Lost and Found by Orson Scott Card

 Teen Fiction. What if many of us had actual powers--not super powers, but micro powers. Things we may seem to think are insignificant, but that other people cannot do. 

Ezekiel finds things, actually lost things find him and he returns them to their owners. Sounds like a great micropower, but it has gotten him into trouble with the police so he mostly ignores this power of his. Until he meets a girl who helps him see and understand his power in a different light. 

This was published last year and I listened to the audio version, which was wonderful. I liked it so much I wanted to read it out loud to my kids. It's a little wordy, but after being patient for the first part of the book they really became interested and enjoyed the story. It does deal with violent crime for a good part of the book, but the author (he and I grew up in the same neighborhood) inserts enough light hearted banter that it doesn't become too heavy. 

Recommend: Yes

Elder Andrew Edholm -- week 76

 This went last week went really well we have started teaching two new people, Gabriel and Mireya. Gabriel is the brother of Catarina, and always when we went over to teach Catarina he would pop in for a second and then leave. Earlier this last week we were able to get his phone number and talk to him personally and set up a time to get to know him a little more. He told us that one of the biggest ways that he knows God is there watching over him was in the process getting to the U.S. from Venezuela. It took him years and years to get a visa and also save up money enough to fly because he wanted to live here in Utah. He also knows some members down in the Provo/Orem area. On Sunday he was also able to come to church too with his son Angel Leonardo.

Mireya is from Mexico city and has spoken with the sister missionaries in the past a little. She also told us a story of how God comforted her when she was sick with her 1 year old son. She told us that she really enjoyed us coming over and sharing with her, we are going to be able to go back and share some more sometime this week.

In my personally study this week two things that I read really stuck out to me. The first in the Book of Mormon and the second in the Bible

2 Nephi 28:8 

   8 And there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God—he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God."

I was thinking to myself, in what ways do I justify not doing or being my best, and I realized that I actually do it often. I'm not just supposed to do things with just the right effort and nothing more, I need to serve God with all my "heart, might, mind, and strength".

1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 

   16 Rejoice evermore.

   17 Pray without ceasing.

   18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

   19 Quench not the Spirit.

   20 Despise not prophesyings.

   21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

   22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

I think if there was ever a quick guide to being a good person, these 7 verses would be it. They just state it so clearly, I don't have to say anymore. 

See you next week

-Elder Edholm

The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner

 Teen Fantasy. This is number 3 in the Queen's Thief series. I couldn't stop listening to just the first two books. The twists and turns in the plot make me smile more so this second time through the book. The subtleties of the intrigue of the Kingdom of Attolia are missed the first time through. Eugenides (Gen) is a genius and a fool depending on how you look at him, but in my opinion, he is completely enjoyable to read about. 

Recommend: Yes. 

Elder Andrew Edholm -- week 75

I was transferred. I am now with Elder West from Queen Creek, Arizona. He has only been out for 3 months. I am now in south salt lake and the area that I cover is a lot smaller.

We have two people in our area that are really fun to teach and are progressing in the gospel. The first is Lizbeth, she is from Mexico and is very energetic to talk with and to teach. She wants to get baptized, so we asked how she felt about the middle of January, and she said that was a good goal, so now she's going to be baptized then, probably on January 16!

We are also teaching someone named Catarina, she is from Venezuela and is living here with her three children while her husband is still in Venezuela. One of her friends recently got baptized as well, so that has been on her mind for some time. She really enjoys the scriptures and has a really strong faith. 

I have another video that I want go share with you guys about the birth of Christ! I invite you to watch it between now and Christmas!

https://www.comeuntochrist.org/light-the-world-2020/the-christ-child

Love you guys, talk to you next week.

Elder Edholm

The Dream by Agatha Christie

 Mystery short story. I have always loved Agatha Christie and especially her books with Hercule Poirot as the detective. I listened to the audio version which was narrated by the actor that portrays Captain Hastings in the BBC productions of the Hercule Poirot mystery series. As always, this story was filled with all the things I love about her mysteries--impossible scenarios that turn out to be very logical when viewed from the impressive viewpoint of Hercule Poirot. 

Recommend: Yes.

