Sketchbook: It’s a conference special!

I’ve had what I thought were ridiculous ideas that I used for gags that later turned out to be real (missionary-themed nutcrackers as a case in point). I don’t even want to google this one in case it turns out to be an actual product. 

Fill your mind

There are several ways to get ready for General Conference. Amongst those myriad ideas is filling your head with good thoughts and ideas. That's the genesis of this cartoon. What's better than the classics?

But, if you are looking for something to supplement your usual gospel study materials, may I suggest the following:

The Great Missionary Bake-Off — My latest collection of missionary-themed cartoons.

That's One Small Step for a Mom, One Giant Leap for Missionarykind — An award-winning collection of missionary cartoons.

The Sis. Kerry Jo collection — Three volumes of cartoons the chronicle the missionary experiences of Sis. Kerry Jo as she serves in Korea (Hey! That was my mission!). Based partly on real-life experiences, these books give an in-depth look to life as a sister missionary.

There are also seasonal collections (they make a great gift!) that include:

• Tastes Good With Giblets and Gravy Blues
• Mad Science for Dummies
• The Missionaries are at the Door and other Terrifying Tales

You can find all these and more on my author page on Amazon!

BONUS

As you prepare for General Conference, you may also want to download the semiannual General Conference Activity Pack by my good friend Arie Van De Graaff, aka the Ward Cartoonist. He's also got a great collection of cartoons and activity books great for any age!

Enjoy General Conference — it's sure to be a good one!
 

Unbeleafable

Leaves really enjoy autumn. They really let loose.
 

Ready for some debugging

It happened more than once that I loved an area better than I liked my companion. And I really liked most of my companions!
 

Sharing is caring

Maybe it was just my perception, but there sure seemed to be a LOT of sniffling going on in Primary last week. It's great when kids share!
 

Sketchbook: One for the records

In the past, each unit in the Church was required to provide a history at the end of the year. With the introduction of the history portal, each organization should be making updates throughout the year. 

It occurred to me that in addition to providing a history with appropriate statistical reports, wouldn’t it be cool if each ward had a record book? It could have things like Longest Prayer, Most Off-Topic Question in Gospel Doctrine, Loudest Scream in Nursery and others. Maybe I’ll suggest that to the Powers That Be. 
 

Offsides

We live close to the high school, so it's sometime difficult to concentrate when we have the missionaries over on Friday nights when there's a home game. If the windows are open, it sounds like the marching band is in our front yard.
 

The tots are in my other pockets

They say it's a good idea to check pockets first before doing laundry. But if you're the parent of a boy, it's often a risky proposition.
 

No signs yet.

This started from a discussion about the Nephite story of the Nativity, and the signs and wonders. Yes, it would have been better last week to go along with our Come, Follow Me discussions about Samuel the Lamanite. 

In a semi-related note, there are those who argue that we have enough holiday lights at our house that at Christmastime it's as light as noon day when the sun goes down around here.

Make a joyful noise

I love the new songs that they're adding to the hymnbook! They have such great stories behind them!

The guy in the portrait? W.W. Phelps.
 

Sketchbook: Acknowledging royalty

I just had a crown replaced. I found myself in the dental chair hoping that it would be less extensive than they thought — which led to this. 

It would have made me smile if I could have. 
 

Friday the Thirteenth

I haven't posted anything like this for a while. These are some memes we made for Friday the 13th: safety messages in the form of '50s monster movie posters. 

Let's be safe out there!

 

The comeback tour

One of my favorite things about Samuel the Lamanite is his persistence. Even after he was kicked out of the city, he came back and, yes, stood up on the wall and delivered his message. 
 

Remembering

9/11 has been on my mind a lot over the past few days. Although this cartoon from Good Heavens isn't about that specifically (it was written about another tragedy), I like the hopeful note that it ends on. 

Give your dear ones a hug and let them know you love them.

To a certain degree

Yeah, it's a variation on one I did just a little while ago. But these kinds of cartoons are fun to draw.
 

Sketchbook: Story time!

Not everything in the sketchbook is a bad or tasteless joke. Sometimes little thoughts get in there, too. I kind of liked this one. 
 

Lines of authority

To tell the truth, I think most bishops would prefer to get a phone call like that over some of the messages they get. Besides that, any good Relief Society president would make sure you ate your vegetables. Oh, there would still be dessert, but you’d have to down the veggies first!

En passant

That's not exactly true. We all know that most moves are handled by the Elders Quorum.
 

Shameless self promotion!

It's here! The new missionary cartoon collection, The Great Missionary Bake Off! 

This follow-up volume to the award-winning That's One Small Step for a Mom, One Giant Leap for Missionarykind has more than a 125 new cartoons that cover all aspects of missionary work. From knocking on doors to companion inventory to working with members to dealing with dogs, it's all in there!

This volume makes a perfect gift for someone who is preparing for a mission, someone who is serving on a mission, someone who just got back from a mission, or even someone who knows a missionary! It's not too early to grab a few as stocking stuffers before the holiday rush.

Available exclusively on Amazon, it comes as a paperback, or there's a Kindle edition too! If you order now, you can have it ready for your Sunday lesson! Check it out today!

 

Above average

We have an average Primary class, too. And that's how statistics can get you!
 

Another shining moment

Funny, it seems like I've been writing bathroom jokes ever since it was our turn to help clean the church a couple of weeks ago. Coincidence?
 

Sketchbook: Emergency response

I think almost every parent who has taken a toddler to church has made this run.