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Moksha!! Thanks for putting my mind at ease..I hope that fish doesn't turn up at the Chorley Temple one day!! :)

Thanks for all the Congratulations, I'm still riding high on the feelings from yesterday and today, it really does feel good. Now my kids (non-LDS) have started to tease me whenever I say something risque...'mum, you're not allowed to talk like that anymore, you're a Mormon now!!' LOL :)

LOL! Oh well Snow, guess you now know that I'm no Art History expert!!

we're watching this series over here in the UK too...Please can you tell me the full names of the 2 LDS contestants, when you find them out, I don't get to see the shows till Thursday and Friday, so I will be a little slower at knowing what's what each week..

Willow!! Thanks very, very much for making this thread. It really was lovely meeting you and your daughter tonight, and yes, it was quite funny letting people know about this site and how we met via it. You're right, I am still on cloud 9. I've been meaning to start a thread about my Baptism, or even a blog..which might be a better idea in order to remember it all fully. Let's just say on here that I was really nervous, yet not shaking at all, David Eastwood who Baptised me was an old friend of mine from when I used to attend all those years ago, and he joked with me during the talks, saying they ought to keep the talks short cos the water would be going cold, and maybe they wouldn't be bringing me back out of the water!! I really was terrified as I finally stepped into the font, and wasn't too certain that David could lift me back up with me holding onto his left arm, I'm sorry for going on about how scared I was, but I really have a water phobia..just the smell of chlorine makes me feel ill...so for me to be immersed was a miracle in itself..my mum could barely watch (she can't swim either), and Becki wasn't allowed to take a picture of me 'going under' but she said I looked okay, not too panicky as I emerged..Going down tho, felt like I was never gonna hit the bottom!! Obviously I did survive and the 1st attempt was all that was necessary. I loved the hymns that were chosen (not by me cos I don't know enough of them), and the talks from my friends Glenys, her husband David and by David who Baptised me. My sister, nephew, mum and Becki, my daughter, all came to watch and take pictures. As Willow said, the Elders took about 3 or 4 pictures, which they've promised to email to me on Wednesday, so I will put them on here for you all. My family really enjoyed the occasion, my sister commented that I ought to try to get Becki to start attending with me, but Becki's not that sure about it, lol..she's gonna come with me tomorrow though, for my Confirmation. The buffet that 2 of the Sisters had made for after the service was delicious..chocolate cream cake and victoria sponge with cream, fresh strawberries, chocolate biscuits and snaps, and lots of fruit juice..mmmm yummy!! All in all, I'm really happy that I finally took this step to show my commitment to the church and to God and Jesus, and I'm looking forward to now being a full member. Willow, thanks again for starting this thread, and for attending tonight...I'm looking forward to when we can meet up again...Thanks everyone else on here, for your kind thoughts, words of encouragement, and inspiration! :)

Wow Elphie!! That really is a wonderful story, I'm really happy to hear of how fulfilled your mum now feels since helping out the women at the Refuge Centre!! I'm really happy that it has brought the two of you closer again, and renewed your feelings of love and admiration for her...Keep up the good work of encouraging folks Elphie!! :)

Digi...I'm from the UK and that 70% figure does not ring true for how much of a person's wage is payable as National Insurance...please let me know where you got that figure from? I may be wrong, as I haven't worked for 15 years or so, but it does seem steeper than I'd imagine it would be... Any other UK posters here who could verify what the % of wages is payable as National Insurance these days? As far as dating's concerned, just stay cool and enjoy getting back into the swing of meeting other members, one day that right woman might just turn up when you least expect her to. I'm in my mid 40's and divorced too, and have just finally joined the church tonight, so I'm facing a similar dilemma..the Single Adult fireside I attended last Monday consisted of just 4 single women, lol!! :)

Hi Jennifer! Welcome to the site, I hope you enjoy it here and stick around :)

