EarlJibbs

Don't regret it. Regardless of your decision, it is yours, not ours. Best of luck to you.

I prefer Wipeout. Where the average guy can still win in an obstacle course. Maybe they should have competitors that did well in ANW compete on Wipeout. That would be entertaining.

This isn't the movies. The woman at work was married with 5 kids. That doesn't sound normal at all. He isn't just a cheater, he is a covenant breaker. Add that with the fact that it was on a few different occasions? If he did this under whatever pre-marital stress he was under, what is he going to do with actual marital stress?

What the what? " for the sake of our spouses we had to. " What about for your own sake? Or your own desire? This sounds too much about just doing the right thing because you don't want to hurt your spouse. How about doing the right thing because you really want to? As far as talking to your friend about it, I wouldn't bring it up at all. I would simply distance yourself without explanation. You talking about it due to a longer hug and a sparkle in her eye may just make it worse in both of your minds. Why even acknowledge to each other the way you felt, or may feel? That, in my mind would make whatever you think may be real, real. Even if it is, It cannot be. If you talk to anyone about it, make it your wife.

I was EQP for just over five years as well. I was always told it was a 5 year calling. So after 5 years of trying to make something of the EQ, when I was released I was so happy that I didn't have the burden, but was sad because I was far from perfect and had recognized many many things I should have been doing differently but never corrected them. The bishop had told me that I was leaving it in much better condition than what I received it in, but I still felt guilty over not doing many things better. That only lasted a few weeks though, since I was called into the bishopric shortly after. I didn't have any time to think about it.

Truthfully, I don't like going to HP. Also truthfully, it's mostly my own fault. I am 35 and have been a HP for 5 years. In those 5 years I have only just been able to attend the HP group meetings. I feel very disconnected to the group, since I am by far the youngest of them. I know there are things that I can do to enjoy it, but more often than not, I think of the others around my age with young families attending the EQ and become a little disconnected. Perhaps a little childish of me, but like I said, I know there are things I can do to enjoy them. Now that I have shared that with you good internet folks, I think I will try to make it a good experience.

Your response seems rather hostile. The girl went to Colleens church, what do you think would be preached? LDS Doctrine? OP stated asked if they should reach out to the parents since the teen was showing interest, which is the perfect thing to do and one that the LDS church would suggest for minors.

I think this depends on the definition of the scores. A score of 4 to me at my job would only mean that not only am I sufficient, but regularly exceed expectations. This is not to say I have no room to grow. I normally and honestly give myself 3's and 4's. But I admit that often the 3's are placed just so I do not place all 4's.I think this is not only the fault of my manager not giving me any feedback on performance, but on myself for asking for feedback. I get very little to zero feedback in my position currently, but, in reality I am perfectly okay with that.

So true. But I do not put too much feeling or share deep thoughts in FB or other posts. I usually only keep them on the light side. If I wouldn't normally share topics or discuss items with anyone, I won't post them. I do use, on occasion, my FB posts as my journal entry though. I use an app on my phone that is also on my home computer that allows me to add a photo to the entry. It also keeps track of where I was at, when I made the entry, the weather, if during the day I drove/walked/ran/flew. I also tag my entries with tags such as "loving wife" or "adventure" which can be searched for later. I can view my entries as a list, or in calendar format. I have been going back and using certain FB posts or pictures and making entries from the past. I tell you what, I never kept a journal, but this app has gotten me excited about logging my true thoughts about stuff I never would have written down on paper. I just like technology I suppose. The app is named Day One.

I grew up sacrament last. My current ward changed to sacrament last a few months ago so that the Spanish branch could attend the other meetings (except sacrament) together. Our youth program is rather large and they wanted their youth to be able to attend with other kids instead of being virtually alone. Since our meeting house is rather small, we basically use every room. This includes the chapel. The EQ meets in the chapel right before sacrament. The RS meets in the first overflow directly behind the chapel. That means that they get first dibs on the chapel seating. We have 4 overflows that almost all fill up (again, the chapel is small). Those that are not in EQ or RS get the hard seats at the back (me), every week. That is really my only complaint. But hey, someone has to sit in the back. Oh, and Anatess, the priesthood sets the sacrament up at the first of priesthood meeting while we are in opening exercises.

