kathysmike

It is of little consequence if they showed up at the soup kitchen or sent a letter or e-mail. I think the stink they made at being turned down or being turned away as potential partners is the story. The fact that the atheist group's stated mission is diametrically opposed to that of the group that was hosting or running this particular feed or event. It boggles my mind that this group was upset about being turned away. What a great publicity grab for this atheist group try to volunteer for this event knowing we would be turned away go to the press and tell our story and lets run with it.

mnn727 I have a question how does not having a lot of money affect the fact that an individual needs to tithe on their annual increase? Have we forgotten the story of the Widow's Mite?My family of 3 survives on just over a thousand dollars of Social Security Disability a month which I gladly pay my tithing on, with the knowledge that if I need the help I can ask and it will be there.

We have a family in our ward that fit the model of being caught in the trap of volunteering for every project. It used to bother me, until I heard the Father say one Sunday "It happens all the time I see plate after plate of cookies go out the door, but do I ever get any?" Now when the Whatchamcallem boys are the only ones to volunteer for a service project, or anything else that needs to get done, I stop and think when was the last time we did something for their family.

enriching

My dear wife is currently in an inpatient rehab unit in a local hospital. As I was leaving on Saturday evening I was struck with a very strong impression to stop turn around and give her s blessing of comfort and strength. I dropped the cooler bag the leash for her service dog walked up to her laid my hands on her, shared with her some very sacred promises and words of blessing and encouragement from our father in heaven, we shared many tears of joy and love not many words after words. Once I returned home still filling inspired I called my Bishop to see If we could some how make arrangements to get the sacrament brought in for her. Well he approached me and suggested that my son and I go ahead and take it in for her today. After holding the priesthood for 30 plus years this was the 1st time I had the honor of administering the Lords sacrament in this type of setting and then for it to be with my son and for it be for my lovely spouse. I can not but marvel at how the need was seen and how I was allowed to serve my family by exercising my priesthood. Our Heavenly indeed knows us looks out for us and provides for our needs. I am thankful I was sensitive enough to listen to the spirit and was able to serve my family. The last thing Kathy said to me tonight "Thank you for bringing me the sacrament."

I started this thread talking about how proud I was of my son and his choice to be ordained a Priest. Well today he took 3 of his 2nd tri-mister finals got an 87 on Biology final and an 89 his world history. giving him a b and a c in the two classes great grades when 4 weeks ago the best he had was a d+ in both classes. Lots of stern talking to and encouragement being told he could improve if I wanted to do it. At explaining that if grades equal pay scale HE WOULD BE MAKING MINIUM or below, asking if he wanted to live below minimum standard. Overkill of reminders to do your homework turn it in. pounding in reminders show your work. May have all seemed like nagging if it is presented with love and airs of concern and genuine love they can be effective and aiding the student be successful.

Back on Jan. 6th of this year I had the opportunity to ordain my son to the office of Priest in the priesthood. Today was his first opportunity to officiate as the sacrament was being administered to, watching my son break the bread kneel at the table, later kneel and offer the prayer for all present to be able to renew their baptismal covenants as they partake of the sacramental water. What a neat feeling came over me knowing my son is conducting his life in a manner he is able to hold the priesthood, and exercise it in a manner to allow many too have the chance to renew covenants they have made with their Lord and Savior. This marks a milestone in my son's life I was not ever sure I would be able to see. When he came to live with me I was pretty sure he wanted nothing to do with the Church. The 1st Sunday he went back to visit with his mom I got a call from her stating he refused to go to Church with ever again, I gave her 2 options at that point, bring him back on Saturday evening, so I could take him with me the next morning or drop him off at the meeting house were his (my) ward met before our meetings started, that way he had to attend church. The first time he had a "belly ache" on a Sunday morning he stayed home but so did his step mom to make sure he could not have or do the activities that would replicate fun. He has never had an other " belly Ache" since. He may not have wanted to go to church, but he was not going to stay home either. Now he is often late or missies opening exercises for priesthood, because he is locked in a gospel discussion with his Sunday School Teacher. Cole has a very flexible bedtime, between 8:30 and 10:30 depends on homework load etc. but will always pause and make sure we have family prayer before heading back to his room. Our home is not run perfectly but as we try to what we know what is right we see great changes not only in his life but in ours also.

