LostInSpace

Congrats Bethie! I'm so happy for you :)

To me, this is one of those areas we should simply pray for an answer. We can think about and guess all we want but it's pretty unlikely we are capable of understanding His reasons for things without His help. Science tells us green tea is healthy, so maybe health is not the complete story. Or maybe we'll find out more about green tea in the future. Maybe if we ask, we will receive a personal revelation. To me, it is a matter of obedience and it is a simple rule to follow. Now, I hear no hot drinks means coffee and tea but I've not actually seen that written anywhere yet. Until I do, I play it safe and take hot drinks quite literally. I also take it to mean drinks that are iced or are normally hot such as your iced coffees and teas. I also happen to feel better and have more energy when I drink lots of water and juice. Personally, I avoid soda an other drinks as well. But that more of a preference thing.

I'll take the advice of the notice requesting I post :) While I tend to agree with the sympathy, I generally do not agree with the state imposing these sorts of laws. For one, they are nearly unenforceable. If they want to enforce them, as someone else mentioned new jails will be opened up or huge amounts of fines would be collected - most likely from the less educated, poorer demographic. The proper way to deal with these issues is through education. For instance, in most parts of Canada, smoking is now a very despised activity. Education and public awareness did this - not penalties. One can feel the pressure to put the smoke away. One knows smoking is wrong. It is only those who harden their hearts (brains??) so to speak who chose to smoke. Nothing can be one for these people until they make the choice to stop. Impose laws and people will build underground smoking bunkers. Really. Teach that pornography is wrong... admittedly it's not an easy thing to do with all the trash we see on TV, magazines etc but it is the only way to truly deal with the problem. Laws for the sake of laws just wont work. Laws with the idea the govt is "sending a message" won't work since a) a bunch of govt officials will get busted and there goes moral authority, or b) those who have loose morals tend to think the govt should not be passing moral judgement (of course that is relative). My 2 cents

I too have a strong feeling I should join the church. So strong I will be baptized on Saturday. I work in IT - very long hours and lots of coffee is part of the culture. However, after only a couple talks with Missionaries and a single Sunday the Spirit was so strong. I gave it all up (smokes, coffee, scotch - cold turkey) and follow the Words of Wisdom. The first few days were hard - I had headcaches all the time and I was a little sleepy. But now, no problem. I find myself going to sleep at night far earlier than before and I wake earlier as well. Just do it - the headaches will go away, the irritability will go away, your sleep will be better and Heavenly Father will be well pleased.

This is what we do and it has worked wonders. Might not work for everyone but since you've asked :) First, we pay off debt as fast as we can - don't go overboard on it but put extra on all debt every month. Paying off debt does not mean don't save anything. We got rid of credit cards completely (as in cut them up) Second, stop letting bills come out of your bank account automagically. Never let bills go on credit card. Instead wait for the bill to come in the mail and pay it via online banking or write a cheque that same day. This is different from what I think most people do but it keeps the bills in my mind and I'm never surprised by the $ in the bank. Third, my best budgets are made in a very simple spreadsheet. This is the budget plan. Fourth, I use KMyMoney (Linux/KDE) but I suppose Quicken offers the same. Reconsile all your accounts every day. This is a must. The spreadsheet is the plan, the KMyMoney/Quicken is the fact. At then end of the month you can use this data to update your plan since when starting out most folk have no idea where money is really going. Pay yourself first. (When/If I become a member Tithe first . Since we're single income I like to save a lot. In food stores or in cash etc. Once debt is paid off decide how much to save and put this somewhere safe. If you have trouble with money, put it into food stores. I also collect gold and silver bullion since it's hard to spend and is a safe store for cash. I tend to spend cash as well. Also, more on KMyMoney/Quicken. I create different categories for things. Meat, Produce, Staples (Flour,rice,spuds, pasta), Fast Food, Junk Food, Restaurant, Work Lunch etc.. everything I can categorize I do. This really helps to see how much I can save by taking lunch to work and how much a quick stop at the 7-11 costs for those chips or choc bars etc. Finally, develop a weekly meal plan. Groceries can be a huge cost and flying by the seat of your pants is not the best idea. Hope at least some of these ideas can help you!

