Holistic training

Yes, as a missionary one needs to be prepared to teach and testify. One also needs to be prepared for outright rejection.
 

When in the service of your fellow beings...

One of the bonus parts of service that includes food is the part that involves quality control.
 

Those feet have done some trodding!

As a missionary in Korea, it was shoes off whenever you went into someone's home — which meant your socks had to be clean and in good shape. Despite repeating the on/off cycle several times a day, it was a great feeling to finally kick them off at the end of the day!
 

Elder Armstrong

Stretching also helps you get ready for dealing Primary and staying alert during Elders Quorum lessons!
 

Sketchbook: It’s glam, fam

It’s not all shiny shoes and bright smiles.  
 

Twists and turns

Sometimes good intentions get lost in translation. 
 

Proof

If you live in the United States, you should know that the deadline for getting your Real ID is fast approaching — it's only about a year away.

Real ID is a special endorsement you get on your driver license or ID that verifies you are who you say you are. It will be required for domestic air travel beginning in May 2025 (you can also use your passport). Your local DMV office will be happy to provide you with all the requirements needed to obtain a Real ID endorsement.

This has been a public service announcement. You may now resume your everyday life. Thank you.
 

Final countdown

Is this based on a real life experience? Maaaaybe. 
 

Length x Width x Height

That’s one thing about Enos. Yeah, he prayed a long time, but what he prayed wasn’t just fill material. In my home ward as a kid there was a wonderful brother who could easily pray for fifteen to twenty minutes (and often did), but most of it was fluff.  

When Enos prayed, his prayer had substance. It went “high that it reached the heavens.” That’s the kind of prayer to aspire to.
 

Sketchbook: In the mode

Had another experience of someone’s phone going off during the sacrament yesterday. There should be some sort of setting to prevent that. 
 

Ancient history

Ever have those moments when the passage of time rears its ugly head?
 

In, not of, the world

That's why there's basketball, to help ease the transition!
 

Conference inspiration

I’ll bet a lot of bishops would be glad to have this option on the rostrum. 
 

He knows the way

I think it was so cool how they were able to find so many different ways to adapt during general conference. Members of the Twelve conducting, seats at the podium, video messages. There's always a way to be inclusive!
 

Sunday Afternoon Sketch Notes

 

Sunday Morning Sketch Notes

 

Saturday Evening Sketch Notes

 

Saturday Afternoon Sketch Notes

 

Saturday Morning Sketch Notes

 

That’s how we show our love

The real treat comes when they ask to see our leaders. “How does ten hours of general conference sound to you?”

Of course if they listen to the messages it may save us from total annihilation!
 

Ahoy, sisters and brothers

What do they have for the enlisted men?
 

Conference is coming

Are you ready?
 

The usual signs

As we approach general conference, I've been pondering what it means to sustain someone. My assumption is that we're all trying our best whatever our calling. Sometimes that "best" is going to look different, and it won't meet with everyone else's expectations. 

When Jacob is teaching the Nephites in this week's Come, Follow Me, he says that he doesn't really want to preach the sermon that he's going to give — but the Lord commanded him to deliver this message. They might have expected to hear "the pleasing word of God," but got an entirely different talk about pride and chastity. 

As we participate in general conference this weekend, let's sustain our leaders. Let's hear the messages the Lord wants us to receive. Listen with an open heart and open mind. You might just get the message that you need to hear!

Sketchbook: Making dates

I hope you had a wonderful Easter! Now we get to prepare for general conference!

When I was a full-time missionary, it wasn't unusual for folks to "commit" to something and then back out at the slightest reason. Whether these elders got pranked or not, I don't know. But I do remember one of my dad's favorite sayings for when people tried to get out of something: "When you're looking for an excuse, any excuse will do!"

Yes, this one stayed in the sketchbook because it's basically just sad!

Happy April Fool's Day — and let's be careful out there!

Easter: The Resurrection

"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."

Happy Easter!

 

Saturday

"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."

 

Trial, Crucifixion and Burial

"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." 

 

Suffering in the Garden

"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."

 

Teaching 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."

 

Teaching Tuesday

"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."

 

Cleansing Monday

"And Jesus went in to the temple of God, and cast our 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."

 

Sketchbook: Holy Week

 I love the renewed emphasis on focusing on the Savior in the week leading up to Easter!

Palm Sunday

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

"And 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."

 

The Force is tepid with this one

We haven't checked in on Disney for a while — and the fact that it's Star Wars-related doesn't hurt any.

It's that time of year when we start getting ready for General Conference! It comes the week after Easter, so you might want to be ready to share the ever popular and awe-inspiring Ward Cartoonist's General Conference Activity Pack! Perfect for sharing with your classes, family, or for your own personal use!

It's also the start of spring break here, and at work we've put together a Spring Break Activity Pack of our own! If you want to learn more about Transportation in Oregon — or if you need to keep the kiddos occupied — check it out. It's kind of fun, if I do say so myself!
 

We've got the spirit, yes we do!

There are times when I think it would be awesome to have spirit days in church like they do in school: pajama day, twin day, crazy hair day. Then there are times when I realize how irreverent and disrespectful that would be (at least for Sunday worship services).  

There's a reason why I'm not in charge of things. Could be fun, though.

The tie's the thing

Neckwear has a certain cachet amongst missionaries. Some ties have great meaning and hold a lot of sentimental (or sartorial) value. I have ties from my mission that I would never want to part with. Yet there are other ties that are practically disposable. I've got a few of those, too. That's why it's so sad to lose the ones you love.
 

Let no one shirk

A few years ago I drove the missionaries back to their apartment after a dinner appointment. It was a short drive, maybe ten minutes at the most. But that was enough for one of them to have dozed off, and his companion was drooping. 

Being exhausted — in a good way — is just part of missionary life!