The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner

 Teen Fantasy Fiction. This is the 2nd book in the Queen's Thief series, it follows The Thief. I listened to the audio version which was well done. After rereading The Thief and remembering all the things I loved about this series I immediately downloaded this book. As much as I love The Thief, this second book is equally, if not a little, better in my eyes. It has some shocking plot twists and keeps the reader guessing until the end, but the main reason I love it is the character development of the wonderful people I met in the first book. Megan Turner does a masterful job of rounding out her characters with nuances that lend me to think I would recognize them if I met them on the street. 

Gen is again doing what he does best, stealing things. This time he may have gone too far as he progresses from stealing things to stealing people. Things don't go as smoothly for him as they have in the past and he finds himself at the center of a war between not two, not three, but perhaps four countries. 

Recommend: Yes!

Elder Andrew Edholm -- week 74

 Andrew didn't have time to write a letter today. He was transferred to South Salt Lake and his companion is Elder West who is Tongan and is from Queens Creek Arizona. They are still working with Spanish speakers. This area is smaller than his previous one was and he is still getting to know it. He said his apartment is worse than his other one, but a mansion compared to Bolivia since he has a couch and carpet. And fun fact, he is in the same area that his grandparents used to live when he was a baby!

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

 Teen Fantasy Fiction. This is one of the most enjoyable books I've ever read. I first read it years ago and gave it as a gift to my son a few Christmases ago. He finally picked it up and read it and his comments to me about it motivated me to read it again. I listened to the audio version this time and it was lovely. This book was a runner-up to the Newbery Medal in 1997. 

Gen is a thief. He gets caught only to be freed to steal something for the king. That makes the plot seem simple, but it has wonderful twists and turns and surprises that are delightful. 

Recommend: YES!

Elder Andrew Edholm -- week 73

I'm getting transferred! I still don't know where yet. I'm a little sad to be leaving this area, I was really hoping to be here for Christmas.

This last week we were able to get to know a friend of a recently returned missionary, his name is Bryan. He voiced to us that he wants to get baptized, he told us probably the middle of January. Elder Kaiser and his new companion will help set an exact date on Wednesday. I'll be sad that I'm going to miss that too, but I know that wherever I'll be going will be where I'm supposed to be.

Something that I learned this week is the importance of our focus. We have been sharing this video with a lot of the family we go and visit, and I think it portrays that importance very well.

It is called, He is the Gift

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2014-12-1460-he-is-the-gift?lang=eng&collectionId=e71f1a9300689e1d56532e9dc7e0ddb2299232b3

The Johnstown Flood by David McCullough

 Non-Fiction. This is the first book by David McCullough that I have read. (I actually listened to the audio version.)  I listened to a speech he gave at BYU years ago and my interest in his books peaked. I put a number of them on hold and this was the first one that became available. 

Prior to this I had zero knowledge of the most disastrous flood this country has known. Over 2000 people died on May 31, 1889 in Pennsylvania as a result of the breaking of the dam. McCullough is a master at retelling of the facts of not only that infamous day, but of the atmosphere before and after the dam broke. He quotes many eye witnesses to the flood and the descriptions are not for the faint of heart. It was hard to listen to the amount of suffering and destruction, but I'm glad I finished it. Not the happiest of books I've read, but worth the read. 

Recommend: Yes

Elder Andrew Edholm -- week 72

 Aracy got baptized on Saturday! I was able to perform the Baptism and my companion Elder Kaiser confirmed her and gave her the Gift of the Holy Ghost! The whole thing was a spiritual experience. This was one of my favorite scriptures that we shared with her. Acts 2:38, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

We also started teaching a Venezuelan family this week. They are all very nice and very smart. They have lived here in the U.S. for 3 years, and it's the father and the mother, a 13 year old son, and a 10 year old daughter. We showed them this video and they really enjoyed it.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/video/holiday-videos/2014-00-1460-he-is-the-gift?lang=eng

Today I just wanted to share two scriptures that have really hit my this week. I think u might have already shared them in the past.

1 Nephi 19:9, "And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men."

2 Nephi 9:7,21  "7 Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement... 21 And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam."

I've just been feeling very grateful for the Atonement and sacrifice that my savior did for me. I hope you like these verses because they helped me a lot!

