Wrinkles by Mian Mohsin Zia

Wrinkles

by Mian Mohsin Zia

Right from the start the title intrigued me. How could a story about wrinkles be considered a love story?

Mian artfully crafted a story where the characters and their interaction with one another help the reader discover that despite wrinkles on our souls caused by trials, heartache and tragedy, true love can be found.

A mother's love is a powerful thing but Xavier's story of finding love encompasses much more; the love between a man and a woman, the love parents have for their children, the love children have for their parents and the love that grows in friendships. Xavier's journey to find true love is a wonderful story of perseverance, hope and discovery.

Although some wrinkles may take a lifetime to heal; through prayer, faith and love they can be healed.

Mind Over Mind by Karina Fabian

Mind Over Mind

by Karina Fabian

Daryl isn't your average teenage boy. He's been in an institution for many years because hears voices in his head. They won't leave him alone. They've tormented him and even caused him bodily harm. When they call he must answer. That is until Josh arrives. 

Josh has learned the skill of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) from his father and to take a break from his regular life he's going to put those skills to use. His father has a colleague in Rhode Island and arranges a summer internship for Josh.

His first assignment is to be a friend to a younger boy and learn all he can from the doctors and nurses as they work with the patients who live there. Josh earns Daryl's trust and teaches him the skills he needs help him deal with and manage all that's going on in his head. 

Daryl's newly developed skills help him learn control and shield his mind from the aliens invading his mind and the nightmares of the other patients in SK Mental. His fears are more manageable every day and he really likes Josh's friendship. Will this newfound knowledge be enough to get him out into the real world and deal with all that he'd encounter? What about the alien world that has been in his head all these years? It has to be real. What will happen to them if he refuses their call?

As he watches the progress Daryl is making, Dr. Malachi isn't willing to concede the fact that it's Josh's knowledge of NLP that are the key to helping Daryl live in the real world. If he does, what will that say of him as a doctor?

I thoroughly enjoyed the full spectrum of emotions I experienced with the turn of each page! I'm looking forward to Mind over Psyche and the adventure that awaits!

Motherhood

Who knew that being a mother would be so rewarding? Yes, there are days that will try you like never before but there are so many more days that you'll be able to use those trials to make things turn out to be the best ever!

When you first look into your newborn baby's eyes, fresh from heaven you are filled with so much love your heart can barely contain itself.

As your child grows, so does your capacity to love. You welcome your second son into the family and you teach, learn and grow as a family with each new day.

You know there are more you need to shower with love so you welcome your first baby girl to the family. With play time, nap time, school, cartoons, yard work, house chores, grocery shopping, laundry, vacations, reading and changing diapers, you learn to manage your time so you can get everything done.

Motherhood can be exhausting but when your little boy brings you a handful of dandelions your heart melts and the exhaustion disappears. "I love you mama!"

Then your baby boy joins the wonderful adventure here on earth and the joy increases more than you thought possible! Camping trips, dinosaurs, princess dresses, doll houses, scouting, football and soccer. Bee stings, skinned knees, teepees in the backyard, crackers and chocolate chips.

Life as you know it changes for the better and your family is complete when your baby girl is born.

Kitty cats, painting, cowboys and indians, GI Joe's and Barbie's, homework, choir concerts, dancing, Eagle Scouts, Young Womanhood Awards, sewing, school plays, football championships, college, missions, marriage, dauther-in-law, grandchildren, and stories, writing, cowboy action shooting, archery, cars, and gardens.

We become a forever family by growing closer to God through trials of faith, hope in a bright future, and increasing our testimonies. Love between husband and wife grows with each amazing gift God sends to your home. You become better people as you work, play and love together.

All these amazing things have made life as a mother fulfilling and rewarding. I am so thankful for the blessings of my husband and children, motherhood, fatherhood and eternal families.

My Journey to Nauvoo: Day 1 Photos

With the execption of a stop somewhere around 2 am to switch drivers, the busses were on the road all night long. We tried to sleep - some of us even had success. Our first stop of the day was in at the rest area in Lincoln, NE at 7 am for breakfast and bathroom breaks. (Why is the line to the women's room so much longer than the men's?) A question we may never know the answer to. 

From sun up to sundown we enjoyed some beautiful scenery. The biggest difference being the lack of mountains. 

Sunrise on the prairie

The monument to Abraham Lincoln

The sun brightening my view and the words below enlightening my understanding as I learn something new.

Beauty of the morning sun

Abe up close

Next stop: Big Springs, to stretch our legs, obtain liquid refreshment and snacks for the long road ahead and for more bathroom breaks

Rolls and rolls of hay

Fields and fields of corn. Everything's so green!

Wide open spaces dotted with barns and homesteads

The weather is sunny one minute and the next, clouds are rolling in and rain threatens

Beautiful architecture

and then it begins to rain 

Water towers everywhere

Sunset in Missouri