Author Archives: Candace Salima

Writing and Rationalization

I’ve had cause to consider this topic many times over the last few years and now it has coalesced into a pretty solid opinion on the subject. As writers, we are able to turn loose of the reins of our imaginations and simply soar through life collecting stories and morphing them into the written word for all to enjoy. There are so many genres and sub-genres that there is something for every type of reader. This is a good thing in my opinion as I enjoy reading numerous genres and sub-genres, learning from both fiction and nonfiction alike. I was … Continue reading →

Interview with NBC’s East Coast Sportscaster, Vai Sikahema – Part 1

Vai is a very dear friend and old college buddy of my husband’s, consequently he is a very dear friend of mine. He agreed to do this interview, I am certain, out of friendship. From NBC10’s website we catch up with what Vai has been doing since leaving college, professionally: “Vai Sikahema, sports director/anchor for NBC 10 News at 4, 5, 6 and 11pm, joined WCAU in April 1994. Sikahema is also the host of “Wednesday’s Child,” a segment sponsored by the National Adoption Center, Freddie Mac Foundation, and NBC 10 to promote the adoption of children. Previously, he was … Continue reading →

Interview with Prolific Author Shirley Bahlmann

Shirley is a wonderful person. What can I say? I met her when I first entered the LDS literary scene and she welcomed me with open arms, literally. She is a great support for literacy, new and old authors, friends and family. She is a treasure who rules her roost from a small town in Central Utah. From her website we learn: “My stacks of journals, road shows, plays, and skits attest to the fact that I’ve been writing all my life, but I finally got past the “fear” when I came home late one winter night after selling skin … Continue reading →

What is Life Without Hope

It is far too easy to get bogged down in the daily grind of life. If your life includes all the normal things like family, job, church and community responsibilities it can get trying enough. Add to that mix, health issues which can send your debt and stress to screamingly high levels, and you have a life that can easily be a little low on the hope meter. Elder Neal A. Maxwell states: “Without hope, what is the future of lubricating forgiveness among the human family? Without hope, why forgo now in order to preserve precious resources for future generations? … Continue reading →

Family Traditions and Christmas Eve

I was cruising through the forums and saw a question about favorite Family Traditions. It took me right back to my childhood and one particular holiday The Christmas Eve traditions in our family were set, and had been for as far back as my memory goes. We had a delicious Christmas Eve Dinner, read the Christmas story in Luke, Chapter 2 and then proceeded to the tree. We were always allowed to open one gift on Christmas Eve. This tradition was in remembrance of the gifts given to our Savior, Jesus, as a babe and toddler. However, there was always … Continue reading →

Secret Service Agents, the Titanic and Granny

Okay, I’m having way too much fun sharing the stories of my ancestors. But I had to do it one more time – okay, I’m not going to swear it’s only one more time. However, I want to share the story of my great-grandmother, Maidie Lois Leighton. Now, there are some disputes as to what her birth name actually was, not to mention her birth parents. Let me explain: According to the Parshalls, the people who raised her, her birthday is 17 August, 1892. Granny, (Maidie Lois Leighton) vehemently denied to her dying day, that these were her birth parents. … Continue reading →

Review of “The Secret Journal of Brett Colton” by Kay Lynn Mangum

Kay Lynn Mangum has done a masterful job of pulling her readers into the life, heart and mind of sixteen-year-old Kathy Colton. Now, at 42-years-of-age myself, I was a little hesitant to pick this book up for fear it might not keep my interest. I could not have been more wrong. Kathy Colton has spent her entire young life resenting her brother who died when she was two. The family spends every time together reminiscing over the brother and son and Kathy knows nothing different until her brother’s journal comes into her hands. From this journal, written by her brother … Continue reading →

Thank You, Grandpa Moses

Moses Harris tells the story of when he first became engaged to his sweetheart, Fanny Smith. Her father, Thomas Dodd Smith, took Moses aside when they were cutting wood one day. He quietly spoke with his future son-in-law, explaining that he took Moses to be a sober and righteous man. He told him that the true church was not on the face of the earth at that time but that it would come in Moses’ lifetime. He entreated Moses not to forget his wife’s parents when that time came. So important was this message to Thomas Dodd Smith, he repeated … Continue reading →

A Review of “Plan of Salvation” by Matthew B. Brown

Simply the best book I’ve found, to date, written about our Father in Heaven’s plan of salvation. This comprehensive coverage of the topic is absolutely breathtaking. Would you like to know how Adam and Eve came to be, according to the prophets? Br. Brown has done extensive research and shared it in the book. Do you understand what occurred in the councils in heaven which precipitated the creation of the earth and our sojourn into mortality? Do you understand the fate of children who die too early? Do you realize the hope, the promise and the beauty of the plan … Continue reading →

Singing Time in Primary

The very best part of sharing time, for me, is when we sing the primary songs. The day came in my life when I was called to be the Primary Chorister – now, here’s the cool part. When I lead music my hand tends to stutter, meaning I lose the count and then my hand stutters in trying to get back to where I’m supposed to be. Did you know that little kids just don’t care about that? How cool is that? Let me tell you how I went about getting the children to learn songs I didn’t have time … Continue reading →