Making space

Sometimes "getting ready" means filling your mind with lots of things, other times it means emptying your mind so it can be filled. 

One of those days

We've all been there, haven't we?
 

Eventually you learn

There may be a reason that this looks like our boys' bathroom.
 

Ears that are ready to hear

I would guess that Isaiah would have trouble with President Uchtdorf's talks — trying to figure out how the gospel is like an airplane, or what a Hobbit going on an adventure was all about!
 

Sketchbook: Another Monday

Comic strip characters can help us quickly describe someone. You know what I mean when I say, “I feel like Charlie Brown” or “It’s a Garfield Monday” or “My teenager is just like Jeremy.”

I think that’s kind of cool. 
 

Parts is parts

A few years ago, I had the idea for this cartoon. I drew it, colorized it, and before I could post it, I lost the file. It became damaged and I couldn't retrieve it.

I tried to recreate it, but somehow it wasn't right. But then, just a few days ago, I remembered. So to celebrate the beginning of fall, here's the new and improved version of Igor fetching heads, shoulders, knees and toes. 

I am relieved.

 

A sneak peek!

Coming soon — we hope — to a book seller near you!

Fellow LDS cartoonist Ryan Stoker and I (you've probably seen his cartoons in the Church magazines) are working on a new book. It's a bit of a warped look at one family's vacation to Disney World! 

Ryan worked at Disney for many years, so he writes from a unique perspective, and he asked me to draw the cartoons for the book. 

We're still in the early stages, but we hope to have it ready for publication soon. Stay tuned! 
 

Who let the dogs out?

At first I thought of Bohemian Rhapsody or Bennie and the Jets for the prelude. But then I remembered what would get the attention of this demographic: Paw Patrol!
 

Of Primary importance.

It's Primary Program season again, some of the best sacrament meetings of the year. Primary programs are always full of surprises — some planned, some not. Ours is coming up the day before Halloween. Those kids are going to be wired!

And if you have Primary kids (or Sunday school kids, or seminary kids, or teach Gospel Doctrine, or really, anything) you'll want to add the General Conference Activity Packet to your toolkit! It's also available in Portuguese and Spanish at the Ward Cartoonist's website. Enjoy!

 

Sketchbook: A following

I still think this when we do our Come, Follow Me. 
 

But, wait! There's more!

I'm surprised someone doesn't capitalize on all these great moneymaking ideas I keep putting out there.
 

Personalities

I guess you can use your socks, too. 
 

Bind up the testimony

It’s been a couple of weeks in Isaiah for
 Come, Follow Me. I hope you’re not feeling like Laman and Lemuel yet!

Writing 101

In addition to being quoted by the Savior extensively, Isaiah's writings are interwoven throughout scripture. He was a particular favorite of Nephi and Jacob in the Book of Mormon. Not only that, but many of his turns of phrase are still in use today.

How would you like to be in charge of grading his homework?
 

Sketchbook: Back to business

I know many places have been back to school for almost a month now. But I’d be willing to bet that this is still an almost everyday occurrence. 
 

See you at the top!

Either way, it can take a lot of work to get there!
 

I've tried scrubbing it out

Some of those spots need a little more work than others!
 

Gettin' schooled

I always liked this one from Zarahemla Times that refers to learning about Isaiah. Anybody else up for taking this class?
 

Let’s clutter this up for you

In preparation for studying Isaiah, I scanned through some of my old Isaiah cartoons. This one originally ran a couple of years ago. I think many of us can relate to the look on his wife’s face!

Teaching by the spirit

Are you ready? Five straight weeks of Isaiah in Come, Follow Me! 

When I taught Sunday school, I both dreaded and looked forward to teaching Isaiah. Dreaded because people either (a) freak out, or (b) figure they know it all. I looked forward to it because it's all kinds of cool and approachable on so many levels.

One thing I like is how he often writes in poetic form and repeats ideas. For example in Isa. 1:18 "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow" followed by "though they are red as crimson, they shall become like wool." It says the same thing, just in a different way. If you don't get it in one verse, don't panic! If you read the next verse or two, he'll probably say the same thing.

OK, you came here for the cartoon, not the Sunday school lesson. But if your family is like ours, we're getting way more out of our scripture study this time around than we did before Come, Follow Me. Enjoy these lessons — it'll be fun!
 

It's important to have the proper gear

All you moms out there, don't worry — missionaries NEVER go anyplace that would be considered...questionable.

That said, who's looking forward to the upcoming collegiate football season? It could be a good one!
 

When you're in the service

Not that there's anything wrong with offering to do service...