Books I read in 2019

  1. Jeremy Poldark by Winston Graham (PBS followed this really closely.)
  2. Edenbrook by Julianne Donaldson (fluff)
  3. Refugee by Alan Gratz (Very good.)
  4. The Crossover by Kwame Alexander (Wow. Great book.)
  5. Growing Up by Russell Baker (excellent)
  6. Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann (a page-turner)
  7. Gmorning, Gnight: Little Pep Talks for Me and You by Lin Manuel-Miranda (A kind reminder that positive, online written words matter to people.)
  8. All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
  9. Life Below Stairs: True Lives of Edwardian Servants by Alison Maloney (This was mostly familiar because I watched Downton Abbey!)
  10. Back When We Were Grownups by Anne Tyler (About as real a telling of midlife and large family dynamics as could be.)
  11. Bread of Angels by Tessa Afshar (I read this for book club. Easy read. Lots of Evangelical Christian vernacular.)
  12. Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly (I read it breathlessly and quickly, since I could not put it down.)
  13. The Book of Mormon (focus: how to declare the word of God)
  14. A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (I loved it because I love philosophy, natural history, astronomy, Russian literature, Casablanca, Mozart, Chopin, and Rachmaninoff)
  15. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King (His foul language crossed a line with me. This came highly recommended. I can recommend my personal copy, covered in correction tape.)
  16. Founding Brothers by Joseph Ellis (Masterful writing.)
  17. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (pretty good)
  18. Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy by David D. Burns, M.D. (I skipped the reference chapters about medications. This book was recommended by a friend to help identify distorted or unreasonable thinking. It was entertaining and informative.)
  19. The Witness of Women: Firsthand Experiences and Testimonies from the Restoration, edited by Janiece Johnson and Jennifer Reeder (I struggled to stay interested for many reasons. It would probably work better as a reference book, as it’s organized by topic.)
  20. Grandma Gatewood’s Walk by Ben Montgomery (The woman is inspiring. The book was ok.)
  21. The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter by Margareta Magnusson (My Swedish great-grandmother left behind only a few boxes of special things and minimal belongings to sort. My grandmother praised her name for it. This book was just ok, but the concept is awesome.)
  22. Once More We Saw Stars by Jayson Greene (Raw and honest memoir of grief, but with hope. The writing is very good. The mystic and spiritualist journey he chose made me uncomfortable at times.)
  23. Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown (Some good stuff here about the need to mourn and rejoice with people of every background and idea. The paradox is that when we divide into like-minded groups we feel less connection than if we build respectful bonds with people with whom we differ. The wilderness is where we step away from cliques and political parties and experience humanity. It’s being brave enough to respectfully stand up for beliefs without tearing down others.)
  24. Beloved Bridegroom by Donna B Nielsen (I read this little book every few years to remind me that interpreting the Bible is not like solving an equation but interpreting rich literature.)
  25. A Midwife’s Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard Based on Her Diary 1785-1812 by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich (An important book for me to read at this moment. I have had a profound experience reading it. I chronicle my life, too, you know.)
  26. Still that Summer Girl by Elaine Wright Christensen (I love this poetry and I love the poet, my neighbor and friend.)
  27. All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience by Neal A. Maxwell
  28. The Book of Mormon (focus: what influences righteous behavior and God’s accompanying grace)
  29. A Year with C.S. Lewis: Daily Readings from His Classic Works
  30. The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
  31. Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker, PhD (Highly recommended. I loved the research and the defense of sleep, including naps. We should honor our need for sleep. It affects everything.)
  32. And there was Light by Jacques Lusseyran (Beautifully written, deep truths.)
  33. The Majesty of Calmness by William George Jordan
  34. The New Testament

I keep track of books so I am accountable to finish what I begin. It was a funny reading year, an in-or-completely-out-of-it kind of year. Some of these books will remain with me forever. Others I have forgotten already.

I am still in the middle of two books, and have been since about, um, summer: Middlemarch by George Eliot and Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott.

My favorites are in bold. I didn’t put books of scripture in bold, but trust me, I love these, too. 😉

Biggest Week So Far

Paige and Michael were married on December 27 in the Salt Lake Temple. Photo by Rachel Angela Photography

Richard and I came away from Paige’s wedding day without a single picture, which tells you what a great time we had. We will post more another day. These are snapshots from family and friends who have taken the time to share with us. Thank you!

