jewels8

I was horrified over that story when I first heard it.  The poor kid.  I am just so grateful that I grew up in an area where there was such a diversity of culture.  I was a minority at my high school.   I grew up with such an appreciation of people from all walks of life and backgrounds.
Here's my high school choir picture.  I'm the blonde front and center surrounded by a bunch of dark haired people.       

Maybe, but their name is Dunkin Donuts, not Starbucks Coffee.  Starbucks is the store front for Starbucks Coffee Company.  They are inherently associated with coffee and that is the main association of their company.  Dunkin Donuts is primarily a Donut's company. 
Do you also excuse people going to Strip Clubs because the club sells great food? (yes, I've heard this excuse).  There are some associations which are defined and specific where a company is associated and mainly connected to a specific line (Starbucks-coffee, Bars-Alcohol, Tobacco shops-Tobacco, Strip Clubs - Evil lustful thoughts, fornication, etc) even if they sell other side items in their main sales categories. 
This is VERY different than a Grocery store which sells groceries for the main part, or a Gas Station which is mainly associated with Gas (imagine that) and petrol, or a Donut Shop that has most of it's shelf space composed of donuts but also has coffee (as donuts are a breakfast item normally and many people drink coffee with their breakfast).

I actually AGREE with Jewels on this.
Starbucks is...first and foremost...a coffee selling café.  It is NOT like a Gas Station or a Store.  It's like going to a Bar and saying that this is appropriate because the Bar also sells Great Soft Drinks and Mug Root beer as well as having great table snacks during happy hour of pretzels and chips.  Still doesn't change that the Bar is first and foremost an establishment to sell alcohol.  The Same goes with Starbucks and it's association with Coffee (it IS the Starbucks coffee company).
This is a DISTINCT DIFFERENCE between going to a Gas Station, a Grocery Store, or other locations which have primary features that are NOT related to or associated primarily with selling a specific product.  Starbucks is known and primarily associated with it's coffee.  The other items are accessories for that, but just like Dunkin Donuts (another place that sells coffee, but it isn't the primary association) is associated with Donuts and everything else is an accessory to that, Starbucks is associated with coffee.
I don't go to Starbucks.  I don't go to coffee cafe's. 
That said, I KNOW many Mormons that DO drink coffee, that DO drink alcohol, and that DO smoke cigarettes (and other things).  This can get awkward when you can smell the smoke on someone, having seen them drinking coffee in the past week, and when you ask if they follow the word of wisdom in an interview and they say..."yes" to gently expand the conversation so that they can clarify what you saw with your own eyes and what you can smell with your own nose.   (Those who do not drink coffee may actually be surprised at the percentage of Mormons that DO actually drink coffee, there's a reason coffee shops open up even in Prove Utah of all places).
There is nothing against going to Starbucks, or a Bar, or a tobacco store, but it is something that I would personally avoid (as to even avoid the appearance of evil).
So, count me as another who was a little surprised to see a topic dedicated to A Coffee joint, but then, it IS a current event.

Honestly, it sounds like a simple oversight in a busy ward.  Just let the bishopric know you're willing & able to serve, I'm sure they need help!

I think D&C 4 gives you the freedom to express your desire to serve to the Bishop, and let him take it from there. Inspiration comes in many ways, and maybe expressing your desire to serve is something the Lord wants you to do.

I think that the new changes that are made in the Church are inspired.  I know that Pres. Nelson is the Lord's mouthpiece, His prophet on the earth today.  I think the concept of ministering helps to give a more personalized way to serve each other and I think it does, I know for me, remind me of the responsibility I have to seek revelation in how to serve those that I have been given stewardship over.  Not that I don't already do those things, but it helps me to realize the importance of magnifying even more what I should do to help in the lives of those that the Lord wants me to serve and follow those promptings more, even if I do have a busy life and special family circumstances, at times.  It is i nteresting too, to see the change in the priesthood quorums, with the high priests and elder's quorum's coming in together, even though there will still be a high priest quorum, at a stake level, as I understand it.  I am not mentioning everything I know about it in this post, but just putting down some things about these changes and that I know they are inspired to better serve others and that that the Lord has a purpose for this at this time.

