Soon after we moved to Chandler, Arizona, I began working for a bookstore located within a 5 minute drive from our apartment.
A great job, where I work with the nicest of people.
They actually reward us for reading!
Deseret Book is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. (More commonly known as The Mormons)
As part of my work, they encourage us to read the newest publications coming hot off the press.
I was especially happy to unpack boxes of Heaven Is Here to be prominently displayed at the front of the store.
I first became aware of Stephanie through reading her blog Nie Nie's Dialogues.
As many of you know, Stephanie and her husband Christian survived a near-fatal plane crash in 2008, where Stephanie was burned over 80% of her body.
Heaven Is Here, an Incredible Story of Hope, Triumph, and Everyday Joy by Stephanie Nielson.
The story begins with the day of the crash, and follows every emotion and detail, mostly through her first year of survival.
Some things came close to home. The Nielsons were raising their family in Mesa (right next to Chandler) at the time of the accident. Recovery is taking place along the Wasatch front, in Utah (where we raised our family).
Reading of her intense desire to be a mother brought back many of the same feelings I experienced when I was her age.
We share the same faith.
Stephanie put on a happy face for Oprah, and the many interviews she has given in the last 3 years.
Stephanie put on a happy face for Oprah, and the many interviews she has given in the last 3 years.
Because she was given a chance to live, she feels a responsibility to give Hope to others who are suffering.
But, in the book she can share more of the raw feelings of continual devastation and pain.
I appreciated her honesty.
Stephanie has been blessed with the love and support of a great family.
They ALL provide great inspiration in finding HOPE, TRIUMPH, and EVERYDAY JOY.
After finishing her book, I felt a vast amount of appreciation for being able to make my grandchildren a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or to take a walk around the block.
Appreciation for the every day tasks of life.
After finishing her book, I felt a vast amount of appreciation for being able to make my grandchildren a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or to take a walk around the block.
Appreciation for the every day tasks of life.
If you would like a copy of Heaven Is Here, and do not live near a Deseret Book, you can order on line HERE at deseretbook. com
7 comments:
it sounds very interesting -I have seen an interview she gave. It makes you appreciate life doesn't it.
Karen
I used to follow her blog. Has she had her baby yet? I think it is amazing that she is able to go through a pregnancy when her body is in pain.....She is an inspiration for everyone! I will read her book.
What an amazing/inspiring couple they are!!! Thanks for letting us know about the book!!
The Nielsen's named their new baby Charlotte but are calling her Lottie which is so cute. How come we never thought of that nickname for OUR Charlotte? LOL!
Oh....I must run out and pick up a copy!... Thanks for reminding me friend:)
Thanks for the review Nedra, I've read bits of her blog over the years. This looks like a great read.
I just finished an amazing book called, Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust . Wow, what an eye opener. Certainly worth reading.
his is truly a great story of how a woman surviving an accident that burned 80% of her body, destroyed her facial features and affected her life resurrects her life. There's no whining here...whoever wrote the one star review must have a most peculiar definition of "whining". There is continual references to her Mormon faith, but she makes no doctrinal statements that would separate her basic faith from Baptists, Calivinists, or any other Christian faith.
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