I got a call this morning from Sergio, a friend from my old ward who wanted to wish me and my family a Happy New Year and catch up. After we exchanged reports of our holiday activities, he let me know that– 3 1/2 months after we moved out of the ward– I was finally released from my HPGL calling last Sunday (Sergio took my place, which made me very happy).

Coincidentally, that same day we were doing our tithing settlement, and at one point the bishop says to me, “We got a calling for you. It’s coming, so be ready.”

My question is this: Did a calling in the new ward have to wait for the release in the old one? Such a concept never occurred to me until this happened. Was it necessary to keep me in that position until the stake leadership determined my replacement, and by so doing, keep any callings in the new ward at bay? Or is it really just a coincidence that the two things happened at the same time? Is there not such a thing as having two callings in two wards overlap?

Not that I haven’t been grateful for the 3 1/2 month vacation.

In the spirit of MCQ’s focus on resolutions, I refer to this scriptural passage:

Mark 10:17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none agood but one, that is, God.

19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

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It’s been a wonderful year.

Not financially, of course — but it’s a fool who measures success or joy in dollars and cents.

Here’s to an even better turn around the sun: may peace, love, and light fill your homes in the new year.

And to send you out: a couple musical recommendations…

Frank C Stanley Orchestra, 1910 (via ODEO)

Hotel Café, 2008

Of course, you can’t listen to it without knowing what you’re listening to… so saunter over to the wikipedia article: Auld Lang Syne.

Setting resolutions for the new year is a widespread tradition, but Mormons should be more inclined to set them and, just maybe, more able to achieve them.  Why?  Because we, more than people of other faiths, believe people can change.  In fact, we believe there are no limits to the amount that people can change.  We even have a name for this belief: eternal progression.  What is eternal progression but an endless series of resolutions made and kept?  So, now that you know that new year’s resolutions are an integral part of the gospel, what are yours for 2009?

A woman approached me at a service station last night. She was looking for money, claiming it was for gas. She pointed to an old Ford Explorer, saying she was stranded and her kids were waiting in there for her to take them home. I’ve heard this pitch a dozen previous times at gas stations– with slight variations– over the years. “I just need a couple dollars to get home.” She looked through me, not at me. Her schtick was rehearsed, practiced, tired, void of any humility or any emotion. “I’m a Christian,” she said. “I pray to God you can help me.” Now I was pissed. “Stop it,” I said. “Don’t disrespect God to me.” “I mean it!” she protested. “Look,” I said as I took out some bills, “the routine’s old. Try something else.” She gave me a rehearsed look of dejection. “Merry Christmas!” she spat at me as she went off with my lunch money (NOT in the direction of the station cashier to get gas, I might add).

This kind of encounter never ends well for me. If I responded cheerfully and forked over the dough without hesitation, I’d still feel like a mark and a bad steward of my money. If I denied her the money, I’d feel like an ass. As it turned out, I knew I was getting took, but because I couldn’t swear to it on a stack of Bibles, I reluctantly handed over the money on the off-chance some little kids might get home safely or, at least, get some hot McDonald’s. But since I exacerbated the situation by protesting as I did, I felt no reward was to be found. I let myself be used and surgically removed any charity from the incident myself. And I hate that she said “Merry Christmas” to me!

To what extent do we share? Do we give everyone with their hand out the benefit of the doubt and let the Lord sort it all out later? Are we to be more responsible for the allotment with which He entrusts us?

These questions will forever plague me.

Let me just recognize that Christmas in America is a mingling of religious and secular celebrations. Hearing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Silent Night” back to back will shock no one. Like it or not, that’s the way it is. There are, however, a few songs that find a good deal of play that have nothing to do with Christmas whatsoever. Here are my top picks. I’ll let the lyrics do most of the talking. (more…)

A question has arisen in my mind as I have been discussing (to put it charitably) Church attendance with my 12 year old daughter.  She is awesome in many many ways and I love her with all my heart but she is possibly the least motivated member kid I have met when it comes to Church attendance.  She just doesn’t want to go. 

After letting her choose her own path for a time (read: she slept in while we went to Church), we discussed this issue in mind-numbing detail with her and we have arrived at the solution that, for now, she is required to attend Church with us as part of her responsibilities as a member of our family (thus making Church attendance the rough equivalent of making her bed). 

This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it is our hope that in attending by fiat, she will eventually gain a testimony and have a desire to attend without being forced to do so.  Are we doing the right thing?  How much freedom do you give children when it comes to things like this?

Please note: My daughter doesn’t read this blog (natch — it isn’t about Twilight).

My 14 year old son asked me this question today after church.
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I want to apologize ahead of time for this entry. I was carried away with schmaltz and hate myself for it. Nevertheless, I’m still putting it out there because… well… I need to. You have been warned. (more…)

Why are we, as a people, so prone to being mean? Do we fail to see the difference between righteous judgment and just being self-righteous? (more…)

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OK, so maybe it’s more just some random photos than an essay. (more…)

…because, you know, Mormons have lots of wives!

Get it?!!?

(I promise it was hilariouser the first 4,594 times I heard it. Blame it on my delivery.)

Every now and then I see a surge in people talking about Emma and her life, groups of women connecting with the Church’s past by connecting with the prophet’s wife. But for the most part she’s supporting cast, a footnote in the life of Joseph. I’ve wondered how she sat to the side and watched her husband leave their family so often during the founding and growth of the church. He was often traveling to spread the Gospel, and he was repeatedly jailed. Yet there she was, birthing children, raising children, and grieving over the loss of children, alone. On top of that she probably had people knocking on the door all the time, wondering when, exactly, was the prophet going to return?

Though my circumstances are altogether different, they are still very similar. My husband is far away and unable to return home. I was pregnant during a previous deployment, and I am now attempting to raise my children by myself. I have bouts of immense loneliness, and trials that must be uniquely designed to be of the utmost difficulty to me alone. I sometimes wonder where I stand in the pecking order of my husband’s priorities, and I will even confess to a little bitterness now and again. Communication is often sparse and there is a constant underlying fear for his safety, the elephant in the room that everyone avoids. As a soldier’s wife I am frequently reminded that his mission is not a popular one. His motives and intelligence have been questioned, which is frustrating for the spouse of a man so filled with honor, integrity, and principle. (more…)

With the Presidential campaign over, Obama victorious, and McCain graciously bowing out of the public spotlight, I find myself looking back on what has been a very long, very tiring, but very interesting election cycle. For Mormons, it’s been quite a ride for two reasons: Mitt Romney, and Proposition 8. Both topics have been talked about ad nauseum on the bloggernacle. But linking the two topics together, I think we Mormons can thank our lucky stars that Romney DIDN’T make it out of the GOP primaries. (more…)