Doubt your doubts

We shall see!

Unto every creature

It's hard to teach a lesson when a cat is clawing at the legs of your trousers.

Comp time

What's in a name?

Pres. Nelson asked us to put a renewed emphasis on the name of the church: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"We know that it's going to be a challenge to undo tradition of more than a hundred years," he said. "The Lord has told us what His Church shall be called. So, we're not changing names, we're correcting a name."

Let the corrections begin!

Sketchbook: Disaster readiness

I know several people who might argue with this premise, including some employees of the local school district!

Making that transition

My early morning seminary teacher discovered the Book of Mormon as an audiobook — for us, listening to that was almost as good as a fresh pillow in the morning!

Fair to middling

It's fair time! The Oregon State Fair starts today. Come down and enjoy!

It's a tie!

There's a special bond between a missionary and his tie. It's one of the few expressions of individuality they get to have for two years.

Looking ahead

If someone would have explained this to me way back when, I may have been less reluctant to take swimming lessons.

It also would have helped if Geri's Swim School would have heated their pool!

Still too much summer!

It's getting close for us; some of you are already there.

Sketchbook: Making the pathway bright

Pres. Nelson seems to be pushing members to be better, while the world seems to be pushing the other way. And the pushing match seems to be getting more intense. That's my perspective, at least.

Good, better, best...über!

There was a time when we had kids in preschool, elementary, middle school, high school and college. I don't think our minivan ever stopped moving during that school year!

Even hidden treasures

You can tell a lot about a ward by the stuff that gets left in (or under) the pews!

Occupational hazards

Which means they can't use glue sticks on Fast Sundays.

That sinking feeling

I've spoken with many elders who served in Arizona that swear this very thing has happened to them. Sometimes it gets so hot that one can literally watch his or her bike sink into the pavement when stopped at a traffic light. 

Transformation

Change without changing, that's all we ask.

Sketchbook: By their fruits

Sometimes half price isn't really a bargain!

Primary: It'll cure what ails you!

I'm acquainted with a Primary worker who every week complains about the headache she gets from going to Primary. But every week she goes back for more.

Free as a bird

We have one little relative who prefers running around au naturel. I won't name names... 

What's the magic word?

I heard something very similar to this in church last week.

Only it was in my Sunday school class.

While I was teaching.

Amen.

Exploring the mysteries

Missionaries often have interesting, deep doctrinal discussions.

Elijah rocks!

This was part of our Sunday school lesson on Sunday. It's one of the best stories of the Old Testament!

We also showed a cool video about Elijah and the widow of Zarephath —and discussed how it was a good example of how to ministering.

Elijah rocks!

Sketchbook: Bad timing

The song, "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" was playing in the background while I was playing in my sketchbook. This came out.

Singing around the diode

It seems like every year our Scouts went to camp in August — at the end of the summer when everything has dried out. There were quite a few times when there was no fire allowed. The lack of a campfire really does take away from the spirit — and the smell — of camp!

It's wildfire season around here. Eighty percent of the state is in drought condition; we have fires in several locations.

Be careful when you're out there!

Was it Clorox or Isaiah who said that?

Chalk this one up to personal experience!

Helping hands

There are lots of ways that missionaries can give service. Tearing up roads is probably not one of them.

Everything counts

Technically, when Elder Holland said everything counts in relation to home teaching. But I'm pretty sure he'd say the same thing about ministering.