Leading up to the wedding, we had a big week, including Timothy’s 17th birthday and Christmas, and a hundred other interactions and lots of music. We saw Star Wars and decorated candy houses, turned in two Eagle Scout applications, and finalized special gifts. I am very happy.

Timothy’s birthday included two trips to Star Wars and gingerbread houses.
My favorite photo from the Sanchez family Christmas pageant
Christmas Day conversation
photo by Rachel Angela Photography

Joy, December 24

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11-12

A pastor wrote a blog post a few years ago about Linus and his recitation of Luke 2, and how he drops his security blanket when he says, “Fear not.” It’s worth Googling if you haven’t read it.

I have always lived with fear. During a few times in my life, such as when I began junior high school and when we moved to Utah, my fears grew to crushing anxiety. I know how fear works. It feeds on the idea that we are alone and without help. But this is the biggest lie. The message of the angel is that the Savior’s help is for all people, everywhere, anytime, for anything. Fear not, he is here, you can go to him. This is joy. This is what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Joy, December 23

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

Isaiah 61:1-3

I like to visualize Jesus of Nazareth reading this passage in the synagogue at the beginning of his ministry. That the prescribed reading for the day just happened to be these words in Isaiah gives new meaning to the foresight of God. This year I have reflected how Jesus came to know who he was. It must have been a stunning moment when all things came together in his mind. Did it take courage to tell others that he was the Messiah? Oh, I think so.

I feel the Savior’s courage and love in these words, and in my experiences as he exchanges mourning for the oil of joy.

Joy, December 22

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Luke 15:15

This is a reminder that the person down the street who messed up his life is worth enough that heaven would rejoice in his repentance. The person reading this message who is struggling is worth enough that heavenly beings would take time to celebrate a change for the better. This is a reminder that we are all sinners, and worthy of joy in heaven as we come unto Christ.

Joy, December 21

And the Lord provided for them that they should hunger not, neither should they thirst; yea, and he also gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ. Now this was according to the prayer of Alma; and this because he prayed in faith.

Alma 31:38

Thinking of our son today…and every day, hoping that his difficulties are covered by the joy of his message.

Joy, December 20

“…O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men.” And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ who should come…

Mosiah 4:3-4

When I was very young, I remember putting this exact scripture to the test. I had done something wrong and I had confessed and tried to make things right. Then I prayed in my room and asked if I might feel this kind of joy, too. And I did.

I didn’t understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ very well back then, but I surely felt its effects. I think we’re all immature in our understanding of the Atonement of Christ, but we aren’t asked to comprehend it, but to have faith in it. This is the path to joy.

Happy 17th to our awesome Timothy!

Joy, December 18

And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth! Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people. And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me.

D&C 18:13-16

I am not aware of a single person who has come unto God because of something I taught. But I like this scripture passage because it reminds me it’s not about the tally. It’s about the value God places on each child. When we are talking about souls, we are talking about infinitely valuable children of God. There is no adding infinity plus infinity. So one soul or a hundred souls, it’s still infinitely valuable work.

I like to picture what the joy of our Father in Heaven looks like because one of his children chose to come to Him. It might look a little like those parents at the airport welcoming their children home from missions. I weep when I see that kind of joy. I believe our abundant and generous Heavenly Father’s joy is contagious. It will be a joyful, joyful reunion someday.

Joy, December 17

And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb; and whoso shall publish peace, yea, tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be.

1 Nephi 13:37

One day on Instagram, I decided to “follow” each living Apostle. What a satisfying exercise! President Russell M Nelson: Follow; President Dallin H. Oaks: Follow….Elder Jeffrey R Holland: Follow…

In a world full of people publishing things, I have learned that reading blogs, social media, commentaries, and listening to podcasts are of much less value than studying the gospel of peace from the scriptures and living prophets. The words of the prophets have sometimes been hard for me to take, but as I follow their direction, I have found joy where I didn’t expect it. I have learned that I can’t always trust my feelings or first thoughts about what they teach, but I have come to know that I can trust that God works through them.