Elder Edholm

The Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer W. Kimball

Religious Non-Fiction. I haven't read a lot of religious non-fiction books in my lifetime, really non-fiction books in general, at least not ones that weren't assigned to read. I decided to read this one because my son had and he gave me some quotes from the book that were inspiring so I downloaded it on my phone and started to read. It's not a lengthy book and reads easily. The author, past president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, uses plain language to communicate the necessity of repenting daily and the healing balm of peace that comes with forgiveness. I appreciated his insights from his long life of counseling with others and seeing lives put back together when it seemed that would be an impossible feat. 

Recommend: Yes

Elder Andrew Edholm - week 71

 This last week went really well! Someone that we are teaching expressed to us that she wanted to get baptized! Her name is Aracy and she is the sister of a member that also lives here in the Salt Lake Valley. She had been taught with the missionaries before, but seemed to really open up as we started teaching her a little less than 2 months ago. She has a very strong belief in the power of the Holy Spirit and how he speaks to us individually and protects us. She gave us the perfect example of what the Spirit does, she said that he is the bridge between us, and Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. I know that the Holy Spirit is in the major ways They speak to us and help us in this life. Aracy is going to be baptized this upcoming weekend on Saturday, the 28 of November. I think the only people that are more excited than she, is my companion and I!

News update: This week we will be able to have thanksgiving dinner with other missionaries! We'll eat with the other missionaries in our district, who are Elder Hendrickson and Olenslager, and Sister Tapia and Walton.

This week in my personal study I read some verses that really stuck out to me. They are found in 2 Nephi 4:17-21,23 and John 14:27.

        "17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.

18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.

19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.

20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions...

        21 He hath filled me with his love...

        23 Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge..."

        "27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

After hearing the invitation by the prophet, Russell M. Nelson, I think these scriptures are very much applicable to my life. Even though I have received countless blessing from the Lord, I tend to focus on the the bad. I really love how Nephi changes his focus to the blessings he has received after verse 19. I also appreciate the comforting words of the Savior in the book of John. Sometimes I get down on myself 'because of my flesh', as how Nephi puts it, for just being human and imperfect. But as I focus on the good, the blessings, and on the redeemder, I can open myself to more of the peace that Christ is giving freely, and I can be assured that my heart will not be troubled or afraid.

I Hope you guys liked what I learned this week! Love you guys!

Elder Edholm

The Secret Lake by Karen Inglis

 Junior Fantasy Fiction. This was a quick read about a brother and sister on holiday in England. They discover magical moles which allows them to time travel back a hundred years to meet the family who lived in the house they are renting for their holiday. It has a nice plot, but the story is so short that there isn't much character development which was a distraction for me. This reminded me a bit of the authors E. Nesbit and Edward Eager, whom I love, but the story needed twice as many chapters to do the plot justice. 

Recommend: Maybe

Elder Andrew Edholm -- week 70

This last week went well, we didn't get to have lessons with some people that we are teaching because they got extremely busy this week, but we are going to be able to meet with them this week. Someone that we were able to meet with though was Gonzalo and Francesca. We went over and got to know them a little bit. They are from Venezuela but then moved to Panama after they got married and they said they thought they were going to be there for the rest of their lives basically, but then Covid-19 happened and they found themselves here in the US. They are both incredibly nice and we were able to share a scripture about faith and how that has played a role in their lives. It was a really good lesson. He told us that he wasn't going to be able to make it to church yesterday, because he was going to have to work, but then he showed up! He told us that as soon as he found out he wasn't going to have to work, he started getting ready for church. Francesca wasn't able to make it though because had to work. We are really excited to meet with them again and share some more scriptures! We were also able to teach Odali this last week too, he's from the Dominican Republic. I'll tell more how things went next week because we also have a time to meet with him this week. 

Today I'd like to talk about something that I learned in my personal study this last week. I was reading in 1 Nephi chapter 11 about the meaning of the Tree of Life.

Here's a link to the story of the Tree of Life if you want to read it first.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/8?lang=eng

Or the video

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2019-07-0400-lehi-sees-a-vision-of-the-tree-of-life?lang=eng&collectionId=b08d5ec3db284cf39744b3831a04a250

In versus 22, 23, And 25 of chapter 11 it says, "Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw? And I answered him, saying: Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things.