My Sweet 21 year old Niece was excited when she opened her Mission call back in September, to see she was called to serve in the Santo Domingo East mission, in the Dominican Republic. Her call had her reporting the MTC in Provo, in December she was informed she no longer needed to report to Provo but need report directly to the MTC in the Dominican Republic 3 weeks after her original report date for Provo. Sister Mero flew out of the Detroit Metro Airport on this past Wednesday, after a two hour lay over in Miami, she arrived at the airport in Santo Domingo, only to find no one from the MTC there to met her, after clearing customs and looking around, and a touch of panic starting to set in, she decided she needed to pray for help, as she exited the airport to find a quitter spot to call out and plea for help from above, she was approached by a woman who happened to be a member of the church who was sensitive enough to the spirit to realize this young Sister missionary was in a near panic and needed her help. With the help that was provided they got in touch with the MTC there in the DR, and arranged transportation, after the arrangements had been set up this local sister sat and visited with my niece until the cab arrived to whisk her away to the MTC. A couple of neat side notes Sister Mero, also reported the MTC there in the DR has about 30 Missionaries in training at this time, all the classrooms and dorm type rooms are on the 4th floor of a building near or next to the Temple. I assume it is some type of church administration building, as she mentioned the café/lunchroom was on the 1st floor.

As of 2008 men were required to get a clearance or a cancelation, not exclusively a cancelation as mentioned earlier.

My, son was 14 when he came to live with me, I knew he had doubts about the gospel, I made it a rule he attend Sunday meetings with us, he has. Even on the weekends he has been with his mother he has made it possible to attend meetings in our ward. We have never pushed the "church" on him just required to attend weekly Sunday worship. He came to me a month ago after arranging a series of interviews with the Bishop to prepare himself for his advancement to the office of priest, and to talk about receiving his P.B. We live the gospel in our home but do not force Bruce to participate beyond were he has felt comfortable, tonight as he offered the blessing on dinner it was a bit more awkward, he stated he was tying to get away from just repeating the food blessing his Mom taught him when he was a young kid, we are making small steps but are moving forward. The good and big step is on this coming Sunday I will have the opportunity to ordain him to the office of a Priest. We have had many talks and discussions and he seems ready and willing to accept the new and additional responsibilities with the new position. A lot of the credit goes to his desire to grow, and the desire to please his Father in Heaven. He has an awesome Sunday School teacher who can identify with the "unconventional" teenager the one whose hair maybe a little longer who may not be a scout, the non-cookie cutter teen member which describes my son, who has really helped Bruce understand its ok to be different and still believe. With prayer, fasting, understanding, and lots of patience, consistent love, things will work out in the Lord's time.

This whole thread has me pulled in so many directions, seeing how the unions work today the corruption and what it now has the two tiered pay system new employees paid a much lower wage than those doing the same job with any seniority. Why would a new employee want to pay dues and get a lower wage for the same work as the guy next to them. I then began to remember the stories I have heard regarding my Great Grand Father and his Coalminer organizers in the Blair Mountaint Logan County Union Organizers. Not to rehash a lot of history, in the end my Great Grand Father was Killed by Company Guard for his Union activities he was ran into accompany building by a company car driven by company guard. My Family has a long history with being pro union, when unions were young, I understand and appreciate their selfless gifts for the causes. I have been pro union for most of my life. Now as the unions struggle with it should be able to represent their membership strongly and each member equally it should not matter if they are retiree, a member with 20 years on the job a new hired employee. All these employee should be given the same receive the same benifets from their union membership.

Union dues not only being used to back candidates whom we do not personally back, support for ballot proposals we do not agree with, used to pay lobbyist who lobby for laws to passed that go against our beliefs. Now that's what I call wise use of our hard earned wages.

All this union talk, has reminded me of a patient who came to the Hearing Aid office, I worked in as a patient consultant helping them adjust to the use and care of hearing instruments. After he was tested and we evaluated his results he needed amplification. As we explained this to him he made it clear that he was a local union president and had so power and influence over the membership that we should fit with our best set of Hearing Aids at no charge and he would make sure that his membership would patronize our office. We thanked him and sent on his way.

I have to wonder find more important a piece of material hanging from the neck, or a chance to for a young man who maybe struggling to hold on to his testimony to have the chance to pass the sacrament? At 15 mere weeks from 16, he is responsible for keeping track of his own clothing, if he can't find his tie or other articles he will go without until he finds them. I can and do suggest ways and methods to store and keep track of and store his belongings he is free to follow them or not.

Our Stake seems to have a large number of members completing their medical education, I often see them being stopped and being quizzed about medical issues that should really be addressed in a medical setting not in a church hallway. I know these brethren ,(currently have no knowledge of any sisters in this position), are more than generous with their knowledge, It does take them away from their worship time or their limited time with their families.

