Edenbrooke Book Group

I was asked to host book group this month and Edenbrooke was the choice of book. I of course love the book and have read it so many times, so it was fun to introduce this to other people. Many had also read it quickly and stayed up way too late to read it, just like I had. A couple nights before the group I was reading the author, Julianne Donaldson's, blog to see if there was any information about her book I could share with the group. I noticed that she said she'd be open to skyping for 15 minutes with the book group if it fits with her schedule. I wasn't going to do it, but Jeff encouraged me to email her. I sent her a long email and spoke to the mid-life crisis she mentioned on a blog post. I offered love and support and asked about skyping. I was so surprised when she responded that night! She said it was such a beautiful and heartfelt email and that she felt like we were kindred spirits, so yes, she would be happy to join our group!

I let people know and every was so excited. Jeff was gone so I worked hard to get the house ready and the kids in bed. I made English trifle, brownies, and baked brie. The night before Jeff told me how to use his projector and then I had Ja do a practice run skyping with me.

When we talked with Julianne she opened up so much to us to let us know about her experience with writing, her current state of affairs in life, and how much of herself is in her books. Some things I took away from it that I thought were so interesting is the idea of using writing to process life events or themes. Many people don't have any outlet to process things, but a book or story is perfect. You can write about how things affected you without explicitly writing your story, and then you can give a happy ending that is hopeful for your own future. I also was intrigued by the idea that writing (or any hobby) is fun and exciting and cathartic when it's a hobby, but as soon as it turns into work, there is an added stress from deadlines and expectations. And some of that joy is taken away. It made me want to try my hand at writing, not so much to create a story for others to read, but to work through challenges I have. At one point she even started crying and said, "I never cry, this isn't supposed to happen at book group." But I told her I had prayed before the group that it would be uplifting and edifying for everyone and that what needed to be said would be said.

Afterward and even the next day people from the group were so complimentary on what a fun night it was and how neat it was we got to talk with her. I do not love hosting, but this went very well! And that fact I did it with Jeff gone made me feel very grateful for how everything turned out.

Our Uber Friend Darlene and Jetton Park

Jeff had an über driver one day who turned out to be from Redlands so he mentioned the temple there. She said, "oh, you're Mormon! This should be interesting." It turns out she was a Relief Society President and her ex-husband was a bishop. But she experienced abuse and saw others in the ward experience it at the hands of their husbands that she became very disenchanted and left her husband and the church. But she was very nice and told Jeff she didn't have any support system here so we immediately wanted to be some sort of support for her.

We had her over for a very pleasant lunch when Jeff was home. Jeff played the piano, we talked, and had a very nice visit. A few days after that I got thank you note from her and she said it meant more to her than we would ever know. I then invited her and her grandson to come on a walk/bike ride with us. She ended up coming, but her grandson didn't want to. It was such a pleasant day at Jetton Park. Hearing the waves crash along the shore or rocks is just the most pleasant and soothing sound. She said she hoped to come back often with her dog because she loved it so much and this was Jeff's first time.

Trying to keep their bikes up in the sand

This week has been so beautiful that we went on another walk and bike ride and the kids loved climbing their new favorite rocks. I ran a little over 4 miles one day and it was so hard for me! I am coming to rely on running with my friends that when I run alone I always have to walk a few times, it just feels hard for me to keep running. It's so interesting because I did not think I was a social runner. I thought I liked being alone, but now I'm learning I need the motivation and commitment that comes with running with people who are counting on you.