        23 And he spake unto me, saying: Yea, and the most joyous to the soul.

        25 And it came to pass that I beheld that the rod of iron, which my father had seen, was the word of God, which led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life; which waters are a representation of the love of God; and I also beheld that the tree of life was a representation of the love of God."

I never realized before how it correlates the Tree to the love of God, and then it says that the Tree is also the 'fountain of living waters'. We also hear basically that phrase of living water in John 4:10-14, with the woman at the Well. Christ says that he gives the living water, so we could say he is the 'fountain of living waters'. The way that we feel more of the love of God in our lives is by growing closer to the Savior. I feel like it also goes the other way around, we know that we are bettering our relationship with Christ if we feel God's love more in our lives. 

Love you guys! Hope you liked my insights!

- Elder Edholm

Andy and his new companion, Elder Kaiser

The Mad Wolf's Daughter by Diane Magras

 Junior Fiction Fantasy. Drest is the youngest daughter of the Mad Wolf, a raiding bandit, and she must rescue her father and all her brothers. This story is set in medieval Scotland and includes witches, healers, bandits, and one feisty twelve year old. This story moved quickly and I found myself finishing it in just a few hours. There is a sequel, The Hunt for the Mad Wolf's Daughter, which I immediately put on hold. Drest has a limited view of the world being brought up by her father and many brothers. She takes everything they say as the whole truth. In her brave adventures she learns that not everyone sees her family as she does and that her family may not be as perfect as she thought. At the same time she decides that she can be who she is because of herself and not because of her family's past. She learns that people can love and be imperfect. She learns to trust and be braver than she thought she could. Great story!

Recommend: Yes

Elder Andrew Edholm -- Week 69

 This week I got a new companion! Elder Kaiser! He's from southern California, a city called Wildomar, he was supposed to go to Bogota Colombia but got reassigned to this mission. This is his first transfer so I'm training him. He doesn't know Spanish so I have to do all of the talking during lessons, with members, and with other Spanish speakers we run into. My Spanish is still not the best, but I can do everything that I need to, so I'm not complaining too much, plus my Spanish will get better because I'm using it more. Yesterday we had three people come to church, Ruby was able to come with her husband and we going to set up a lesson with them this week. They are really awesome, they make it very natural to talk with them, and they know both Spanish and English so Elder Kaiser will be able to understand and add his insights. The other two people that came to church are a Venezuelan couple who are friends of the Brito family, who are also from Venezuela. The husband's name is Gonzalo and the wife's is Francesca, they got to the U.S. at the beginning of September and they seem extremely nice! We also have a lesson set up in this week to pass and get to know them a little more.

I was able to finish the Book of Mormon for the second time in Spanish on Saturday! My goal is to finish it two more times before I get home, which is in about 8 months. My Spanish is better than how it was at the beginning of my mission, so I'm going to be able to dive deeper into how Spanish conveys the meaning of the scriptures. 

Here's a scriptures that really stuck out to me as I read this week, it's found in the Book of Mormon. 

Moroni 10:32-33, 

"32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

33 And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot."

I really love how it says that we need to love God through our actions, with should love him with all our "might, mind, and strength". I truly know that I'm showing my love for the Lord through serving a mission, that I'm working with all my might, mind, and strength to share what has brought me so much happiness. I hope all of you share the things that have brought you joy to everyone around you.

Sorry this letter was so long, but I hope you liked it! Love you guys!

Elder Edholm

At the Pulpit, Edited by Jennifer Reeder and Kate Holbrook

 Non-fiction history. This book highlights talks and discourses given by women of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in a 185 year period, from 1831 to 2016. It starts with a short discourse by Lucy Mack Smith, mother of Joseph Smith, the prophet, and ends with a talk given by Gladys N. Sitati at a Brigham Young University Women's Conference in 2016. The women chosen to be included in this book vary from early pioneers in the United States to those of other countries, like Sister Sitati from Kenya. 

I enjoyed all these women and their viewpoints and found common ground no matter if they lived a hundred years ago or are still alive today. I found myself marking things they said and sharing them with my friends and family members. All were uplifting and edifying for me personally. Here are just a few of my favorites: 

"Faith comes through obedience" Kate M. Barker, 1937. 

