havejoy

”If we don’t succeed, we run the risk of failure.” George W. Bush

"It isn't pollution that is hurting the environment, it's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it."----Dan Quayle We could do a whole book on Dan Quayle. In fact, someone probably already has.

"You guys line up alphabetically, by height." Bill Peterson (Florida State Football coach)

”The vast majority of our imports come from outside the country.” George W. Bush

We've got to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need?" Lee Iacocca

You go first.

You know we all hate you now.

Maybe we could call it the home stretch or old farts fanout.

I saw my mother go to church because she was afraid not to. She'd been told about this unending lake of fire she would have to swim through for eternity if she didn't go to church. Eventually she stopped going anyway. Then there's what I've experienced. Some guys told me about the pre-existence and it was as if I were being reminded instead of being taught. I learned more, questioned everything and chose to become a member. I don't think anyone who is forced is ever truly converted.

I don't think disfellowshipment is a trial run for excommunication. I believe excommunication is what happens to the rebellious but disfellowship is what happens to the ones who are repentant. I say this based on personal experience where a good friend of mine and I committed the same type of sin within a year of each other. She was called in and lied about it and her attitude was one of rebellion. The Bishop worked with her for more than a year before she was finally excommunicated. I went to the Bishop and confessed and asked for help. I was disfellowshipped. In my experience, being disfellowshipped was being surrounded by love. I met with the Bishop every week for counsel and was gven reading assignments. The other members of the Bishopric went out of their way to speak to me and to be kind. The missionaries began coming by a lot more and I just generally felt protected by everyone's love. Being disfellowshipped was not, in any way, a negative experience for me. We also need to remember the Bishopric or the Stake Presidency doesn't make the decision. They pray together about it and then do what has been revealed to them.

Talk to your RS presidency. They should get things started. They're great missionary tools.

I always call, make an appointment, and myself and a few friends go up and spend 4 hours canning.

We have figured out, in my ward, that the more members we have, the more time off we'll have in between busy callings so we invite noobs to all of our activities. The best attended are the cooking group and the mothers and grandmothers play day in the park.

I also think I'll start looking at my most challenging child as a possible future Prophet.

That's a good idea. I have a 10 year old that was going to be a big problem because the other kids look up to him and he was trying to show off by seeing how much he could get away with. I talked to him and told him I recognized him as a leader and needed his help. He has made a huge difference during opening exercises as well as sharing time. I'm starting to think I might survive this calling after all.

I know someone who got deferred, adjudicated probation for pleading guilty to a first time offense of aggravated sexual assault of a child who was 6 years old. I don't call it the justice system anymore. It's a legal system with darn little justice sometimes.

I find it absolutely appalling that he'll only get 5 years for a 3rd offense. He should never taste freedom again.

Awesome!

The idea of picking our reverent children from whoever is the most reverent is really working well. We have so many trying to be picked that we've had to start giving out stickers to all the "runner ups". The kids have been really good for the most part but it seems as though there are always one or two who want to be challenging. I warned one 5 year old last week that if he didn't stop talking and stay in his seat I would take him to his dad. I did end up taking him to his dad and it seemed to make everyone else calm down a bit. I asked his dad to talk to him and then send him back and he returned being really good. I think he was just testing me because I've baysat for him before and he knows I love him a bunch.

Our 2nd counselor is going to teach sharing time!

I'm such a lemming.

I hope someone is keeping your name in the Temple this year. You have my prayers.

I've been through Purgatory and I'm not even Catholic. (it's in Colorado)

Do you have sources proving the Church spent millions of dollars? My understanding is that individual members spent their own money and not the Church's money.

A coupon for a massage Have her over for dinner and pick her brain about her childhood Write her a card telling her the things you admire about her and how much you love and appreciate her These are things that I did for my Mom when she was alive.