About Me - Part 2

My second completed novel is called A Magical Journey to the Past, and tells what life was like for two modern-day children trying to find their great-grandpa during the war of 1812. It’s a short middle grade historical fiction story.

John and Mary visit their great-grandpa’s ancient dugout and find an old diary. They wish they could see where he lives, and the journal takes them there. Once there they discover they are dressed differently than the people around them, and they are in the middle of a war. In their trek to locate their ancestor, they meet new people and encounter adventures such as rescuing an injured British soldier, and surviving a storm at sea. Finally, at the fort where their great-grandpa is they surrender so they can get inside. Even after meeting him, the story doesn’t end. They continue to watch the war all around them. They all make promises to one another before he returns to the fighting and Mary and John return home.

I hope this book will soon find a home.

My next book is also a children’s historical fiction and has two parts, and is called Waves of Change. The first part is about my Mayflower ancestor, Henry Sampson, who came to a new land with an aunt and uncle searching for religious freedom. It tells of the hardships he had to overcome after being left alone when those he came with died. Henry was strong and healthy, and learned to build houses, hunt, plant gardens, and gather the harvest. Henry made friends with the feathered people. Someday he would be old enough to own land, and was glad he had stayed here in a free land. His life changed after sailing across the ocean on the Mayflower.

The second section of the story starts two-hundred years later in up-state New York with Henry’s fourth great grandson, Silas Hillman. After Silas’s parents join a new church the persecution starts with the children at school teasing him. Soon the people in the town turn against the family and they are unable to sell their crops. They move west, going by way of the Erie Canal to Buffalo. Then they visit an uncle in Napoli, New York before heading to Kirtland, Ohio. The persecution doesn’t end and they move to Missouri. Several times, the militia called Silas to help protect the mobs from attacking Joseph Smith. The family was forced to move to Illinois. Silas became a commandant in the Nauvoo Legion, but couldn't stop the murder of Joseph and Hyrum.

I have not finished the edits on this book, but know it will be hard finding a home for it. I wanted to write some more back in time books to other historical scenes, but have found that children’s historical fiction books are hard to sell. I’m thinking of changing my writing techniques – maybe I need a different genre. Or maybe I need to write for adults, or about something different than history. It’s hard to make such a decision. If anyone has any ideas they would like to share, I’d like to hear them.

About Me - Part 1

I’m the mother of two boys, and two girls, and a grandmother to 18. I currently live in Kearns, Utah with my husband, a dog and a large collection of fairies, including a fountain. Besides writing I enjoy sleeping under the bellies of dinosaurs, building parade floats, traveling and spending time with my family.

When I strike it rich I want to buy a yacht and sail around the world. I want to see first hand all the many different historical sites that I’ve read about in books so I can write more stories about magical adventures.

Martha’s Freedom Train is a historical fiction story written for those above the age of 10, and it will be my first published novel. It isn’t easy, but Martha and her parents escape slavery with the help of many kind conductors for the Underground Railroad—an escape route set up by people of all colors. After many weeks, they find an entrance to a station hidden securely in a hill. A station is where caring people help the slaves hide from those who would keep them captive. They finally have a safe place to stay. Mamma can go no farther. She has caught pneumonia because of the rainy weather and the many cold rivers and streams they crossed.

Papa learns about a wagon train of Mormons traveling west, and he takes Martha to meet them. Martha’s heart almost breaks when Papa promised to come find her when her mamma is well, but insists she must go west with these strangers.

Those in charge decide that Martha will travel with an older woman who is kind and caring and will take good care of her. It isn’t long before Martha calls her Grandma. Since Martha has walked for weeks escaping slavery, it isn’t hard for her to adapt to the situation of traveling with these people. Martha meets a girl, Laura, who is near her age and they become good friends.

Martha encounters many exciting adventures along the way. They cross rivers, see Indians and buffalo. She helps put out a fire, and after falling asleep beside the trail, they accidentally leave her behind.

Once they reach the Salt Lake valley, she still has choices to make. She wants to stay in Salt Lake with her new grandma, but Laura’s family wants her to travel south to help them build a new home. She longs to go with her new friend, but if she leaves, she wonders how her papa will find her.

I hope you will watch for my book in the spring. Also watch for the second part of About Me.

Uplifting Music

I believe that inspiring music promotes spirituality, reverence, and happiness.

A scripture I enjoy reading is D&C 25:12 “The Lord said, For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.”

In the Priesthood Bulletin, December 1970 p. 10 it states, “Music can be used to exalt and inspire or to carry messages of degradation and destruction. It is therefore important that as Latter-day Saints we at all times apply the principles of the gospel and seek the guidance of the Spirit in selecting the music with which we surround ourselves.”

I truly believe that in our homes, we must hold high standards and listen to uplifting music that will spread the gospel, touch hearts, and give us comfort. There is music that inspires courage, reverence, and happiness. Righteous songs will fill our minds with peace.

When visiting my son in Colorado I always enjoy Sunday mornings when he has uplifting music playing throughout the entire house. This always gives a peaceful feeling and helps everyone prepare for the day ahead.

I purchased many inspiring tapes for my teenagers to listen to as I drove them to school each day. When my youngest daughter was small I played the Scripture Scouts for her each evening as she lay in bed.

