My Story Paperback – September 30, 2014

I devoured this book once I started it and am left with a feeling of awe. I have a background in mental health and social work and know many stories, as well as having read several. I think this is my all-time favorite because of the writing, story-telling, and I think also the woman! Elizabeth is truly inspiring. She has one of those souls, like Nelson Mandela.I love that the book tells her story, but it doesn't go into salacious details. Come on, we all know or can guess at the atrocities she experienced and no one truly needs to know those details. In fact, I think knowing them might even open the door for judgement and comparison to a victim's experience and of how one would think they would behave if in that position... overall it's unnecessary and re-traumatizing. This story and Elizabeth's recount of it is so powerful that none of the drama and additional descriptions are required to be fully engrossed.Reading this, my heart broke for her and with her, at the same time celebrating her gratitude and small victories. Being an avid horse-woman, it was a surprise and joy to learn of her equine connection and the healing it brought her.As a mom, I wanted to protect her, as a sister fight with her, and as a professional help her mentally and emotionally... but somehow she doesn't need that from us. What she needs is for us to hear what she is truly saying, to empathize and recognize the plight of child victims, to talk about the important aspects, and to be aware and proactive in protecting the world around us and around our kids. She needs us to not dwell on the past and what has been, rather use the knowledge that can be gained from it and make changes in the future.I finished this book last night and just bought one for my mom to read. I also asked my husband to read it. I am a Christian woman who has been ostracized and harassed by others, many of the Mormon religion, so I was interested in Elizabeth's experience and how her faith played a role. Incredible. One of the things I took away from this book is not anything about religion, rather her personal relationship with her Heavenly Father. God is good and faithful and true and he loves his children, regardless of the way they grew up or the religion they ascribe to. Faith in the Heavenly Father doesn't need a label. I have been through terrible things that I know I only survived because of my faith, which has never waivered.I think everyone should read this book. There are so many messages and lessons to be learned from it. Most of all, how we live each day is a choice. We can choose joy and choose to be happy. It doesn't mean we won't also experience sadness, horror, and other negative things, but we can always choose to recognize and be grateful for the positives. I truly believe that Elizabeth is a sister in Christ and I love this woman. She has a message and a testimony and her words have power. She needs to be heard, especially in this day and age.

I don't even know how to start. I am a mother of two daughters and I have hesitated reading this book, because of the things I knew I was going to be reading about. The thought of one of my children being taken away from me is my worst nightmare. I cannot even begin to imagine what this family went through during the 9 months Elizabeth was gone. Even more, I cannot even fathom all the things Elizabeth went through and turned out to be such a beautiful and inspiring young woman.I have heard some people call this book "too positive", or "she had to loose faith at some point". Why? Why is it so hard for a person to believe that they could hold onto their faith no matter what. Especially if that is the ONLY thing they had to hold onto. I don't know what book they were reading, because I could feel the utter despair she felt at times, and it was heart wrenching. I didn't feel that she was too positive, and even if she was, MORE power to her!Like I said before, I had been hesitant about reading this book, but I had heard so many good things about it, that I finally broke down and bought it. I am so glad I did. It was very hard to read at times, but it also gave me a better appreciation for what I have, and what the Lord has given me and blessed me with.Elizabeth went through 9 months of pure Hell. Even after reading the book, it hard for me to fathom that such evil is even out there. I know it is, but to read about it just reaffirms that there really are just plain evil people out there. My heart broke for this poor 14 yr old girl who was taken from the comfort of her own home. Her OWN HOME...Still blows my mind. Forced to do horrible, and unspeakable things for any young woman! Yet, throughout it all, she found ways to find the "good" in life. I don't know who she did it. Even reading what she found as "good", all I could think is "how could she think that was good"? But, as you read on you realize that they were tender little mercies here and there to hep her make it through her 9 months of Hell.I want to believe that I would never question the love my Father in Heaven had for me or my faith in him, but I don't know what I would have done. I want to think I would always remember, and I hope that I never have to find out, but her simple faith, and desire to be with her family again, was absolutely beautiful.There are some things I underlined in the book that I want to share...I don't think I have to worry about giving too much away, since you know how it ends :).Page 8This is a quote from one of Elizabeth Smarts Sunday School Teachers"If you will pray to do what God wants you to do, he will change your life"(She thought about this during a dark and hard night...remembering that no matter what God COULD change her life. Even if it had to be 30 years from then when she outlived her captures)Page 10"When faced with pain and evil, we have to make a choice. We can choose to be taken by evil OR we can try to embrace the Good".(If Elizabeth Smart can feel that way while living with two of the worlds most horrible human beings, surely there is nothing in my life that I cannot overcome, and find the good in all things!)Page 60This is a quote from Elizabeth's mother when Elizabeth was feeling "sad" about not being invited to a party."You know that "popular" is just another name for rude"later on this same page she says"Elizabeth, you're going to meet lots of people in this life. Some will like you. Some of them won't. But of all the people you'll have to deal with, there are only a few people that matter. God. And your dad and me. God will always love you. You are His daughter. He will never turn his back on you. The same thing is true for me. It doesn't matter where you go, or what you do, or whatever else might happen, I will always love you. You will always be my daughter. Nothing can change that"Page 282After she has been returned to her family this is from her older brother Charles"I have felt so terrible, not only because I wasn't there to protect you, but because the last thing I ever said to you was to tease you about some stupid little thing. I am so sorry! I am so sorry. But I promise, never again will I say good-bye without telling you I love you. That will always be the last thing I say whenever we say good-bye again"Then my favorite quote (or few paragraphs :) of the whole book ....Page 285-286From Elizabeth's sweet mother, who I love by the way! She is amazing."Elizabeth, what this man has done is terrible. There aren't any words that are strong enough to describe how wicked and evil he is! He has taken nine months of your life that you will never get back again. But the best punishment you could ever give him is to be happy. To move forward with your life. To do exactly what you want. Because, yes, this will probably go to trial and some kind of sentencing will be given to him and that wicked woman. But even if that's true, you may not feel like justice has been served or that true restitution has been made."But you don't need to worry about that. At the end of the day, God is our ultimate judge. He will make up to you every pain and loss that you have suffered. And if it turns out that these wicked people are not punished here on Earth, it doesn't matter. His punishments are just. You don't ever have to worry. You don't ever have to think about them again."You be happy, Elizabeth. Just be happy. If you go and feel sorry for yourself, or if you dwell on what has happened, if you hold on to your pain, that is allowing him to steal more of your life away. So don't you do that! Don't you let him! There is no way that he deserves that. Not one more second of your life. You keep every second for yourself. You keep them and be happy. Good will take care of the rest"Such a wise and loving mother. I don't think I would have had the guts to share my story. I am sure we have all heard news reports, and stories about Elizabeth Smart. Read this one! This is her account. Her outlook on what happened to her, and her beautiful rescue. She is absolutely amazing. Beautiful. Powerful. Loving. A true example of faith and love.I could go on and on, but you should pick it up for yourself! It really is an inspiring book. A beautiful lesson on faith, hope and forgiveness.