freckleface

Antsyl, It doesn't matter to me that you are not a Mormon, and I thank you for your reply. It can be a lonely road for a convert who hasn't any family that belongs to the church. I really didn't know that it would be so shocking and appalling to my family in all honesty. I think I'm somewhat of a hybrid Mormon, for the lack of a better word. I'm embracing both my husbands and sons place of worship along with my fellowship within the LDS faith. I'm probably not considered a true Mormon by the standards of some. You have a really loving attitude, antsyl. I really admire you and I'm glad that you posted your comment. Thank you. Your kindness and warmth shows in the way you express your thoughts. :)

Thank you, Vort. Being a convert is sometimes hard, we feel a bit awkward and clumsy and are never quite sure if were doing things right. Add an unhappy family on top of it and you feel like your walking around on eggshells. I hope that time will heal whatever it is that has upset my family. I'm still the same person, I just have a new group of friends that go to a different church they are completely unfamiliar with. I hold no hard feelings at all towards you. I must have been really in an overly sensitive mood and got my feelings hurt to easily. That happens to me a lot. I was able to spend some time today with friends from church and we had fun. One of my friends who is a life long member said she's always afraid of being called in the bishops office for being a stinker. She was just kidding, he'd never do that. Hopefully we can just forget the whole thread and messages I sent, I don't even remember it come to think of it.

Hi gettinhome! Texas?!! I just recently read about a place called Bandera, Texas. Home to 'Magnolia Pearl.' I would love to go there and meet the talented Robin "Pearl" Brown. If I ever make it there we can meet and have some lemonade and try on her whimsical fashions! Texas it is! Welcome!!!

Welcome, Michael. Take your time. By reading here and possibly visiting your local ward you can get some good insights. I am a convert from the Episcopal faith and have never looked back once after my baptism. Don't be intimidated by all the white shirts and ties you'll see, you can wear a striped one with a polka dot tie and no one will care. Honest. Freckle

I'd really like to comment on the 'baptism for the dead' inquiry, mhansen. It is a very beautiful and moving ceremony that a member can do for their loved ones who have passed. I felt very bonded to my relatives when I went and performed their baptisms. It was a very moving experience for me. I truly felt the Holy Spirit was there and the peace and comfort I felt was almost overwhelming. I didn't want to leave the temple. As it was explained to me by my very wonderful bishop, our loved ones have a choice. We do the work, but they do not have to accept it. It's not forced upon them. However, it is a gift that we give to them. At least that is how I believe it to be. My father and grandmother were never given the opportunity to be baptized. It really wasn't available to them and my grandmother was far to shy and insecure to ever go through a church baptism. Her shyness was crippling. However, she is was baptized through me in the temple and it was truly a beautiful. It's a bit to hard to explain, so I'll just call it the "unexplainable, mysterious, presence of God."

Hey- dee- ho, snowi. Please do share. I'm all ears when it comes to being enlightened. Hope you are to.

Be well, Iggy. Get plenty of rest and DH give you a good foot massage.

I'll be happy to pray for you, missingsomething. For those of you who don't pray, how bout' just sending her positive vibes?

I see these folks on the same level as the lady on the outskirts of town with her crystal ball peasant top, and big gold earrings. But I'll bet you a toosie pop, Funky Town, some of em' be lining up in a few years to get rebaptised.

The Rev. Tom Wubby trains and ordains people to become 'debaptisers.' They unbaptise dead people, and can prevent future baptisms from happening (or so they say). What a bunch of whackaloons. They're currently working on debaptising all the founding fathers and world leaders, but he was too tired to write about it because he's so busy. What a nutter. Their logo is a blow dryer.

. . . I now pronounce thee officially debaptized. Let the blowing begin.

Our situation sounds practically identical, anatess. It can be a lonely path when you're the only member of the church in the family. However, even though my husband is not a convert, he enjoys going to church sometimes, having the missionaries over, etc. That's a very big positive I need to focus on. I'm going to try to be as loving and kind as I possibly can to my sister and mom. I'll need to swallow my pride and be very patient and not allow them to upset me. It will take a lot of understanding on my part not to get hurt and in turn get angry at them. Thank you so much for sharing, anatess. It's the support from the board that helps me get through these bumps in the road I encounter from day to day. You really helped me and gave me the encouragement that I so desperately need right now. Thank you so much! :):):)

Hello, Vanessa!

