I Have This Bag

I have this bag of books under my desk waiting for me. It's full of nonfiction books that I want to read. Each time I finish a book, I lay these books out on my bed to decide which book I want to read next. These are all books that will help me become the person I want to be and heal from my past. The only problem that I have is that I keep adding to it.

The last book that I pulled out of my bag was The Law of Love by Steve Young. I started this book a few weeks ago and read it for about 10 minutes each morning before my bath. I am loving this book so far. It talks about the importance of loving God and other people fully without expectation of reward. As we learn to love as God loves, we naturally become the type of person I aspire to be. In this book, he quotes scripture, church authorities, and religious leaders from other churches. The chapter I finished this morning talked about the lessons in love that he learned through football. I have enjoyed this book from the beginning and am thinking of giving to the ladies I minister to for Christmas. I am fairly certain that the next book I will pull out of my bag will be the companion book The Law of Love in Action.

What other books do I have in this bag? 

• A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson 
• Habits of a Peace Maker by Steven T. Collis
• Standing for Something by Gordon B. Hinckley
• The Rock of Our Redeemer: Facing the Future with Faith, Hope, and Power by David A. Bednar
• Old-Fashioned on Purpose: Cultivating a Slower, More Joyful Life by Jill Winger
• The Doctrine and Covenants / The Pearl of Great Price Journal Edition (for next year's scripture study)

I am excited to read all of these books, but I won't rush myself because I want to savor them. I will keep reading at the same pace and soak in every concept. I will probably continue to add to the bag, too. 

Halloween 2024

This year, Noel and I made our costumes again. I was pizza made by hot gluing felt "toppings" on a t shirt. Noel was Remy the rat from Ratatouille (her boyfriend is the chef). She bought two shirts, made one into a skirt, and made some ears and a tail. We spent Wednesday evening last week putting them together. Then, we wore them to a trunk or treat at the church on Saturday. She is wearing hers again tonight while hanging out with her boyfriend. 

Another tradition that somehow came to be is having a jack-o-lantern pizza. We used to get them from Papa Murphy's, but last time we tried, it was a disaster. This year, I made it, and I think it was better than take out. 

Noel and I seem to be the only people in our home that still enjoy Halloween, so I think I did fairly well.

Sweater Progress

 

This sweater has been one of the hardest knitting projects I have worked on. It has also been fun to see come to shape. I have finished the yoke and already split for the arms. I am currently working on the body and need to do about an inch and a half of stockenette more before I start the shaping. I'm hoping that I can to the rest of the shaping right the first time because I really don't want to have to pull out more mistakes. I can already tell that I am going to love this sweater and can't wait to be able to wear it. 

Fruit Leather

I hate wasting food. My compost is looking great, but I wanted to find a way to use the produce before it went bad instead of putting it in the compost every time. 

Yesterday, I decided to make fruit leather with the apples that were starting to get a bit soft. Once again, I  found a very easy recipe online. First, I pealed, cored, and diced the apples. Then, I added 1/2 cup water to the four cups of apples in a sauce pan and simmered it for about 10 minutes with the lid on. Next, I used my potato masher on the apples as I added sugar and cinnamon until it tasted right. Then, I poured it into the food processor and puréed it. Finally, I poured it onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, and put it in the oven at 170 (the lowest my oven will go) for about 8 hours. It tastes really good, and it is a much healthier snack than the cookies and such I normally have. 

So Much Destruction

This morning, I read Mormon 6. In this chapter Mormon sent an epistle to the Lamanites requesting they all gather at Cumorah thinking this would give them an advantage in battle. Instead, all but 24 Nephites (including Mormon and his son, Moroni) were killed. Mormon was left crying over the destruction of his people. 

I have never been really into the battles in the Book of Mormon, but this one hit me a bit different. First of all, verse 7 says, "And it came to pass that my people, with their wives and children, did behold the armies of the Lamanites marching towards them; and with that awful fear of death...did they wait to receive them." As I read this I could feel their fear. My heart ached for those mothers watching as this large army came to destroy them. Then, when most of the people had been killed, Mormon did just say they were all gone but him and 24 others, he started in verse 11 saying. "And when they had gone through and hewn down all of my people save it were twenty and four of us..." followed by 4 verses describing the vast number of people killed. Then, verse 16 says, "And my soul was rent with anguish because of my slain people..." How could I not read this and feel deeply for what he witnessed? He did just lose one or two people in battle. (I know the pain of losing two loved ones at the same time.) He lost almost everyone. I could not even imagine what that kind of pain would feel like. 

We often talk about how he was left after the destruction of his people and the loneliness he must of felt. However, I'm not sure we take the time to think about the anguish he felt at this particular time. We gloss over it. Today, it hit me. Mormon lost so much all at once. He was in pain and expressed that pain as he finished off this chapter. Today, I mourn with him. 

Making Butter

 

Chad made pumpkin pancakes with a carmel sauce for dinner which used some whipping cream, but about half of the bottle was left over with no plans for it. I decided it was the perfect excuse to make butter. 

I cleaned out a jar and washed a lid. Then, I poured the cream in in the jar and shook it until it became a solid. Now, I have butter and saved money by not throwing out the unused cream. 

Northern Lights

 

Last night, I was able to see the Northern Lights from my house! It was really cool! 

With the naked eye, I was only able to see some pink streaks in the sky. With my camera I was able to get a clearer view. I took one picture from my front porch (neighbor's house included) and one from the back porch (fence and street lights included). 

I love that I live somewhere that I can experience such amazing things!