Monday, August 26, 2013

A Brief Photographic Adventure at the Falls in Idaho

While we were in Idaho, Monkey had the great idea to see the Falls. So here they are! (You could see them better if those two people would move their heads.)
Who's supposed to push the button? (Is there a button?)
There it is! (We still can't see the falls very well.)
Thanks for moving your head...
and moving your mom out of the picture!
Don't fall in unless you packed some dry undies.
Proof that we weren't standing in front of some Hollywood Idaho Falls backdrop poster (read the bench.)
The photographer moves in for a close up...
and closer...
even closer...
almost as close as you can get without a nostril view...
exit laughing!

Friday, August 23, 2013

Interview for "Heroes of Faith"

What is a hero? (No, I'm not talking about the sandwich.)
Synopsis

          Our fast-paced society loves adventure and it loves a hero—but what about Latter-day Saint heroes?  Are there any?  There are plenty!
         Heroes of Faith, True Stories of Faith and Courage, is a collection of twenty-four riveting stories about people who rose above difficulties and impossible odds to emerge triumphant. You’ll read about stalwart men and women who stood firm and valiant in the gospel in spite of dangerous mobs, flying bullets, physical handicaps, extreme hardships, and dictatorial regimes.
          It's fascinating to read about the exploits of real heroes and when that hero is acting in accordance with the principles of the gospel, the adventure is not only thrilling, but inspiring as well. In these days of increasing trials and tribulation, we can all use some worthy role models, especially those that strengthen our faith and increase our testimonies.

Author Interview 
Shirley: When I read a description of your new book, “Heroes of Faith, True Stories of Courage and Strength,” I had to wonder if you’ve ever been bullied, or known anyone who has.
 Marlene: Fortunately, I was never bullied. And except for one time at camp, I hadn’t known anyone who was bullied.  I’m amazed at how the people in Heroes of Faith were bullied and persecuted, yet did not respond in kind. The section on missionary heroes was especially interesting—I can’t believe how their lives were threatened so many times and yet they did not back down from sharing the gospel.  I love the other sections as well—it’s so inspiring to read about these amazing people who had such incredible spiritual and moral strength that enabled them to stand up for what they believed in despite heavy persecution. And the section on disabled heroes is awesome—to see how blind, deaf or physically disabled people were able to accomplish so much makes me want to try harder to do better.
 Shirley: I got teased in junior high school for being so tall. If I could grab hold of the guy who was teasing me, I’d swing him into the lockers. I don’t suppose that’s the way the people in your stories handled their tormentors.
 Marlene:  Ha ha! People sometimes teased me for being short, but I wasn’t able to fling them into lockers.  Perhaps this is why it’s so good to have role models—so we can see the way we should act,  but don’t always!
 Shirley: Where did you find your stories? How did you decide which ones to use?
Marlene: I did a lot of research at numerous libraries. I started at Utah State University. Their Institute also has a great library. (I went to BYU, which has a lot of great collections). Finally, I did a lot of research at the Church History Library in Salt Lake City.  Their archives have a lot of tremendous records.  I went through old newspapers and magazines, such as the Times and Seasons, the Elder’s Journal, The Contributor, and the Young Women’s Journal, as well as going through personal journals and records. As for deciding which stories to use, if the experiences made my jaw drop and gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling, I picked it.  There were so many stories, though, that I put them into two books.  One book has already been published, it’s called; Latter-day Saint Heroes and Heroines. You can get it on Amazon, or order it through Seagull Book.
 Shirley: What’s your own personal description of a hero?
Marlene: I think a hero is someone who stands up for their belief knowing it’s gonna cost them—big time.  You’re a hero if you do what needs to be done, forgetting about what consequences you’re going to face afterward. You’re a hero if, despite the risks and danger, you go ahead and act true to your beliefs. A hero is someone whose has strong convictions and act anyway in a way that shows their beliefs because they know deep inside that the end result is worth any and all discomfort, pain, and trials they have to go through.
Shirley: Perhaps I ought to change my ways and quit grabbing door-to-door salesmen and flinging them into lockers. Where can I get a copy of this book so I can mend my ways?
Marlene:  I would definitely advise you to read this book and repent, although the word on the street is to avoid your house. That’s why you see salesmen glance fearfully at your door and slink on past. You can get Heroes of Faith at Seagull Book and other LDS bookstores. Online, you can get Heroes at:






Thursday, August 22, 2013

Bob's Article Won the Rising Star competition!

