Heaven is for Real: Book Review

First off it's been a while since I've posted anything. I have been focused on reading and watching a favorite TV show lately. However, after reading Heaven is for Real, I had to share what I thought about the book. 

I had bought this book a while back before the movie and the huge talk about it. It sounded intriguing to me when I read the back cover in Wal-mart, so I bought it. Now if anyone knows me, they know that I have way too many books to read at one time and the last thing I need is more books but it hasn't stopped me from buying more. 

Well like so many of my other books, this one got put to the side. I have a problem with finding books that come in a series and I have to read those books first. Therefore, this one has been sitting on my self for quite some time. After reading it now, in less than a day, I sit here thinking why didn't I read it earlier. 

I have heard many good things about this book and movie. I have yet to see the movie but I plan on it in the next couple of days. But let me stop rambling and start talking about the book and the blessing I got from it. 

I honestly don't know what I expected when I started reading this book. I mean I knew the basics, that the little boy saw heaven first hand but I never expected it to be this touching.

I have a hard time reading books that aren't of the supernatural or fairy tale type sometimes. I guess that's why I pushed it to the side, as I did. When I started reading the first few pages it was a struggle to keep reading it. Not because it wasn't good but because it wasn't something I was used to reading. It was something about God, as in the One and Only God. Yes, I used the big G. It's difficult to sit down and read and Him at times. That's something I struggle with, as other people do to. 

As I started learning more about the Burpo family, I was still intrigued. They are like any other family and I wanted to know more about what they experienced. When I read the parts about Colton being sick and what his family was going through, I cried along with them. (That is something else I never do. I have maybe cried once when reading a book not to long ago but this one it's like I couldn't stop. I didn't just cry at the sad parts. I cried throughout the good parts too.) 

Once they started describing what Colton saw, like his parents, it's making me think a little differently about heaven. I have always accepted heaven and know I would go there someday. I've read and heard about how heaven is described in the bible but it seems somehow more realistic to me now. The many different colors in heaven has also kind of stumped me and I would have never imagined it as a rainbow but it seems to be clearer that way. 

I could continue on but I think I'll stop here for now. I know that I needed to read this book. I've been struggling to bring my walk closer to Jesus Christ. Maybe what I needed was the point of view of a child. Leave your thoughts, share with other people how it has helped you. I'll leave you will the scripture mentioned before the story even begins. 

"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

--Matthew 18:3 

 

Monday Write Up #2

Alright so lets try for our Monday Write Up again. This week we are going to change a little bit. The stories are still going to be based on a picture prompt. However, we will not have a sentence that is required. 

Stories have to be 250 words (leeway of 50 words plus or minus)

Use the picture provided to inspire your story. 

Post your story in the comment box below. 

Good luck everyone. Stories should be posted by Midnight Tuesday! I look forward to reading everybody's story. 

~KM

Slip of the Plea

I would greatly appreciate anybody going to The Iron Writer and voting for my story. It is a flash fiction contest where we have 4 days to write a 500 word story. We are also given 4 elements that must be included in the story. If you would just click on The Iron Writer, it will take you directly to the stories. Below are the items I was given. 

A car battery

A horse

An Umbrella

Told from the point of view of a defense attorney invoking the Stupidity Defense

Slip of the Plea

The prosecutor rambled on about some meaningless evidence. It wasn’t going to matter anyway. My client is insanely stupid. The jury thinks so too, you can tell by the looks on their faces.

I should be paying attention but it’s such an easy case that I can’t help but think about the things I have to do when I leave. My car battery is quickly dying, so I need to get a new one. Today would be a good day to do that.

“District attorney Sands, what’s your plea?”

“Stupidity,” I blurted before thinking. Great, now I’ve spoken my thoughts. Well, my client was riding a stolen horse, while naked. Oh and it was the middle of December. I think stupid is the word for it.

“Attorney, this is not a joking matter.” the judge warns.

“Your Honor, I mean no disrespect. My client had nothing but an umbrella on in the middle of December. He is either very hot blooded or insanely stupid.” I pause hoping the judge will accept my newly found plea.

Seeing as he is considering it I continue. “I would like the jury to look at the fact of my clients’ wardrobe. He was obviously not in his right mind when he stole that horse.”

The trial continued with me paying full attention. I did not need any more slips. The case lasted a total of 10 minutes. Apparently, my little slip turned out to be a pretty good thing.

Again I would like to thank you for stopping by. If you do have the time to vote I thank you ahead of time. Also, if there are any people that are looking to do something like this feel free to contact the group. We are on Facebook as well. It is a really good group of people. 

~KM 

Leaving Delirium

It has been a little while since I have been on here. I have had internet problems for days now. I'm hoping to have more to share with you later. For now though, here is something I wrote a while back. 

The story below was written based on this picture. 

