A little more ancestory

I finished another book today. Two in one day feels great! Nikoline's Academy really connected with me. I doubt I'll read it as a bed time story to my kids (see Nikoline's Choice). But I'll encourage my daughters to read it when they are teenagers. This book was all about Nikoline's journey through college. Things sure were different back then. It only took her one year to earn her teaching degree. You could get baptized every eight years. And you could get married in the temple just weeks after your baptism. They didn't bathe, horse and buggy were source of travel, to name a more obvious few. Anyway, I loved how anxious she was to become a teacher. I reminded me of myself. I guess a love of teaching has been in the family longer than I knew. Hearing of her teacher training reminded me of my own days in Cache County Schools. Those were very different from my current teaching status.

There was a literary focus on "if." Which I found interesting cause my dad always challenged us not to ask those "what if" questions. Maybe that's always been in the family too.

But the best part of course was the love story. I can't wait to read Nikoline's Career and see if she marries Ray Shumway, which I don't think she will. Cause I think his real life character is President Hinckley's Uncle or Dad or something. I'll have to research it and ask my dad. Anyway, the love story made me shrill out loud at the end of the book. And until that point I hadn't thought it was that great of a book. But me making noises out loud while I read is the sign of a good book. Well, Ray rides on his horse day and night to help Nikoline get her first job as a teacher. And he did it all without her even knowing. It was so sweet. And then when she was finally able to thank him he kissed her on the lips, twice. Which was a real big deal back then.

I love reading this series. I can dream about Mount Timpanogos while she describes its beauty. I can picture her and Ray canoeing across Lake Utah. I know what it's like to finally come home after being away for such a long time. And so much more. I love my roots!