To begin at the beginning...

While browsing for post through The Penslayer's blog archives, I stumbled upon this. While, admittedly, an old posting, I loved the idea. And since it was a quick and fun thing to do, I decided to give it a go! (Although if I have my way there will be a real review up soon on C.S. Lewis' "Till We Have Faces.")

Now on to the fun part: the beginnings of some of my favorite stories:

Till We Have Faces C.S. Lewis: I am old now and have not much to fear from the anger of the gods.

The Fellowship of the Ring J.R.R. Tolkien: When Mr. Bilbo Baggins of Bag End announced that he would shortly be celebrating his eleventy-first birthday with a party of special magnificence, there was much talk excitement in Hobbiton.

The Hobbit J.R.R. Tolkien: In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.

Stepping Heavenward Mrs. E. Prentiss: How dreadfully old I am getting! Sixteen! Well, I don't see as I can help it.

To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee: When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow.

Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen: It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of good fortune must be in want of a wife.

Rose in Bloom Louisa May Alcott: Three young men stood together on a wharf one bright October day awaiting the arrival of an ocean steamer with an impatience which found vent lively skirmish with a small lad, who pervaded the premises like a will-o'-the-wisp and afforded much amusement to the other groups assembled there.

Rebecca Dauphne du Maurier: Last night I dreamt I went to Manderlay again...

The Secret Life of Bees Sue Monk Kidd: At nI would lie in bed and watch the show, how bees squeezed through the cracks of my bedroom wall and flew circles around the room, making that propeller sound, a high- pitched zzzzz that hummed along my skin.

Plenilune Jennifer Freitag: Margaret Coventry stood on the platform at Leeds with a rain-speckled umbrella folded in one hand and her carpetbag in the other.

Emma Jane Austen: Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her.

Voice in the Wind Francine Rivers: The city was silently bloating in the hot sun, rotting like the thousands of bodies that lay where they had fallen in street battles.

And finally, because I am really a three year old on the inside, good ol' Winnie the Pooh...

The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh A.A. Milne: Here is Edward Bear, coming downstairs now, bump, bump, bump, bump, on the back of his head, behind Christopher Robin.

A Review of Stepping Heavenward

Stepping Heavenward is an amazing book! I am surprised I haven't heard about it before now. It is in my favorite time period 1800s-1900s. The book begins January 15, 1831 when Kate Mortimer, the heroine, turns 16 years old. (Already we had that in common :)) 

Kate is kind, impetuous, short tempered, fun, amusing, and I wish she was my friend. She begins as a carefree sixteen year old who wishes to have more out of life. She believes she could find the fulfillment she needs in Christianity, as her mother does. 

And so begins "One Woman's Journey to Godliness," as the cover says. Kate is not a perfect saint, though she does good deeds and is definitely a godly woman. She has difficulties, bumps, in the roads, doubts, and tempers. She is extremely easy to relate to. She is a wonderful picture of the Christian life as it should be, turning to and depending on her Savior through every trial, whether big or small.

Her husband is just who I picked out for her immediately, before I even really fully knew who he was. And her rash romance earlier in the book I never liked. I understood why she was deceived, but I knew that Charley would be no good for her.

Her trials with Martha and Martha's father were sometimes  humorous, sometimes exasperating, and always interesting. 

Dr. Earnest Elliott was reserved, and sometimes I would despair along with Katy his lack of showing affection. But he truly loved her though he wasn't demonstrative. I am still rather upset that he forgot some of their wedding anniversaries, but he had a lot on his plate most of the time. 

Mrs. Mortimer, Kate's mother, was almost too good to exist. I didn't mind though, because she is very lovable. Helen Elliott was a darling and just shy of being too perfect. My heart broke for her when the tragedy happened. (I won't tell you what that is, because I don't want to spoil it for you!)

Miss Clifford was a delight, she was so sparkling, witty and vivacious. And dear saintly Mrs. Campbell who had to go through many trials and was an invalid, taught me along with Kate about some great spiritual truths. Finally, I must mention Reverend Cabot, who was with Kate throughout the journey, patiently guiding her, answering questions, and giving her a Sunday School position. His wife, also, though a very minor character, was an inspiration. 

This book was wonderful, convicting, and it answered a lot of the questions I had about the Christian walk. I can only hope by the end of my life I am half as good and godly a women as Kate Mortimer Elliott was.

This is a wonderful book, and Kate is sort of Anne Shirley and Jo March combined. So you can't really go wrong with that, can you? You must read this book. It has quickly become one of my favorites that I know I shall reread again and again.