I think that the new changes that are made in the Church are inspired.  I know that Pres. Nelson is the Lord's mouthpiece, His prophet on the earth today.  I think the concept of ministering helps to give a more personalized way to serve each other and I think it does, I know for me, remind me of the responsibility I have to seek revelation in how to serve those that I have been given stewardship over.  Not that I don't already do those things, but it helps me to realize the importance of magnifying even more what I should do to help in the lives of those that the Lord wants me to serve and follow those promptings more, even if I do have a busy life and special family circumstances, at times.  It is i nteresting too, to see the change in the priesthood quorums, with the high priests and elder's quorum's coming in together, even though there will still be a high priest quorum, at a stake level, as I understand it.  I am not mentioning everything I know about it in this post, but just putting down some things about these changes and that I know they are inspired to better serve others and that that the Lord has a purpose for this at this time.

I think that the new changes that are made in the Church are inspired.  I know that Pres. Nelson is the Lord's mouthpiece, His prophet on the earth today.  I think the concept of ministering helps to give a more personalized way to serve each other and I think it does, I know for me, remind me of the responsibility I have to seek revelation in how to serve those that I have been given stewardship over.  Not that I don't already do those things, but it helps me to realize the importance of magnifying even more what I should do to help in the lives of those that the Lord wants me to serve and follow those promptings more, even if I do have a busy life and special family circumstances, at times.  It is i nteresting too, to see the change in the priesthood quorums, with the high priests and elder's quorum's coming in together, even though there will still be a high priest quorum, at a stake level, as I understand it.  I am not mentioning everything I know about it in this post, but just putting down some things about these changes and that I know they are inspired to better serve others and that that the Lord has a purpose for this at this time.

I think that the new changes that are made in the Church are inspired.  I know that Pres. Nelson is the Lord's mouthpiece, His prophet on the earth today.  I think the concept of ministering helps to give a more personalized way to serve each other and I think it does, I know for me, remind me of the responsibility I have to seek revelation in how to serve those that I have been given stewardship over.  Not that I don't already do those things, but it helps me to realize the importance of magnifying even more what I should do to help in the lives of those that the Lord wants me to serve and follow those promptings more, even if I do have a busy life and special family circumstances, at times.  It is i nteresting too, to see the change in the priesthood quorums, with the high priests and elder's quorum's coming in together, even though there will still be a high priest quorum, at a stake level, as I understand it.  I am not mentioning everything I know about it in this post, but just putting down some things about these changes and that I know they are inspired to better serve others and that that the Lord has a purpose for this at this time.