"Women should be women and not babies that need petting and correction all the time. I know we like to be appreciated, but if we do not get all the appreciation which we think is our due, what matters?" Julie B. Beck quoting a talk given by Eliza R. Snow in 1869. 

"The truth of doctrine can be known only by revelation gained as a result of obedience." Ardeth G. Kapp, 1980. 

"...no matter what our office may be, we should do our part and do it cheerfully, and as we do one part, our responsibilities and talents will be added to, and we will go onward and upward as it is destined that we shall go." Amelia Flygare, 1916. 

"Earning happiness and contributing to the happiness of others should be the most important goal in our lives." Lucrecia Suarez de Juarez, 1972

Recommend: Yes

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

 Junior Fiction-Mystery. 1979 Newbery Medal Award. This has been a favorite book of mine since I was a child and I wanted to share that love with my kids, so I read it to them. An eccentric millionaire arranges for 16 people to move into an apartment complex he owns and then accuses one of them of killing him. If the others can solve the mystery then they inherit his huge fortune. The clues are convoluted and confusing at times and my kids could not see how some things fit together, but that's what makes a great mystery!  The ending was a delightful surprise for them. 

Recommend: YES!

Elder Edholm -- week 68

This last week was kind of rough. For some reason this week a ton of people had to cancel the lessons we had with them so we weren't able to teach a lot this week. Also Satan is attacking hard. Someone that we are teaching got involved in a custody problem with their child, so they got really worried and still are worried. We weren't able to find any new people basically this week. We did have one person come to church though, so that was good. God was just trying my companion and I this week a lot, we've both grown from it. God gives us trials to make us stronger. TRANSFERS. My companion is getting transferred and I'm staying here and training a new missionary. Looks like I might be in this area for 7 months!

Various pictures of his area he works in that Andrew sent me today. Many of them are at a park near where he lives. 

He had sushi for the first time and loved it! (No surprise!)

Elder Edholm -- week 67

This week went really well. The baptism of Daniel happened yesterday and it was really awesome. The bishop was able to baptize him and I was able to do the confirmation. There were a lot of members there to support him too. We have a limit of only 20 people can be at a baptism because of Covid rules, and we had about 18-19 people there. He was able to get a white button up shirt a couple of ties, and a bike too from some members. We also had Emma come to church today. She was able to watch general conference and we did a tour of the church through a video call, but this was her first time inside of the chapel. She has really liked hearing from us and she said that she wants to get baptized this Sunday. So we are probably going to have the baptismal service in the early afternoon like we did with Daniel. Emma's mom also really likes learning from us, but she wants more time to feel like she's doing the right thing before moving forward, which is completely acceptable. We are also teaching a guy named Arnaldo, and his baptism should be either this weekend or the next. So we have been really busy lately, which is super good.

Something that I learned this week in my personal study. 1 John 4:19, "We love him, because he first loved us". I just really liked this scripture. I hope we can all be a little more caring for each other, myself included. That's all for this week!

Elder Edholm -- week 66

 This week was good, we did had some troubles getting in contact with some people that we were teaching, so that made it a little hard to stay busy without opportunities to teach. Some one that we have been able to teach pretty frequently is Daniel, and he is definitely going to be baptized either this Sunday or the next! He watched general conference last week and he went got church yesterday! He's been really liking everything.

Here's some thing that I really liked from my studies this week. I was reading in 3 Nephi and this scripture stood out, 3 Nephi 27:27, "Therefore, what manner of man ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am." Christ wants us to be like he is. Then I read another scripture in 1 John 2:3, "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments." I want to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I want to be able to say that I know him. Which made me think of how many times he has invited us to come and follow him. So that's something that I'll be focusing in this week. I hope you all are doing well! See you next week.

Here are some pics from our hike last week: Moss Ledge Waterfall in Cottonwood Canyon

VIDEO:

Multi District Council

Andrew's Area

Andrew's Area

The Princess Companion by Melanie Cellier

Teen Fantasy Fiction. The Princess Companion is a retelling of the fairy tale, The Princess and the Pea. I'm a great fan of fairy tale retellings, but have never read one of this particular fairy tale. I listened to the audio version over a period of a few days. This story kept taking my by surprise, I would think I knew where it was going and even stopped listening at one point for a short while because I thought I recognized the predictability of Alyssa, the main character. I was pleasantly surprised at each turn in the plot and whole heartedly enjoyed the unwinding of the tale. 