Hey! He won! Bob's article won the Hubpages 
Rising Star competition!
THANKS FOR VOTING FOR HIM!
(What do'ya know, I married a winner!)

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Please hurry! Vote by Wednesday Aug 21st for "Basic Survival Rules Everyone Should Know"

Hi! Will you please help? All I need is a click. My hubby's Hub is a candidate in a RISING STAR competition.
Please help vote for "Basic Survival Rules Everyone Should Know" by Outside Influence (Bob's writer Hub name) at this link:
Find the "Basic Survival Rules..." article on the left sidebar, click it, then click the button that says "vote for this hub" that will appear by the article when it pops up on the right side after you select it. Easy-peasy!
THANKS SO MUCH! (You can revisit the page and vote more than once until Wednesday, August 21!) And if you're ever lost in the wilderness, Outside Influence's tips in this article can help you come out of it alive!

Monday, August 12, 2013

None of your Beeswax

All the lotion recipes I've seen require beeswax as one of the ingredients. I looked lots of places before I found some at Cox Honeyland just outside of Logan, Utah. 
I got the biggest one.
Now if someone tells me, "It's none of your beeswax," I can reply, "Oh, yes, it is."

Monday, August 5, 2013

Melinda Party Celebrates Triumph over Death!

L-R: Loraine, Shirley, Melinda, DellRay, Rebecca. (Unable to attend but also radiating love are sisters Bev and Carolyn, brother Greg, and mother Ruth. Melinda's husband Paul is just off the picture. He stayed with Melinda in the hospital every day and night. He was also one of the BIG reasons Melinda decided not to die.)
We just had our MELINDA PARTY to celebrate the return of our much-loved sister, Melinda, (center... in yellow shirt) from the brink of death. In spite of suffering from multiple sclerosis, pneumonia, sepsis and MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) ALL AT THE SAME TIME, she decided to fight it hard enough stay with us for awhile longer. In the war, she lost a lung, but she's smiling, she's happy, and she's beautiful.

Now keep reading on to the next blog for a look at Diony George's "Heaven's Just a Prayer Away." It was certainly just a glimpse away when my sister decided to stay with us longer. Happy day!


Sunday, August 4, 2013

Heaven's Just A Prayer Away

Sometimes we wonder how, with so many people on earth, we matter to God. Like bird songs in a city of sounds, answers to our prayers are easy to miss—unless we’re listening. Through inspiring personal stories, scripture, and prose, Heaven’s Just A Prayer Away answers many questions about communicating with and drawing closer to Jesus Christ and our Father in Heaven.
With the help of this book you will:

• Learn that nothing is too small or unimportant to discuss with Heavenly Father
• Find peace and contentment through daily communication with God
• Gain a better understanding of why some prayers seem to go unanswered
• Develop a greater knowledge of the power of prayer
The inspirational and enlightening experiences found within these pages will change your life forever by strengthening your relationship with God and filling your life with peace, teaching us that heaven really is just a prayer away.

“Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let they heart be full of thanks unto God.” –Alma 37:37

Praise for Heaven's Just A Prayer Away:
"Heaven’s Just a Prayer Away is a sweet, heartfelt book with author Diony George’s personal experiences intermixed with compelling stories about how prayer can shape our lives. I found myself either smiling or teary-eyed as I immersed myself in the stories, reminded that prayer is healing and sanctifying, prayer can bring inspiration, prayer can ease burdens, and prayer lets us feel the love of God for ourselves and those around us.
Heather B. Moore, author of Christ’s Gifts to Women
"In Heaven’s Just a Prayer Away, Diony provides a comprehensive discussion on prayer through inspiring stories, basic principles, and heartfelt testimony. Her personal approach makes answers to prayer and divine blessings seem more within reach."

—John McConkie, stake president
Meet the Author:
Diony George is a wife, stay-at-home mom of seven, grandmother of three, motivational speaker, and the author of four books. Through her writing and public speaking she loves helping others draw closer to God. An avid reader whose favorite genre is romantic suspense, Diony also loves to travel, sew, and bake—especially pies and homemade bread. Born and raised in Alaska, she currently resides in Salt Lake City with her husband and family. Mrs. George can be reached through her personal website at http://www.dionygeorge.com


Purchase Links: