Saturday, February 28, 2009

BOOK REVIEW The Great and the Terrible

I love to read and my favorite thing to read is LDS Fiction. I usually don't review the books I read, it reminds me too much of the much hated grade school book reports, but I have decided to try and do a few more.
My favorite book store is Deseret Book. There is one one the west side of the valley, closer to us and they price match Seagulls Prices.
The book I decided to review today is actually a series of 6 books. The 1st 3 I read a few years ago, so I am going to borrow the summery from http://www.deseretbook.com/ for them.
As Peter read the charges against Lucifer, the enormous chamber remained deadly still. Everyone knew what the charges would be, for there were no more secrets among the children of God, and the evidence was damning, entirely whole, and complete.
Satan was indeed in open rebellion. He was seeking not only to destroy the souls of all who would follow, but to bring down and destroy the society of the Father, to take His kingdom and power and glory and claim it all for his own.
And because it was evident, and because he no longer denied it, there was no doubt of the outcome of the Council of God.
Lucifer had to be defeated, his rebellion disbanded or crushed. He could not he reasoned with. There was no common ground. His followers had to give up their sedition and quit converting God's children to their dark paths or be cast out and expelled from the presence of God.
Ammon shivered as he listened to the words Jehovah read. Damned for eternity. Denied their second estate. Cast out, never to be with the Father again.
And so it was that the battle with Satan began.
This volume is a little bizarre, but if you decide to read the series, it is necessary, to define the characters in the rest of the books.
"Destroy an entire nation!" protested the American. "How would you suggest we manipulate the political consequences of that?"
"We won't destroy them," replied the Saudi prince. "We will move them. There is an enormous difference, my friend."
"But they will not be moved"

"That is their choice. If they stay, they will die, but I cannot choose for them. We can't make them be reasonable, though Allah knows we have tried."

The war that began before we entered mortality is escalating into the final battle for freedom, liberty and the hearts and souls of all men. Into this world filled with turmoil, our Father will send some of his most valiant servants. A child is born who may have the power to change the course of history. But will Elizabeth remember the covenants she made in the pre-mortal world? Will she and her brothers have the strength to withstand the terrible forces of evil that will reign in the Last Days? Against the backdrop of Middle Eastern conflict, this story of war and intrigue will have you riveted.
"The old king struggled, lifting his hand again. The prince smiled at the motion and placed his mouth to the old man's ear, feeling the heat of his skin on his lips. As he spoke his voice changed, as if another man were there. "It has started, my father," he whispered in a soft, evil hiss. "There is no turning back. You might as well lift your hand to stop the sunrise as to bring an end to this plan. Like your own death, it is inevitable. A new day is dawning, a day of secret alliances and powerful men, an age of dark miracles, dreadful rumors and a red, sinking moon, a day of a bright flash on the horizon that does not come from the sun. It will be an age of power and oppression far greater than has ever fallen on the earth. Even as I whisper to you, Father, even as my breath touches your ears, the great battle has started. The sun is setting on the frail world you have known. It is passing, and with its passing, the greater kingdom shall come." A world poised at the brink of a disastrous war is unaware of the evil forces that will stop at nothing to achieve their aims. But in the midst of turmoil and impending doom, some of the Father's most valiant servants are in place-sons and daughters who may have the power to change the course of history. The third volume in The Great and Terrible series, The Second Sun, is a fast-paced, thrilling, action-packed story of war and intrigue by nationally bestselling author Chris Stewart.
The world waits in suspense as America struggles to survive following the attack on Washington, D.C., but who remains to run the government? Who will make the world-changing decisions that must be made? As King Abdullah prepares for the final attack that will bring America to its knees, the characters are trapped in a desperate fight for their lives. Sara Brighton and her sons, Luke and Ammon, head west in a doomed attempt to reach Salt Lake City. Sam returns to the States in anticipation of a U. S. retaliatory strike, but finds his home abandoned, with no trace of his family there. In Chicago, Azadeh Pahlavi meets her adopted mother and little sister, who are enmeshed in their own crisis with life-or-death consequences. The end is near now.
"What happens when the world goes dark?
The battle of good against evil intensifies in the darkness of an EMP-devastated America. The electromagnetic pulses that wiped out the country's entire electrical grid have reduced people to an almost animal existence. While those with good hearts pull together to help each other, those inclined to evil find free reign for the rage that Satan and his minions are stirring up in their hearts.
For Sara Brighton, the time is fast approaching when she must face the frightening realities her husband, Neil, warned her about before his death. Sam's problem is more immediate: How can he get his family to a safe place? Bono is still trying to get to his family, and Azadeh is struggling to find her role in the family that has reached out to welcome her in. Meanwhile, the followers of Satan plot to take over the government of the United States and remake it to fulfill their own greed and lust for power.
The situation for all of these people is desperate, but even in a world gone mad, there are moments of hope, the possibility of miracles, and help from the other side of the veil. Discover the truth: The last days are terrible, but they are also great. Don't miss the next gripping volume in this landmark series!
What readers are saying about The Great and Terrible:
"It isn't often that a book — let alone a series comes along that has the power to move, inspire, and thrill in a page-turning adventure that leaves the reader wishing the story wouldn't end. Yet, this is precisely what Chris Stewart achieves."
"To have my fascination for military techno-thrillers reinforced with the real-life practice of my religion is a literary dream come true!"
"Chris Stewart is brilliant in providing us with a realistic story that makes us think about our own preparedness, both temporal and spiritual. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book."

THE EXCITING CONCLUSION TO THE EPIC LAST DAYS SERIES
"We have this one chance," Brucius told Sam. "If you can get him, if you can locate and extricate King Abdullah, then we can punish him. Justice will be served. We could stop the final world war. Find him, we'll try him and hang him. Don't, and we'll have to retaliate."
The United States, stunned by the nuclear detonation in Washington, D.C., and further crippled by the EMP attack on the whole country, is on the brink of destruction. The unscrupulous leaders who have banded together to toss out the Constitution and divide the ruling of the world between themselves have all but achieved their objective.
But they haven't factored in one thing. They haven't considered the chance, however slight, that good people remain who will continue standing up for what they believe in. A daring plot to reinstate Brucius Marino to his rightful position as president of the United States, with an even more audacious plan to bring King Abdullah to justice--everything hinges on the courage and skill of Sara and Sam Brighton and their friends. The thrilling conclusion to The Great and Terrible series will keep you riveted to the very end!

This series is published by Deseret Book. It is a techno thriller that is not all that far fetched. It was almost frightening in the fact that it could easily happen in today's world. Some things I have thought about after reading volumes 4 & 5 especially. We need to be aware of world events, as well as what is happening in our own country. We also need to make sure we have our food & water storage up to date, as well as matches and candles, wood to burn for heat and cooking, plenty of the medications we need to take daily.
I highly recommend this series. It is nothing like other last days series' out there. It is entertaining, suspenseful, and thought provoking.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Dear Leader is concerned about the Economy and other Fables

Dear Leader was in Phoenix Wednesday to try and sell us on how wonderful the Economic stimulus package is and how much it will benefit us.

I have some serious doubts that the 700 billion dollars will be used for anything that will benefit me, or anyone I know.

It would be better used to split it between registered voters. I choose registered voters as the group, because that guarantees the people getting the money are legal US citizens, perhaps a prevision can be added to allow for legal aliens, people who came in with Visas and are legally working.

Some of the money each voter receives would need to be earmarked for their favorite cause or causes, such as schools, continued therapy programs for disabled children etc.

One place the money shouldn't go is to bailout big businesses, they have already proven they are no good with money, if they were they wouldn't need to be bailed out.

Its not really surprising to me that Dear Leader would want to help other wealthy people by giving them more money to squander. Look at his choice in accommodations while he was here.

Every President since Calvin Coolidge has stayed at the Biltmore, current price for the Presidential Suite $1600 per night. Dear Leader chose to stay at a resort in Paradise Valley at $4000 a night. In the tough economic times we live in why spend that much tax payer money?

Motel 6 is only $49 a night $55 if he brought his family. OK, so I don't really expect any President to stay at Motel 6, but I would hope for some fiscal responsibility on the part of the president that professes to be concerned about the economy and the American tax payer, who is struggling.
Validation -- a Fable About the Magic of Free Parking

This short film, written and directed by Kurt Kuenne and starring T.J. Thyne and Vicki Davis, has won a variety of awards including Best Narrative Short at the Cleveland International Film Festival and the Audience Award at the Hawaii International Film Festival. It’s guaranteed to give you a smile.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

PROPOSED RESOLUTION TO REPEAL THE 22nd AMENDMENT

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was President from 1933-1945. He was elected 4 times. In 1947 the 22nd Amendment was enacted, and was ratified by the required number of states by 1951. This was at least in part to ensure there would never be a dictatorship in the White House.

