Same problems, different problems

Although elders and sisters have a lot of similar experiences as missionaries, their approach and reaction are often worlds apart.

Sketchbook: Sunday is a special day

Our priesthood discussion yesterday was based on Elder Holland's talk from April's general conference. We got off on a little side trail while we considered what role the adversary may have in disrupting our preparations for attending church. Which, of course, led to this.

D&C 76:34

It's already becoming a challenge to avoid spoilers for Endgame.  I sure hope Wonder Woman comes back!

Let loose the dogs of the ward

Our dog will occasionally stick her head between the slats of the fence to say hello to the missionaries as they walk past our house.

It wouldn't be so bad, except she's a Great Pyrenees — and she makes it look like we've got a polar bear head mounted on our fence!

Invitation: Accepted!

It's always an awesome feeling when someone finally accepts your invitation!

As sure as the robin

Family history always seems to have someone's heart turning in some direction, doesn't it?

Listen, I know a couple of guys...

As Pres. Nelson once said, "Ask the missionaries. They can help!"

Sketchbook: After Easter

It's like the day after Halloween, except in pastels — and with more Peeps!

Easter Week: He Is Risen!

"And when she had thus said, she turned herself back and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

"Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou hast borne him hence, tell me where thou has laid him, and I will take him away.

"Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

"Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God."

Easter Week: The Burial

"The man went unto Pilate and begged the body of Jesus.

"And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein man never before was laid.

"And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on."

Easter Week: The Crucifixion

"And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

"And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

"And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into they hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost."

Easter Week: Gethsemane

"Then said he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

"And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt."

Easter Week: Christ Teaches His Disciples

"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

"For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me doing; I was a stranger, and ye took me in;

"Naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

"Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

"When was we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Easter Week: Teaching

"Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

"And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

"On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

Easter Week: Cleansing the Temple

""And Jesus went in to the temple of God, and cast out all of them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

"And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves."

Easter Week: Palm Sunday

"And a great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.

"Ad the multitudes that went before, and the followed, cried, saying, Hossana to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord' Hosanna in the highest."

In the season thereof

We have a special, secret stash of Peeps that no one knows about. Shh!

Spot the difference

I overheard some people saying that they didn't really understand the difference between ministering and home teaching. Here's to hoping that was because they were really good home teachers!

The windows of mammon

This is a revision and update of one that I did a few years ago. Time to render unto Caesar!

A place for everything

Somebody had to ask!

Spring has brought me such a nice surprise!

A lot of the missionaries who are serving here in the Pacific Northwest come from drier climes, like Utah or Arizona. There are a lot more pollen producing plants here — especially in the springtime — and the missionaries often discover wonderful things... like allergies that they never had before!

Early Monday Sketchbook: All the notes!

It either happens when you're trying to write down a name or they rattle off a list of ten things that are essential for your eternal salvation. Pause just a second and let us finish writing it down!

General conference was, as always, amazing! So many outstanding messages, and so many calls to action — repent comes to mind — that it's going to take a while to sort it all out! A couple that stood out for me were Elder Stevenson's talk on making your own game plan, Elder Held's analogy of using two eyes to see a more complete perspective, Elder Renlund's analogy of fire, and Elder Villar's brother taking him on errands for vacation.

I've got my sketch notes compiled into to one easy document available for download. It makes a handy reference for review (or an easy Family Home Evening lesson!). Feel free to print it and share it! And go back and revisit the talks you may have missed. It was awesome!

Sunday Afternoon sketch notes

Sunday Morning sketch notes

Priesthood Session sketch notes

Saturday Afternoon sketch notes

Saturday Morning sketch notes

Happy anniversary, and stay tuned!

It's the 11th anniversary of Beckstrom Buzz! What a fun adventure it's been so far. I've met a lot of people — both electronically and IRL — and made a few friends. I've had a couple of books published, won a few awards, and —hopefully — scattered a little sunshine all along the way. Thank you for joining me in this journey!

Stay tuned later today as I begin to post my sketch notes from general conference. It's always exciting!

Falling upon their heads

It's a rerun, but somehow it seems appropriate.

When the dog bites

Because somehow that makes everything all better!

The first cut is the deepest

If I were a general authority, I'd want to go to the person who cuts Elder Uchtdorf's hair. 

Have you heard any good ones?

The general conference rumor mill is in full swing! I swear people are just making stuff up to see if their rumor du jour can gain any traction.

I'm not going to speculate. Rather, I'll just wait and see what transpires.

But you can pretty much bet that there will be something!

Sketchbook: Not the big dance

Frankly, I never figured out the secret to impressing girls at stake dances. I learned a lot of things that don't work...!

But, hey! If you want to impress your family and friends with your preparedness for general conference, now is the time to download the Spring 2019 General Conference Activity Packet from your friendly neighborhood Ward Cartoonist! And it's available in multiple languages — and all for free! What a deal!

And it's not too early to think about what you should include in your Easter package to your favorite missionary. May I humbly suggest I Miss My Dork Dot, Volume 1 of Sis. Kerry Jo's Mission Blog, or the ever-popular That's One Small Step for a Mom, One Giant Leap for Missionarykind. a collection of missionary-themed cartoons by yours truly. You could consider adding one of Arie Van De Graf's books as well! (I'd shill more for other LDS cartoonists as well if I had the links).

One more thing (But wait! There's more!)... stay tuned this weekend for my General Conference Sketch Notes. Be sure to watch, and as Pres. Nelson says, buckle up!