Unveiling Grace

Unveiling Grace is a personal account written by Lynn Wilder about how the Lord drew her deeply involved family out of the tentacles of the Mormon church and into a close communion with Him. The book contains her story, as well as a glossary of Mormon jargon, a brief comparison of LDS versus Biblical doctrine and information on ministries that reach out to the LDS population.

I was captivated by this book. As I do not have the best self-discipline, I usually try to avoid books (aka fiction) that will cause me to neglect my motherly duties, and I didn't figure this would be one of them- but it was. I ended up using a precious nap time and a couple late nights to read through this book. Wilder writes with raw honesty and descriptive passion, as she retells a brief summary of her childhood and how she became thoroughly enmeshed in the LDS church with her husband before the Holy Spirit called them to a true relationship with Jesus Christ. She wrote that their conversion to Christianity came through truly reading the New Testament and seeking truth from the words of Jesus, not what we are told by mere men and human authorities; I believe that not only Mormons, but all Christians, should take this to heart! We need to focus on the Word as the only source of truth, look to it as confirmation for all our actions, so that we can speak it, live it, breathe it. I loved that the book was filled with Scripture references (it is a testimony to her knowledge of the Word that she has tried to apply to her life). I loved that you could see how the Holy Spirit (referred by Wilder as the Dancer of grace) worked within her life to draw her one step at a time to recognition that no matter her status, she was indeed depraved like Saul before his conversion, and no amount of good works, temple recommends or esoteric exaltations would bring her into the presence of the Almighty. I loved that she kept the focus and glory upon God and though pointing out the errors within the LDS church, she maintained respect for the individual. I loved how the book showed the transformation of the Wilder family from a testimony of what they had done for God, to what God had done for them.

I would definitely recommend this book to friends. I agreed to review it hoping to learn what makes some of our dear LDS friends click, and finished with a heart grieving from all the deception and half-truths, and a passion for the deliverance of their souls from the only One worthy of praise.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze® book review  program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Biff & Becka's Stupendous Vacation

Biff & Becka's Stupendous Vacation is the latest in a children series written by Elaine Beachy (I have not read her other books). It is told from the viewpoint of Biff, an older brother bunny, who is disappointed when the family's plan for a vacation at the beach is cancelled and the family must improvise with a staycation.

This children's book is filled with godly values (forgiveness, family unity, generosity etc) and biblical truths (trusting in God, salvation message, answered prayers, etc) that are laid out plainly throughout the book, generally in conversation between the rabbits. Through the eyes of Biff, the reader can see the good (family playing together, helping stick up for each other), the bad (peer pressure, tension between family and friends) and the ugly (deception, guilt due to sin, parental separation) and how God can be glorified no matter the circumstance. At the end of the book are questions that would be good conversation starters for family discussions.

I thought this was a nice children's story and a quick read. I was a bit disappointed that it did not specify the appropriate age group (until I had downloaded it, I was not even able to see the length), and was not suitable for my four year old. I think he could learn from the lessons in her book, but felt it to be a bit wordy in the detail (and I am not a pithy writer!), which I felt detracted from the story. I also did not understand the necessity for a brief stint of a female character into Biff's life; unless it's for a later purpose, I felt she detracted from the story and though benign, I did not appreciate this secular, relational addition. Despite these reservations, I would still recommend this book for an elementary or older audience.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze® book review  program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Bread and Wine

"When you wake up in the morning, Pooh," said Piglet at last,
"what's the first thing you say to yourself?"
"What's for breakfast?" said Pooh.
"What do you  say, Piglet?"
"I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?" said Piglet.
Pooh nodded thoughtfully.
"It's the same thing," he said.

-A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

So I jumped on the band wagon. A few friends had read this book and enjoyed it, and when I saw it offered on the blog review website, I took the bait. Faith. Food. Family. Fellowship. The four essential F's to life that I've always joked around about with my friends. All in one book. Not only do I get to read a book on new recipes, but if my husband is really lucky, I build up the confidence to have people over more often! Win-Win, right?!

My husband will tell you I'm a bit a lot like Pooh bear, so the back cover and introduction of this book was quite intriguing.  I love food, struggle with cravings (though I am sure my pregnant/nursing appetite does not help the matter), debate whether I am oft times committing gluttony, and enjoy reading (and trying) recipe after recipe. I feel like the kitchen is the closest thing to working in a lab that I'll ever come to now that I'm a mother. Maybe that's why I wear chemistry goggles when I cut onions and love using the hood vent whenever I think it is the least bit necessary.

 Niequist, in her introduction, writes that "food is a language of care, the thing we do when traditional language fails us... it's the thing that connects us... our sense of home and family...". So true. Currently on the podium in the church foyer, there are four lists for meals: one for a baby, one for the family of a mother with cancer, one for a family who lost their home in a fire, and one for Wednesday night fellowship dinners preceding church. One of the things I love about food is that it is often the only time our family is together each day if my husband is out of the hospital in time. And in those few minutes of the chaos of feeding my family, there is happiness that we are all together.   Add to that my hesitancy (due to intimidation and insecurity) to host and you've got an instructional winner.

Bread and Wine is Shauna Niequist's latest book about focusing on the haven created when people are brought around the table for food and drink, because food connects people and shows that you care about them. Each chapter is an individual essay of her life, usually ending in a recipe that pertained to that story. In addition, the chapters are divided into four parts to make it easier for book and cooking clubs (discussion questions are also included). 

To say I enjoyed this book would be a gross understatement. It's probably because I normally choose weightier reading material, but few books have the ability to cause me to escape the beautiful cacophony of my life at present. It was the perfect book to read when you only have a few minutes at a time (like nursing a child), because each essay takes only a brevity of your time and it was usually followed by an amazingly delicious sounding recipe that made my mouth water and caused me to wish it wasn't midnight and that I had those ingredients on hand. (Disclaimer: I may have made a run to Trader Joe's to pick up a few ingredients after reading certain chapters). Although she writes about some weighty issues (such as her emotional struggles with miscarriages), it is a light, quick read; except for the introduction and a few chapters, there isn't a large spiritual component to the book.

I loved this book. I loved how real and open Niequist was in her writing  about many aspects of her life. It drew me in, made me feel like I knew her and her friends. And I found myself underlining a little gold nugget in almost every chapter, because this book is so applicable to where I am in life, always nervous about hosting, but desiring that atmosphere created when people are gathered around the table. The last few pages of advice about sample menus, weeknight cooking and a pantry list were an added helpful bonus. For me it was both an inspirational encouraging and chastising read, and I've already recommended it to quite a few friends.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze® book review  program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255