I am sorry about some of those things I may have come across in my posts.  I did not say that I didn't have any respect for God, but I did say that I did respect monogomy and those that practice it and it is easier to respect those that do.  However, I do not understand everything.  I do have a testimony of the Gospel   And I do believe it is important to have faith in our Father in Heaven and His plan .  I do believe it is important to be charitable and forgiving. I , of course, pray and talk to Him about things and apologize to Him as needed, but that is a personal thing that I don't have to bring up.  It really is no one's business what my relationship with Him is . It is not something I always focus on or struggle with.  There are many aspects of the Gospel and many aspects of life that fill up my time, really.   I am sorry if I have reacted to those who have attacked me in a way that was unbecoming and in a way that I normally would not be like.  I did not react at first, but anyway, I do believe it is important to give others the same kindness that I wish to receive.  And I do appreciate the kindness I have received.   And it can be easy for people that are generally pretty decent people to over react at times.    It happens.   
     My family attended our Stake Conference together.  Our Stake Patriarch, Rod Merrill, who is also a family doctor, spoke about The Book of Mormon.  He is also a big family history man.  A great man.  He spoke about the Book of Mormon being the Keystone and talked about us pondering its origin.  He talked about how those that oppose the Church cannot discredit  it.  How could Joseph Smith write a 500 plus page book in such a short amount of time with all the eloquent words of King Benjamin's speech, the doctrines of Christ (the name of the Savior is mentioned so many times in its pages), and their is chiasmus throughout the Book of Mormon, their are phrases that are put on refrigerator doors, how could Joseph do this without any notes,  these are messages that live, breathe and inspire, and he did this in 300 and something days?  
         Sister Jane Pulver , from my Stake, spoke about the youth of the Church, and how parents can teach and guide them in these last days.  Moroni saw our day and asked some of the less valiant covenant people of the last days why they were ashamed to take upon them the Gospel of Christ.  She talked about how youth have so many questions with the big decisions of life they face today in these perilous times.  Life is sure not what it was when I was growing up, as much.  I was so sheltered.  There is so much more rampant today that I did not see or know about back then about drugs, fornication, abortion legalizing marijuana, changes of what society accepts as marriage, divorce rates, fatherlessness, higher rates of murder, rapes and suicides, dishonesty, theft, etc.  Sis. Pulver talked about how we need to be able to be there to give the answers to these youth, to be available, to not be afraid to teach them .  We need to have the Spirit, to be informed, to be straight forward.  To teach women to be mothers, to teach the value of education and a career when appropriate, to teach about safety, to teach to obey the commandments, to study our scriptures, to pray, to be temple worthy, to choose wise friends and entertainment.  
     Our Stake President spoke about doing our best, but not overdoing.  He said we learn and grow by "doing just one more:" as in a gym, when developing muscular strength, or endurance.  Doing one more repetition.  It may seem that it is impossible, but in doing so, an athlete becomes stronger.  A spotter, or coach knows this, although, at first, the athlete, may think the coach or spotter does not care and may be asking more of him or her than he or she can give.  But that is not the case, a wise coach or spotter knows this will make them better in the end.  So it is spiritually.  We may be asked to do something in the Church that stretches our spiritual muscles.  We may be asked to fulfill a calling that seems beyond our capabilities or our time constraints.  Of course, we need to be mindful of our health, including mental health and family situation, but we also can grow spiritually and stretch in ways we didn't before.  We can converse with our leaders and pray about anything that we need to.  We need not run faster than we have strength but also need not let Easy Street disguise our best efforts.
     We had the privilege of having Elder Blake M. Roney, of the Seveny, attend our Stake Conference. I was able to meet him and shake his hand.  He complimented our special need son, who is on his service mission, he is such a nice man.  He spoke on forgiveness.  I really liked his talk.  He was so down to earth and kind that it just made me want to be forgiving to everyone. I just love it when people have that Spirit about them.  I just love to feel that way!  I wish I could feel that way all the time.  He spoke about Matthew 25, about the talents.  How one was given 10, one 5 and one 1.  And how life may not seem fair.  They weren't all given the same amount of talents.  But that wasn't the important thing.  Of course 2 of them were productive, increased their talents and were blessed.  The 3rd hid his talent, and it was taken away, he was slothful, and it was given to the one with 10.   He said that life is a test.  When the ward talent show comes, he has nothing.  (bless his heart, I feel the same way)  Some people have many talents.  But we can all show the love of the Lord.  He said our mission on earth has to do with the 2 great commandments:  Love the  Lord, and Love our neighbor.  That is it.  (as a side note, on my mission, there;s the joke, and I don't mean anything by this, but that sisters love people into the Gospel, it just reminded me of that, that's all)  Anyways, we are to lift them  So our opportunity is to bless others.  He said if a  family has sickness, or death,  Yes, its sad, but it doesn't matter in the sense that we have the opportunity to bless others with that.  We can be with our family again.  We can move closer to the Savior and help others to do so inspite of those things.   
        He said the biggest Roadblock to getting closer to the Savior that he has seen is not forgiving others.  He spoke about forgiveness in Matthew 18.  How the servant owed his Master 10,000 talents and the master forgave him.  But then the servant went to his hireling and locked him up for owing him a  small sum.  Then the master came back and punished him for not showing the same kindness.  If we don't forgive others, the Lord won't forgive us.  One time Elder Roney kicked a 'ball"  It stuck to the ground, and to get his "revenge" he kicked it again. Well, it was a medical ball, filled with metal beads, and when he did that, it burst and it really hurt.  When we don't forgive, it hurts us.  When we forgive, it blesses us.  And when we forgive someone who doesn't deserve it, its like we get a coupon in the kingdom.   I really enjoyed his talk and felt like I needed that.  