It sounds like you and your family enjoyed your day as much as I did. Great news indeed and if anything, only enhances my experience!! Your posts about visiting with missionaries only strengthend my resolve to go today. Thanks you!

Well, it was a great experience. Everyone made me feel very welcome and I've met some very nice people. I attended all three meetings - I think I enjoyed the second part the most - Gospel Principles. I've been reading this online on my own and it was very interesting to hear others talk about the lesson. Hymns were "hard" for me but still very relaxing. Since I never sing, I felt as though I was mumbling and constantly clearing my throat haha. But it was nice. I met a nice missionary who gave me a Book of Mormon to study on my own. I'm going to meet with missionaries on Saturday. I wish it were sooner but it hard to schedule during the week with work and family. I'm looking forward to that as well as the next meeting on Sunday. To sum it up: can't wait to go back

I think so - I'll find out in about 30 minutes :) I walk *everywhere* but the chapel is about 6km away. Work is 3.2km and that takes me 40 minutes.

I'm in Montreal, Canada.

Ben - Thanks for the advice. Indeed. It's a big day for me, bought a new tie for the occasion

Well, I've decided to attend church tomorrow. I'm excited and very nervous - but from everything I've read it seems I have nothing to worry about :) I still have not talked to a missionary in person but I expect I'll meet someone when I go. haha hope they don't give me the boot Is there anyone I should introduce myself to when I arrive? Any formalities a visitor must go through? I've been told to arrive a little early to get a seat. Also, I've been reading Gospel Principles so I think I'm a little more informed. But between that and what I've read here about the Sabbath... I think we're not supposed to cause others to work. I don't drive (gave up the car 6 years ago) ... is it ok to take transit? Or is it better I invest in a bike or just walk? I want to do things the right way. Thanks everyone!

Yes, please do! I'm very happy for you. I've been thinking about it all day so I can not wait to hear more about your experience.

Thank you all for your positive feedback. I have so much to learn - I'm both worried and excited about the change I'm already starting to make. I am spending my time reading as much as I can - there is quite a lot to take in. I'm going to continue reading over the coming days. I think I'll order a Book Of Mormon (or perhaps one of those "Quads" from ldscatalog/deseret books) since I don't even own a hardcopy of the bible. Until then, scriptures.lds.org is my new best buddy along with the mp3 audio book. After some reading I think I'll be in a better position to reach out to missionaries with some slightly educated questions. You can be sure I'll post here with nervous anticipation when I finally make the call! Also, I did locate my meetinghouse - it is quite near. Just knowing where it is seems to bring things into focus. I found the schedule - I'm trying to commit to a day I will visit. We'll see how that goes. Thanks again for reading and all your kind words.

Hi all, I truly hope I do no offend anyone. For so many years I have considered myself to be an Athiest. But for the past months I have felt myself doubting this conviction. I read passages from the Bible and find myself filled with emotion. The sort of which brings tears to my eyes and a tremble to my body. I can not continue to live the why I do. So I find myself here, looking for answers and hoping I've not lost my mind. Why here? Because I've been approached throughout my life by baptists, evangelicals, catholics, and jw's. None of these seems to compare to the kindness displayed when speaking to a member of the LDS. Even when I spitefully inform them I am a non-believer. Still they wish me a good day and even ask if there is anything they can help with. Shocking. Loving. And Exactly how I feel when I read the stories here and read bits of the Bible. LDS seem to truly live how Jesus would have. Amazing to me. So where do I go from here? I know nothing of the Bible except for how I feel. I know nothing of Jesus except what I have mocked. There seems to e a structure and many rules which all seem scary to me. Should I learn more before I contact missionaries? What should I read? I've downloaded the Book of Mormon to listen to any the way to and from work. I want to join the Church but am afraid since I'm not a social person. I don't feel comfortable in groups of people. I need to get over this. Thanks for reading my rambling post.