Just remembered we were doing this by blog - kind of slow, I know. I'm glad we're doing this book although I appear to have lost it. I've long ranted about the uselessness of spending a life climbing/risk taking attempting to prove oneself instead of doing something helpful and equally challenging. I started reading it at Subway when I run away from home seeking food.
I just finished it this morning - what a great book! It is amazing what one person can do. It has me looking around for something I can do. I volunteered at children's organizations all through my 20s (worked with children effected or affacted with AIDS, worked at a children's hospital, was a Big Sister in the Big Brother, Big Sister program, etc.), but once I started having kids that stopped. I guess they became my volunteer effort. This book made me want to do something more again.
What did you all think about the danger he was in so often? I did like the comment made about his wife - that she was every bit a hero too. I think it takes great courage to support a spouse in such a dangerous area - I feel that way with our military too.
I just finished the book. Loved it. Did I already say that? And now that I'm familiar with Greg Mortensen, that guy is everywhere. Just read in the Mormon Times that he is speaking at some Freedom Trail workshop in Vegas in July. !? Wish I could go. Debbie, I hear ya on praising his wife. This life could not be easy on her. G is gone all the time and exposed to ridiclous amounts of danger, ALL the time. She has to parent the kids most of the time by herself. So, let's sing her praises. But, I could feel that this guy is guided by the Spirit. The spirit of goodness and the light. There has to be a divine hand guiding him to accomplish such miraculous things. Great choice Cass-a-frass! What's next? Who's choosing?
Have you ever caught yourself thinking, "When I'm rich, I'll donate lots of money to this or that charity or cause"? What I admire most about GM, is that he felt compelled to do this enormous thing immediately, despite his own circumstances, and he dove in head first, risking and sacrificing so much (much more than just money) for the future of these children thousands and thousands of miles away.
Cassandra - I totally agree! I'm always impressed when people go beyond the "oh, I wish I could do something to help" to actually DOING the help! It's so hard for me to know what to do - what can I, just one person do? And yet, just like Allison said, I think he was guided by the spirit and decided to actaully DO it. That is just so amazing to me!
Just finished it yesterday but I have to admit I read the "Young Student" edition b/c it was the only one available! I marked a ton of pages I want to get quotes from. Definitely agree with the comments. I often think, "If I were rich I'd do this and that..." and then this guy blows that theory out of the water. I'm sure he was living with NOTHING and endured so much personal poverty, little food, uncomfortable living arrangements, such great great danger. So impressive.
I was also very interested in his wife. I thought about her all the time. She must be amazing, being a single parent most of the time, worrying about her husband constantly.
Greg M. spoke at a BYU devotional. You can look it up on-line. Part of it is printed in the BYU magazine we get. It's wonderful.
Oh, and if you're wondering who Debbie Brown is - she's a great friend of mine living in Alaska! She loves books and learning. So glad you've joined the reading and discussion!
I had the privilege of meeting Debbie in NH just before she moved to Alaska last summer. :) Debbie, how are your new digs? I nominate Debbie to pick our NEXT book. What say ye? Do I have a 2nd? An acceptance?
Just remembered we were doing this by blog - kind of slow, I know. I'm glad we're doing this book although I appear to have lost it. I've long ranted about the uselessness of spending a life climbing/risk taking attempting to prove oneself instead of doing something helpful and equally challenging. I started reading it at Subway when I run away from home seeking food.
ReplyDeleteI'm almost done! And feeling like I haven't done enough for humanity... but loving the book.
ReplyDeleteI just finished it this morning - what a great book! It is amazing what one person can do. It has me looking around for something I can do. I volunteered at children's organizations all through my 20s (worked with children effected or affacted with AIDS, worked at a children's hospital, was a Big Sister in the Big Brother, Big Sister program, etc.), but once I started having kids that stopped. I guess they became my volunteer effort. This book made me want to do something more again.
ReplyDeleteWhat did you all think about the danger he was in so often? I did like the comment made about his wife - that she was every bit a hero too. I think it takes great courage to support a spouse in such a dangerous area - I feel that way with our military too.
I just finished the book. Loved it. Did I already say that? And now that I'm familiar with Greg Mortensen, that guy is everywhere. Just read in the Mormon Times that he is speaking at some Freedom Trail workshop in Vegas in July. !? Wish I could go.
ReplyDeleteDebbie, I hear ya on praising his wife. This life could not be easy on her. G is gone all the time and exposed to ridiclous amounts of danger, ALL the time. She has to parent the kids most of the time by herself. So, let's sing her praises. But, I could feel that this guy is guided by the Spirit. The spirit of goodness and the light. There has to be a divine hand guiding him to accomplish such miraculous things. Great choice Cass-a-frass! What's next? Who's choosing?
What an incredibly selfless man.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever caught yourself thinking, "When I'm rich, I'll donate lots of money to this or that charity or cause"? What I admire most about GM, is that he felt compelled to do this enormous thing immediately, despite his own circumstances, and he dove in head first, risking and sacrificing so much (much more than just money) for the future of these children thousands and thousands of miles away.
Cassandra - I totally agree! I'm always impressed when people go beyond the "oh, I wish I could do something to help" to actually DOING the help! It's so hard for me to know what to do - what can I, just one person do? And yet, just like Allison said, I think he was guided by the spirit and decided to actaully DO it. That is just so amazing to me!
ReplyDeleteJust finished it yesterday but I have to admit I read the "Young Student" edition b/c it was the only one available! I marked a ton of pages I want to get quotes from. Definitely agree with the comments. I often think, "If I were rich I'd do this and that..." and then this guy blows that theory out of the water. I'm sure he was living with NOTHING and endured so much personal poverty, little food, uncomfortable living arrangements, such great great danger. So impressive.
ReplyDeleteI was also very interested in his wife. I thought about her all the time. She must be amazing, being a single parent most of the time, worrying about her husband constantly.
Greg M. spoke at a BYU devotional. You can look it up on-line. Part of it is printed in the BYU magazine we get. It's wonderful.
Great pick Cass!
Oh, and if you're wondering who Debbie Brown is - she's a great friend of mine living in Alaska! She loves books and learning. So glad you've joined the reading and discussion!
ReplyDeleteI had the privilege of meeting Debbie in NH just before she moved to Alaska last summer. :) Debbie, how are your new digs? I nominate Debbie to pick our NEXT book. What say ye? Do I have a 2nd? An acceptance?
ReplyDelete