"Papa's Book of Mormon Christmas" Book Review

Are you looking for a new addition to your collection of children's or family Christmas books? If you are, then you will love Papa's Book of Mormon Christmas by Emma Rae Parker. It's about a loving grandpa sharing with his little granddaughter his special appreciation for and connection to the Book of Mormon, especially during certain Christmases in his life.

Smiles
*The story is very cute and touching, and the characters are charming.
*The illustrations are colorful and adorable.
*It's an easy read and just the right length for both young and older children.
*It balances the secular and spiritual sides of Christmas.

Frowns
*When I first read it, I thought it was based on a true story. I was disappointed to find out it was fictional. It's still a beautiful story, though, that brings the Spirit and focuses on the amazing gift the Book of Mormon is to us.

I recommend making this book a part of your holiday traditions! (Note: I didn't read the story yet to my kids, ages 5 and 2, because I want to save it for Christmas, but I know they'll love it.)

"From Baptist Preacher to Mormon Teacher" Book Review

If you don't know me, I love to hear people's stories: where they came from, how they met their significant others, what their talents and hobbies are and where they learned them, etc. As a Mormon, one of my favorite stories to listen to is people's conversion stories: where they first heard the gospel, what touched their spirits and made them want to learn more, what was difficult for them to accept, etc. Therefore, I was excited to review From Baptist Preacher to Mormon Teacher by Wain Myers (with Kelly Martinez). Brother Myers candidly and humorously shares his journey to becoming a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and progressing in the gospel.

Smiles
*Brother Myers is honest and real. You can feel his personality through the book so it seems that if you met him, you wouldn't consider him a stranger but a friend.
*The book is very engaging and easy to read. Sometimes it read like a novel and sometimes like a compelling church talk (which he says he practices all the time, so maybe that's why it showed in his writing, too!).
*I learned some things about the Church and gospel that I didn't know before. I won't tell you what they were, though--you have to read the book yourself!

Frowns
*The last quarter felt a little disjointed to me, bouncing from topic to topic and reading more like a sermon than a story line (I guess his preaching days haven't fully left him, lol). I would've liked it organized differently.

If you enjoy a fresh and funny story about a real person and their spiritual journey, I recommend you read this book!

For Keshia: My Latest Articles

Keshia, you asked that I share the articles I write, so here are the ones that have been published since my original blog post. I am now a regular contributor to these three sites: Skirt Collective, a liberal feminist site (though that one unfortunately has stopped paying); Well Cultured, a men's online magazine; and Baby Gaga, a pregnancy and baby site. Enjoy reading them and thank you for caring!

5 Myths About Female Modesty (this one got a TON of exposure!)

How Not to Teach Modesty to Young Women (my LDS version of the previous article)

How Lammily and Others Are Breaking the Period Taboo

When You Should Act Like a Gentleman

Belts: The One Accessory Every Guy Should Have and How to Wear It

Words You Don't Want to Get Wrong at Work

Messenger Bag or Briefcase?

7 Bodily Fluids You Deal With During Pregnancy