Welcome, tootired.

Hello!

Coming from a mom's point of view, what you've shared so far is certainly not hell worthy, IMHO. While I don't condone porn, I certainly am not going to condemn you, and probably no one else is either. Given the way it is so easily accessible these days, it's sort of hard not to have it thrown in your face. Porn is very big business and women are actually some of the biggest consumers of it. I think a lot of what you are experiencing is natural curiosity, especially given your age. Like bmy said, do your best. Prayer and fasting were suggested to me the other day from some folks on the board, and I feel that it really does bring some peace of mind. Take Care.:)

I was terribly shy as a young single woman, johnnylingo. When ever a guy would approach me that I liked my heart would start racing, I would blush and my mind would go completely blank. I just hated it. Let me reassure you that someday a man will see it as an endearing quality and find it completely charming. He'll follow you to the ends of the earth, and lay his coat out in the street so you don't have to get your new shoes wet. Well, maybe he'll pick you up and carry you, but you get the picture. Don't fret, love. It's okay to be shy.:)

We have a really quiet and fun little shopping center that's sort of nestled away in our community. It has a this very magical and fun bakery that's all decorated with pink fluff, girly foo foo, fairies and glass slippers. I love their gingerbread cookies. Oh, yes this is a sports thread . . . so, sometimes I go to get my cookie and there's Kobe, buying little fluffy pink cupcakes, gingerbread houses and chocolate dipped strawberries for his little girls dressed up all handsome for tea time. I know nothing about basketball, but he sure does know how to do a tea party. I like his feminine/fluffy side. What a luv. He's a good daddy. Way to go Kobe. Real men like tea parties! You get a smoochie from me.

I'm at such a loss as for words to say right now. It warms my heart (and I sure needed it!) after reading all of your posts. I feel like I can actually get through the day with out feeling this weight on my shoulders. Loud Mouth you are so fun and have some real "true grit." I like you spunk! Miss Halfway, your post was so very touching to read. It was like putting healing balm on a wound. Thank you so very much my dear. Merci Beaucoup to all of you!

Thanks ZionsRodeVos. This will be hard as so much ended on a hurtful and angry note. However, I think that fasting and praying sounds like a very good thing for me to do right now. I will start that at this very moment. I'll ask for prayers from you all, too? Thanks so much. I am going to sign off for a while so I can go and pray and read some scriptures. I appreciate y'all so much. :)

Awwww, thanks FunkyTown. You are spot on with your analysis of my family. It's nice to have a board to come and talk at when you struggle through times like this. Getting the crazies can be very frustrating. I appreciate your input!

My sister is always saying "peace out." Cracks me up.

From one icon fan to another (I love them too!) A big hello! I, too am a convert and am very happy about my conversion. Just remember you get to take as much time as you want being an investigator. Some move through the process a bit faster and some take a bit longer. It's all what makes you comfortable.

Thank you Miss Kitty for your input and reply. It saddens me so to hear your story. It shouldn't have to be like this. Thank you, dear. Just talking about it makes me feel better.

Today I was told by my older sister not to ever speak to her again, nor her daughter. A little background. I was baptized back in February after investigating the church for quite some time. I had not shared with my family that I was doing it because I knew they would try to talk me out of it. They believe that TCOJCOLDS is a cult and Mormons aren't Christians. However, I am a married adult woman, with a young teen and feel that I should be able to make my own decisions. It is not an issue at all with my husband or son. A month after my baptism, I shared with my sister that I had joined the church. I did it so I wouldn't have to hide my heirloom Book of Mormon on my table and hopefully could be more open about my faith, not preachy, just be open about it. From that very moment she stopped talking to me. It's like I don't exist. My mother was none to happy when I shared it with her either. She actually screamed at me. She yelled and said a lot of very hurtful and mean things. Today I finally spoke up and said something to my sister about not speaking to me. It all ended on a very ugly note and they simply don't want to ever hear the words Mormon, or LDS. Nothing. She then told me never to speak to her again. I hate this. Now I feel like the crummiest person because I got angry. I'm just tired of it. Crumbs.