Extra homework

It used to be that you could get by doing your reading for Sunday school once every four years. No more!

Cold in here

It's usually a good idea to dress in layers if you're going to be in the Relief Society room!

No Pioneer 47?

I wonder if Google made the Liahona?

Sketchbook: Riff-raff

I woke up one morning with this in my head. I'm not sure if I've ever before heard Samuel the Lamanite referred to as "riff-raff."

This will all blow over

Remember, spring is just around the corner!

What's in your forecast?

Our wintry day has practically descended to its close. The sun is shining, the bulbs are bursting out of the ground, and some of the trees are already beginning to blossom.

Which means we should get nailed with a blizzard any day now!

When the snow gets so high

In Utah, I was still expected to go to work when we had 10 inches of snow. In Oregon, the world shuts down at the first snowflake. It's all relative.

Singing in a winter wonderland

We once had almost an entire week of snow days. It sure felt like families can be together forever!

Weather: you want it or not

There's winter weather happening all over the country (our rain in Oregon is a little bit cooler this time of year). It's cold in some places, downright miserable in others.

In cases like that, I find it's always a comfort to turn the the hymn book and liken the hymns unto ourselves.

Feel free to sing along.

Sketchbook: And not a good one at that

You've probably heard the joke, "What do you call an alligator wearing a vest? An in-vest-i-gator." And then nobody laughs.

Personally, I've never heard of anyone trying to teach an alligator anything!

We sing as we go

Because "sacred colander" wouldn't work, that's why.

It's of ancient date

Not all Young Women are cut from the same cloth.

Coming up short

There are always those ancestors that are a challenge to find!

Companion inventory, Take 2

Missionary companions come in four types: good, better, best — and bless their heart!

Supply and demand

It's amazing how much meaning a simple piece of cloth can take on.

Personally, I have three ties that I brought home from my mission. Each holds a special place in my personal pantheon of neckwear. One was a gift from a member in my first area; another I bought at the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival; and the third is about the ugliest tie I've ever seen. It's been officially retired from the office Father's Day ugly tie contest. It's that good.

One of my sons left with a dozen ties and came home with nearly 100. And one of our local missions has banned a certain style of tie (the skinny pastel floral print) because among the missionaries it became like the Sneetches and their stars.

Missionaries form a close, personal attachment to some of their ties. Not only do they help recall people, places or events, they help recall how it felt to be a missionary. Maybe that's why we hold them so dear — they're the ties that bind.

Sketchbook: On a tight schedule

I've heard nothing but praise for the new church schedule from parents of small children. I wonder why that is?

I'll snow where you want me to snow

There are those who right away know their call is inspired!

The flowers of grace appear

Wasn't this one supposed to stay in the sketchbook?

Elder Brightside

It always amazes me how upbeat and optimistic missionaries can be, even when they're going through challenging times.

That's not to say that there aren't times that get them down, or some discouragement creeps in. Yet usually even that doesn't last very long (one transfer was my record!). But overall, I'd say they're the happiest group of people I know!

Woke for seminary

After a couple of weeks off, it can be awfully hard to get back into the old routine. Especially if it involves morning!

How do you know when you're done?

There are still many people who struggle with the concept of ministering.

My challenge has been in how to minister to the "Do Not Contact" people. Sometimes they're a little less receptive than one would hope for!

Sketchbook: Many hands make light work

I was pondering the Young Women's program the other day, and sketched out a few cartoon ideas. A lot of the ideas had to do with family and service, nice things like that. And then this is one that popped out of my pencil. I'm pretty sure this should stay in the Sketchbook!

It's going to take some time this time

I know a lot of people are really looking forward to the new two-hour block of meetings on Sunday. I'm one of those who will probably feel guilty enough to want to linger longer because it will be too early to go home!

There is plenty indeed for my two hands to do

Do you have a teenager in your home who constantly texts? Ask them to flex their thumb muscle — the one that looks like it's a bicep for your hand (I believe it's called the abductor pollicis brevis). It's probably way beefier than yours!

And now, a little geography mission

It was on this date many (many) years ago that I arrived in Korea. My first area was Pohang on the east coast; it was the first time that I've ever had the experience of my eyeballs being frozen shut.

It was an awesome experience!

You think your teacher is boring...!

My guess is that this is the week that a lot of people figure out just how easy it was to sit in Gospel Doctrine and be fed a lesson every week.

Come, Follow Me will encourage a spirit of learning and of gospel study in the home. There are a ton of resources available to make it more exciting and engaging, and take our study of the Savior to a deeper level.

Shameless Plug
If you want to further enhance your gospel enjoyment, there's an additional new resource — Volume 1 of Sis. Kerry Jo's Mission Blog: I Miss Wearing My Dork Dot is now available for purchase on Amazon! It's approaching the top half-million best sellers (currently at 515,255 and rising fast!). Order your copy today — and look for more to come!

The Countdown: The Top Ten, Part 2 (5-1)

Happy New Year, and welcome to the rest of the Top Ten! Now, without further ado:

5. So many changes this year! This one surprised a lot of people. Remember the old blue and brown versions?

4. Family history is always good fodder for LDS cartoons. This one was a favorite.

3. We took our son to the MTC at the end of March. We had to warn him not to try this.

2. So many of my cartoons became obsolete this past year! I thought I was safe putting this out there — and then Pres. Nelson announced an emphasis on using the proper name of the Church! Plus our association added a new member, Summer Bird. I also learned than when you ask, "What's next?" you'll get an answer! All I can say is, thank goodness we still have missionaries!

And now — speaking of Pres. Nelson's announcement — the No. 1 cartoon of 2018!

1. A swarm by any other name...

Thank you for tuning in year after year! I love sharing my cartoons with you, and I love the feedback and ideas I receive from you. Let us go forward with faith in every footstep in 2019! Have a safe and prosperous new year.

Come back tomorrow for a piece of fun news!