I was just reading last night with my family in Mosiah 21. Limhi and his people were defeated 3 times by the Lamanites. Only then did they turn to God for help because they were humbled. They wanted to be free, but instead were only blessed with peace for the time being. The Lord was slow to hear their prayers. He heard the prayers of those giving it, although they were not righteous at the time. This definitely affected the other, perhaps more wicked group of people? Sometimes the intervention isn't all that we ask, and it depends on how fast we went to the Lord in the first place. If we live in sin, knowing that we do, then are humbled by the circumstances we find ourselves in and reach to the Lord, our prayers will still be answered and intervening can happen. But to what extent and how fast is the real question.

I personally disagree with the " don't discuss church or churchy things with her" idea. I have immediate family that are inactive, excommunicated and flat out make fun of any religion. Now that I think about it, from mine and my wife's side of mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters totaling 10 children and 4 adults, the majority of them don't want anything to do with the church. Are we still friends? Yes! They know who I am and what I believe. I make sure that I in no way show any judgment on them for anything they do on the grounds of religion. Based on ethics, sure. We actually all get along really well. If I can accept you for not believing and not living as I do, then you can do the same for me. If I choose to share that my son did a great job on Sunday giving a talk I am going to share it. Or that my wife and I visited such and such temple. Frankly, if they cannot put up with non-preachy church talk or dealing with the fact that you live differently, maybe they should distance themselves until they can handle it. If they are truly close to you, and want the relationship to work, they will make it work, just like you will.

I have not had many instances where a police officer doesn't come in with some type of attitude. But I can say that by the end of the discussion or issue, the LEO has been just fine to deal with. Just like with everyone, you need to teach your children respect and how to deal with those that should have it. The time to put your foot down is in court. Not in the chaos of the moment, whether you are right or wrong. It is easy to say that the police should already be calm, but honestly, how many jobs are there where any moment you could be putting your life in danger? And that danger is not something, but someone? I am strongly against police brutality, I am equally against people to turn what could be a misunderstanding into an escalating situation simply because they do not comply. Example 1: Driving with my kids a man ran a red light while doing a left hand turn. Traffic was already going through the light. The guy that rant the light was on the shoulder next to me and started to come over into my lane. He forced me into the median, I was already going faster than him so I sped up a little more and entered my lane again. That man then passed me in the median. I saw the police lights and thought for sure that guy was going to get a ticket. But he actually pulled me over. He walked to my window very angry and asked what the heck did I think I was doing passing that guy in the median. I stayed calm and explained the situation and he calmed down and said he didn't see any of that. He let me go and was kind. If I would have ran my mouth it could have been very different. Example 2: In high school I was at a party on private land. We had a fire going in the field and there were some kids doing donuts in their cars. Really, it was good clean fun on acres of private land. It was dark. The next thing you know, there are about 10 flashlights coming out of the trees towards us. I thought it was some friends playing a joke or something. Nope, a bunch of cops come through the party looking for booze or drugs. It was pretty intense. We all listened to what they were saying and followed orders. Once they determined that nothing illegal was going on, they lightened up and stayed a while chatting with us all. If we all would have "rabbited" and started running, it would have ended very differently. Example 3: I picked my brother up to come out to my house to hang out. I had my children in my car. It had new paper plates in my window which was tinted, but not too dark you couldn't see it. It was an older car and admittedly, my brother didn't live in the best area. I get pulled over because the LEO couldn't see my plate in the window. But he comes to the window and yells at my brother and I to place our hands on the dash/steering wheel. We calmly comply. He checks us out and lets us go. Was he a jerk? Sure he was. But I understand that I am not the only type of person they encounter.

We have never been ones to take big trips. They seem to ruin my vacation time because of all the planning and running the vacation, making sure everyone is having a good time and sticking to a schedule. I end up not enjoying them. Scout camp is available if they want to go. My 8 year old is going to cub scout camp, but my 12 year old doesn't want to go. Speaking strictly of the children's time off, they can ride their bikes with their friends and play outside all they want. Personally, I do like them to be with at least one other person if they are going to ride their bikes outside of the view of our home. We limit their tv time and video game time to balance out being active vs just sitting in the house all day. We go to the library a lot, stay up later hanging out and playing games, and try to get them to do more creative things with their free time. We have a pretty strict chores list every day. If they don't do them, they don't get to have fun.