   I know that this is the Lord's true Church on the earth today.  I know that our Father in Heaven and His Son love us and that Pres. Nelson is his prophet on the earth today.  I know that The Book of Mormon is the word of God.  I know that Joseph Smith is the Prophet of the Restoration.  And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I am sorry about some of those things I may have come across in my posts.  I did not say that I didn't have any respect for God, but I did say that I did respect monogomy and those that practice it and it is easier to respect those that do.  However, I do not understand everything.  I do have a testimony of the Gospel   And I do believe it is important to have faith in our Father in Heaven and His plan .  I do believe it is important to be charitable and forgiving. I , of course, pray and talk to Him about things and apologize to Him as needed, but that is a personal thing that I don't have to bring up.  It really is no one's business what my relationship with Him is . It is not something I always focus on or struggle with.  There are many aspects of the Gospel and many aspects of life that fill up my time, really.   I am sorry if I have reacted to those who have attacked me in a way that was unbecoming and in a way that I normally would not be like.  I did not react at first, but anyway, I do believe it is important to give others the same kindness that I wish to receive.  And I do appreciate the kindness I have received.   And it can be easy for people that are generally pretty decent people to over react at times.    It happens.   
     My family attended our Stake Conference together.  Our Stake Patriarch, Rod Merrill, who is also a family doctor, spoke about The Book of Mormon.  He is also a big family history man.  A great man.  He spoke about the Book of Mormon being the Keystone and talked about us pondering its origin.  He talked about how those that oppose the Church cannot discredit  it.  How could Joseph Smith write a 500 plus page book in such a short amount of time with all the eloquent words of King Benjamin's speech, the doctrines of Christ (the name of the Savior is mentioned so many times in its pages), and their is chiasmus throughout the Book of Mormon, their are phrases that are put on refrigerator doors, how could Joseph do this without any notes,  these are messages that live, breathe and inspire, and he did this in 300 and something days?  
         Sister Jane Pulver , from my Stake, spoke about the youth of the Church, and how parents can teach and guide them in these last days.  Moroni saw our day and asked some of the less valiant covenant people of the last days why they were ashamed to take upon them the Gospel of Christ.  She talked about how youth have so many questions with the big decisions of life they face today in these perilous times.  Life is sure not what it was when I was growing up, as much.  I was so sheltered.  There is so much more rampant today that I did not see or know about back then about drugs, fornication, abortion legalizing marijuana, changes of what society accepts as marriage, divorce rates, fatherlessness, higher rates of murder, rapes and suicides, dishonesty, theft, etc.  Sis. Pulver talked about how we need to be able to be there to give the answers to these youth, to be available, to not be afraid to teach them .  We need to have the Spirit, to be informed, to be straight forward.  To teach women to be mothers, to teach the value of education and a career when appropriate, to teach about safety, to teach to obey the commandments, to study our scriptures, to pray, to be temple worthy, to choose wise friends and entertainment.  
     Our Stake President spoke about doing our best, but not overdoing.  He said we learn and grow by "doing just one more:" as in a gym, when developing muscular strength, or endurance.  Doing one more repetition.  It may seem that it is impossible, but in doing so, an athlete becomes stronger.  A spotter, or coach knows this, although, at first, the athlete, may think the coach or spotter does not care and may be asking more of him or her than he or she can give.  But that is not the case, a wise coach or spotter knows this will make them better in the end.  So it is spiritually.  We may be asked to do something in the Church that stretches our spiritual muscles.  We may be asked to fulfill a calling that seems beyond our capabilities or our time constraints.  Of course, we need to be mindful of our health, including mental health and family situation, but we also can grow spiritually and stretch in ways we didn't before.  We can converse with our leaders and pray about anything that we need to.  We need not run faster than we have strength but also need not let Easy Street disguise our best efforts.
     We had the privilege of having Elder Blake M. Roney, of the Seveny, attend our Stake Conference. I was able to meet him and shake his hand.  He complimented our special need son, who is on his service mission, he is such a nice man.  He spoke on forgiveness.  I really liked his talk.  He was so down to earth and kind that it just made me want to be forgiving to everyone. I just love it when people have that Spirit about them.  I just love to feel that way!  I wish I could feel that way all the time.  He spoke about Matthew 25, about the talents.  How one was given 10, one 5 and one 1.  And how life may not seem fair.  They weren't all given the same amount of talents.  But that wasn't the important thing.  Of course 2 of them were productive, increased their talents and were blessed.  The 3rd hid his talent, and it was taken away, he was slothful, and it was given to the one with 10.   He said that life is a test.  When the ward talent show comes, he has nothing.  (bless his heart, I feel the same way)  Some people have many talents.  But we can all show the love of the Lord.  He said our mission on earth has to do with the 2 great commandments:  Love the  Lord, and Love our neighbor.  That is it.  (as a side note, on my mission, there;s the joke, and I don't mean anything by this, but that sisters love people into the Gospel, it just reminded me of that, that's all)  Anyways, we are to lift them  So our opportunity is to bless others.  He said if a  family has sickness, or death,  Yes, its sad, but it doesn't matter in the sense that we have the opportunity to bless others with that.  We can be with our family again.  We can move closer to the Savior and help others to do so inspite of those things.   
        He said the biggest Roadblock to getting closer to the Savior that he has seen is not forgiving others.  He spoke about forgiveness in Matthew 18.  How the servant owed his Master 10,000 talents and the master forgave him.  But then the servant went to his hireling and locked him up for owing him a  small sum.  Then the master came back and punished him for not showing the same kindness.  If we don't forgive others, the Lord won't forgive us.  One time Elder Roney kicked a 'ball"  It stuck to the ground, and to get his "revenge" he kicked it again. Well, it was a medical ball, filled with metal beads, and when he did that, it burst and it really hurt.  When we don't forgive, it hurts us.  When we forgive, it blesses us.  And when we forgive someone who doesn't deserve it, its like we get a coupon in the kingdom.   I really enjoyed his talk and felt like I needed that.  
