Saturday This and That . . .

 

I recently started reading this book by Al Carraway.  Someone had referenced it during their testimony at church and I was intrigued, and then someone on our Ward webpage was asking if anyone had a copy they could borrow and everyone was just so enthusiastic about it I wanted to read it for myself.  As a convert to the church myself, and having just recently celebrated my 19th anniversary of my Baptism, and membership in the church, I am always keenly interested in the conversion stories of others. 

I have to tell you I am gripped.

Its a page turner. 

 

"Naturally when you have something you love, when you have something

that makes you feel good, you want to share it, right? You want to

share it with the people you care most about in life, your friends, your

family.  So I turned to my friends. I feel like I had a lot of friends, and I did;

I had a lot of friends. Friends that I loved, friends that I grew up with my whole life,

friends that I trusted and would tell everything to. But not one friend stayed.

Not one. They all left."

When I read this paragraph in the book it resonated deeply with me.  This was my own experience. Every single friend that I had when I joined the church, who was not a member of the church, abandoned me.  Totally and completely.  I even had one tell me that I was mentally ill.  My ex pastor's wife accosted me in the shops one day and said how pleased the congregation was that my ex-husband had found himself a good "Christian" woman to be with, unlike myself, the cult member.  It was hurtful and it was lonely.  There was a point when even my own family, with the exception of my sister, wouldn't speak to me.  It would have been so easy for me to walk away from it, but I couldn't because, deep in my heart . . .  I knew that God had spoken to me and I knew that the church was true, that the Gospel was true . . . and . . .  I knew that God knew that I knew. Eventually my family started talking to me again, but I was never welcomed back by my friends, not one of them.  I made new friends.  I don't know why that happens.  Why people choose to abandon other people simply because they choose to worship God in a different way. Many of these people would be more accepting of someone who didn't choose to believe in Christ at all, than they would me, a person who not only believed in Christ but chose to live her life by His teachings. It doesn't make sense to me. 

At the end of the day it doesn't really matter I suppose . . .  but I do often wonder how it is that someone who purpotes to be your friend can just turn their back on your like that . . .  simply by you choosing a different path than the path they have chosen to walk. Especially if you are both walking towards the same destination.  It just doesn't make sense to me. 

In any case, you should read the book.  Its really good.  She also has a webpage, which you can find here. 

 

It rained quite a bit yesterday. At one point it was raining quite heavily. We didn't mind at all.  Our yard was quite parched, and it was gasping for rain. It is already looking greener this morning.  And the sun is shining, so that's good!  There is the Stake Family Fun day at the chapel today (Our Chapel is the Stake Centre.) and so I am happy the sun is showing her hat.  They have a slip and slide planned for the children, a BBQ and there is a cake contest, etc.  We will pop over for an hour or so. Its always nice to see people from other Wards that we haven't seen in a while, and catch up with the goings on in their lives. 

 

We started watching a new Drama this week by the BBC called "Picnic at Hanging Rock."  Its based on the 1967 novel of the same name by Joan Lindsey and takes place in Australia. It is quite good so far. I think. Dark and mysterious and hinting at something sinister beneath the surface.  We will watch the second episode when it airs and make up our minds then. We both love period pieces. 

In the meantime we have decided to treat ourselves this next week to the film Wonder, and rent it on Prime. It is only £1.99 and, having read the book, I am really keen to see the movie. It looks like a lovely, feel good, film and at that price, much cheaper than going out to the movies.  Plus we can pause it if one of us wants a drink or to go to the bathroom.  Plus our sofa is much more comfortable than the movie seats at the theatre.   

 

Susan Branch has a new blog post up.  Every week that there is a new blog post from her is a good week in my books.  I love all of her posts.  She is home now from the UK and writing her next book.  I so enjoyed following her visit this last time, as the I did the time before.  I was gutted that, once again, I was unable to meet her in person at the Picnic at Castle Hill.  Health scheduling and the date of the picnic conflicted and health must always come first.  In all truth however, I doubt we could have afforded the petrol to get up there, and I think I might have felt a bit out of place, like I didn't fit in.  Not with Susan of course.  I cannot imagine her ever making anyone feel like they didn't fit in.  But in looking at all of the photos of that day in retrospect, I think Todd and I are a bit too basic and ordinary for that crowd.  It seemed quite obvious from the photos that  most of those gals, if not all, were fairly comfortable financially speaking.  And I am fat, and not at all attractive and my clothes are very old and "housing estate." Maybe that is reverse snobbery?  I don't know.  I just don't think I would have fit in very well.  I could be wrong.

But I do love Susan and I know she would never make anyone

feel that way, not in a NY minute. 

 

I was after some Tofu at the Grocery store yesterday and can you believe they did not have it???  Not in its whole form anyways, they had some already flavoured tofu bits . . . but I wanted a whole block that I could do something with.  I was recently sent this . . . 

  

Its a  Tofu press and in order to review it, I kind of need to have some actual Tofu to press.  I have my friend Jacquie's tofu burger recipe ready and waiting.  I just need to find some Tofu! I could not believe that in this day and age of Veganism, I could only get Tofu bits.  Plenty of Quorn, but no real Tofu.  sigh  . . .  I will have to keep looking and hope that I can find some soon! 

 

I am in love.  Does that not look like the most comfortable chair ever?  I have always wanted a chaise lounge to stretch out on.  This one is quite pretty I think.  I do love pretty things.  Mind you, a person needs a large room for something like this, so it will remain a dream.  

 

My Daughter in law posted some lovely photos of the boys this week.  I love this one of Josh. He is my little red-headed grandson.  I love all my grandchildren to bits, and I really think this is a fab photo of him.  He has a lovely nature . . . 

I wish I got to spend more time with my grandchildren.  It is not very nice living so far away from them.  I am grateful however for the modern technology and a couple of sons that make the extra effort to include me in their lives.

 

It looks like the boys are having a great summer.  They live with their maternal grandparents and I so appreciate Mary and Calvin and all that they do for my son and his sweet family.  

 

Now that's what I call a big turtle!  I am not sure where they are, but they look like they are having fun wherever it is! 

Now thats a big rabbit.  I forget what its name is.  They have all sorts of pets.  Cat, dog, lizard, hamster, rabbit, etc. I think pets are good for children. I really do. 

And with that I best leave you with a thought for the day . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *Nearly all men can stand adversity, 

but if you want to test a man's character,

give him power.

 ~Abraham Lincoln •。★★ 。* 。 

 

In the English Kitchen today  . . .  Easy Cinnamon Nut Croissants.  Delish of course and so simple a child could make them! 

Have a wonderful Saturday no matter what you get up to!  Don't forget along the way . . . 

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And I do too!  

 

PS - I meant to tell you.  I don't know why but these past few mornings the gulls are taking to the skies around my area and ruining the morning chorus with their ugly squawks.  They really sound horrendous!  I don't know how anyone can sleep through them!