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