   I know that this is the Lord's true Church on the earth today.  I know that our Father in Heaven and His Son love us and that Pres. Nelson is his prophet on the earth today.  I know that The Book of Mormon is the word of God.  I know that Joseph Smith is the Prophet of the Restoration.  And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I am sorry about some of those things I may have come across in my posts.  I did not say that I didn't have any respect for God, but I did say that I did respect monogomy and those that practice it and it is easier to respect those that do.  However, I do not understand everything.  I do have a testimony of the Gospel   And I do believe it is important to have faith in our Father in Heaven and His plan .  I do believe it is important to be charitable and forgiving. I , of course, pray and talk to Him about things and apologize to Him as needed, but that is a personal thing that I don't have to bring up.  It really is no one's business what my relationship with Him is . It is not something I always focus on or struggle with.  There are many aspects of the Gospel and many aspects of life that fill up my time, really.   I am sorry if I have reacted to those who have attacked me in a way that was unbecoming and in a way that I normally would not be like.  I did not react at first, but anyway, I do believe it is important to give others the same kindness that I wish to receive.  And I do appreciate the kindness I have received.   And it can be easy for people that are generally pretty decent people to over react at times.    It happens.   
     My family attended our Stake Conference together.  Our Stake Patriarch, Rod Merrill, who is also a family doctor, spoke about The Book of Mormon.  He is also a big family history man.  A great man.  He spoke about the Book of Mormon being the Keystone and talked about us pondering its origin.  He talked about how those that oppose the Church cannot discredit  it.  How could Joseph Smith write a 500 plus page book in such a short amount of time with all the eloquent words of King Benjamin's speech, the doctrines of Christ (the name of the Savior is mentioned so many times in its pages), and their is chiasmus throughout the Book of Mormon, their are phrases that are put on refrigerator doors, how could Joseph do this without any notes,  these are messages that live, breathe and inspire, and he did this in 300 and something days?  
         Sister Jane Pulver , from my Stake, spoke about the youth of the Church, and how parents can teach and guide them in these last days.  Moroni saw our day and asked some of the less valiant covenant people of the last days why they were ashamed to take upon them the Gospel of Christ.  She talked about how youth have so many questions with the big decisions of life they face today in these perilous times.  Life is sure not what it was when I was growing up, as much.  I was so sheltered.  There is so much more rampant today that I did not see or know about back then about drugs, fornication, abortion legalizing marijuana, changes of what society accepts as marriage, divorce rates, fatherlessness, higher rates of murder, rapes and suicides, dishonesty, theft, etc.  Sis. Pulver talked about how we need to be able to be there to give the answers to these youth, to be available, to not be afraid to teach them .  We need to have the Spirit, to be informed, to be straight forward.  To teach women to be mothers, to teach the value of education and a career when appropriate, to teach about safety, to teach to obey the commandments, to study our scriptures, to pray, to be temple worthy, to choose wise friends and entertainment.  
     Our Stake President spoke about doing our best, but not overdoing.  He said we learn and grow by "doing just one more:" as in a gym, when developing muscular strength, or endurance.  Doing one more repetition.  It may seem that it is impossible, but in doing so, an athlete becomes stronger.  A spotter, or coach knows this, although, at first, the athlete, may think the coach or spotter does not care and may be asking more of him or her than he or she can give.  But that is not the case, a wise coach or spotter knows this will make them better in the end.  So it is spiritually.  We may be asked to do something in the Church that stretches our spiritual muscles.  We may be asked to fulfill a calling that seems beyond our capabilities or our time constraints.  Of course, we need to be mindful of our health, including mental health and family situation, but we also can grow spiritually and stretch in ways we didn't before.  We can converse with our leaders and pray about anything that we need to.  We need not run faster than we have strength but also need not let Easy Street disguise our best efforts.
     We had the privilege of having Elder Blake M. Roney, of the Seveny, attend our Stake Conference. I was able to meet him and shake his hand.  He complimented our special need son, who is on his service mission, he is such a nice man.  He spoke on forgiveness.  I really liked his talk.  He was so down to earth and kind that it just made me want to be forgiving to everyone. I just love it when people have that Spirit about them.  I just love to feel that way!  I wish I could feel that way all the time.  He spoke about Matthew 25, about the talents.  How one was given 10, one 5 and one 1.  And how life may not seem fair.  They weren't all given the same amount of talents.  But that wasn't the important thing.  Of course 2 of them were productive, increased their talents and were blessed.  The 3rd hid his talent, and it was taken away, he was slothful, and it was given to the one with 10.   He said that life is a test.  When the ward talent show comes, he has nothing.  (bless his heart, I feel the same way)  Some people have many talents.  But we can all show the love of the Lord.  He said our mission on earth has to do with the 2 great commandments:  Love the  Lord, and Love our neighbor.  That is it.  (as a side note, on my mission, there;s the joke, and I don't mean anything by this, but that sisters love people into the Gospel, it just reminded me of that, that's all)  Anyways, we are to lift them  So our opportunity is to bless others.  He said if a  family has sickness, or death,  Yes, its sad, but it doesn't matter in the sense that we have the opportunity to bless others with that.  We can be with our family again.  We can move closer to the Savior and help others to do so inspite of those things.   
        He said the biggest Roadblock to getting closer to the Savior that he has seen is not forgiving others.  He spoke about forgiveness in Matthew 18.  How the servant owed his Master 10,000 talents and the master forgave him.  But then the servant went to his hireling and locked him up for owing him a  small sum.  Then the master came back and punished him for not showing the same kindness.  If we don't forgive others, the Lord won't forgive us.  One time Elder Roney kicked a 'ball"  It stuck to the ground, and to get his "revenge" he kicked it again. Well, it was a medical ball, filled with metal beads, and when he did that, it burst and it really hurt.  When we don't forgive, it hurts us.  When we forgive, it blesses us.  And when we forgive someone who doesn't deserve it, its like we get a coupon in the kingdom.   I really enjoyed his talk and felt like I needed that.  
   I know that this is the Lord's true Church on the earth today.  I know that our Father in Heaven and His Son love us and that Pres. Nelson is his prophet on the earth today.  I know that The Book of Mormon is the word of God.  I know that Joseph Smith is the Prophet of the Restoration.  And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I'll have to try that , thank you

