Smart Choices

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Tomorrow’s blessings and opportunities depend on the choices we make today.

President James E. Faust

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The great thing about this life is that we're here to make our own choices. For good or bad, they're ours to make, unless we allow others to make them for us.

Elder Faust said in his talk Choices, in the April 2004 Ensign:

"In this life we have to make many choices. Some are very important choices. Some are not. Many of our choices are between good and evil. The choices we make, however, determine to a large extent our happiness or our unhappiness, because we have to live with the consequences of our choices. Making perfect choices all of the time is not possible. It just doesn’t happen. But it is possible to make good choices we can live with and grow from. When God’s children live worthy of divine guidance they can become “free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon.”

Please tell us what are your thoughts in this matter.

To see the Neighborhood News for Monday, 15 August, please click here.

We welcome your comments. Post by clicking the link below.

Baskets and Books

Welcome to the Neighborhood News

Speaking of books, one of the most important books ever published is the Book of Mormon. It has influenced millions of people and generated plenty of press.

This is the account of one person, Jacob Hamblin, in 1842, and his feelings after he read it. You can find the full account in the article A Book That Transforms Lives, written by Brent L. Top.

“The evening after the Elder had preached I went in search of him, and found him quite late at night. I told him my purpose, and requested him to give me a ‘Mormon Bible.’ He handed me the Old and New Testament.

“I said, ‘I thought you had a new Bible.’ He then explained about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, and handed me a copy of it.

“The impressions I received at the time cannot be forgotten. The spirit rested upon me and bore testimony of its truth, and I felt like opening my mouth and declaring it to be a revelation from God.

“On the 3rd of March, 1842, as soon as it was light in the morning, I started for a pool of water where I had arranged to meet with the Elder, to attend to the ordinance of baptism. On the way, the thought of the sacrifice I was making [by going against my family’s wishes] … caused my resolution to waver.

“As my pace slackened, some person appeared to come from above, who, I thought, was my grandfather. He seemed to say to me, ‘Go on, my son; your heart cannot conceive, neither has it entered into your mind to imagine the blessings that are in store for you, if you go on and continue in this work.’

“I lagged no more, but hurried to the pool, where I was baptized by Elder Lyman Stoddard” (in Stories from the Early Saints: Converted by the Book of Mormon, ed. Susan Easton Black [1992], 41–42).

Today, after 181 years, we still believe that this book was translated by the grace and power of God.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday 20 June, click here.

As always we welcome your comments, and you can comment by clicking the link below.

Have a Good Reading Time

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Ahhh summer. There's nothing like taking a short (or long) vacation, having backyard barbecues, reading a book, drinking a glass of cold, satisfying glass of lemonade, going to the pool.

Let's hit the books. To start, we have author Annette Lyon's contribution "Book of Mormon Marathon." Annette blogs at "Out of the Best Books", and her book "Band of Sisters" is out. She's telling us about this read-a-thon she and her family had over President's Day weekend, and what they learned from the experience. Have you ever had a read-a-thon with your family, or as part of  a young man/woman class? They're exciting, and thank goodness don't come around often. I remember one in our ward a few years ago. The Young Women president had planned one with the girls, but a third of the way into it they ran out of steam, so she invited members of the ward to come and join them to read to the girls. A lot of the members did go and help, which helped the girls pick up steam again, and they did finish it. Sometimes it takes more people than you think to accomplish one of these things.

Our next entry comes from Jennifer, who blogs at "Adventures in McQuill-land." Her article is entitled "Summer Reading: Encouraging a Reluctant Reader." In each family it seems there's always the one that likes to read and then there's the one that cannot be convinced to grab a book. Which one were you? Jennifer says: "Parenting a reluctant reader is particularly difficult if you, the parent, are a reader! How could my child NOT enjoy reading? What is there not to enjoy?" Then she gives us a few ideas on how to make a reluctant reader have a good experience reading.

Our last entry comes from a Random Sampler at LDS.org. Since we're dedicating some space to family reunions, we found this article with good ideas for your next family reunion planning time. I'm sure some of you have heard of some of these ideas, but overall, they're different and fun.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Wednesday, 9 June's, please click here.

Bright Ideas

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It’s Friday, and we have a bunch of good ideas to brighten the rest of your week.

To begin, we have our contributor Cami Checketts, from “Cami’s Books.” Cami is the author of “The Sister Pack”, now in bookstores. She wrote this article about reading to our kids, and made a list of suggestions on how to encourage them to read more. It’s always nice to be able to have suggestions that we can follow, especially when we’re tapped out.

