Heaven Is Here

 

Have you ever read a book that is so good you wanted everyone you know to read it and feel what you felt?

That's how I was reading this book, Heaven Is Here by Stephanie Nielson.

So I would like to tell you about it.

Sorry to my friends family members who have already heard me rave about it : )

I was immediately interested when I heard about this book because I have read the Nie Nie Dialogues for years and have also heard Stephanie speak at an event. 

When I learned it was available I downloaded it and read it in like, 36 hours. 

Which is saying a lot because I am most likely the slowest reader ever.

She describes in detail her life before, during, and after a devastating plane crash that left her body 80% burned. 

Her descriptions of the accident and recovery are heavy...hard to read but I could not stop.

My favorite thing about the book is that it is a real life love story.

Stephanie and Mr. Nielson (as she calls him) met, fell in love, and were married by the time she was like 19 years old.
Something I can relate to being somewhat of a child-bride myself   : )
All she wanted her entire life was to have a family of her own.

Stephanie and Mr. Nielson went through an unimaginable nightmare together.
Can you imagine literally being burned alive?
One of my biggest fears.

Instead of harvesting blame and anger their love and respect for each other grew and they came out of their trial even more in love than before, despite their majorly changed and disfigured physical appearances.

Being LDS I also enjoyed reading her words about the Church. 

She didn't come off preachy at all, she simply stated what she believed in a 'take it or leave it' kind of way.

I was constantly wondering what people who aren't LDS thought of it all.

The only thing that I didn't like about the book is that I was sad when it was over.
Make sure you have a tissue handy with this one.

For realsies.