Recommend: Yes!

A Plethora of Regency Romances

 I find that when I'm feeling a bit stressed I turn to comfort food and comfort books. Since I'm trying to change my eating habits and be healthier I dove into four regency romance novels this past week. They are quick reads for me, especially the ones I've read before, but even with their predictability, they never fail to bring me some enjoyment and allow me to escape for a moment into another world.

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson. When I was working at the Orem Public Library in Utah I was able to read this as an advanced readers copy, one that had not had the final edits in place. This is Donaldson's debut novel and she is adept at this genre. I have to put my favorite seal of approval on this one as I feel it excels above all other regency romances I've read and I have to admit I've read this one more than a few times. 

Marianne Davenport is 7 minutes younger than her twin sister, Cecilia. She has always let her sister get what she wants because of that 7 minutes. But this time there is something or someone they both want and Marianne is not about to come in second place again. Philip Wyndham is tired of young women and their mothers doing all they can to nab him and his inheritance, so he decides to run away from it all. He didn't count on meeting Marianne and is surprised that he wants to return home because of her. 

Donaldson wrote a short prequel to Edenbrooke, called Heir to Edenbrooke, which is the first few chapters of Edenbrooke from Philip's point of view. It doesn't need to be read first and is just as enjoyable. 

Recommend: Yes

Kiss of a Stranger by Sarah M. Eden. This is a bit of a far fetched story about a wealthy man who kisses a stranger to squelch the advances of another woman he abhors. The results of this kiss impact his life dramatically and also the poor woman he kissed. Eden has written scores of titles, many of which I've read. I feel she does a good job of character development, even though the plot is a bit fantastic at times. 

Recommend: Yes

An Unlikely Match by Sarah M. Eden. This is the only book of the four I read that was new to me and it was the one that I enjoyed the least. This has a bit of a fantasy edge to it, which is different than Eden's other books. Nickolas Pritchard inherits a large estate in Wales. He gladly moves in and finds that his home was actually a historic castle and it is haunted by a very persistent and beautiful ghost. Her history is a bit of a mystery, but with the help of the local vicar he finds a way to save his beautiful damsel in distress. The plot was a good one, but I didn't feel a connection between Nickolas and the ghost. 

Recommend: Maybe

Elder Edholm -- week 65

 This week went really well. We had a 3 day service project, which was really awesome to have. An older couple needed help with some landscaping things, so we moved a huge pile of dirt to two different parts in their yard one day last week, they put the black landscape tarp on top, then two days this week we moved a ton a rock to put over the tarp and also around some of their shrubs that they had. It was super fun and it helped fill our morning hours with something different. Also this week I crashed on my bike! I'll explain what happened but I have to give a little background. So during the week my companion and I decided to eat out a little more because we had only been out to eat like 2 in the last 3 months. Anyways we were eating out and we saw this guy moving some cabinets and shelves from this cookie ice cream sandwich store so we went and helped him and then went back to finish eating. After we finish he comes up to us and says he's trying to get rid of some ice cream from the store, so he gives us a 5 gallon tub of ice cream that was a little more than half full. Fast forward to Saturday, it is the birthday of one of a member of the family that we helped get baptized, he's turning 9, so I try to carry the ice cream on my bike. It was working for a little but then I tried to shift gears and the handlebars turned too much and the bike went off the curb and I went over the handlebars. Lucky I did not rip my shirt or my pants, the only thing that happened was that the tub of ice cream got a little dent and that my shoulder and back of my shirt got really black.

Ruby, the person who is getting baptized this Saturday, is doing really well. She and her husband were able to watch General Conference on Sunday and they really enjoyed it.