So, I'm gonna take this opportunity to tell you about my husband's proposal.  So... by this time, we've known each other for a couple years so he knows what I like.  He decided to propose to me under my favorite bridge.  So he took me out and I asked him where are we going and he said it's a surprise... two hours later, we're still driving and he was getting frustrated.  I was just enjoying the ride.  Finally he decided to pull over by this little bridge going over a smelly creek.  There was a drunken homeless bum holding a liquor bottle in a brown paper sack (talk about being like the movies) under the bridge who was begging us for money.  My husband whipped out this ring and without bothering to go on one knee - he was very frustrated by this point as none of his plans has panned out - and with churlishness in his expression asked me to marry me.  He thought he blew it big time.  Anyway, I said Yes on the spot while laughing so hard.  I told the bum he better be sober enough to witness this because I'm not letting this guy off the hook anymore.
It was the best proposal in the history of proposals.  It is so typical of my husband to get lost driving to his destination.  So typical that he wouldn't ask me for help getting directions (well, he couldn't this time because he wanted it to be a surprise,  but even so he hates to have to ask me where he's going, hah hah!), and so typical that nothing in our lives together go according to plan, and so typical of him to be so freakishly unromantic even when he is trying his best.  Hah hah!  Ohmygosh, it was soooo the perfect start to our life together.  If everything would have happened like in normal fancy proposals (that he intended), it would not have been as special because it's so far removed from who we are.  Hah hah!

