confused and hurt.

It's true we shouldn't judge others because, yes, there are two sides to every story.  But in my mind, if it walks like a duck, talks like a duck.....9.9 times out of 10, it isn't a cow.

I was just afraid to say what it was.  A big ol' loud duck.

And by the time I did share what I felt, it was already comfirmed to her by her husband that indeed, she wasn't "crazy", but that he did have a problem with inappropriate relationships with others via facebook.

So where did my friend go from that point?

She is currently on a road she never thought she'd ever find herself on.......and while I cannot share the details, I am grateful to report, her husband is getting help and they are working together to repair and rebuild their eternal relationship.

Ultimately it will be up to her husband to resolve the deeper issues that are going on within himself that caused him to go outside of their marriage for attention from other women, but she is determined to do all that she can to support and love him through it.

She is a tender mercy of the Lord to her family.

I don't know if I could've put up with what she has.  But I know her husband is forever grateful she is willing to give him a second chance.
-----

About the Author: Katy is a musically inclined mother of three who loves life, her husband Dave, and cheesecake. Ahhhh....blessed cheesecake. Her fun filled roller coaster of thoughts can be found at www.ourdaisylife.blogspot.com Admission is always free.



******** Get MMB’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Follow us on: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan and keep-up via Networked Blogs!

 Your Wish Is Our Command! POST OF THE WEEK will now be on Friday's! 
What have you read this week that rocked your world? Link up so our world can be rocked, too.    



******** Get MMB’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Follow us on: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan and keep-up via Networked Blogs!

I know what you're thinking.  Honest.  I can totally read your mind.

You're thinking, "For Christmas this year, I really want something meaningful.  Something that won't make me fat, or will be used up in a few weeks, or will be donated to Goodwill after a couple of years.

"In short," you're thinking, "I want a Christmas present that will allow me to meet DeNae.  Oh, and learn a bunch of amazing things about family history and telling my story and how to use social media to accomplish all of that.

"And to hang out with DeNae."

Well, can I just say, I'm blushing? You are much, much too kind.

And guess what?  Santa has received your telepathic Christmas list!  (If that makes you uncomfortable, wrap your earmuffs in tin foil for a couple of weeks.  That should put him off the scent.)

For a limited time, the Story @ Home conference is offering a gift package at $65 off the list price.  Here's what you get in this Box o' Grooviness:

•  Full Conference Registration $79
• 2 Nights Hotel $198
• Story Chat Cards $15.50
• Storytelling CD $15
• 30 Days Blogging/Photo Prompts $12
• "Tell Me Who I Am" Book $11.99
• Guaranteed iTell Reservation
• Gift Wrap

This is a retail value of more than $330, and it's yours for just $265!

And that book, the one called "Tell Me Who I Am"?  That features essays from some of your favorite LDS writers, like Melanie Jacobson, Annette Lyon, Becca Wilhite, Ken Craig, and -- wait for it, this is totally going to blow the stockings right off your mantle -- ME!

You're completely swooning right now, aren't you?  I knew it.

I can read your mind.


Contributed to MMB by DeNae Handy, who is not only psychic, but can bend a spoon in half just by gripping both ends really hard and pushing her hands together.

 

******** Get MMB’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Follow us on: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan and keep-up via Networked Blogs!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Hey MMB Readers! We need your help! We are in the process of doing some pretty amazing things over here on MMB, but legally we can't say what exactly it is that we are involved with until January ...

But, here's a hint: It is sort of like this little deal that Elisa filmed last year.

Only better.

And cooler.

And more accessible.

So. With that in mind, we need to know the following things:

1) What your favorite Websites are, and how you use them. Are they life hacker ones? Meal prep ones?
2)  What your favorite LDS Websites are (besides MMB) and what you use them for.

We also need to know a few other things:

1) what your favorite iPhone and Android Apps are
2) what your most used apps are
3) what your favorite LDS apps are, and what your most used LDS apps are
4) what kind of apps would like to see in the future that would be LDS Centric?