Having lived in Michigan my whole life I find this idea offensive, this topic is full of emotion no matter what side you are on. It has families split down the middle. The mere mention of unions gets every ones hunches up. I was raised in an union home, my own Mother lives on an Union pension and medical insurance. My Brother is a proud UAW Auto worker 18plus years on the line. Yet I find myself on the Right to Work side of the line. My experience working in the news media here in Detroit in the 80's and 90's taught me that the unions are not what they use to be. That we as the workers need to be able to decide if we want the Benefit of union membership. When I worked my last job I saw many who paid union dues for 30+ plus years in the steel mills but had no benefits to show for their money could not afford the aids they needed to help them live full lives.**********steps off soap box and crawls back under rock********

A few weeks ago my 15 year old son was unable to locate his tie before it was time to leave for church, I told him we would just have to leave without it. The Deacons Quorum President approached him and asked him to help pass, my tieless son looked to me I just shrugged my shoulders leaving it up to him, he moved up to the front to pass, much to my surprise my very wise bishop said nothing and allowed my son to pass the sacrament without a tie knowing that the chance for him to use his priesthood was more important than the idea or fact he was not sporting a tie.

Weekly we have a Brother who insist on siting in the center of our "row" after parking his walker on the end then trips of Brother and Sister D, both in there late Seventies, once the sacrament is passed he sets the bread tray in his lap touches each and every piece partakes of 4or5 chuncks then once he has had his fill then he will hand the tray to the person sitting next to him. My earlier thoughts were I can't believe the Bishop lets this go on. Now I think wow Bishop Y really loves the members of his ward to allow this harmless annoying behavior to occur.

A couple weeks ago my son was unable to locate his one tie in time to leave for church. So off to Church we went fifteen year old son no tie. Sure enough the Deacons Quorum President Approached him asked if he could help pass the sacrament my son got up and moved to the front of the chapel to take his place to pass the sacrament ,without his tie, I took a deep breath as I awaited his return to our bench after the Bishop told him he needed a tie to pass the sacrament. But much to my surprise I looked up and my son was at the end of our row offering us the emblems of the sacrament. Another example of tradition vs. doctrine. Having grown up in this stake I was sure that passing the sacrament included sporting a tie. b

Two weeks ago my neibojor's Wife passedwat, since then every eveing, we been over cone by the pungent ordor.of what we belive to be of POT. What we are looking for is ideas on how best to handle the situation, do we simple ignor it contact him and let him we are disturbed by the heavy amount of smoke that is entring our homes. Or contact the police agency and let them handlle the siuation?

When our current HT made his first contact with our family it was a quick calll on July 29 wanting to drop by on the 30th, we had family commitments that day so it was a no go. We tried to set somthing up for August never happend. In September my wife was hospitalized for a couple of days, Brother G. made a herculean effort to come visit us once she came home, we had a very nice warm visit. Come time for the October visit, the last tuesday of the month as seems to be his day to visit, was one of my bad days that month we were low on funds I was out of enough cash to cover my pain pillls, I was in pain and not at my normal level of functionalbility. Bro G, being an ER Resident was able to pick up on it, was able to help pinpoint what was going on. Was able to explain to me things I have known all along but not able to come to grips with, help me set some timley goals to complete to help me and my family move forward. His kids and Wife have also adopted us and we have been to thier homr fpr dinner, thier 5 year old has expressed desire to have hs hair styled like my 15 year olds. What I am trying to say the Lords programs work for everyone, this is the second time in my life when a HT has reached out to me and began to pull up and help me feel whole once again. Home Teaching works when we are senstive enough to truly listen to the spirit as to what are families may need than not be afraid no matter how strange it may seem.

On Sunday he asked if Rudy(budy) could come down to just hang I told him I needed to think about it, after checking weather forcast lower 40s rain, I told Bruce I thought it was not a good Idea since they had no plans other than to hang out and wander around. On Tuesday Bruce asked if he could go with Sklylar and the kids from school to a Hunted House Wednesday, I had no problem knowing that Skylar's father would be driving. While running erronds Wednesday afternoon Bruce inndicated again the kids from school that he would be going with that evening, no mention of the friend Rudy. He told me they would be by around 4:30 to pick him up. Around 4:40 he said I just got a text they are on thier way I am going out to wait, I will message ya I leave. We live on a corner lot and can not see out on the side of the house where he was being picked up. An hour later is when I discovered the decite and bold face lies about who he was going to be with and calmly pulled the plug on what my son was going to particapate in that evening. Were there "innocent" bystanders yes but I will not allow my Son to benifit after being caught lieing to my face These boys have a history of bad judgment, from stories shared from my son, wandering the streets well after midnight just because there was nothing better to do. When in a grandparents/parents basement/attic they have been known to extensivly pilfer/rummage through personal belongings all by my sons addmission. They are quitre apt in convincing/whining to get thier way. The above things are things I have been working on teaching/my boy are not acceptable ways to behave.

