Madriglace

The script doesn't change only the actors .... there are a certain set of events that must happen and the people involved were foreordained to be part of the events ... however they have their agency to make their choices. Kind of like ... keep up or get out of the way. Joseph Smith comes to mind when he was having such a hard time with polygamy ... the angel told him basically either do it or die. Sure the Lord knows what is going to happen but we still have our agency to choose where we stand.

If you decide to go to Sunday services usually the first thing you will see or should see as you come in is the missionaries greeting people. Tell them you are new and would like their help getting around. They will probably implode having someone walk in ask for help but it's good for them. Your quest to learn about your friends religious beliefs is to commended. Welcome sister!

The youth of the church need more teachers who care and who are willing to listen outside their calling. One warning ... this is a very thin line for you the teacher ... love her, listen to her and support her but if the discussion shifts to where her thoughts are becoming actions you have no choice but to take this to your bishop ... this is part of your calling. With luck you have a bishop as wonderful as ours ... one that would talk with her and listen now as opposed to when it changes. My prayers go out to you and your Mia Maid. I teach this age in SS and I just love those kids so much ... it hurts my heart to see them suffer as they work through life ... but you know these kids are strong and they really truly know who they are and what they need to be doing and with leaders like you they have just that much more advantage.

Having been watching this thread I have just one thing to add to all the wonderful advise already given. Don't set yourself up to fail ... If you can only set a goal for an hour that's good enough. I am on the up side of a horrible bout of depression and some days my goal was to get out of bed ... that's it ... it was all I could do. Dealing with the depression for me made me see that I can't do it alone and forced me to lean on the Savior for help ... I am such a control freak about my life that I have a real problem letting anyone help ... I figure I should be able to handle it myself. And you know He was just waiting for me to ask for help ... and it was there immediately .. it wasn't what I thought it would be and I didn't recognize it for months as the help I had asked for but it was there and it literally saved my life. Things are so much better now but it hasn't been easy and I still have down times. Do what you can ... but make you goals reachable. They don't have to be big just doable.

Thanks a bunch ... this recipe is going in our May Newsletter for RS.

Congrats ... you will LOVE Oz ... the people are fantastic.

Thanks for this ... I was about to say the same again. All the background is great in helping one understand the subject but stick to the material in the manual as we have been instructed by the bretheren.

Iraq/Gitmo .... Afghanistan/Bagram .... so the differnce is what? Who's idea it is?

Only one opinion matters and He will be filled wit joy to have one of His daughters return. If the members act differently ... shame on them ... but I seriously doubt they will. She is making a courageous decision ... your wife is a special lady.

Like most everything the church does the work toward environmental things happens with no fanfare or newspaper write ups. That's the way the church works. So many service projects happen with the members in "clean up/fix up" mode. On one of my folks missions they worked as Public Relations Missionaries. One project that the members in Peru started was caring for the gardens in the street dividers ... it started just in front of their building and grew to encompass the entire street. It is still going nearly 20 years later. just because you don't hear about it doesn't mean it isn't happening around the world.

This is just wrong on so many levels ... kind of like taking church meetings into bars so the people there won't have to get off their stools.

Mostly water because we have a really really good well ... also in our area we have alot of people from Mexico so one of the grocery stores carries their food products and they have a wonderful lemonade mix ... I do pop (non-caffinated as it real does a number on me) once in awhile as well as herb tea and hot choc ... but water is the biggie ... over a gallon a day!

Our state government tried to pull that nonsense on us and it lasted all of one election ... there was such a protest by voters that it got changed so that you can vote in the primary no matter what you are registered. I am registered Independent ... I vote for the one that will get the job done not the party. From personal observation we have no leaders because the good ones that actually go in and work for the people don't last. Which is just sad. People need to do their home work as far as their leaders are concerned and stop following what the party says .... how much better it would be if instead of Rep or Dem we had informed voters.

Where will you be teaching? If it is SS or RS/PH stick strictly to the lesson manuals ... the scriptures relating to the lessons will be listed at the end.

