Sketchbook: Remember this one thing...

That's the good thing about prayer — you can do it any time!

I declare!

That last piece of pie

What Friday is it?

I saw something on social media that suggested that instead of rushing to the stores on Black Friday, what would happen if we instead spent the day at the temple? 

Giving thanks

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

License to grill

Do not go gently

This was very close to being a Terminator Turkey joke. Skynet wouldn't let me upload it.

Sketchbook: Feast or famine

But the good news is, on Friday they're loaded with leftovers!

Awakening the force

Hey, it could work...

By their decorations you shall know them

 Our neighbors on one side have their orange and purple lights and jack o'lanterns on their porch. A little farther down the street it's a winter wonderland. Must be Thanksgiving!

Naming those blessings

This is a time of year when we take the time to remember our blessings. Some families have a tradition of a blessing tree or a gratitude jar. Whatever your tradition may be, take time to acknowledge and give gratitude for your blessings.

Too much of a good thing

It's always fun to find out the details about a position after you've accepted the calling!

And mourn with those who mourn

Yes, it's time for mid-terms around here. It's a good time to learn lessons in personal accountability!

Warm ups

I think this is one of my favorite turkey-themed cartoons ever. But that's just me.

Sketchbook: Charge it!

Aren't there days when you wish you could recharge your spirit as easily as you can your phone?

Paris

Regular readers know that Paris is a place near and dear to us. Every two years we take a group of students to Europe, and each trip ends with a magical night in Paris. The highlight is an evening cruise on the Seine and a nighttime visit to the Eiffel Tower.

Along with many others, our hearts were broken upon hearing news of the attacks. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Paris, the people of France.

Gonna find out who's naughty and nice

Any missionary can tell you the importance of keeping a good area book.

A blues song

There's nothing like open mic night down by the barn.

Know your customer

Be kind to your bishop. Especially this time of year as tithing settlement begins.

Veteran's Day/Remembrance Day

It wasn't until I started Sis. Kerry Jo's mission blog that I realized how much I enjoy her as a character. She often says things in ways that I can't. Here she is paying tribute to soldiers on Veteran's Day.

There's that word again!

For a variety of reasons, we're jumping into our Way Back machine for the next few days and looking at some classics from Novembers past. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

I don't hear our missionaries use this word nearly as much as I used to!

Sketchbook: It's too soon!

It's like I closed my eyes one minute and it was Halloween, and the next minute it's almost Christmas! It reminded me of this old gag from the sketchbook — it's too soon!

Mission lessons: It's never too late

At the end of my mission, I was lucky to find myself with a group of elders who worked hard clear to the end. I'm pretty sure that in our last week in the field, we placed more copies of the Book of Mormon than any other group in the mission that month. And yes, that includes several that we gave out on the way to the airport. 

It's never to late to share.

Mession reflections: Called to serve

There was a secret to success as a missionary that I wish I would have learned much earlier, but until you get it, you don't get it. I spent the first several months of my mission worried about — me. 

It's important to lose yourself in the work in order to find yourself. 

Lessons from the mission field: speak their language

One of the best feelings I ever experienced as a missionary was the first time I spoke to someone and they understood what I was trying to say right away, no further translation required.

One of the gifts of the spirit is speaking in tongues. To me that means speaking in a voice or using the words and phrases that an individual will understand or respond to — be that in whatever language it may.

Missionary memories

One of the first things I learned as a missionary was the power of prayer.

It's gonna take a miracle!

November is the anniversary of when I entered the MTC, so my thoughts always return to the mission field this time of year.

Ahh, November!

Monday Sketchbook: Falling back

No matter which way the time change goes, it always makes me tired!

The first of the month

It's always a good idea to check your calendar before you go wandering around castles in Transylvania.