My husband proposed to me in the Celestial room of the Los Angeles Temple.  It is a beautiful memory I will always cherish forever.

Pres. Benson worked for the government.  I think I can understand where you are coming from.  My husband and I have 4 kids, 2 with special needs.  We have been married for 21 years, in the temple.  We are active, good members.  Our special needs kids get SSI monthly payments.  We get medicaid.  Our oldest has a congenital heart defect, a reflux problem, a GI tube, 11 food allergies that require us to buy some foods that are more expenisive, though some foods we can buy cheap and make some things.  Yes, we do need to be self reliant as much as possible, but every situation is different.  We all are at different seasons in our life, and we need to take that into account.  We need not to judge others.  The Proclamation on the Family states that husband and wife help each other in our roles and we accommodate each other as necessary.  Sometimes changes our necessary.  A bishop I saw once concerning these kinds of things told me, "but you need these programs"  And he was right.  How could I afford to take care of my family's medical needs, temporal needs, and even focus better on spiritual needs if we couldn't have those things in place?  The programs aren't evil.  They are to help, and assist as needed.  The key is to be wise, prayerful and do what you can.  There is no shame in using the resources that are available to help you and your family.   We use HEAT assistance.  WE use Food Stamps.  A parent earns a living.  For many years it was my husband.  Temporarily, for the last few months, it is me, and that is ok.  I don't work Sundays, but you pray about it, and if you really feel you need to, fast or go to the bishop or the temple about it with your spouse and talk to your spouse about it, and you decide together, as a  team with the Lord, what will be the best thing for your family.  And as things change, you may need to re plan  as time and seasons in life change, but don't worry about what others think,  if others give their advice or opinions or tell you what to do, take it with a grain of salt, remember, they may be well meaning, but you and your spouse alone are entitled to receive the inspiration you need for your family's circumstances, and you know better than anyone what they are.  