Section 1. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.

Several times in the last 50+ years congress has tried to repeal the 22nd Amendment. The most recent try was introduced on Jan 6, 2009. It is a frightening thought that if this were to pass and be ratified by the states we could have potentially more than 8 years of the current administration.

This version: Introduced in House. This is the original text of the bill as it was written by its sponsor and submitted to the House for consideration. This is the latest version of the bill available on this website.

HJ 5 IH

111th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. J. RES. 5

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the twenty-second article of amendment, thereby removing the limitation on the number of terms an individual may serve as President.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 6, 2009

Mr. SERRANO introduced the following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

JOINT RESOLUTION

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the twenty-second article of amendment, thereby removing the limitation on the number of terms an individual may serve as President.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years after the date of its submission for ratification.
We need to fight this, no President should be allowed to serve more than 8 years, some shouldn't be given that long.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Happy Valentine's Day


Friday, February 13, 2009

ITS REALLY COLD

It has been really cold here off and on this winter. We have had some nice warm temperatures, but right now its cold when it should be warming up.
I know its not nearly as cold here as it is in a lot of other places, and people who live in those areas can point and laugh when it is 118 in July and you are cooler.
I left the house to go to work at about 5:45 AM and found ice on the windshield, this is lighter than it was, I ran the wipers for a couple of minutes, before I took the picture, and yes that is ice, not dirt. Fortunately I didn't have to break out the credit card to scrape it. heat worked just fine.

As I was driving to work I looked down at the thermostat and saw this:
I will be glad when its a few degrees warmer in the Morning, but in July I will look back at these cold days and wonder why I was in such a hurry to see them go.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

FAMILY DAY

Today was a full day of family activities.

JARED'S MISSION FAREWELL
We started out in North Phoenix at Doug & Staci's Ward for Jared's Mission Farewell.

It was a good meeting that included a musical number by Lori, Doug, Staci, Sandra, Jared & Rebecca and a talk by Jared. He will leave later this month for Brazil.

FAMILY LUNCHEON

After the meeting we had a luncheon at Aunt Karen's.

We had a good lunch of Shredded Chicken & Sloppy Joe's, Pasta Salad, Chips, Veggies. We ate and, of course, chatted.

Danny demonstrated his new Wheelchair.
Lyndi showed us how close she is getting to walking, and how brave she was to let Cousin Erik hold her.

FAMILY BIRTHDAY PARTY
We had 8 birthday's to celebrate this afternoon. Danny, Tom, Cindy, Cara, AJ, Amanda, Kari & Jayden. That makes a lot of candle blowing and a lot of smoke.

Danny, 2 years old

Jayden, 4 years old

Amanda, 13 years old

AJ, 17 years old

Kari. 19 years old

Cara, 22 years old

Tom, 50 years old

Cindy, -- years old


MORE FAMILY

After the party we headed out to Tom's house for a short visit.


and were able to enjoy a hail storm complete with Thunder


It was a fun day full of family activities

Click on the title for more pictures from our family day.

Easy Pasta Salad


16 oz pasta (We use Gluten Free Rice Noodles)

16 oz Italian Dressing

2 Cucumbers, chopped

6 Tomatoes, chopped

1 bunch Green Onions. chopped

4 oz Parmesan Cheese, grated

1 TBSP Italian Seasoning


Boil Pasta 8-12 Minutes.

In a large bowl toss cooked pasta with the Italian Dressing, cucumbers, tomatoes & onions.

In a small bowl, mix Parmesan Cheese & Italian Seasoning. Gently mix into the salad,

Cover Refrigerate.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

GLUTEN FREE MEAT AND VEGGIE LASAGNA

I went online to look for a recipe for this and there were none, apparently if you want veggie lasagna you can't have meat too, so I made it up as I went along.

INGREDIENTS

2 LBS Ground beef
large bottle Marinara sauce (if you are making the Gluten Free kind, read the ingredients list, not all Marinara is GF)
2 cans diced or stewed Tomatoes
1 bag of shredded carrots
1 bag spinach
Eggplant, sliced thin
zucchini, grated
broccoli
Mozzarella cheese
Lasagna Noodles (we use GF rice noodles)
Fry:
Ground Beef, add Marinara, tomatoes, carrots & Zucchini. Simmer.
In a large pan, layer :
meat, uncooked noodles, meat, cheese, Spinach, small amount of sauce& Cheese, Eggplant slices, meat cheese, broccoli, meat cheese, repeat until the pan is filled.

