Seek happiness in a relationship with God Apply his teachings to address challenges Learn of him through whimsical adventure
Etched Book 1:
Ava's Battle
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and direct from publisher
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“It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ's Atonement shines.” - Jefferey R. Holland
Projects
Mothergoose 911 Parenting advice column
Advice to struggling parents drawn from years of clinical experience raising seven children (none of them died!), a bright future of grandchildren and twenty-one years of childcare presented in a series of bite-sized essays, tools for parents to draw from in addressing the needs of their own families.
Etched book series
Ancient prophets are real people. Their teachings, applied to challenges of today strengthen individuals and families and give purpose and meaning to life. The Etched series combats fluff culture which leaves young people to grapple with despondency and an unshakeable sense of longing. Etched explores the influence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in healing emptiness and pervasive discontent.
Approaches to discussing God with your children
When your grandson says, "Grandma, why do you always talk about Jesus?" that is a win! Because Jesus is EVERYTHING! Because aligning your life with the Savior brings peace, helps children make better choices, and combats depression and anxiety. Suggestions about how to turn everyday conversation into teaching moments.
Features
Links to purchase
Etched: Ava's Battle
Etched Book 1: Ava’s Battle begins the adventures of showing that prophets are real and application of their teachings can truly call down miracles, right now, today.
See the world through the eyes of a girl immersed in teachings of Jesus Christ since birth and yet living among examples far from what she learns at home. Angry and frustrated with the confines of her parents’ faith, Ava Pemberton wishes for an out. The escape she finds would never have graced her imagination. Magically connected “online” with a mysterious confidant, Ava argues her desires with his experience and comes up changed.
Listen to a young girl teaching someone oblivious to car accidents, missiles that can destroy a nation, and how even having Jesus Christ living amongst them did not turn many hearts. Let the acrid waft of smoke and sulfur stroke your senses while a man, barely surviving on a stream of light and drips of water, testifies of the truths Ava is struggling to break free from. Touch the rough walls of a cave and hear a message that could change you. Just taste how prayer softens and heals!
Ideas on how to communicate with your children about God:
referencing ideas from Come, Follow Me Appendix and my own experiences
Revisit Parenting 911 Column
Walk-down-memory-lane articles from the 1900s! See what has changed in parenting philosophy and what has not
Articles and links:
I Got a Fish Hook in my Nose - INTRODUCTORY ARTICLE
Real or Counterfeit - Plug nickels & Gumballs
Listen With Your Eyes
Truth
Rake in the House? Nifty Tricks!
Picking out the raisins or Life's a Dance
On Night Waking
Idea 1: Speak up! In normal and natural conversation, just tell your kids about moments when you recognize God in your life — Vocalize your gratitude and enthusiasm for His hand and share it with your children. I’ve done this with my kids for years. One awesome payback is when my son or daughter calls and tells me about an experience they just had with the Savior in their life! Example: One morning, I was in pain from some recent injuries and feeling pretty low. Out of the blue, a sister in Nigeria messaged me, “God bless you and increase your strength.” She had no idea I needed to hear that — but God did. He saw me and sent comfort through someone else. I’ll be sharing that with my kids today.
Idea 2: Ask them how they feel about... "Hey Josh, I was just wondering how you felt when you were looking at the speaker talk about ..." Sometimes children don't want to share their feelings and that's okay. But we shouldn't decide for them. Give them a chance to share how they are feeling. Sometimes they might describe their feelings with overused terms like, "I'm OK," or "fine," or "I'm happy." Don't be afraid to fish for a little more. You might say something like, "Tell me more about that happy feeling." or "What makes your day fine?" or "What could I do to make your day even more than OK?" or "Can you think of any other words to describe your feelings?" Ask follow-up questions, like, "What happened next?" or "What did you wish you had done?" Look them in the eyes as they speak so they know their thoughts are important to you. Encourage conversation whenever you feel moved to do so. Don't let the adversary convince you that your children don't want to share their lives with you. Invite them! You may be surprised.
Clean Author's Club
Authors I've read or have been recommended to me by trusted readers, with no offensive language or "mature" material, including a brief description of my reading experience
Disclaimer: Some authors change their style over time. If I have missed a later publication, for example, that doesn't fit the Clean Authors expectation, PLEASE notify me at Wholesomebooks.n.entertainment@gmail.com
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Heather Quass - Blood of the Earth, Tears of a King, Teddy Bear Knight series
Adventure/Fantasy explores relationships and morality in a world where magic is feared and religion is being discovered. Some death and violence in the course of the conflict. Click here for Heather Quass & MythicQuill Publishing
Cynthia Terry - Watching You series
Soft suspense addressing current issues of human trafficking and the emotional after effects of abuse. Click HERE for Watching You
Taylor Quass - Lost in Creation series
Fantastic Fantasy, new world evolving, some violence. Click HERE for Taylor Quass on MythicQuill Publishing
Traci Hunter Abramson - Royal Heir
Every book I've read by Traci Hunter Abramson has been suspenseful, action packed, believable and interesting to the adult reader. I never have to worry about content and am always eager to get back to reading her.
Stephanie Black - Bound in Shallows
Intense and spell-binding. A little more death than I like but I'll give her another try. Starting a new book by Stephanie soon.
Darryl Harris - Light & Truth
Well researched and true life interest generating historical fiction with excerpts from Wilford Woodruff's missionary journals. Could have been condensed somewhat but I truly enjoyed learning from real history in story form
Jason L. Jones - One Day a Year
Pioneer time travel adventure novel where a teenager in the present visits Salt Lake City in the 1850s once a year on Pioneer Day and falls in love with Brigham Young's daughter.
Link to book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3HXclDL
Website: jlamontjones.com
Follow my countdown to Pioneer Day on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JLamontJones/shorts or Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlamontjones/
Joseph Smith Skeen - Affirmation
Artifacts and information about the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
https://www.ssstechnologies.net/smithfamilyartifacts/
(other books: Testimony, Today's Thought)
Pamela Griffin & Tamela Hancock - One Christmas Angel
Two whimsical, heart wrenching and soul warming romances that emphasize the joy of service at Christmastime.
Dean Hughes - One Last Joyride
Crossing generational barriers, great Uncle and Nephew find commonalities among their differences. Shared and discovered values waken hearts that were sleeping. I would love to read more like this one!
JK Rowling - Harry Potter the Tales of Beedle the Bard
Clean and imaginative but a little more juvenile than her previous works and not at all uplifting in spite of stating several "morals." I didn't even finish it. Others might enjoy it more.
R.J. Palacio - White Bird graphic novel
Difficult content yet important to learn and remember. Powerful renditioning of an unspeakable time in history yet filled with friendship and hope. An unforgettable message, once it distills upon your understanding.
Sarah M. Eden - For Elise
An exploration into the depths of pain and forgiveness, letting go of hurt and how love heals.
Esther Hatch - A Proper Scoundrel *
The power of withholding judgment and seeking for truth. Seeing the good in people. A favorite of mine. I'm keeping this one.
* On My Favorites list
Trudy J. Peck
