Hi there Hyena,
I first want to thank you for having the courage to share your journey and concerns with all of us. Secondly, I'm so glad you're willing to learn and to press forward even when there has been some upheaval recently in your life. I believe once you become an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and you choose where you wish to attend (family vs single), then I think things will settle into place, as far as moving is concerned.
My own Grandparents have been members for years, but recently moved from out of state. They also found out that their ward wasn't "just around the corner" but somewhere else. However, after learning about a need in the chapel (church building) next to their house, they were blessed to be able to have accommodations so that my Grandma didn't have to load my Grandpa (who had a stroke a few years ago) into their van and have to expend extra energy just to go to Church. The chapel next to them happened to be a Branch that needed a pianist for the Primary (classes for young children -3-12years old), and as my Grandma had been both a Pianist and Organist, she has been happy to fulfill her voluntary (and temporary) role as the Primary Pianist.
I bring this up, because there have been times when even life long members have needed to adjust to new areas, new callings (volunteered positions-temporary ones) and need to find a place to settle in.
I myself have recently switched from one group of Single's Ward to the next. My previous one was for those who are ages 18-30/31 years old. And now I'm in the Mid-Single's group ages 31/32-45 years old. They have one for even older than this, but whichever age you are, you're certainly welcome to go to a family ward, while still showing up for the single's ward activities. Over the years of being in a Single's Ward, I've been able to make friends and have a fun time! I also love the opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with my own peers and talk about how the Scriptures relate to our lives. It's nice to know that peers my same age have the same struggles and triumphs and I know they can help me when I've needed help and vice versa.
Life certainly isn't perfect, even with the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, and people themselves aren't perfect. Heck! I know I fall short of my potential every day. But I also know that I can come to Church, feel the Spirit, and recently, I have seen and noticed God's care and awareness for me Personally.
For example, one day I woke up super depressed and anxious for seemingly No reason, other than perhaps my own self doubt and personal insecurities I felt at the time. (I want to explain that my new Ward members have Always been kind and I knew that they cared about me. This was just my own internal struggle.)
So this particular day, I wished I could stay in bed and not go. We still had virtual Church and so it could have been so easy to just sit in bed and watch. However, I got up, dressed, and exercised my Faith and attended In Person. (This wasn't my first time where I had planned to attend something and hadn't felt like doing so, but during those times it was usually just the fact that I was tired and the said event was an activity like a Ward Dance or BBQ Dinner.)
I soon learned that there was a Mental Health professional (can't remember if it was a Psychologist or Psychiatrist) who would talk to us in the second hour of Church. (The First hour, as you already know, is Sacrament Meeting.) During this second hour of Church, our guest talked about how having Depression and Anxiety doesn't give us Black or White Days, but that we can still find joy even when we're having a rough time. And sometimes our "Good days" might have a Winnie the Pooh "Rain cloud" right in the middle of our "Picnic". I took notes as I listened and realized that although I hadn't wanted to come initially due of my concerns earlier that day, God was Very aware of my needs just then and I became grateful for this tender mercy God had extended to me that day.
While I still struggle with myself from time to time, I am grateful for the Mercies and Awareness I have found recently as I have been attending my new Ward.
I don't know all your struggles, but I think if God's aware and willing to help me, He will Love to Help you in your Journey towards Him!
I hope you will find peace during this Journey and that things will settle into place with God's Help.
Remember to Pray to Father in Heaven, in the Name of Jesus Christ, asking for directions for the next step in life, and continue your Study of the Scriptures as best you can.
P.S. I just thought about a Hymn of ours for you. Not sure if you need it but here it is*:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/hymns/lead-kindly-light?lang=eng
Here's another one:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/hymns/the-spirit-of-god?lang=eng
*(Just click on the headphone icon to listen to the hymn. It plays twice. Once with a choir, and the other instrumental.)
Vort reacted to a post in a topic:
Difference between a ward, stake, and meeting house??
Hi there Hyena, I first want to thank you for having the courage to share your journey and concerns with all of us. Secondly, I'm so glad you're willing to learn and to press forward even when there has been some upheaval recently in your life. I believe once you become an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and you choose where you wish to attend (family vs single), then I think things will settle into place, as far as moving is concerned. My own Grandparents have been members for years, but recently moved from out of state. They also found out that their ward wasn't "just around the corner" but somewhere else. However, after learning about a need in the chapel (church building) next to their house, they were blessed to be able to have accommodations so that my Grandma didn't have to load my Grandpa (who had a stroke a few years ago) into their van and have to expend extra energy just to go to Church. The chapel next to them happened to be a Branch that needed a pianist for the Primary (classes for young children -3-12years old), and as my Grandma had been both a Pianist and Organist, she has been happy to fulfill her voluntary (and temporary) role as the Primary Pianist. I bring this up, because there have been times when even life long members have needed to adjust to new areas, new callings (volunteered positions-temporary ones) and need to find a place to settle in. I myself have recently switched from one group of Single's Ward to the next. My previous one was for those who are ages 18-30/31 years old. And now I'm in the Mid-Single's group ages 31/32-45 years old. They have one for even older than this, but whichever age you are, you're certainly welcome to go to a family ward, while still showing up for the single's ward activities. Over the years of being in a Single's Ward, I've been able to make friends and have a fun time! I also love the opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with my own peers and talk about how the Scriptures relate to our lives. It's nice to know that peers my same age have the same struggles and triumphs and I know they can help me when I've needed help and vice versa. Life certainly isn't perfect, even with the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, and people themselves aren't perfect. Heck! I know I fall short of my potential every day. But I also know that I can come to Church, feel the Spirit, and recently, I have seen and noticed God's care and awareness for me Personally. For example, one day I woke up super depressed and anxious for seemingly No reason, other than perhaps my own self doubt and personal insecurities I felt at the time. (I want to explain that my new Ward members have Always been kind and I knew that they cared about me. This was just my own internal struggle.) So this particular day, I wished I could stay in bed and not go. We still had virtual Church and so it could have been so easy to just sit in bed and watch. However, I got up, dressed, and exercised my Faith and attended In Person. (This wasn't my first time where I had planned to attend something and hadn't felt like doing so, but during those times it was usually just the fact that I was tired and the said event was an activity like a Ward Dance or BBQ Dinner.) I soon learned that there was a Mental Health professional (can't remember if it was a Psychologist or Psychiatrist) who would talk to us in the second hour of Church. (The First hour, as you already know, is Sacrament Meeting.) During this second hour of Church, our guest talked about how having Depression and Anxiety doesn't give us Black or White Days, but that we can still find joy even when we're having a rough time. And sometimes our "Good days" might have a Winnie the Pooh "Rain cloud" right in the middle of our "Picnic". I took notes as I listened and realized that although I hadn't wanted to come initially due of my concerns earlier that day, God was Very aware of my needs just then and I became grateful for this tender mercy God had extended to me that day. While I still struggle with myself from time to time, I am grateful for the Mercies and Awareness I have found recently as I have been attending my new Ward. I don't know all your struggles, but I think if God's aware and willing to help me, He will Love to Help you in your Journey towards Him! I hope you will find peace during this Journey and that things will settle into place with God's Help. Remember to Pray to Father in Heaven, in the Name of Jesus Christ, asking for directions for the next step in life, and continue your Study of the Scriptures as best you can. P.S. I just thought about a Hymn of ours for you. Not sure if you need it but here it is*: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/hymns/lead-kindly-light?lang=eng Here's another one: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/hymns/the-spirit-of-god?lang=eng *(Just click on the headphone icon to listen to the hymn. It plays twice. Once with a choir, and the other instrumental.)