abeChristianson Posted January 31, 2008 Report Posted January 31, 2008 Hi, I am new to this forum and thought I would introduce myself. My name is Abe and I was baptized 1995 In Missouri just a short distance away from Fort Lenard Wood. I am a convert and have been inactive since I moved back to Ashland. I do have a testimony That the Church is the true church on earth. I just don't feel comfortable at my local branch because I dated someone who was very active and I broke up with her when she didn't want to marry me. I found out that she was chatting with someone online and soon after we broke up she married him. SHe has moved away now but she had many friends there and I feel like they may judge me harshly because I started dating someone else after we broke up and married her. I also suffer from an anxiety disorder that makes things difficult too. My wife also is an inactive member and isn't interested in becoming active anytime soon. I am hoping to find friends and hopefully become active again for my children's sake. Thanks for reading..... Quote
pushka Posted January 31, 2008 Report Posted January 31, 2008 Hi Abe! Welcome to the site, I'm sure you'll enjoy it here and meet lots of new friends.I have problems with anxiety too, and I'd been thinking of returning to my local LDS church in recent months, and was just the same as you, imagining that the people I knew there 26 years ago would judge me because of the most stupid thing! Because I'd gained weight, lol!! Just goes to show that even if you have nothing to worry about really, you can always create something to worry about! As it is, I've been attending for the last 3 weeks, have met plenty of my old friends there (including an ex boyfriend), and many new friends, and I've been totally accepted and welcomed. There are all sorts of reasons why people become inactive, and I'm sure you know that the church members are only concerned about making you feel comfortable again, and allowing you the time to learn again and renew any covenants that you once made.Don't be afraid...ring the Bishop's office, or the number of any members you still know, and arrange for someone to meet you at the door..it is that simple.Good Luck! :) Quote
susieSA Posted January 31, 2008 Report Posted January 31, 2008 Welcome Abe... I am sure you are gonna love it here Quote
Rebky Posted January 31, 2008 Report Posted January 31, 2008 You could have gone anywhere on the internet the day you joined but you came HERE to an LDS forum because you soul wants to connect with that which is in you. I am a lifetime member and I've never been inactive so I can tell you this from my standpoint: I've never been anything but happy to see people come back to church... especially if they are doing it for their children! It's always great when new personalities join the congregation it adds wonderful flavor to the pot. I've had 'problems' and/or issues with people before but I never let other people make me feel unwelcome in MY CHURCH. Everyone belongs. It's a hospital for sinners not a museum for Saints... right? Like Pushka said, you can always find reasons to keep you away. The world is changing and your family needs the gospel. Enjoy this site, I've only been here two weeks myself, and there seems to be along going on. You can post in the forum, start or join a discussion, drop in the chatroom, make your profile really kewl, blog, upload pictures for investigators... you can bear your testimony and share the gospel and our culture with non-members.... Quote
ztodd Posted January 31, 2008 Report Posted January 31, 2008 Hi, I am new to this forum and thought I would introduce myself. My name is Abe and I was baptized 1995 In Missouri just a short distance away from Fort Lenard Wood. I am a convert and have been inactive since I moved back to Ashland. I do have a testimony That the Church is the true church on earth. I just don't feel comfortable at my local branch because I dated someone who was very active and I broke up with her when she didn't want to marry me. I found out that she was chatting with someone online and soon after we broke up she married him. SHe has moved away now but she had many friends there and I feel like they may judge me harshly because I started dating someone else after we broke up and married her. I also suffer from an anxiety disorder that makes things difficult too. My wife also is an inactive member and isn't interested in becoming active anytime soon. I am hoping to find friends and hopefully become active again for my children's sake. Thanks for reading.....Hi Abe, good to know ya through the forum. I sometimes have a little social anxiety also. You'll find a lot of friends here and support. God bless you and your family. Quote
john doe Posted January 31, 2008 Report Posted January 31, 2008 Welcome, Abe! This Ashland where you live, which state? Please don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have, we have some pretty good people who can answer most of them or point you in the direction of the answer. Quote
abeChristianson Posted February 1, 2008 Author Report Posted February 1, 2008 I live in Wisconsin. It is a tiny town on Lake Superior. Thanks. Quote
Maya Posted February 3, 2008 Report Posted February 3, 2008 And wellcome, I hope you enjoy this forum. About you feeling bad about going to the church...I understand it, but she was chatting while dating you...so.... How about taking your family to Church next Sunday!? :) Quote
MorningStar Posted February 4, 2008 Report Posted February 4, 2008 Hi Abe! That would be a really awkward situation. A friend of mine ended up in the same ward with her ex-fiance, but they managed somehow. I don't think their break-up was ugly though. It would be my worst nightmare to end up in a ward with an ex-boyfriend. Before we buy a house, I will probably check out the ward first and make sure just in case. You never know. My sister-in-law has terrible anxiety and has been struggling for years to get back to church. She finally overcame the fear of going to work, but church is hard because she knows it's where she will meet marriage prospects. She is overweight and very self-conscious about it. I hope you will be able to make it back to church soon. I'm glad you've joined us here. :) MorningStar Quote
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