Tuesday my son asked if he could go with his friends from High Schoo; to a Haunted House on Wednesday for there Haloween evening. I asked for details, a parent was driving, a small group was Haunted House. Around 4:30 he grabbed his coat and said I'll wait outside they just sent a text they are leaving now, I told him cool let know when you leve here. By 5:30 I heard nothing from him so wonderred outside, Saw my son standing there with his buddie from his mom's neighboord who he asked to have come over for halloween and had told him no it was just to far 30 or miles on school nite to just hang makes no sence. I went inside gathered myself, retuned outside told my 15 yearold I did not approve of the decite and he had 3 minutes to cancel the trip to the Haunted House and for his buddy to call his ride, and to get back in the house. 20 minutes later his friend's Mother whom I do not know was at the door wanting to know what happend, complaining she had drivin all this way. I explained this was all stp up behind by back by deite and my son was not going to benifit from lieing to me, she walked away mad at me. These 2 have been friends for 8 years in the towm my Ex lives in, hence I do not know his parents, or him very well.

Sorry I have not been back busy dealing with my own son's issue. Today my brother posted the following which I have edited for space he expresses thier level of fustration very well they are not members of the church Quinn thier son to my knowledge has never been given a blessing, we have had family fasts, and had had his name on the temple prayer rolls. "Geez, the service here moves about as slow as Quinn's colon. We are very frustrated at the lack of action. 3rd full day here and only 3 things have been done to either get a better picture or to try to help get Quinn's colon moving again. Absurd! We are going home tonight because they are just wasting our time. We don't need to sit in the hospital to have one test or procedure a day. The next "intervention" is scheduled for Monday. Apparently we are the only ones who are concerned about the situation and want to attack the problem more aggresively. Not to mention that we are done with the Residents who don't listen, don't communicate our concerns and questions to the Attending of the Fellow and think they know it all. A Resident got mad at me yesterday because I was questioning him. Then, he lectured me about TPN and how it works. I almost laughed at him, doesn't he know we have been doing TPN with Quinn for 2 years? No, he doesn't know because no one bothers to read his file so they don't know what they are dealing with and try to treat him as a normally functioning kid. Quinn carries 2 very rare diagnosises and to our knowledge he is the 1st to carry both of these diagnosises which makes him 1 in 7 billion. Why do we have to deal with students? I know this is a teaching hospital but seriously, Interns and Residents should not involved in decision making for his case, they can follow along and learn but that should be the extent of their involvement." He referrs to TPN which is Total Parental Nutrition the main way Quinn is fed through tubes, waste is then evacuated through tubes. As you can tell my brother oQuinns Mom are pretty dedicated and fustrated. They belong to a Prune Belly Syndrome Network only around 45 or so Families nationwide. His other diagnosis he shares with less than 20 other living paitients world wide most never live past 18. They are lucky to have had Quinn for the time they have had are are true fighters and advocates for his health. We as thier family are just feeling a portion of thier pain and fustration. We are at a loss in knowing how to help them. They do have an older 5 year old son with a killer personality who is a complete joy to be with.

My 2 year old Nephew was born with 2 severe birth defects the most known one is called Prune Belly Syndrome lack of adominal muscular development, leaving a bloated prunish appearnish. Quimm's other condition effects the size and developement and function of his colon and large intestines. He is on TPN(Total Paternal Feed 14 hours a day) very hard on his liver with the direct feed. Produces very litte waste material. Eats orally limited enjoyes it will cheer and fist pump after each bite. Quinn walks, carries a back pack with the needed pumps tubes and bags on his back, will walk around the room stop and look up at you and wonder why you are not cheering and appaulding his achievment. When he was born the Doctors told his parents he would not live a week, there best bet was to just go home and leave him there to die, or maybe take him home so he could die amongst his family. Today Quinn is a happy tempertantrum throwing 2 yearold, who needs extra medical care to eat and live but has a very "normal" life of love laughter and play. He was admitted last night to C. S Motts Childrens Hospital at University of Michigan for a Blockage in hi Large intestine, 2 Months ago His parents pointed out a mass/blockage in his small intestines to the doctor, it was pushed aside yet here it is now in the large intestine as a blockage that needs to pass before quinn can began to gain weight once again. the mass was pointed out a number of times before it reached the current location and nothing was done. Now it is problen. Quinns parents are feeling rather fustrated that they pointed out 2 months ago and nothing was done to preventi it progressinto a problem. They are askin what to when the Mwed pros wont listen