Talking about general conference, it was very uplifting! What I took out of it was probably the same thing that most people learned, it's that trials are going to come, hard time are crucial for our growth. Everyone is going to through their own difficult times, I have too. I have been stressing out a little because I feel like I'm not doing well as a missionary, like every other missionary has the "mission" down and I'm here still trying to figure it out after 14 months. I've not been super confident in myself. After conference I leaned a couple of things that I'd like to talk about. The first is what I already said, that tests in this life are essential. The second is what Sister Lisa L. Harkness said, that we need to believe in Christ. That statement with these two scriptures that I read really helped me, Helaman 5:18, "And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did preach... with such great power and authority, for they had power and authority given unto them" and also 3 Nephi 5:13, "Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life." As a missionary I have been called and have been given power and authority. If I don't have confidence in myself, then in turn I don't have confidence in the power that has been given to me. Also if I don't trust that I can change, that then means that I don't trust in the atonement of Christ and his power to help me change. I had never thought of it in that way before, I feel as I start thinking and behaving with this in mind, it will build my faith and change me. I hope you like my insight, it really helped me so I hope that it will help you too!

Elder Edholm -- Week 64

 This week pretty well, the two biggest things that happened this week was that we found two really awesome people. The first was Arnaldo, he is the brother of a family in the church, and he lives with them. We had passed by a couple of times to see how this family was doing, and this week we ran into him for the first time and we were able to share something with him from the scriptures. He said he'd never really been involved in religion but that he is really interested now, seeing how it has affected his family positively. The second person we found this week is Daniel. He was born in Columbia but then moved to China. We met him at the beginning of last week, after him only being in the US for 2 to 3 days. We taught him some things from the scriptures and he went to the English class that we have. He he loves learning, so we are exciting to teach him some more. 

I'd like to share two scriptures that really jumped out to me this week. They both talk about faith, how we use it, and how it grows. I like sports so I'm going to relate the scriptures to that. The first scripture is in Helaman 15:7-8, 

"as many of them as are brought to the knowledge of the truth...and are led to believe the holy scriptures, yea, the prophecies of the holy prophets, which are written, which leadeth them to faith on the Lord, and unto repentance, which faith and repentance bringeth a change of heart unto them. Therefore, as many as have come to this, ye know of yourselves are firm and steadfast in the faith, and in the thing wherewith they have been made free."

I think this verse is talking about what I would call "faith practice", how we live and what we can do to make our faith stronger and firmer. The next scripture is in 1 Peter 1:6-7, and this scripture made more sense to me in Spanish, so here's it in Spanish and also the translation. 

"...por un poco de tiempo tengáis que ser afligidos con diversas tentaciones, para que la prueba de vuestra fe... sea hallada digna de alabanza, gloria y honra, cuando Jesucristo sea manifestado;" (translation)"...for a little while you have to be afflicted with various temptations, so that the test of your faith... may be found worthy of praise, glory, and honor, when Jesus Christ is manifested"

To me this verse sounds like game day, that we have to play in, that everyone has in their lives. I want to be able to perform well, I want to have practiced, used, and acted on my faith enough, hopefully more than enough, to get through the temptations and trials that come my way. 

Sorry this email was so long! I really hope you guys read it! See you next week.

Elder Edholm

Elder Edholm -- week 63

 At the beginning of this week we were able to do a huge service project that helped us get to know a part of our area where we had never been before. One of the English wards in the south part of our area made some flyers that said the missionaries are looking for service projects. We were able to get a map of all the English members in that ward and we handed out flyers for a couple hours on Tuesday and Wednesday. We were able to ask all the English members if they knew where any Spanish speakers lived! Also this week we got to teach Andres. On Sunday night he texted us saying that he got back from his trip from Idaho and that he wanted us to teach him! He works a lot so it has been pretty hard to find him, but he loves listening to us. We got to start teaching two people this week that are really interested also, Delia and Ruby. Delia lives alone but her daughter and grandson live close by so Delia is always really busy with work and taking care of her grandson when her daughter is working. We taught her about Christ and his teachings, and also about Joseph Smith and she enjoyed the message a lot! We're going by this week to share more with her. Ruby is the wife of a member, they have one kid and she is pregnant with her second. They came to church a few months ago, but we could never get in contact with them to teach and share something. We called the husband this last week, he answered and said we could come by so we did, and we were able to teach her about the prophets in the bible and also about the experience that Joseph that had too. She really liked everything! We also shared some scriptures in the Book of Mormon and invited her to get baptized and she said she would! We asked her to pray about it to make sure it is the right decision. They also came to church yesterday! 