I can see where the question may be coming from though ... when you have what you feel is the greatest thing on earth it is just natural to want to share ... JMHO

When the famine comes no one will be able to steal MY years supply! I keep it with me!

From personal experience in my home ward the way people dress for Sacrement meeting is directly related to where they are in their spiritual growth. As they grow and learn their dress changes and comes more to what they feel the Lord would have them do. When in doubt take a look at the GA and the Auxiliary leaders ... or dress as you would to attend the temple.

Women don't necessarily need to be named to have their influence felt. To me one of the greatest testimonies to the power and influence of women in the scriptures is that of the 2000 stripling warriors.

Fluffy is good .... I'd rather be fat than ignorant. Ignorant people and their ignorant comments really tick me off. I am fat and most skinnies can't keep up with my schedule. Of course ugly depends on the beholder. Look up Susan Boyle if you haven't heqard about her already. This lady is rather plain ... until she opens her mouth. She has the voice of an angel. She sang on Britain's Got Talent and it was the first time ever that I have seen that nasty Simon Cowel actually smile a genuine smile. We all have our problems .. some more than others ... but we're all children of God.

Guess I shoulda made it clear between slacks, jeans etc and "draws":D

There are really no "rules" for dress in the church oother than what is modest. With plans to attend the temple I strongly agree to start now to chaneg your wardrobe to suit the garment. When something slips or shifts my mom always says my religion is showing. The garment is worn everyday for the rest of your life. It is a reminder and a protection to us. I know of a brother who worked a fishing boat in the Bering Sea. One day he was in his bunk when a call came for man overboard. He didn't think he just went up on deck in jeans, t-shirt and garments and went in after the guy who was at that point in bad shape. When both were pulled out my friend went back down to his bunk to change his wet clothes. His garment was bone dry. One thing ... the garment is always worn against the skin. Clothing for church is a matter of respect for the Lords house ... I cannot go in the chapel in pants ... buts that's just me.

I think I will take what the Bible says until the prophet says differently ... the promise of the rainbow still stands and I have seen one this year so ... works for me.

I can't even look at the stuff. Want a bigger giggle???? A friend feeds her dogs exclusively raw diet ... her cats too .... get this ... you can order ground mouse! That is just so wrong. Her cats wouldn't touch it!!!!

My youngest brother was born and went home just 4 days later ... he was perfect, he only needed to come to the earth gain his body. The rest of the family is still here and working hard to be worthy to raise him ... we are not perfect. The sealing covenant is Heavenly Fathers tool to bind families together forever ... what a blessing. The rest is up to Heavenly Father .. He knows what he's doing ... we need to let Him handle it. I am single ... have always been single .. I know I need celestial marriage to make the highets degree of the Celestial kingdom ... I don't worry about it I just try to live the best I can ... it will be taken care of.

I can't remember who said it but there is a saying that goes something like "Until we learn to stop brutalizing animals we will not stop brutalizing each other." All life has value ... except maybe in our throw away society. A puppy is great when it is cute and cuddly but when it grows and is not longer cute then it gets at best shoved in the back yard alone. Dogs (becuase this thread is about a dog) are pack animals they do best when they have companions, they set up a family system with an alpha female and male, they do not like being alone and it is cruel to leave them on their own for long periods of time. An dog alone either suffers mentally and emotionally or gets into serious trouble looking for attention. This treatment of animals extends into human treatment as well. What about the elderly that are of no more use or are a burden to family and are dumped in nursing homes and left alone? Life has value. This little spirit needs someone to speak for it ... poor baby. And I feel guilty because my dogs have to stay home while I work ... even with their fluffy beds, radio, buddies, toys and free run of their in door/out door heated kennel. JMHO mice carry disease ... if they are in a home they need to be trapped. JMHO x2 raw diet is very popular right now and dogs do very well on it if one has the time and the resources to do it correctly ... it in no way makes them a danger to small children or anyone else for that matter ... it is just a more natural form of diet.