The next article comes from “LaurieAnna’s Vintage Home.” What a place to visit! She always has amazing pictures to show her renovations. This time she tackled an empty hallway, and she did it all in just one day. Check out the amazing before and after pictures. Go on and get some ideas.

From Sugardoodle.com, we have a great Family Home Evening lesson. It’s called “Be of Good Cheer” and it’s based on President Monson’s talk from April 2009. You’ll have a good time doing it, and it even has a science experiment.

As usual, on Fridays Positive Music and Downloads offers Free Download Friday. Please enjoy Doug Walker, and his song "Faith."

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Friday, 28 May's, please click  here.

Personal Touch

Welcome to the Neighborhood News!

In today's Personal Touch interview, Rebecca Cressman talks to Shawni Eyre Pothier who is first and foremost a wife and a mother to six of her favorite people. Aside from trying to figure out how to bottle her children up and keep them at her side forever, she enjoys photography and writing which has led to publishing her first book co-authored with her mother Linda Eyre titled A Mother's Book of Secrets. They have also recently launched the I Love Lucy Project to help raise funds for research to fight blindness since her youngest daughter, Lucy, has been diagnosed with a syndrome that causes vision loss.

Speculative fiction author Daron Fraley brings to us his post "Burning Books and How to Navigate Paradigms of Reality". Even though it sounds like a mouth full, it's a good read on choices we have about books that our children should read. And what's a paradigm anyway? Well, read and you'll find out.

If you like decorating, or moving furniture around to get a different look, or just love a fresh idea, take a look at this post. The pictures alone will make you want to start looking for vintage items you can decorate with. The ideas come from LaurieAnna, from "LaurieAnna's Vintage Home" and in this post she shows how to make over a bedroom. It's lovely!

I thought that bringing something to do with Mother's Day was a bit early, until I started seeing all these posts and ads on the subject, then I didn't feel I was getting ahead of anyone. From "LucyKate Crafts" we get a cute mother swan and three cygnets, all handmade, with great pictures and the significance for the craft.

To view a copy of Wednesday, 14 April's Neighborhood News, click  here.

Brain Training

Lyall Watson~If the brain were so simple we could understand it, we would be so simple we couldn't.

Today's Neighborhood News brain training is now in session. We start our schooling with author of the blog Rachelle Writes, Rachelle J. Christensen. As a published author and mother of three, she has a deep passion for both of these interests. In her article, "Reflections on Reading," Rachelle expresses her strong belief in the responsibility parents have to share the magic of the written word with their children. Read her convincing argument why we need to positively influence children to read and the importance of reading to them. If children are our future, let us help them by lighting the way. Books are lighthouses erected in the great sea of time. ~E.P. Whipple

Our next look at brain development is by Bill Klemm, a semi-retired Professor of Neuroscience at Texas A&M University and author of ThankYouBrain. As he puts it, "Brain research is my bag." Klemm has written a facinating post, "Learning Versus Memory." In his comparative look at learning and memory, he offers methods to help improve both of them. Read his observation and see how understanding changes everything.

Our last peek into the brain today is guided by Teaching Tips contributor, Sarah Russel. She addresses learning styles in her article, "The Art of Learning Better: 101 Tips to Find and Fit Your Learning Style." What are the three styles of learning? What tips does Sarah give to help you best learn in your individual style?

What has helped spark your interest in learning? as a child? college? now? Do you worry about improving your memory? What works for you? Do you remember:)

To view Friday, February 5th's issue of Neighborhood News, click here.

What are Independent Publishers and Authors to do?

The LDS market just became a little easier for independent LDS publishers and authors.

This past summer, the major retailer in the LDS market made the decision to only carry the books of their own authors on the shelves of their stores. They included subsidiaries as well. They then scooped up all the books from independent publishers and sent them back, driving several out of business. The LDS market was looking a little dismal at that point.

Then yourLDSneighborhood.com launched a new effort into the social networking aspect of the internet and begin drawing in consumers of all ages, sex and culture. How does this effect the LDS book market you ask? Oh, let me share!

With gas prices through the roof, the economy struggling and personal time at a premium, The Book Block of yourLDSneighborhood is a virtual reader/shopper's dream and here's why.

The Neighborhood shopper sits down at their computer, pulls up yourLDSneighborhood and shops for products, services, articles, interviews . . . be they books, music, the arts, coin collecting, clothing, food . . . they just cruise yourLDSneighborhood.com buying whatever they want without ever leaving the comfort of their home. They save on money, time and frustration . . . a virtual shopping trifecta!