As I drive to work each day I try to listen to books on tapes, or inspiring music which I find on the radio – 820 AM or 106.5 FM. I don’t just listen to whatever is playing. If it isn’t uplifting it gets switched off. I don’t need other messages getting stuck in my head. I want to have a happy feeling.

It's Still My Turn On Earth

Most of us don’t think about how precious life is until we have an incident similar to the one I experienced last Saturday. For those of us who drive we usually do it without thinking about all the things that can go wrong, but things can happen even if you are cautious and do everything right.

Driving carefully is what I do. I try to stay within the speed limit only exceeding it by 3 or 4 miles, and I don’t run red lights or stop signs. I signal when changing lanes and I’m courteous to others. When I’m in a parking lot I wait for the other cars to be out of the way before I pull onto the highway. I never imagined that others don’t do this. They actually pull out and try running you down.

Saturday afternoon I signaled and pulled into the left lane. As soon as the traffic coming towards me from the right passed, I turned left to drive into a parking lot. Suddenly out of the corner of my eye I saw the car from the parking lot approaching me on the left side. I turned to watch in horror as it headed straight for me. I opened my mouth to scream, but nothing came out. My only thought was, “I’m dead.”

An arms length away it stopped. My instincts kept me going forward because in my mind I could remember the red-light at the corner changed just as I started to make my turn. I didn’t want to get smashed from the other side.

I don’t know what color of car almost hit me, and I don’t know who was driving it. I only know that someone saved me. I realized that my turn on earth is not over. I’m still here to carry on.

That night in bed I didn’t sleep much. I had many nightmares seeing the car barreling down on me. I cried many tears of gratitude because I wasn’t hurt and I’m here and able to care for my mother and husband. I can continue to help my family and friends, and I can make sure my book gets published.

I’m not sure I’ll change much. I do hope I’ll be more careful about wasting time and procrastinating. I’ll continue to go to church, and try to serve others. I’ll try to make good use of my time while I’m here on earth.

Where has the Summer Gone?

I’ve been negligent this past month and have failed to write my blog. Of course, there are always excuses. Mine is that within the past 30 days my mother has been in the ER twice. The last time, they omitted her to the hospital for a couple of days. My husband was also in the ER for most of one day. They are both home and doing well. I also spent 3 days out of town visiting friends.

This summer has certainly passed by quickly for me. I’ve not done half the things I had planned, and now it’s too late. The summer started off bad with me having to spend a week recovering from pneumonia. One good thing was that in July my son and his family came from Colorado to visit. We were able to have family pictures taken, and the entire family spent a fun day at Lagoon riding the rides and getting wet.

August has been busier than normal with something to do every weekend. I always wonder why I plan so much when I’m so busy. When you work outside the home weekends are usually the only time you have to do things around the house. Since this hasn’t happened things are starting to pile up.

Most of the things I’ve done involve family and friends. We visited friends for a couple of days, went to a new temple open house in Idaho, then on to a family reunion, had dinner with my writing friends, and even attended a wedding. Next we go to another family reunion, and a family swimming party. I get to attend the Temple with a friend on Saturday morning, and the following Saturday I’m excited to attend another Temple with my niece. I’m so excited that these two special people in my life have chosen this path.

Hope you have had a wonderful summer.

A Wish

What do you consider to be important? What do you wish for, or dream about? Some people want material possessions, a large house, or fast car. Other people want a well-paying job. Some would rather have good looks, power, or adventure. These things can make you happy for a short time, but worldly attainment is not lasting.

A Chinese proverb says, “If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a month, get married. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help someone else.”

We can find peace and happiness by following Heavenly Father and Jesus and choosing the right.

Heavenly Father has given us commandments to help us be happy. Mosiah 2:41 – “And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

Obedience to the commandments does not guarantee we will never experience challenges. Difficulties are part of life, and we all have rough times.

I have learned that I need to learn to bypass the things of the world. When I do I’m on my way to something higher and better. I just have to rise above the ordinary. The more I strive to become who I am, a child of God with the potential to be as He is, the more I seem unique to those who may be choosing a different direction.

A Mind to Think

D & C 58:26-29 – It is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward. For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward. But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned.

When I read the above scripture it is my understanding that my Heavenly Father should not have a commandment for every little thing I am to do. He made each us with a mind to think, and the capability to act upon it. What a dull world it would be if I sat around waiting for that still small voice to tell me to do something before I dared to move.

This next verse tells me that I must be doing something good at all times. If I do good deeds always then I will not lose my reward. Men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness.

If I am obedient then I get the compensation for doing what is right. When I have faith in Jesus Christ, I also receive that gift. My purpose here on earth is evident when I develop my character in a Christ like manner.

The last verse to me means your progress toward eternal life has stopped if someone has to tell you everything you need to do. If someone has to tell you to take your neighbor some food you haven’t learned to do good acts on your own. Kindness comes from within.

I'm grateful for a mind to think, and a good heart that I can help others when I see a need. I don't have to sit around waiting for someone to tell me to act. To me it is second nature to be kind and I often wonder why there is so much hatred in our world. It would be a better world if everyone performed acts of kindness.