One Thousand likes for Estradling!!!! It's the small things. I don't care what everyone says about you, you're alright.

Maybe it is a system thing, but if I post this right now, it will show that I posted at 10pm. It is 4pm Central where I am at right now. This drives me crazy.

Rough situation OP. My girl "waited" for me. Except she dated... a ton. Which was great for her. I guess you could say she didn't wait, she was just... available when I got back. I had to chase guys off left and right. I agree with those that say she will return a different person, but not in a bad way. For the most part she will have a deeper faith, deeper commitment, more love and kindness and a resolve to practice what she has taught so many people over the years. You should date, try to become a better man to become a better husband. Try to elevate yourself, as she will be doing, to be a better follower of Christ - no matter what your religious beliefs. The teachings of Christ are for all, even those that may or may not believe in him.

Welcome Swart!

We were put to the test here in Houston with the flooding. Everyone was to check in with their families and report back ASAP so that it could be reported to the Stake or so that help could immediately follow. Since I have families that I have good communication with, and communications were not affected, all I needed to do was text them. We also have a "Friends of ____ Ward" page on FB and it was a good tool for everyone to report back on. One of my families couldn't drive out of his neighborhood or driveway because the waters were too high in the street, they had electricity, the house wasn't flooded and they had food and were okay. Moving from Utah, we always talked about a disaster plan, but seeing it in action was impressive and I felt good seeing the ensuing attempt to make sure everyone was alright. We were checked up on by my wifes Visiting Teachers, but sadly, I don't think I have Home Teachers. The well being of every member is the reason we have Home/Visiting teaching, not just spiritually, but temporally also. Both in times of plenty and in times of need.

Are you talking about Dueling Choreography Competitions (which I know are real)? Or is there such a thing as lightsaber dueling competitions?

I don't usually have/make time to watch sports now. But I normally try to tune in big games, like any finals or playoffs in most sports. I do enjoy those games. Outside of team sports, I do love to watch any extreme sport like BMX, Skate boarding...etc.

What is the occupancy rate of the area? There should be some free information about that on Zillow and Neighborhoodscout.com. If the occupancy rate is low and there are many options for renters out there, try to keep them in through the transition. That will bring in a buyer easier and as pkstpaul said will show cashflow. If the area has high occupancy and there is little out there making a demand for rentals, a buyer may want to have it vacant, fix it up and rent for more. I have only handled rentals from a bank owned (acquired) property management perspective. Not as a personal owner/investor.

Sundays are always hard for me as well. I try and do well most of the time, but I do fall short. I can't forget reading one line in a past conference that pointed out how almost most world doesn't keep the Sabbath day holy, and that is where a lot of world problems come from. It is probably the most widely violated of commandments. I couldn't find that talk at this time, but I found another sobering talk about the Sabbath, I recommend it. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1975/04/the-sabbath-day?lang=eng&query=the+sabbath+day+mark+e+peterson I wouldn't be pushy or nag about your husband. But I also wouldn't just stand idle. Talk about it, about it's importance and then commit to both do something on that day that with draw you both closer together and closer to the Lord. I find that when my wife and I (along with the kids) do something together it makes for a very pleasant day. That way it's not just me looking for something to fill just my time up with. Best wishes.

My opinion. Yes we should include the Lord in all things. That said, I wouldn't ask God if I should continue to date every girl that I date. You have your own mind. If you are enjoying the relationship, enjoy it. If things come up that are red flags to you and you don't think it would work out, break it off. I just don't think that our Father in Heaven is going to tell us to turn left or right every step of the way. I heard it best on my mission. Tell the Lord what you want. What you would like to happen. Ask for guidance and for understanding. But you don't need to ask the Lord yes or no to everything. His council is what you seek. I am with others that have responded that I do not think that answers to prayers would come with anxiety. My daughter has some pretty severe anxiety and her feelings get inflated 100 times what they should be. If this is any way the same with you, a small doubt to some would seem like a devastating blow to you. If you know those feelings can be out of proportion, I would be leery of them to begin with. The spirit to me is calm, it is clarity.

Welcome Richard!