Now back to our Book Block, my personal favorite of the Neighborhood. The Book Store is a Who's Who of Neighborhood Authors, such as Rachel Ann Nunes, Josi Kilpack, Candace E. Salima and many more. We are adding authors every day, thrilled to bring our shoppers the finest in LDS fiction and nonfiction.

Our virtual shoppers meander down the block checking out bookstore after bookstore. Picture your business there. We have space for six more businesses and then the premium spots on the Book Block are gone. With radio, television, billboard and online advertising, yourLDSneighborhood.com's reach is extending across the world.

Our first stop on the book is Zion's Promise Historical Novels, a store is leased by author, Dr. Chris Jefferies showcasing the books he's written.

The NonFiction Store is new to the Neighborhood and contains the collective works of multiple authors who are advertising their work through the Book Block. We have books from the foremost expert on disaster preparedness in the nation, religious and historical matters. The NonFiction Store's inventory is growing on a daily basis, so our virtual shoppers often drop by daily to see what's new.

The Fiction Store is brand new to the Neighborhood and is at the very beginning! We are adding new books as fast as we can and we will soon have row after row of books. In the meantime, check out Hannah's Heart and Zion's Promise . . . both great additions to home family library. A number of new titles are coming online in just a matter of days.

Imagine a virtual presence on the Neighborhood, my friends. Be you publisher, author or store owner, this is the way to expand your reach across the world. You lease the space and we do all the advertising. Depending on the package you purchase, you receive the following advertising benefits:

Newsletter Advertising: Includes newsletter product tile ads, up to 6 per month

Street Fair Advertising: Product box with link in Street Fair on LDS Outlet block and Newsletter ads, up to 3 per month

Outlet Booth: Product box with link in designated storefront on LDS Outlet Block, and Newsletter ads, up to 4 per month

Marketplace Storefront: Marketplace Catalog box ad in targeted storefront, and Newsletter ads-monthly for designated storefront

Storefront Owner: Building on your block, Building on New Neighbor block for one week, Landing page with on-site ads (i.e., banner, skyscraper, rich media (YouTube media), Newsletter ads – up to 5 per month, Radio recognition in yourLDSneighborhood ad campaigns when available, Outlet Booth and Advertising on Neighborhood and Friends social network

Building Owner/Block Sponsor: Presence on Home Page, Main Building Owner of designated block; Presence on another block with a billboard ad; Building on New Neighbor block for 1 week; Landing page with on-site ads (i.e. banner, skyscraper, rich media (YouTube), Marketplace Catalog page available; Featured Business recognition; Outlet Booth; Advertising on Neighborhood and Friends social network; and TV and Radio recognition in yourLDSneighborhood ad campaigns when available

In other words, this is a unique opportunity for your company, or your work, to establish a presence on yourLDSneighborhood.com. If you've lost retail power in the main LDS bookstores then this is the place for you!

For our authors we have four very unique packages which fit every budget and purpose.

If you're interested in establishing a presence on yourLDSneighborhood.com and extending the reach of your customer base, then contact me at mod@yourldsneighobrhood.com and we'll talk. We'll examine all your options and find the package which suits your needs best.

Come on home to the Neighborhood. You'll like it here.

Blogger ∙ Alison Palmer - Books

We've had a change in the Neighborhood. I am so sorry to say goodbye to our Book Blogger, Anne Bradshaw. But I'm very excited to introduce Alison Palmer who will be our new Book Blogger. Alison is a published author, a nurse, a wife and a mother. Wow! We're in for some good reading!

So who is Alison Palmer anyway? This is the place to go if you want to find out more about her. She was born in Mesa, Arizona and has lived in Arizona, West Virginia, and currently Michigan.

Alison Palmer - The Author: Obviously, writing is her favorite past time, but she also loves to read (mostly juvenile and young adult). That will have to be expanded. She likes to spend time sewing, cooking, taking naps and long walks, playing piano or enjoying music, playing with her children and generally avoiding housework as if it were the plague.

So, I had to ask her a few questions so we could learn a little bit more about her.

1. What brought you to the Blogging World and what is your favorite thing about blogging?

I started blogging for money before I ever had a personal blog. What can I say, I like to get paid for what I write! I still do that. I’m more productive when people outside of myself are counting on me.

I did break down and finally start a personal blog when I wanted some place to just ramble. Ok, I also wanted to be egotistical enough to assume people would want to read my ramblings just because they liked me or something. Every writer, no matter how lowly their pursuits, still has a glimmer of a dream for stardom. Not necessarily huge amounts of claim and fame, but at least one other soul who claims your writing makes them a better person.

Yeah, I like getting paid, but I like making a difference even more. Too bad I can’t fill my bank account with all the warm fuzzies associated with creativity and enlightenment.