This week I've set the goal to finish the New Testament and also finish the Book of Mormon by the end of October, I only have 65 pages left in the New Testament, but I have 170 pages left in the Book of Mormon. Two scriptures have really jumped out to me, the first is in the Book of Mormon, in Helaman 3:35:

 "35 Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God."

In Spanish, the word that they use for yield is Entregar, which means to deliver or hand over. So that made me think, it what ways can I deliver or give my heart to God so that I can be more humble and have a firmer faith in Christ. Then I read in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22: 

"16 Rejoice evermore.

17 Pray without ceasing.

18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

19 Quench not the Spirit.

20 Despise not prophesyings.

21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

22 Abstain from all appearance of evil."

I was thinking that these things are the ways I can give my heart to God. I can pray more, and give Him thanks for the things he has blessed me with. I can live in a way that I can feel more of the Spirit. I can hold on to the things in this life that are good and that make me happy and bring me joy, and I can do my best to stay away from anything evil. 

Small blessing that I saw this week, or smelled this week. Yesterday we had an teaching appointment with a family that we are teaching, but they weren't there, so we just started walking around the apartment complex. In the complex there happened to be a huge walnut tree, like the one my family used to have in our front yard when we lived in Utah. So I picked up one of the walnuts and the smell of it reminded me of playing in the leaves in during the fall. Brought back a lot of good memories. So I took some of the walnuts with me and put them on my desk!

Also this last week I've really been hitting Spanish vocab hard, and I was able to recognize quite a bit of those new words while talking to the Spanish speakers here(like jornada and pretexto). Very slowly my Spanish is improving!

Me crossing my eyes in Elder Anderson's picture of the mountains

Robot sculpture in a part of our area

Picture of the flag and mountains while hanging out flyers

Video I made with gummy worms

Elder Edholm -- week 62

 Andy said it was a pretty normal week. Transfers were this week and he and his companion are staying where they are. They are teaching a guy named Nester and he wants to get baptized in a couple weeks so he's hoping that happens. The wind storms that hit Utah hard weren't bad where he is in Sandy. Not a lot more to tell this week!  

Elder Edholm -- week 61

 This week went well, we were able to find quite a bit of people this week. We were finally able to get into contact and teach a younger family, the Martinez family, which include the parents and three little kids, they had been going through a pretty rough time because they had their car stolen and their rent was increased, so they really liked the message that we shared. We were also able to find another family, the Ricardo family and the grandparents, and teach them about God's plan for us. They were very enthusiastic the whole lesson which made me feel so much more comfortable there. My companion and I are really excited about these two families and we hope we can help them! The mother of the Gonzalez family, that got baptized 3 weeks ago, was able to say the closing prayer in church today and the dad plus the two oldest sons are going to be getting the priesthood next week, which is even more awesome!

Books by Kasie West

 Maybe This Time.  By Your Side. Teen romance. 

On a long road trip to Utah my daughter, Lucy, and I spent an enjoyable time listening to two of Kasie West's books. Her teen romances have likable characters, not too much cheese, and just enough teenage angst to make things interesting. 

We started with Maybe This Time at the beginning of our trip. Sophie works at a flower shop in small town Alabama and dreams of being a design student after high school in New York City. Her best friend's father runs the only catering business in town. He is being mentored by a famous chef to help him grow his business and the chef comes with a son named Andrew. Sophie and Andrew don't get off to a good start with each other, but over the course of a year with many events, i.e. weddings, funerals, barbecues, parties, they start to see eye to eye. 

On our way home from Utah Lucy wanted to listened to another one of West's books. I let her choose and she chose By Your Side. I had already listened to this one and didn't mind listening a second time. Mostly because it centers around a girl and a boy locked in a library over Martin Luther King weekend. I mean, for a librarian, what better way to start a story!!  I especially liked the direction the plot led us. Autumn is a senior in high school and has a great group of friends. She doesn't always feel comfortable hanging out with them all the time because she suffers from anxiety. She hasn't told her friends about her condition because she wants them to treat her normally. The boy she spends a weekend in the library with, Dax, is the local "bad boy". At least that's the reputation he has. Autumn learns differently. Both Dax and Autumn learn to look at people in a more accepting way and to communicate their feelings with their friends and each other which leads them to see how much happier they can be. Great lesson!