Book Review - Let it Go

Let It Go - Chris Williams

This book, although not book of literary genius, is an incredible story about a father's desire to forgive after a drunk driving accident killed his wife, unborn child, only daughter, and second oldest son. [See an abridged version of the story in the video above.]  This book had me crying for at least two chapters and then pondering and teary throughout the rest.  This book has an inspiring message of trust in the Lord and will touch your heart.  I found myself pondering some incredibly deep questions about life.  I highly recommend this fast read for anyone looking for a sense of hope or encouragement during the trials of life.

Book Reviews

About a week ago our WiFi was out for a week at our apartment.  With less access to the internet I found myself with loads of extra time to read books.  Here are brief reviews for each of the books I've read in the last two weeks.

A Grief Observed - C.S. Lewis

If you have ever experienced doubts, loss, or heartache this is the book for you.  C.S. Lewis has a beautiful way with words.  His thoughts are quite candid as he explores his feelings after the death of his beloved wife.  Amidst this trial he comments on his feelings, doubts, and sense of faith.  These eloquent words bring comfort through their fierce honesty.

How Will You Measure Your Life? - Clayton M. Christensen

This book explores the true meaning of success in business and personal relationships.  It is chalked full of real life examples from the business world featuring the theories that lead to lasting success.  I found the book to be a little too business-oriented for my taste but I did find some incredible parallels to my life.  This book will make you evaluate who you are and how you view success which is a powerful idea in the culture of today.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - J.K. Rowling

I am not sure that I really even need to touch on the brilliance of this book, but I will.  I am not sure why I never read the first few in this series but I guess I did not fully realize what I was missing.  We all know the book is always better than the movie but reading this book helped me to re-live my childhood.  As I had just seen the movie a few weeks previous to reading this it was a fascinating adventure to compare the two.  If you haven't read this book, please do.

The Rent Collector - Camron Wright

This book came as a suggestion from my mom and it combines the elements of the three books above that I enjoyed most.  This book has an exciting story line that is engaging throughout the entire read.  This book, set in community that lives in the dumps of Cambodia, makes you think about the way you live your life.  It makes you evaluate what is truly important in life and how the past can affect your future.  This book also offers a beautiful promise of hope and optimism despite trying times.  It is an incredibly quick read and it based on real history and communities.  I highly recommend this book.

Feel free to leave recommendations for further books I should read in the comments.  Next on the docket are: Peace Like a River, The Fault in Our Stars, and Let It Go.

three questions

We often here that there are three essential questions that everyone in the world ponders about at some point in their life.
1. Who am I?
2. Where am I from?
3. Where am I going?

As a Christian I feel that I have a firm testimony of each of these questions in the eternal perspective.
1. I am a daughter of a loving Heavenly Father.
2. I came from his presence to be tested here on this earth.
3. If I am righteous, I will someday be able to return to my Father's presence.

* Don't worry, I am not going to go all preachy and/or philosophical on you.

Anyways, currently I have been struggling with each of these questions in a more temporal manner.  I am at a very transitional stage of my life and for some reason I am struggling with a few of these things.

1. Who am I?
I feel like this question is a constant struggle for many people in my age range.  With all the masks we wear around the various people in our lives sometimes it becomes difficult to figure out who we really are and how to be true to that.  More specifically in my life I am struggling with a unique facet of this concept...my voice.  As a college senior majoring in vocal studies it would seem logical that I would already know about my voice and be able to classify and understand it.  It should be signature and I should be able to sing quite well.  In the last few weeks I have had some conflicting statements offered by teachers and respected individuals regarding manipulating my voice to be more truly "me."  The problem is...I seem to have no idea what "me" is.  Everything I try, I'm told, is not "me."  This confusion combined with my personal masks and insecurities is definitely creating some confusion in my life.
One individual said something quite interesting though.  She noted that I have been with my voice for the last almost 22 years so I know it better than anyone else.  I have to stay true to me and not let other's versions of "me" affect my own version of myself.
DUH.  Sometimes I feel like a get caught in a vortex of pleasing various sources and I never think about myself and living up to my potential.  In my scripture study this morning I read this quote, "If your ultimate goal is to please Him, you will feel a deep inner peace."  How inspiring! This is my new goal.


2. Where am I from?
Ok, this seems pretty self explanatory.  I am the daughter of David and Donna Fitzen.  I was born in Pocatello but claim Nampa, ID as my home.   My struggle comes when I try to synthesize who I was, who I have been, who I am, and who I want to be.  Wow, that sounds deep.  It isn't really. I am trying to combine elements I like about my 12 year old self with characteristics of my 17 year old self, and now my 21 year old self.   I guess I am just trying to be the best version of myself possible.  Talk about an eternal quest.  I just keep going back to the previous quote I shared.  Hmmmm.


3. Where am I going?
This one seems to be the source all the other above concerns mentioned above.  Although logically it is absurd, I feel that as a college graduate I should have more of my life put together than I do.  I don't know where I will be working this summer.  I don't know where I will be student teaching in the fall.  I have no clue what I will be doing after that.  I feel terrified to be a real grown up.  Of course I am excited for many of the possibilities that life can afford me but there is so much uncertainty.  I'm sure we've all been there, if we aren't continually in that position.  I feel like my life for the past 17 years has been defined by school and my hobbies and accomplishments therein.  I am interested to see how my life will change without the structure and definition I have had....Perhaps I will truly figure out the answer to question #1 and #2.
I know I want to keep learning.  I want to learn how to paint using water-colors.  I want to arrange more music.  I want to learn to play guitar. I want to plant a garden.


Through it all the previous quote keeps coming to mind....


"When our only desire is to please Him we will find a deep inner peace."