2. What intrigues you the most about blogging for yourLDSNeighborhood?

One of my favorite topics to write about is, and always has been, the gospel of Jesus Christ. Though I began my writing career in secular fields, my church related works are among the things I’m most proud of. It goes back to that old advice new writers often get, “Write what you know.” Well, what I know is that the church is true and that I love my Savior more than I could ever express in words. Though it defies expression, I like trying. It’s the process of getting to put those thoughts on paper that makes my spirit soar.

Because of this opportunity with yourLDSNeighborhood, I get to combine that testimony with another of my favorite things- books. My husband rolls his eyes at my perpetual “books to read” pile. The average number of titles in the stack at any given point in time is 13. Yeah, 13. Hey, I didn’t choose the number, that just seems to be the number of titles that will jump out at me all at once, crying to be read.

YourLDSNeighborhood gives me an excuse to share my excitement for good literature with people who can appreciate my standards and pull toward knowledge and spiritual enrichment. I get to ramble more and hope it makes a difference somewhere along the line.

3. What is your favorite thing about yourLDSNeighborhood?

One word: Diversity. It doesn’t matter what path of life you are currently on.

YourLDSNeighborhood meets you where you’re at in a down-to-earth, supportive and uplifting way. There’s something for every church member if you spend time in the Neighborhood.

4. Tell us a little about yourself: What your likes, dislikes, hobbies, hopes, dreams, etc . . .

I’ve already mentioned that whole reading and writing thing, right? Other than that I love being a mom. I love serving in the church. I love dessert. I love quiet times, and little ticklings of inspiration. Warm fuzzy slippers and nap times are also pretty high on my list. I despise sweating and housework.

My biggest dreams involve my children and my writing. I dream of actually seeing my kids through to the stage of normal, happy, functional, and stable adulthood without traumatizing or killing them in the process. (I’d like to be sane when it’s all over, too.) I dream of some day actually being able to support myself entirely from my writing projects in the LDS market. If you know anything about the LDS market, you know that’s a pretty lofty goal. So, I’m sorry to say I end up doubting myself and slinking back to my other markets more often than I’d like.

5. Tell us something unique about yourself.

Hmmm. I have very short toes.

6. What has been your greatest challenge to date?

See the above comment on my children making it to adulthood…

My biggest writing related challenge probably has to do with my own self-doubt and procrastination issues. I know I’ve been given a huge blessing, but I always feel inadequate in my efforts to live up to my potential. These inner conflicts are probably more challenging for me than any rejection letter I could ever receive. Those are just part of the business, but my ability to put my efforts, with full vigor and confidence, on the projects the Lord would have me do is a whole other matter.

7. What books/projects/songs are you working on right now?

I’m currently waiting with very baited breath to hear back on my first LDS women’s fiction project. It is currently under review for possible publication. In the mean time, I’m outlining and negotiating with my editors about a possible Book of Mormon tour guide project. I’m also scanning the horizon for next year’s Primary curriculum for my Sharing Through Primary Songs series and trying to catch up on some miscellaneous backburner projects between more routine writing commitments like yourLDSNeighborhood and LDSblogs.

8. What obstacles have you run into?

I feel I got started seriously writing much later in life than I should have. I always knew I wanted to be a writer, but those around me did not see that as a serious pursuit and I once again lacked the self-confidence to stand up for the promptings in my heart. In some ways it’s put me behind many of my peers that I admire and left me without some of the valuable skills that would make me a better writer. If I had felt that it was really okay for me to become the writer I dreamed of while I was still in high school I would have taken those aspects of my education more seriously.

Curses on nursing school! Sure, I don’t faint at the sight of blood but I go into convulsions when someone tries to explain grammar rules to me. Honest, just ask my husband. Oh, and I can’t spell.

9. What advice do you have for all the browsers in Blogland?

Be careful. Words are powerful things. They can hurt both those who read them and those who write them. It’s fun to just “surf” sometimes and see what comes up, but remember if something comes up you didn’t want to see you can’t take it back. As with everything, browse blogs for things that are lovely, of good report, and praiseworthy and all that stuff.

Also, set a time limit. It’s worse than any other media for sucking away hours in your day that you needed to fulfill other aspects of your self and your life.

10. If you had 3 minutes to give advice to someone headed into danger, what would it be?

Stop. Pray. Walk away.

If it comes after you, have faith that it will turn out okay.

It all comes down to the Lord’s place in your life. If He’s there, He’s the one you turn to first to help you find your way through anything. He’s also the one who shows you the way around to a better path.

Now, if I could get that through the thick skulls of my teenage children, they might actually make it to adulthood.