We really need your help preparing for this project--- please tell us what your favorites are in the comments below.

Thanks guys!





******** Get MMB’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Follow us on: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan and keep-up via Networked Blogs!

As I read this book, I thought many times of the theme song and movie to How the West Was Won. During the 1800s in the United States, the West was the great hope of a better life for many people.

My ancestors came west during that time so I've read a lot about pioneers who crossed the plains and climbed the Rocky Mountains. I could hardly wait to read Jody's new novel to see how she portrayed that era.

The Doctor’s Lady is a wonderful read full of everything you expect and more. It's about a young missionary couple determined to set up a mission in the Oregon Country to help the Nez Perce natives. It’s the story about travelers on the Oregon Trail and the hardships they endured, but mostly it’s the story of a couple destined to be together and find love.

Doctor Eli Earnest is a rugged explorer of the West. The Nez Perce Indians want him to buy some of their land and set up a medical clinic and mission. He returns east with two young Nez Perce men in an effort to raise money to do so. However, once he raised the needed funds the Board of Missions won’t let him journey west until he marries.

FYI: The Mission Board during this time really did require those going into the mission field to be married.

Enter Priscilla White, a beautiful woman, who has refused to marry because she is unable to have children, has her heart set on traveling to India to do God’s work. She’s hoping the Board will make an exception in her case and not require her to marry. She is devastated when they reject her petition. But when she’s approached with the idea to marry Dr. Earnest and go with him, she readjusts her thinking and realizes that this may be an answer to her prayers.

FYI: At this time a white woman had never been west of the Continental Divide. Many believed that the West was no place for a lady. The women who had tried to live there were sent home in coffins.

Against Eli’s better judgment, he agrees to marry Priscilla, but promises her that once they arrive in Oregon Country, if she feels she can’t handle the hard life, he will give her an annulment and send her home. Their marriage becomes a business arrangement that will give them both what they want.

However, on their journey they are met with one hardship after another that tests their dedication not only to missionary work, but also to their “business” arrangement. After all this is historical romance.

FYI: This novel was based on the true story of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman. She was lauded as the first white woman (along with Eliza Spalding) to cross the Continental Divide and travel to the far West. Jody Hedlund says about Narcissa in her author’s notes, “Because of her willingness to brave the unknown, she [Narcissa] led the way for many women who would follow in her footsteps on what would later become known as the Oregon Trail.”

Hedlund has done her homework on this novel and it shows in the wonderful imagery and moving story about two people beating the odds and finding love.

-----

Kathi Oram Peterson is the mother of three, grandmother of two and wife of one. She has always loved books, whether she’s reading or writing them. Her novels include The Forgotten Warrior (2009), An Angel on Main Street (2009), The Stone Traveler (2010), and River Whispers (2011).  Blog:http://www.kathiswritingnook.com and Website:http://www.kathiorampeterson.com

Photo by Marc Reynolds



******** Get MMB’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Follow us on: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan and keep-up via Networked Blogs!

Note from editor: The author of this post has chosen to remain anonymous. 

How to be lonely even when you are sharing a bed with your spouse.

1. Explain to your spouse how much you used to enjoy being able to just hold each other as we sent to slept.

2. Explain that even though it was you who would press up against his back, it was okay.

3. Explain that you would like to do that again, but feel like you need to be invited or feel like he wanted you to.

4. Most important:  After sharing theses facts, listen to spouse complain about his back ache. Then give said spouse three aleve with your water, because he is complaining that he might be getting sick. Watch said spouse roll over and begin to snore within five minutes because he's asleep.

 It's like magic...... Abaracadabara!

You are truly alone without even being alone.




******** Get MMB’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Follow us on: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan and keep-up via Networked Blogs!

******** Get MMB’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Follow us on: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan and keep-up via Networked Blogs!

******** Get MMB’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Follow us on: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan and keep-up via Networked Blogs!