Book review time... & this one's NOT recommended

In my opinion: a lack of Biblical accuracy on heaven and a personal political statement

Safely Home by Randy Alcorn is a fictional novel based on old roommates going very separate ways for 20 years, until meeting up in China, one character’s home county. This story made up most of the book and is a needed reminder of the persecution Christians face all around the world, and the spiritual battle constantly going on which is so often easy to forget, especial as complacent American Christians who are not forced to stand up for their faith daily. On the other hand, there is a strong and constant charismatic feel throughout and I felt the last half of the book he was trying to throw in as many moral and human rights issues he could find with China, to make his own personal political statement through this book, not that I disagree with him, but it began to feel like personal venting in novel form. Also, throughout the book there are past family members and celestial beings looking down from “heaven”, watching, listening, and discussing things going on to their family below, then, as one characters dies he is allowed to see his living family (although they can’t see him) for his final goodbye. These concepts have always bothered me, considering they are not biblical. When depicting heaven, the author gives the sense that it’s inhabitants, and the Lord Himself are completely consumed by death of Martyrs and judgment of those persecuting them. Lots of wonderful scripture is used, however, my issue was with this being the only thing consuming those in heaven, including God Himself. Further, when the martyr dies near the end, his entrance into heaven is pictured mostly about himself. It goes on about his rewards, experiences, everyone has waited for him, and a great celebration in his honor of his perseverance on earth. I don’t believe heaven will strictly be a praise and worship service, but I don’t think it will be all about our achievements for the Kingdom either. Yes, we will be rewarded, but we will give our jewels and crowns back to the King Himself. I know this is a fictional novel, but considering the author’s best selling book is about and titled Heaven, I was surprised by the concept of heaven he portrayed. I almost want to read the other book of his, just to see what he said about heaven compared to this book. I didn't hate this book, but I didn't like it either. Thus, two stars. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers as a blogger book review and was not required to give a positive review.

If ANYONE knows anything about his book Heaven, and it's nothing like this, I'm curious, let me know!

Home, Home on the Range...

It's literally where the deer and the antelope play out here.

Life has been pretty routine, and hence the extremely long wait since my last post. Sorry about that. I hope y'all didn't give up on me!

Aaron and I have been enjoying the summer, although, not so much the extreme heat living in the desert provides. I've done all I can to stay in doors mid-day with Madison, unless we are in the pool. Aaron's mom came for a visit at the end of July so that Aaron and I could take the WFR (Wilderness First Responder) course, which as 7 days long. It was a fun class though, and we are now certified to do so much!! We are kind of like paramedics, except we do all we can without any machines (hence the wilderness part of the title) and we know a few extra fun tricks and tips above a paramedic, because being in the wilderness is considered an hour or more (as in days) away from any medical help. You can even trust us to put a traction splint on a fractured femur! (not your every day splint I must say.) Part of our final exam was putting together a search crew at night and finding our patients out on the side of the mountain, assessing and getting them all fixed up and into some sort of shelter until "medical help arrived". It made for a long night, but it was really kind of fun. Now I'm just waiting the WFR call that demands stabilizing the c-spine and evacuating... is it bad I will be a little excited if I'm ever on call for that accident?? I hope I get to ride in the helicopter...

Madison had a great time with Grandma A that week, although, all the time without us produced a clingy little girl in the end. But the hugs and love was very welcomed after so many long days. She is now 14.5 months old and doing a ton of fun things!! She loves to babble on and on in her fluent "alien" talk, and has a few more words in her vocabulary, however, almost anything that moves is still a doggie or a turtle. And no, she still isn't saying mama. Now and then I catch her making the "ma" sound slowly, so I try to encourage her by saying "mama", but she happily replies with "Dada!". I think we are getting close though... eventually I'm sure.

We've also been very excited to announce our news of Baby Anderson #2, who will be arriving around April 6th! At this point we are pretty sure we won't find out the gender until the birth. I've heard it's one of the greatest surprises life can give you, and if we can just make it, I'd love to experience it!! However, Aaron and I are really really terrible with surprises! We can't even wait a few days with a gift for the other one... the only real chance we have of waiting until the occasion is if we hold out and do our shopping last minute, but even then, there's a slim chance. I think once we are past the 20 week ultra sound, if we can make it past without finding out, then we will be alright. Just got to get there first! At this point, I'm really thinking it's a boy though. I didn't have a leaning one way or the other until our first ultra sound, and since, I've just had this feeling. I had it with Madison, and I as right, so we will see if it's really a natural built in mommy thing, but I'm skeptical of those to begin with.

So far this pregnancy I'm feeling fine. Now and then I may get an over all not feeling well moment, but part of me thinks it's all in my head, and part of me thinks that there really isn't any nausea involved in those moments, so maybe it's just a non-pregnancy related feeling. but, I'm truly hoping this pregnancy is as easy as Madison's was! Except all the hip pain... I can do without that this time.