I know that I had a real problem with feeling accepted when my husband and I first joined. Of course it does not help that I was painfully shy at the time. It is so much better now though. I had to make myself go up and introduce myself. It was worth it though because now I have close friends in the ward.
My husband was sick today so we were unable to go. However, last Sunday people graduating from seminary gave talks. One talked about how seminary really strengthened her during trials in her life. The youth in this Church amaze me by their strength and unselfishness. When I was in high school I could not imagine getting up early like they do.
Also when my son Joshua was 3, my mother had come to visit. As she was preparing to leave, Joshua grabbed her hand, looked at me and said "Tell Daddy I'm going to 'Zona.
The zero tolerance policy has gotten so out of control it is ridiculous. I am seriously considering home schooling because I don't feel my children are learning enough in school. My two oldest have learning delays and I worry that their teachers are just passing them off without them learning what they should.
Living gospel principles, reading and pondering the scriptures, and prayer even if it feels like you are just going through the motions will increase your faith. And eventually it will not be just going through the motions