Alison, welcome to the Neighborhood. We're so excited to have you as a part of our team.

And to my browsing bloggers, drop by the Neighborhood every Monday and Thursday and visit the Books Block. You'll find Alison's reviews in the Newsstand.

Blogger ∙ Anne Bradshaw - Books

Anne Bradshaw is our blogger for the Books Block of yourLDSneighborhood. As an author, books hold a near and dear place to my heart, so I absolutely love Anne's section of the Neighborhood. You can find Anne's book reviews in the Newsstand on the Books Block.

Anne Bradshaw, born in Caernarvon, Wales, grew up in England. She is the author of three published novels Terracotta Summer, its sequel, Chamomile Winter, and Please, No Zits! & Other Short Stories for LDS Youth. A feature screenplay she co-authored with Jeanne McKinney (The Ardanea Pendant), recently won first place (fantasy/sci-fi genre) in the International Family Film Festival - Hollywood, CA. Anne also co-authored another feature screenplay, Season of Fire, and two non-fiction books, Writing Secrets, and Publishing Secrets. In addition, she has written countless magazine and internet articles.

Anne took a little time to answer a few questions for us so that you could get to know her better.

1. What brought you to the Blogging World and what is your favorite thing about blogging?

Tristi Pinkston got me started. She recommended blogging as a good marketing tool for my newly published book, Please, No Zits! & Other Short Stories for LDS Youth. I was hooked after a couple of weeks.

I love the way I can do what I want with my blog, and share with others some of the many things that interest me. I like to think that if something helps me, then it will also help others.

2. What intrigues you the most about blogging for yourLDSneighborhood?

Apart from the fact that I really like the people who work for LDSneighborhood, I have to be honest and admit that extra exposure for my writing is always a bonus. I'm particularly intrigued to discover how many extra visitors my blog gets when an article appears.

3. What is your favorite thing about yourLDSneighborhood?

I like the diverse subjects covered in the online magazine, and love peeking in all the little stores on the website and seeing what's new.

4. Tell us a little about yourself: What your likes, dislikes, hobbies, hopes, dreams, etc . . .

I was born and raised in England, married there, and reared our four children there. I'm one of three children, and have lived in more homes in England and Wales than I can remember. Life has never been boring. We now have friends all over the world.

I love to read, write, draw, take photographs, listen to soothing music, watch good movies, do genealogy, and grow herbs and vegetables. There's nothing quite like green beans cooked straight from the garden, and served with fresh mint leaves.

My hopes and dreams involve our children and grandchildren. It would be wonderful if they could all some day live in the same State. I would also love to see the screenplays I'm currently co-authoring being made into blockbuster movies, for the promotion of strong principles and spiritual power as opposed to witchcraft.

5. Tell us something unique about yourself.

I suppose the most unique thing about me is that I'm a transplant from England, living in Utah, and fulfilling my writing dreams.

6. What has been your greatest challenge to date?

Moving from England to America, and leaving behind extended family; so many good friends; AND quick access to the sea.

7. What books/projects/songs are you working on right now?

I'm currently co-authoring the sequel to the award-winning fantasy screenplay, The Ardanea Pendant (set in Dublin, Ireland). I'm also waiting to hear from a publisher regarding my YA Sci-Fi mystery, and about to begin writing a sequel to that.

8. What obstacles have you run into?

There are always obstacles to whatever good thing we want to achieve in life. Mine include arthritis; and many house moves, which disturb the creative flow, and cause disruptions of monster proportions. In addition, authors of books and screenplays are at the bottom of the heap when it comes to financial recognition. This must be the lowest paid job in the universe--as in zero wage most of the time.

Then there are publishers and producers who send polite rejections letters, book stores with too little shelf space, and time-consuming marketing, which detracts from writing time.

9. What advice do you have all the browsers in Blogland?

I would suggest they click on whatever Feed link a blogger has that will advise when a new post is ready on their favorite blog.

Also, set up a Toolbar if using Mozilla Firefox, which allows readers to drag their favorite blogs onto it, and makes them available all the time. Joining Google Reader also helps keep track of favorite pages.

Stick with blogs you know are safe, and determine never to stray into questionable areas.

10. If you had three minutes to give advice to someone headed into danger, what would it be?

If by accident you arrive at a site you didn't intend to visit, my advice would be to immediately click the site off, then come out of any running programs, and switch off the hard drive. When restarting the computer, do an immediate virus scan before recommencing work.

Anne, thanks for dropping by and sharing your thoughts with us. Everyone, please be sure to drop by the Books Block of the Neighborhood and read up on Anne's Reading Recommendations.