Cover in Foil, bake at 375 for 45 minutes, uncover cook another 15 minutes to brown.

Monday, February 2, 2009

40th Flavor at Baskin Robbins

This one is politically incorrect . .

So I knew you would like it! Baskin Robbins is introducing a new ice cream in honor of the inauguration, " Barocky Road ". It's half vanilla, half chocolate, surrounded by fruits and nuts! AMEN

Sunday, February 1, 2009

  • QUIT THE CHURCH
    In a local newspaper in Provo , Utah , there had been an ongoing series of articles written by individuals who wanted to persuade LDS Church members to leave the Church. In response to the highly critical and spirited remarks, a local member wrote this rebuttal:

    Editor:
    I have been thinking of quitting the Mormon Church. Yes, if I can, I am going to get even with that church. As soon as I can find another church that teaches about the Gathering of the House of Israel; the return of the Ten Tribes and their mission; the return of the Jews to Palestine and why, and how they are going to build the temple; the building of temples and what to do with them; the mission of Elias, the prophet, as predicted by Malachi; the method for the salvation of the people that died at the time of Noah in the flood; the origin of the American Indian;
    the complete explanation of why Jesus of Nazareth had to have a mortal mother but not a mortal father; the explanation of the three degrees of glory (three heavens) as mentioned by Paul; the complete explanation of why Elias and Moses did not die but had to be translated (since they both lived before the resurrection was introduced by Christ); the restoration of the gospel by modern revelation as promised by Peter and Paul and Jesus himself; the belief in eternal marriage and the family, and the
    knowledge and the place to seal for eternity; that teaches abstinence from all harmful drugs and foods; and that sells the best fire insurance policy on earth, for the last days, for only a 10th of my income.

    Yes sir, as soon as I can find another church that teaches all that,
    or even half as much, I will say good-bye to this Mormon Church. The church that I am looking for must also be able to motivate 50,000+ youth, and adults, for the first, second or third time, to leave their homes for two years at their own expense and go to far-away places to teach and preach without salary. It must be able to call, on a frosty day, some 5 or 6 thousand professors, students, lawyers, doctors, judges, policemen, businessmen, housewives and children to go and pick apples at 6 a.m. It must be able to call meetings and get the attention for two hours of more than 150,000 men. Yes, it must also teach and show why salvation is assured for children who die before eight years of age.

    Mr. Editor, could you help me find a church that teaches all that and more than hundreds of other doctrines and principles, which I have no room to mention here, and which brings solace and comfort to the soul;
    peace, hope, and salvation to mankind, and above all, that answers the key questions that all the great philosophers have asked; questions and answers that explain the meaning of life, the purpose of death, suffering and pain; the absolute need for a Redeemer and the marvelous plan conceived and executed by Jesus Christ the Savior? Yes, as soon as I find another church that teaches that, and also that has the organization and the powers to make that teaching effective, I am going to quit the Mormon Church. For I should not tolerate that "they" should change a few words in the Book of Mormon---even if those changes simply improve the grammar and the syntax of the verses---for, after all, don't you think the Divine Church should employ angels as bookmakers, and clerks, to do all the chores on earth? Don't you think, Mr. Editor, that the Divine Church should also have prophets that don't get sick and don't get old and die, and certainly, that don't make a goof here and there. No, sir! A Divine Church should be so divine that only perfect people should belong to it, and only perfect people should run it. As a matter of fact, the Church should be so perfect that it should not even be here on earth!

    So, I repeat, if any one of the kind readers of this imperfect letter knows about another church that teaches and does as much for mankind as the Mormon Church, please let me know. And please do it soon, because my turn to go to the cannery is coming up. Also, "they" want my last son (the fifth one) to go away for two years and again, I have to pay for all that. And I also know that they expect me to go to the farm to prune trees, and I have heard that our ward is going to be divided again, and it is our side that must build the new chapel. And also, someone the other day had the gall of suggesting that my wife and I get ready to go on a second mission, and when you come back, they said, you can volunteer as a temple worker.

    Boy, these Mormons don't leave you alone for a minute. And what do I get for all that, I asked? "Well," they said, "for one, you can look forward to a funeral service at no charge!"... Do you think you can help me to find another church?
    Thomas D. Clark