The family house Delirium was always the place where my fears came to life. I’m not talking figuratively either.
           As I walk through, I feel cobwebs brush across my face; hear the crunch of dead bugs beneath my feet. If only I could have just had the house torn down before walking through it…stupid regulations.
           The house is exactly as I remember it…well minus the dead bugs. I step through the last room…my old room. A rat scurries from under the bed as the floor creaks under my weight.
           I see it before I brace myself for the future reality it will show. I look into the mirror and see my blue and green eyes staring back at me, cracks forming across my face.  I brush my hand across my face and feel that the mirror has now become reality.
           As the cracks form, I know I will never be leaving delirium.

As always, I would love to hear what you think about it. Suggestions? Questions? I'm all ears. 

~KM

The Game Has Begun (VisDare 68)

I was searching around to get some inspiration. After finding this blog, I thought I would give it a try. I really liked the picture prompt for this past week. Let me know what you think of the story. I used the picture as inspiration for a part in a book I am currently working on!

He stands with the trees as his protection, watching me with

 an intend purpose. I can’t seem to understand his reasons. 

His nature is not being shown.  The winds have stopped but 

his hair continues to sway in an attractive way. The dread 

that I felt is now smothered. I feel as if we are playing chess 

and he is waiting on me to make my move. Carefully, I think 

knowing that one wrong step could lead to instant 

destruction. Vampires are not known to play fair. The ground 

begins to move and I am forced from my seat. I jump to the 

left, which receives an eerie grin from the stranger. Alas, the 

game has begun. 

VisDare

Monday Write-Up #1

So today is the first Monday Write-Up! Let's get started! A reminder of the rules. 

Rules

• Stories must be 250 words. (There will be a 50 word leeway plus or minus.)
• Use the picture provided as a guildeline.
• Use sentence or detail, that is provided, somewhere in your story.
• Prompts will be posted on Monday. Stories must be posted by 12 pm central time on Tuesday. 

Use the picture to the right as your inspiration. Also here's the sentence to use in your story.

I just couldn't resist.

 I am looking forward to seeing what everybody comes up with! 

Monday Write-Up (Weekly Contest)

Starting Monday, we will have a weekly writing contest. (Monday Write-Up) Here are the rules for the upcoming contest.

• You will have 24 hours to write and post your story. 
• Stories must be 250 words. (There will be a 50 word leeway plus or minus.)
• Must use the picture provided as a guideline.
• Must use the sentence or detail provided somewhere in the story.

**Stories are to be typed into the comment section or post the link to your blog.  

I am looking forward to this! I have been wanting to do something like this for a while know. Since I am just starting this out, the winning will get bragging rights. Also, we will do an interview with the winner. 

'Salem's Lot - Review/Critique

So I finally read my first Steven King novel. I've always heard great things about this books, so I've been meaning to read one. 

First off let me tell you the book I read: 'Salem's Lot. It was his second novel that he published. It was recommended by a friend and the reviews on the back made it sound really intriguing. 

No offense to the people that love this book but I just could not get into it. I had a hard time getting pulled into the book. I found that it was way too wordy. By that I mean that he had too much description. Granted I know that description is great but too much is hard to keep your reader intrigued. There were certain parts where he would describe the routine of the town and people in it or of their customs. (Again I know that this is good but I felt there was too much and that some of it could have been left out without hurting the story.)

I will admit that there were some parts that were really good. Those parts are the only reason I finished the book. I did want to know what happened at the end but at times I felt that it was not worth the effort to read what happened in between. 

I have often thought about his books because I love the mysterious and scary aspect that I have always heard about. However, 'Salem's Lot did not live up to the reputation that this author has. I am not sure if it is because it was only his second novel or if this is truly how his stories are written. If the latter is the case, then I cannot see myself reading more of his novels.  

My finally comments are to everybody out there that have read this book or others by Steven King. Did you like this one? Would you recommend a different book for a better experience? 

I look forward to hearing your responses. I would love to know any book recommendations that anybody might have. I love all kinds of books and I'm always looking for a good read!

The Caller

          The ache in my head is the first red alert I reacted to. My hand reaches for the back of my head finding a nice sized knot.

          A memory of walking in the forest after wrecking my car flashed the instance my hand touched the bump. The uneasy feeling of being followed was ever present. The feeling quickly vanishes into nothing.

          I have returned to the present only to be freaked out by the fact that I just saw something that must have happened a short time before. Never in my life have I experienced something that crazy.

          Slowly I look around to try and place where I am at and to try to forget what just happened but all my eyes focus on is red. Everything is red. I must have gotten hit harder than I thought.

          I try blinking to clear my sight but it doesn’t work. I rise slowly to search around and discover what I’m surrounded by. Walking up to one of the strange objects, I can make out a phone inside what looks like a box of mostly glass. I’ve never seen anything like it but I look around and see hundreds of them surrounding me.

          Nothing tonight seems ordinary. I was on my way to meet my boyfriend and wind up in this strange place filled with strange telephone filled boxes. I think to myself that if I ever find myself out of here I will never drive somewhere I’ve never been before.