Misshalfway, the only dog I've really had years of experience with was my Springer Spaniel, Spike..he was soo gentle, he loved to snuggle up all the time, he slept in the bedrooms protecting me and my husband, then the kids in their room. He was medium sized, so obviously needed exercise to keep him trim (unfortunately ours developed arthritis and we had to put him on a diet!! He was greedy, lol). During the day when I wasn't working, was looking after my baby daughter, I could leave the front door open with Becki in her high chair, and Spike would sit in the yard in front of her, and bark whenever anybody passed..nobody was gonna harm his Becki!! He loved it when Daniel was born too, he and Becki took turns playfighting with and riding on the back of Spike.. In all, Spike was a wonderful pet, he'd been born in a litter which my husband's family dog had given birth to, so we knew him from day 1 and continued to let him see and play with his mother when he came to stay with us. When his mom died and my in-laws bought a Cairn terrier, they used to play together for hours too..I never had a problem with Spike and other dogs, except for the time when some idiot allowed his pitbull type (not a pitbull, I don't think, just similar) attack him and nearly bite his ear off and his throat!! That was really upsetting, fortunately Spike survived the attack.

Ooops...just realised that last post I was referring to was from Snow!!! Was it a joke Snow? :)

Wow! Those sketches really are good.. I'm a little confused about the Quorum of the 12 tho, it looks like a mock up of Jesus and his Apostles at the Last Supper, is even listed as that...is that the sketch you meant?

I attended the local LDS chapel for 5 years back in the 70's, then I left for 26 years and just returned about a month ago. I was a little different from you, as I left under pressure from my then boyfriend. I didn't follow all the 'rules' properly and didn't want to be a hypocrite, so I didn't get Baptised. I have read lots of accounts of ex-Mormons too, and I do understand some of the reasons for people having left, perhaps over zealous Mormons have treated them less than kindly, unintentionally, but I do wonder sometimes how some people can have such bad experiences of the church while others seem perfectly happy with it? Anyway, nice to hear from you... :)

Hi DDSR, It's lovely to hear from you..I hope that you enjoy returning to the church and posting on this site :)

Hi Mariposa!! It's great to see you here, I hope you enjoy it and stick around... I'm a convert to the LDS church and am getting Baptised on Saturday... :)

Wow! I wouldn't mind having $2500 to even invest into a bank account, lol! :)

Oooh, I never noticed that Dr. T, interesting :)

I've only been back to church on Sundays 4 times, but I have witnessed people behind me whispering quite loudly during somebody's talk. I do find it distracting, especially as I can't hear very well to begin with, some people do not use the microphone to their best advantage, and some people just mumble their talks...but I try not to be too distracted, and try to keep in mind the main message of the talks that particular week..there's usually at least 1 speaker who is loud enough and confident enough to talk brilliantly, so the message generally does get through.

Stephan, I think that is great advice you gave to Wbriset..Family are most important, and it is crucial that you let them know that they are important to you, in spite of your differences in opinion about the church. Good luck with your situation W.. Stephan, just curious, which part of the UK are you in...I'm from Lancashire. :)

Hi Crytsprospect!! I'm really happy to see you here, and admire your strength in spite of your illnesses and pain. I have issues with depression and chronic pain too, due to OsteoArthritis in my hips and other phsyical ailments..I hope that you continue to find the church helps you, and that your faith continues to grow stronger. :)

Well Done Rev. I hope you enjoy your time on your Mission :)

Sounds like a wonderful event Stampede :)

Hi Jonathon! Welcome to the site, I hope you enjoy yourself here :)

Hi Gatsby, welcome to the site, hope you enjoy it here :)

Gatsby, it sounds as if you've been having the same problems with faith that I've had over the last few years. I wanted to call myself Agnostic or Atheist, but when I was alone, not listening to the debates from my non-believing friends, I couldn't help but think that Jesus was real, that at least following him would be beneficial to me. I couldn't completely make myself disbelieve in God whilst I believed in Jesus. When I wanted to re-investigate the LDS church I thought that my testimony of it would have been solid, but it has floundered, too, over the last so many years, so I am having to work on building that also as I return to church and finally be Baptised.

Hahaha, I'm sure you'll be able to handle the pressure Willow :)