t_tully

Thanks for the advice Vort. It's so easy to get caught up in the past and even spend more time dreaming about the future, while losing site of what's important now. I've always been a dreamer. Right now it's important for me to fulfill my comittment to attendance church on sunday with my two sons (5 and 6 months). What an experience this will be! I think it's fast sunday this weekend. What a time to come back to church.:) Thanks again.

I have just started to teach my 5 year old son about the church. I kick myself for not returning to church sooner, but it is what it is and I am just thankful that I am finally ready. Anyways, by son is a HUGE star wars fan. Anyways I show him this picture and ask him if he knows who it is. He says, "Sure dad. It's Obi-Wan Kenobi. My wife and I seriously could not stop laughing. My son didn't understand why we were laughing so hard. And in truth, the picture does resemble Obi-Wan, but still. Shame on me for not teaching him sooner. :lol

That's fantastic. Good to hear things are going well. Hearing your story brings me back to when I went through the discussion again with my wife. What a fantastic experience that was.

I am curious to know that if an individual for what ever reason is unable to serve a mission in the traditional way, if being a missionary later on in life with satisfy that commandment. I forget what they are called because it has been some time since I have been back to church (finally returning this sunday ). Are they stake or ward missionaries? I forget. But I know they exist and it seems they are normally older couples. When I first truly considered going on a mission, which I never did by the way, I didn't think it possible because of my financial obligations. At 19 I had gottem myself into a terrible financial mess. However, my bishop at the time told me that if I truly wished to serve a mission, a way would be provided and that I should not base my decision on finances. I truly did want to serve a mission. Still do. There's a long story as to why I never had the chance to serve a mission back then, but I do look forward to that day that my wife and I can do so together.

I miss home teaching and as a home teaching coordinator, was one of the best experiences of my life. But the emphasis and importance, I have noticed, is different from stake to stake and ward to ward. It shouldn't be that way, but it is. 7th Ward, in Glendale, California placed a special importance on home teaching. Maybe that's why I feel the way I do about it. During the time I was inactive, I would request that the home teachers assigned to me would still come and visit. The problem was a person can tell when an individual is just going through the motions because he/she has to fulfill the obligations of their calling. My wife and I asked ourselves what the point was afterwards sometimes because we could tell that the priesthood holders administering the lesson's heart and spirit was not really into the visit. And that if choice was given; they would rather be else where. And in truth, was one of the reasons I had problems transitioning from a ward I was so attached to in California, to the unfamiliar Chicago 1st Ward. I can tell you that having home teachers that showed genuine interest in my spiritual and overall well being during that transition time would have helped tremendously. Sorry for the long post. Point is in home teaching, is don't fulfill your calling just to do it and get it out of the way. Take an earnest and genuine interest in the families you are responsible for. Instead of that phone call, show up at their house and show that that you care. And for that difficult companion, I would speak with EQ President at some point, but I would like Rico said find ways to fulfill you calling. Just make sure it's for the right reasons.

Welcome! I am new as well and have already met great people here. :)