I'm not replying to my posts, I'm replying to someone else's post.  I'm hitting the quote under someone else's post

Also, sometimes I put things down and they get moved around , it seems on purpose, which is not my doing

Stay out of it.  Just pray for them, but stay out of it.

Stay out of it.  Just pray for them, but stay out of it.

Thank you, we are a close family and do try to do our best.

But I do find it helpful that I can pray for help in my marriage and in my family and have the influence of the Holy Ghost for my marriage and family.

I just want to express my appreciation, especially to taking a mature, respectful approach to these topics and am sorry if anything I have posted came across in a negative way.  I don't feel I need to continually keep apologizing over & over again for it, as I already have numerous times.  But,  I will say again, that I do not understand everything, but I do know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true.  Mr Folk Prophet , I am sorry if I offended you. I really have know idea anything about you, other then that you are LDS and married, I apologize to you.  I really don't understand why so many on this thread like to be so blunt, but I really do appreciate the few that have been really kind and compassionate and what I feel a Christ-like connection with.  I know I have made some mistakes.  I know people don't usually see a need to change there ways and I can be stubborn too, but I want you all to know that I have always been and am an active LDS member and am a very serious member, I mean, you know how some members go see movies that shouldn't be seen, and tv that shoudn't be seen, and do things on Sunday, the list goes on, I am not saying I'm better than anyone, but just to give you an idea of who I am, I have never b een that way, my spouse is not that way, and our kids are not that way.  We have 4 kids, 2 with special needs, 1 very severe.  He is 17 and like a toddler mentally.  He has high energy and is everywhere, like you wouldn't believe.  The other is high functioning autistic, doing a service mission.  He is our oldest.  Born with a rare congenital heart condition and has a feeding tube and 11 food allergies.  So, I'm sorry if I come across hard sometimes.  Life isn't easy, but its ok.  Maybe if we all get to know each other better, we can be kinder and judge less. Peace brothers and sisters.

I just want to express my appreciation, especially to taking a mature, respectful approach to these topics and am sorry if anything I have posted came across in a negative way.  I don't feel I need to continually keep apologizing over & over again for it, as I already have numerous times.  But,  I will say again, that I do not understand everything, but I do know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true.  Mr Folk Prophet , I am sorry if I offended you. I really have know idea anything about you, other then that you are LDS and married, I apologize to you.  I really don't understand why so many on this thread like to be so blunt, but I really do appreciate the few that have been really kind and compassionate and what I feel a Christ-like connection with.  I know I have made some mistakes.  I know people don't usually see a need to change there ways and I can be stubborn too, but I want you all to know that I have always been and am an active LDS member and am a very serious member, I mean, you know how some members go see movies that shouldn't be seen, and tv that shoudn't be seen, and do things on Sunday, the list goes on, I am not saying I'm better than anyone, but just to give you an idea of who I am, I have never b een that way, my spouse is not that way, and our kids are not that way.  We have 4 kids, 2 with special needs, 1 very severe.  He is 17 and like a toddler mentally.  He has high energy and is everywhere, like you wouldn't believe.  The other is high functioning autistic, doing a service mission.  He is our oldest.  Born with a rare congenital heart condition and has a feeding tube and 11 food allergies.  So, I'm sorry if I come across hard sometimes.  Life isn't easy, but its ok.  Maybe if we all get to know each other better, we can be kinder and judge less. Peace brothers and sisters.

I just want to express my appreciation, especially to taking a mature, respectful approach to these topics and am sorry if anything I have posted came across in a negative way.  I don't feel I need to continually keep apologizing over & over again for it, as I already have numerous times.  But,  I will say again, that I do not understand everything, but I do know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true.  Mr Folk Prophet , I am sorry if I offended you. I really have know idea anything about you, other then that you are LDS and married, I apologize to you.  I really don't understand why so many on this thread like to be so blunt, but I really do appreciate the few that have been really kind and compassionate and what I feel a Christ-like connection with.  I know I have made some mistakes.  I know people don't usually see a need to change there ways and I can be stubborn too, but I want you all to know that I have always been and am an active LDS member and am a very serious member, I mean, you know how some members go see movies that shouldn't be seen, and tv that shoudn't be seen, and do things on Sunday, the list goes on, I am not saying I'm better than anyone, but just to give you an idea of who I am, I have never b een that way, my spouse is not that way, and our kids are not that way.  We have 4 kids, 2 with special needs, 1 very severe.  He is 17 and like a toddler mentally.  He has high energy and is everywhere, like you wouldn't believe.  The other is high functioning autistic, doing a service mission.  He is our oldest.  Born with a rare congenital heart condition and has a feeding tube and 11 food allergies.  So, I'm sorry if I come across hard sometimes.  Life isn't easy, but its ok.  Maybe if we all get to know each other better, we can be kinder and judge less. Peace brothers and sisters.