THEN…he met Jesus Christ and everything changed.

I just bought this book at a major retailer because I had to have a copy. My 17 year-old son had seen an interview with Mosab on the Fox news channel. He casually said, “I’d like to read that book.” I don’t know about you, but when my teen-age boys want to read a non-fiction book about pretty much anything edifying, I’ll  pay full price for the hard back just to get it into their hands! I negotiated a price and coupon by phone and 20 dollars later, he was stuck in this book.

I became curious and opened the first chapter. It grabbed me. This story is written in such a way that it propels you to the next and next and next page. Sort of like a real-life spy novel…not slow and not too wordy.

Another feature I’m enjoying is learning THE BOTTOM LINE of what the heck has been and is going on over there in the Middle East after hearing about all the chaos, violence and confusion for my entire life on the news and then hearing everyone else interpret the news.

At last a front-row seat while hearing a history lesson, not from a boring lecturer but watching the technicolor 3-D version on the big screen!

By now you can probably pick up a used copy online, but if not, it’s worth every dollar. Men and Women and mature teens would give this a thumbs up. It’s available on Kindle and Father’s Day is just around the corner…

Anyhoo…I was terribly curious to know more about Lynn because if Sarah chose her to handle such a huge writing responsibility – and such a personal trust – I’m thinking Lynn has to be a very gifted and exceptional lady.

The first thing I did was order Lynn’s best selling Same Kind of Different As Me (Thomas Nelson, 2006). It’s a true, particularly moving story that I couldn’t put down and highly recommend. Seriously.

Well I heard Sarah’s book was originally slated for release in spring of 2010 – but Sarah can’t be stopped and she knew better – it had to be NOW!

I was about to write Costco and chastise them for not touting the book in their monthly mag in October or November. The WWW (whole wide world) knew it was about to be delivered, pre-sales were going crazy and I kept wondering, “are they ‘politely’ ignoring all the buzz?” I was getting ticked.

They had space to give Albert ‘Gory’ Gore the flashy cover story but no room inside for Sarah Palin, the one who has left Gore waaaayyy back there in the dust somewhere with all the other paltry public figures. Go figure. (Perhaps they believe he did invent the internet…or, are they partial to his global warming theories?) I gave them the benefit of the doubt for a couple of months. (Perhaps their mag issues were put to bed months in advance and when she stepped up the publication date, she threw them? hmmm.)

At last…they made room to advertise her book in the December issue. I get goosebumps every time I check the headlines and the multitudes are lining up from sea to shining sea just to get a glimpse of this gal and grab her signature. I just love this lady.

PULEeeezzze pray for the Palins! From the media feeding frenzy over the past year or so, one can imagine the tactics abounding to try to discourage this family.

It appears that Providence has plucked her from the multitudes for such a time as this. I watched her Barbara Walters and Oprah interviews and I was so proud of her. She radiated and stood her ground so gracefully. What a woman.

Happy reading!

My husband Gregory is working his way through this ‘phonebook’ size novel.  I asked him if he liked it and he replied, “it’s history!”  He has an endless appetite for history and has read an impressive amount – there’s rarely a time when he doesn’t have a history book he’s ‘in the middle of’, next to his bed.  He is also a constant and valuable source of historical facts for all of us Miras!

Our 16 year-old son is devouring this 3rd volume in The Inheritance series (Eragon and Eldest were book 1 and 2 – all 3 are phone book thickness which hasn’t hurt sales!) by homeschooled author Christopher Paolini, who began this series when he was 15 years old.  Levi rode his bike with furious speed down to Borders to pick up a copy yesterday – the day of its release.  He’s been stuck in it ever since…

  13 year-old Seth Daniel has been enjoying this biography of C.S. Lewis, one of our family’s favorite authors.  This is one of a series of biographies about men who have had an impact on society for good, by Terry Glaspey…

Good books are good fun!

Levi sized up one of his ‘professors-with-a-liberal-agenda’ with such keen insight and attributed his sharp awareness of the classroom in part to a book he’s fallen in love with, Letters To A Young Conservative, by Dinesh D’Souza (see cover above).  He said he needs to read a chapter daily to strengthen his resolve against the sly spirit of his extremely liberal professor.   I’m thankful for such a tool for our family arsenal as we wage war in our current circumstances.  Trying to decide if we’ll drop the class and learn online or weather this quarter’s classroom storm…

…and every dollar it will cost you, even at its $59.99 retail price.  This 7-part video series chronicles the extraordinary life journey of one of the primary shapers of our independence and government, whose legacy has often been eclipsed by more flamboyant contemporaries like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and Benjamin Franklin. Set against the backdrop of a nation’s stormy birth, this sweeping miniseries is a moving love story, a gripping narrative, and a fascinating study of human nature.  Based on the Pulitzer prize winning biography by brilliant historian/writer David McCullough.

Just released for purchase this week.  What a prize for Dad on Father’s Day.  The kids will love it, too.  We were riveted.

Trust me on this one.  

(Qualifier: Some mature content – view with small children at your discretion)

Chinese Chicken Salad.  I promised you some great new recipes for health.  Throw a bag of broccoli slaw (available at any supermarket), chopped chicken breast (we used leftover grilled breasts), fresh cilantro leaves and  raw sliced almonds in a bowl.  Toss with Newman’s Own Low Fat Sesame Ginger salad dressing (improvise with another brand if you want).  Four ingredients.  The kids love it.  Daddy loves it.  Our bodies thrive on raw veggies and raw almonds – I go light on the chicken and dressing FYI.  For work:  toss everything but the dressing ahead and keep in the fridge – add the dressing at lunchtime.  Let me know how you like it! 

  Everyone in the Mira house has or will be reading this and fyi, Daddy couldn’t put it down!  (Let me know how you like it.  I’d love to hear from you!)