Twenty-four years ago I left home to serve an 18-month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This was a huge step out of my comfort zone for me on so many levels. My time in the field was not what I expected and because of that I had to make peace with the outcome. As I thought about my experience I came up with some advice I wish I could give myself twenty-four years ago. Since I can’t, I will share it here.
Continue readingSunday Vibe
About my church callings
As Jesus taught
Before I continue with this observation I need to point out that I am not a teacher by trade only by calling. I have no formal training only a few thoughts on the subject. I claim no authority or expertise only opinion. Here on some ideas I have thought about concerning teaching as Jesus taught. Continue reading
I’m fine. And you?
A regular reader of this little blog will know that a few years ago I hit a bit of a rough patch. Let me be clear, technically I was fine. Physically I felt fine. Nothing was wrong to the visible eye. My faith, though, was shaken; my future path uncertain. When faith becomes so intertwined with one’s identity it becomes noticeable when that core loses its footing. I couldn’t help it when my feelings and mood seeped into my blog posts. So much so, I had faithful readers ask me about my well-being. My foundation became shaky as I had to make a decision to stand or find a new foundation. Let’s just say, things were up in the air a bit. While I am still struggling a little I have continued on and tried to rebuild my foundation a bit more secure than before. It is a process. But that’s just a little background for the main point of this blog and that is this: you never know what struggle someone is fighting inside so be nice to people. Seriously. Continue reading
Come, Follow Me observations and insights from the trenches
Over a year ago, I was called to serve as a Gospel Doctrine teacher for a ward in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is my second go-around in this calling as I taught this class for three years starting in 2006. After teaching Gospel Doctrine I went into Young Women and had the opportunity to usher in the era of the Come, Follow Me for youth. Once you teach using that format, you can’t really go back to the old style of gospel teaching. So when I started my second round of Gospel Doctrine, I taught using the new format. In January of this year, when the format for Sunday School changed to the Come, Follow Me lessons I was excited. Don’t tell anyone but this is probably my favorite calling. I love to teach. I love the scriptures. It’s a good combination for me. While I have no other expertise than my love of this calling to write this post I thought I’d share a few observations I have noticed about Sunday School. Keep in mind, this is only my opinion and since I really have nowhere else to share my thoughts, here we go. Continue reading
When love is left out of the equation…
I listened quietly. That’s what I do. I am a quiet observer.
His complaint was valid, I’ll give him that.
I listened to a home teacher talk about his assigned single sister to minister to. She owned her own home but was “needy” in that she always asked him to help with fix-it chores. Perhaps he was just venting because he was talking to a family friend. The problem though is that I also was there. And I related to the single sister’s situation. Continue reading
Clear, Dry Roads Prayer II
I live in Wyoming and a true Wyomingite lives by certain truths. One, you don’t plan trips during winter. If there happens to be a nice day and the roads are open then go somewhere. You should take advantage of those moments in winter because more than likely, the weather may not be conducive to driving and the roads may be closed. It’s a truth or merely a fact of life here in Wyoming. But life doesn’t stop just when the snow comes. Sometimes you have to make plans even in Wyoming. Continue reading
Social Media Fast
For some time now, I knew I had a problem. I didn’t want to acknowledge it but I felt it deep inside me. My freedom had been sold. I had a master of sorts. I was addicted to social media. Compared with other addictions people face this might seem trite or rather laughable. But for me, I knew it was a problem. Continue reading
The distraction plan
I knew the date was coming. For two years, I was aware of the day. It caused no small amount of worry, pondering, and contemplating. This was going to be a difficult day. But it was two years away so I could put it to the back of my mind. Continue reading
Why Bad Things Happen to Good People: a few thoughts
Why do bad things happen to good people? Have you ever pondered this? Maybe the question has taken the more personal form for you. Maybe in the middle of the rainstorm you have cried, “Why me?” Or the more seasoned “What next?” I had the opportunity to contemplate these questions and I thought I would share my thoughts. Continue reading
A small act of kindness
It was a simple act. I wonder how many people even noticed? Surely if I saw it others must have too.
Brother So-and-so was saying the Sacrament prayer for the bread. Apparently, it was that kind of day for him. The words just couldn’t make their way out of his mouth correctly. He started several times. This is one of those instances that have the potential to embarrass someone. For some people, it could even drive them to obscurity. Slip away, slip away into safe, comfortable surroundings. Why bother trying?
ck's days 