mom_of_jcchlsm

Your PERSONAL issues Score is 40%. Your ECONOMIC issues Score is 70%. Centrist.

I'm in the South, too. Near hubby's folks. Don't like it, but I don't see us moving soon (if ever), so I'm learning to adapt and keep my mouth shut around the locals when I'm particularly unhappy. I really don't want my children to talk like their schoolteachers! Schoolteachers! Ain't-ing and y'all-ing and making pronoun errors that curl my hair. More than that, I don't like the climate here. Nor do I like the landscape (believe me, no picture of this area will ever end up on a calendar!). The people are nice. They are friendly and generally kind. I do believe the average person is more trustworthy here than where I grew up (northern CA). Sorry, I wonder off topic . . . Have a safe move! We expect to hear all about your adventure when you get your computer plugged back in.

Since my kids were very young, I have wanted to give them the fantastic experience of living and studying abroad. As the time aproaches to let my oldest go (two school years away), I'm getting nervous. I know that you can request that they be placed only in homes that share the same religion. But that's not the same as knowing my child will have daily family scripture study, will attend seminary, will see host parents attending the Temple, etc. 9 months away from the influences I have carefully chosen for them may make or break their still-developing faith. Hey - they could end up in a better, stronger family than ours (and how would I feel then? What if they don't want to come home?) I guess I was just wondering what value, if any, you all place on experiencing different cultures, learning foreign languages, having a time away from parents. When I think foreign exchange, I think of great missionary preparation, a chance to see and do things that most of their peers have not done, seeing the USA from another perspective, learning how others of God's children live, learning to get along on their own, gaining confidence and experience meeting new people and adapting to new situations, career booster, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But I'm really afraid to let go! Maybe if there were a way to find a similar LDS family somewhere and make a deal with them - we'll trade you our kid for yours for an academic year. That way, we have a vested interest in each other's families. We still have plenty of time to think about this. My daughter is afraid of getting behind in school, and doesn't want to be a year behind her friends when she gets back -- she's talking about taking summer classes to get ahead before going and then afterwards to catch up. She's been studying her chosen language since fourth grade and has been planning to study abroad since then.

I, too, want to discuss, but have time constraints. Maye we could set up a chat appointment? Weekdays during the morning (9 to noon Central) would work best for me, I have three sons - one in 5th grade and two pre-school. Hot topic!

I have heard conjecture that allowing gays to marry will lead to allowing other "non-traditional" unions, such as polygamy and brother-sister unions. Although I am not opposed to gay couples receiving insurance benefits, tax breaks, etc. as married couples do, I feel it should be based on a civil contract with an entirely different name than marriage. Words are powerful. I freak out when I try to imagine polygamy in action. I do not think I would handle it well.

not having been there myself, really, it sounds like Ray has the healthiest attitude here: improve yourself and do what you should be doing and HF will bring things together for you. Now, this may not work for a total recluse - you do have to interact with people a little in order to meet someone. Maybe the cutoff age for ysa wards/activities should be 30 for females and 35 for males?