Family ties

Zombie family history: It gets a little messy.

Have a happy Halloween tonight. Be safe out there! 

Sweetening the work

It's funny how different missions handle holidays like Halloween. Our local missionaries have to be in their apartments by 6 p.m. They're supposed to do planning and study, but they can answer the door for trick or treaters. (They haven't yet decided whether to give out mini copies of the Book of Mormon or pass-along cards).*

In another mission not far from here, they're having a special dinner, party and games for the local missionaries. Each mission follows the discretion of the mission president.

In Korea, we just treated it like any other day.


*This is what we gave out in Relief Society:

Sketchbook: Gourds be with you

I'm running this a couple of days before Halloween as a public service announcement. You know how you never know what to do with your old pumpkins once Halloween is over?  

Just like grandma used to make!

Depending on where you serve, this may not be too far off the mark. That's what our missionaries here believe, anyway!

Notes from all over

The question I have is, under what circumstances would Dracula want to get his DNA tested?

Parent Teacher Conferences

Some teachers have this same experience without the zombies!

Missionary prep

Sometimes you get a trick, sometimes you get a treat. Just make sure you endure to the fourth floor, last door!

To wrap it up

My favorite mummy movie is actually from France: The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec (or Les Aventures Extraordinaires d'Adèle Blanc-Sec). It deals with dinosaurs, mad scientists, journalists, mummies, and the Pharaoh's physicist. It's mostly set in and around Paris, circa 1910 — the mummies especially like the pyramid at the Louvre!

It's available on Amazon Prime with English subtitles (83% on Rotten Tomatoes). Check it out!

Sketchbook: The last picture show

This one didn't quite make the cut in the Halloween Movies series. 

Here's Johnny!

Those drop in visits can get your heart racing!

When there's something strange in your neighborhood

When you get ghosted, you've gotta find out why!

Shh! They'll hear us!

I think every missionary ever can relate to this one!

Movies for Missionaries, the sequel

Our local missionaries assure us that their refrigerator is only stocked with the healthiest foods. Mostly.

The Dork Knight

His face strikes terror in the hearts of evildoers.

Sketchbook: Identity crisis

I thought about saying "...Mormon Home Teacher..." but that seemed a little too much.

Busted!

I think we're about ready for a few zombie-themed cartoons, don't you?

Good times I remember

...and the hymn books were either brown or blue.

At least, that's what I hear. I've only ever known the green hymn book and the three-hour block! (2 Nephi 9:34)

Planning ahead

The time needed to fulfill my calling will be diminished significantly with the switch to the two-hour block. That change will create some interesting administrative challenges  beginning at the first of the year.

Fast times

I keep seeing posts that say, "I'm on a social media fast." And I wonder how could they be posting when they're fasting? Isn't that kind of like saying, "I'm going to start fasting as soon as I finish this bowl of cereal!"? It's probably just me...

Did you also notice that Pres. Nelson challenged the youth to a seven-day fast. He challenged the sisters to a ten-day fast. What's it going to be up to when he finally challenges the elders?

A willing heart

You had to have known that this one was coming.

What I wonder is, how in the world are we going to work in the Sunday post-game recap after sacrament meeting if we only have two hours? I'll have to bring that up in ward council.

A wild ride!

Another amazing conference! Two-hour block, 12 new temples, and lots of admonitions to be more Christlike in all that we do — including ministering. What stood out for you?

Pres. Nelson left us with the admonition to review the conference talks "starting tomorrow." To help with that, I have my notes combined in a PDF, suitable for use at home, seminary or Sunday school (while you can!).

Sunday Afternoon notes

Sunday Morning notes

General Women's Session notes

Saturday Afternoon notes

Saturday Morning notes

Convert-i-ate!

Maybe it's just me, but I think we're in good hands.

Life through a filter

Serving as a missionary can certainly change your perspective!

If ye are prepared

It's interesting to review the talks from last general conference. There were so many announcements and surprises that it could be easy to forget some of the gems that were in there. You can take a look at the talks online, or review a PDF of my notes — and get ready for this weekend!

No reservations

There is such a thing as being too prepared!

The New Era has a great packet to help youth (and older folks) get more out of conference. You can download a copy from the conference website.

Save your seats early!

Sketchbook: Just keep moving

Reviewing talks from the last general conference can help you get ready for the upcoming meetings. They help keep you going!