          I turned to leave, to try and find some help, when I hear a faint ringing noise. Startled, but curious I walk towards the noise. I stop when I see a lone blue box similar to all the others except, for color, lit up. Inside the box is a telephone that is ringing.

          Reality checks in right before I open the door to answer the phone. I’m suddenly aware that I’m in the middle of nowhere, a telephone in a strange box is ringing, and I’m fixing to answer it. Something is definitely wrong with them picture.

          While I’m thinking these things, the ringing stops. I turn to leave, relieved that I no longer fill obligated to answer the mysterious call. I only get about a foot away when it starts ringing again, this time I run to the phone and pick it up. I’m answered by silence for a brief moment until I hear, “It’s time you join in my crusades, Red.”

          Instantly, I know who it is and fear emerges from a place so deep inside. I now know that Cinderella has found me and this time I won’t get away.

Not So Cinderella

 My name is Cinderella. I know it’s an unusual name, even though every person in the world has heard it. You might be thinking that it’s just a nickname but unfortunately it’s the real deal. Just like the Disney princess.

      Some people think that this would be an awesome name to have. Mostly they think this because people think that because you’re named after a fictional princess that you will have the same life that she has. The thing people fail to see is that you've got very big shoes to fill. I’d much rather be named Sue or something simple. The pressure can be so much that some people live the exact opposite lives than that of what is expected.

      At the age of 8, I decided that the expectations people had of me were just too much for me to take. I started acting out, just little things at first but they eventually grew. The expectations lowered and my life became more manageable but I was already in too deep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

       The string of unusual crimes that happened these past weeks all seem to be connected to the murder that happened last night. The thing about the murder and crimes is that in all my years on the force I have never seen anything committed based on a Disney story. The killer obviously has something against Disney but I have no idea why.

       I got a lead when I was at an old time restaurant in Coyoteville about a week ago. It was a long shot but I figured any progress was better than nothing.

       I was just sitting there when I overheard a couple in the booth behind me talking.

       “You know it’s her. She’s been strange ever since she was a little girl.” The older man was talking to his wife about what seemed to be a waitress that was behind the bar.

       “She’s been through a lot in her life. Give the girl a break. You don’t know that she did anything.” The elderly woman seemed to have a motherly connection to this waitress.

       “Yes, but that girl is crazy, even after she changed her name.”

       “Well you know the pressure she felt growing up. Her poor mother would roll over in her grave if she knew what her sweet Cinderella has turned into.”

       That was all I needed to hear, I finally had a clue that would point out why the killer would hate Disney. I’ve never met a person named after a Disney princess or character for that matter, but I think that it would be neat to have such a name. I couldn't imagine changing it!

       I decided I’d watch her before approaching. I’d been watching her for about a week an there is nothing particularly unusual about her except for the fact that she rarely talks to anybody. She works and then goes straight home. I don’t know why people would suspect her. I can at least talk to her and see if she knows anything about the strange happenings around here. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

       I noticed that old detective following me within the first hour. It makes me wonder if he is really that good at his job, so of course I have been on my very best behavior. I learned a long time ago how to fool a stranger, just smile and act like I look. One thing that I do get from Cinderella is the fact that people look at me and think that I’m sweet.

       The week lasted much longer than I think it should have, being good always makes my days drag on but I knew that he would get bored quick. When that happens they always came to talk to me and with me being the lady, I make it easy for him to approach me.

       It was Saturday and I didn't work, which he knew. I made it easy for him to see my work schedule and if he didn't see it he heard about it. I had planned to go to the park that day, which I may have mentioned at work the day before. Anyways, I knew this would present the perfect time for him to talk to me.

       I had decided that I would take a hiking trail that was about half a mile out. It was perfect because I loved hiking and there was a nice view at that marker. After my hike, I sat on the bench to enjoy the view. It wasn't long when I saw the detective trudging along. Before he rounded the corner he stopped, probably compiling his list of questions to ask. Finally, he takes a deep breath and takes his opportunity. He walks up to me and says, “Ma’am, I have a few questions for you.”

       One thing I do not do is lie, so he’ll get all the answers he wants. Too bad he won’t be around long enough to tell anybody else what he knows. 

207 year old first grader

As a substitute teacher, I get to meet new people all the time. Everyday is interesting. Well just yesterday I got to meet a unique little boy.

I was subbing for an art teacher. The first grade class that came in got do draw anything they wanted for the class period. I was walking around looking at all the different things they were coming up with when I got to this one student. He looked up from his drawing to tell me, with a most serious look on his face, that he fought in the Vietnam War. He didn’t stop there. He continued to tell me that he fought in the battle of Kernt in 1928. 

Now I know that that’s a bit early for the Vietnam War and I had never heard of that battle before but I played along. 

"That’s amazing but how come you look so young still?" I asked him. I could tell him that he was pleased that I was playing along. 

"I was shot and it just froze me at this age. I’m really 207 though." He told me still keeping to serious look on his face. 

This was the cutest story I have heard so far. I was pleased that I was able to keep it together while he was in there. I hope you enjoyed the story as much as I did!

~KM