At Least It’s Christmas Sock Season: A Look on the Bright Side

I know there are people who are very strict or specific about when the Christmas season starts. Some will argue that putting up your tree before Thanksgiving or decorating for Christmas at all before Thanksgiving takes away from the Thanksgiving celebration. For me, the Christmas sock season starts on November 1, and I was grateful…… Continue reading At Least It’s Christmas Sock Season: A Look on the Bright Side

Deer, Brake Lights in the Dark, Semis, and Tender Mercies

Last Saturday, I went with my family to the Playmill Theatre in West Yellowstone, Montana. Over the last few years, it has become a tradition to see at least one play there every summer. This year, we saw “Anastasia.” I ended up driving on the trip home, and along the way, I encountered tender mercies…… Continue reading Deer, Brake Lights in the Dark, Semis, and Tender Mercies

The Slow March of Light: Divided Germany (4.5 Stars)

If you’re interested in Germany post-WW II, you may want to read The Slow March of Light by Heather B. Moore. This book begins in Utah in December 1959. Our main character, Bob, is drafted into the army. After basic training, he heads to West Germany. Germany Post World War II This was a well-written…… Continue reading The Slow March of Light: Divided Germany (4.5 Stars)

Is It Really Success Disguised as Failure?

I talked recently about how I’ve started taking an Emotional Resilience class in my ward. Each week, we set five goals to work on for that week. The following week, we individually rate how we did with each goal. You can pick “very little effort,” “some effort,” or “significant effort.” The first two weeks, I…… Continue reading Is It Really Success Disguised as Failure?

The First Time I Felt Like I Could Belong

About six months ago, I started going to a Single Adult ward. Anyone who knows me well knows this transition was not an easy one for me for several reasons. Despite feeling like I needed to go, I have struggled with feelings that I really don’t belong there. I feel like I don’t have a…… Continue reading The First Time I Felt Like I Could Belong

Kindness and Love Or Allowing Others to Take Advantage of You?

I’ve started this post several times. Then I don’t like the direction it’s going, so I’ll start in another direction, rename it, and try something else. I think perhaps part of the problem is that I do struggle to find that right balance between helping and serving others versus being willing to stand up for…… Continue reading Kindness and Love Or Allowing Others to Take Advantage of You?

Any Church Calling: We Are Called for a Reason

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about church callings. Maybe, part of that is that for the first time in quite a while, I find myself long-term without a ward calling. Yes, I’m a temple worker, but I don’t have an official ward calling. I think we’ve all had times when someone was given a…… Continue reading Any Church Calling: We Are Called for a Reason

Hitting 40: How Life Didn’t Turn Out as Planned

This week was a monumental sort of birthday for me. While the day itself wasn’t especially memorable, the significance of the number hit me a little hard. Let’s just say that I was halfway between 20 and 60 earlier this week, but every second that goes by, I get a little closer to 60 and…… Continue reading Hitting 40: How Life Didn’t Turn Out as Planned

Give Me My Outer Darkness Donuts Now!

Any family member who reads this headline is probably going to roll their eyes, smile a bit, and tell me to get over it. Honestly, they’re probably right. I should get over it, but before I do, I’m going to tell you how I know that there are no donuts in Outer Darkness. The Story…… Continue reading Give Me My Outer Darkness Donuts Now!

Can I Be Proud of Something Without Being Prideful?

I could be 100% wrong in this thought, but I feel like there is a huge difference between feeling proud of someone or something and being prideful about something. To me, the core of this difference lies in whether it’s about gratitude or if it’s about the desire to be better than others. What is…… Continue reading Can I Be Proud of Something Without Being Prideful?