Hi....I know how you feel, we moved from southern California to Northern Oregon about 9 years ago, we knew no one...no family lived anywhere close......The first time we went to church on Sunday I thought we were not going to even be welcomed into the ward.....nobody introduced themselves to us...not a soul. My wife and I talked about it the following week and we agreed that instead of making a judgement of the people in the ward we were going to introduce ourselves to as many people as we could the next Sunday. It was actually funny, we arrived to church 30 minutes early and the whole family stood in the foyer near the chapel doors and we introduced ourselves to everyone who passed through the doors that morning....at the beginning of the Sacrament meeting the Bishop was doing the ward business and said,"...and I'm sure most of you have met the Dorsey's...but if you haven't please be sure to introduce yourself to them." It brought some chuckles but it was the perfect icebreaker. We went on to make sure we introduced ourselves to everyone....my wife in RS and me in Preisthood.....we now have many many dear friendships in the ward that will last forever. My point is most people have a tendency to avoid introducing themselves...and if you do it yourself you will break that barrier and will make more friends than you can imagine! Good luck! I'm not sure you're still reading these messages but if so.. well, here's my imput. I have lived in a variety of states, stakes, wards and situations through my life. Just remember, it's grand and it's needed to make friends and feel a part of the family of the ward you're in. You're just as much responsible for making that happen as others in that ward should be to help it happen. But why are you in the church to begin with? The people? If you lay your testimony at the feet of others, it will get trodden on. My mother once showed up at my ward as I was leaving the Stake President to prepare for a mission (she had not been active in many years) to talk with the Bishop regarding excommunication. When I asked her why, she said the "people this" and the "people" that... I reminded her that the foundation of the true gospel is not based on the people, they are, after all, fallable. It is based on the truthfullness of the Doctrine, of the Prophet and Apostles. The foundation is Christ our Savior and not John, Jacob, or Mytle down the street. Look to the doctrines to find your place no matter where you are. It never changes, but you are guarenteed that the people can. I suggest watching John Bytheway's "The Best 3 Hours of the Week". It's great! Good luck and God bless. (By the way, my mother never did get ex-communicated because she had a daughter who spoke out. She is very active, temple worthy, and has been cealed in the temple to my father.)
