Special ingredients

When you're out of Corn Flakes, I guess.
 

We will prove them

I kinda like the "spiritual intelligence." Is there an app for that?
 

Courage

Brains, courage, heart. It takes a lot to be a good missionary!
 

Sketchbook: It's a tie

I don't remember how I came up with that number. Math was involved.

My dad would never untie his ties. Once a neckties of them was tied just right, he'd loosen it and slip it over his head to take if off or put it on. Anyone else do that?
 

The Halls of Babylon

You know what else is an effective counterbalance to the woes of the world? General Conference! It's coming soon — and to help you be ready, our good friend at The Ward Cartoonist has provided yet another outstanding General Conference Activity Packet! Download your copy today!
 

How amazing are you?

You've probably seen those things on social media: "If you've been to 10 of these countries, you've traveled more than most people" or "If you've eaten half of these foods, you're a true foodie."

I wondered how that could apply to missionary work, and that led to this list — most are drawn from my own experience.

Sorry about the small print, but I had to include enough experiences to make it worthwhile.

How high did you score? Anything else that should be included on the list?
 

Each missionary in his time plays many parts

We recently had a missionary complete his mission. We had a fun discussion about how he could describe his experiences on his resumé when he got home.
 

Wise guys, eh?

It's always fun to be surprised by the changes that come when new people are called into leadership positions!
 

Sketchbook: Wrong room

There are worse places you could wind up than in the Primary room!
 

Remembering, again

 A reminder from the crew at Good Heavens.

Just the bishop

It's always weird to see people out of context. 

Transfer time!

It's transfer time in our mission again! One of our elders is leaving after being here for "five Fast Sundays!"

We have a tradition that we give departing missionaries a copy of one of my books. The missionaries stopped by so Elder Childs (from Las Vegas, NV) could say goodbye and get his book. 

Then he said, "Do you want me to draw you a cartoon?" That's the first time I've had that happen! 

Without further ado, here's a special presentation by a guest artist: Bert and Big Bird as missionary companions assigned to Sesame Street!

From the inside

We finally started the school year here in our district. It's rough when there's still so much nice weather outside!
 

Sketchbook: NBD

Truth be told, the rest of the Church is finally coming around to the Primary way of doing things, but perhaps with a little less singing!
 

Spiritual hunger

I know Solomon could have made a fortune with a side hustle working for a Chinese restaurant!
 

They're everywhere

Somehow when the kids move away, their stuff manages to stay behind. Our house ain't never gonna be empty!
 

Where the magic happens

When my oldest was a kid, he'd start coughing every time he walked past the coffee table. When I finally asked him why he said, "'Cause it's the coughing table!"
 

Sketchbook: The good ol' days

Remember when all the countries were getting along? And we celebrated each other? Yeah, those were good times.

The good news is, college football starts this weekend. 
 

Break on through to the other side

There's something about crossing that threshold that changes everything!
 

Waiting on that joy thing

Many of us can relate to this, I'm sure!
 

Eyes on

Sometimes zone leaders get a bad rap. 
 

Hand in hand

Sometimes it's just not in the cards.
 

Sketchbook: Security blanket

That's not how it works...
 

Coming soon!

Good luck to all: students, parents and teachers alike!
 

Prepping for school

We've got all boys, so our back to school was entirely lived in the last panel.

But wait! There's more summer!

Sometime between mid-August and mid-September, something changes in the air. Instead of smelling like sunscreen, freshly mown grass and barbecues, the air picks up notes of pencil shavings, fresh backpacks and new textbooks.

 From our house we can hear the marching band and football team practicing, and summer becomes a memory.

Sigh.
 

Is there anything lovely or of good report?

If it makes any difference, I feel the same when when I look at my calendar of meetings at work!
 

Improvement and progression

To me this ranks up there with "Our menu options have changed" as far as useless messages go.
 

A banner year

It's back to school time here! Many schools have already started classes, others will start in the next few weeks. With that in mind, I thought it would be fun to look back at some school-related cartoons from (my) history.

Sketchbook: Hold up there!

Another one that stayed in the sketchbook for obvious reasons.
 

Damaged goods?

The cool thing is, if you return your broken Job Action Figure (TM), you get two of them back.
 

Eyes up above

My mission president always knew what was happening with his missionaries. I don't know what technology he used, but it was amazing!

 

Bigger than

It's fun to see the little kids in Primary dragging their scriptures to class. I guess, like many things in the gospel, it's something you grow into.
 

Trials

At the end of Job, he got everything back double. By extrapolation, he would have had to go to graduate school for years!
 

Sketchbook: Font choices

I wonder how many missionaries have encountered Bigfoot here in the Pacific Northwest?
 

Favorite dish

Our ward just started doing the "linger longer" socials after church, usually once a month.

I noticed that, generally speaking, family members usually go after their own dishes first. I wonder if that's because they've had time to think about it and build up an appetite. Or it could be that they think that other ward members are rotten cooks.

I don't think I should ask.
 

Frozen assets

We've got temperatures nearing 100F, wildfires blazing all around, and some of the worst quality air in the world from the smoke. It's the perfect time for a snowman cartoon about family history!

*Note: I'm told he's working in his ice cubicle.
 

Hold please

Some lessons are that good!
 

A pocket full of memories

I think my parents were surprised at how much I brought home from my mission. But, hey — a person can accumulate a lot of stuff over two years!

 

Sketchbook: Everybody clean up, that's the thing to do

I had companions and companions who were a mess. It was a lot easier to deal with the clutter!
 

Go phish

Instead of targeting me with their scams, how about targeting my great-grandfather's sister's third child? I'm missing some info!
 

Lounging around

Why do some wards provide really nice mother's lounges while other don't? But they all have that funny smell!
 

Immersed in the spirit

 

A good friend of mine recently passed away. This cartoon was inspired by one of her experiences as a missionary. 

Sketchbook: Oh give me a home

If they were Roman buffaloes they'd be wearing togas! 

Looking ahead

It's an easy agenda to remember.
 

Happy Pioneer Day!

No toil nor labor fear

My ancestors were among those who helped establish the settlements in Stirling, Raymond and Lethbridge in Alberta way back in the day. We still celebrate Dominion Day (my mom was a bit stubborn about the change to Canada Day). We celebrated my eighth birthday in Waterton National Park. Heck, my brother and I even marched in the parade for the Calgary Stampede!

So take off you hoser, eh!
 

For your convenience

That could have been handy.
 

Important distinction

Many of my cartoons are drawn from real-life experiences.

Don't ask.

 

Sketchbook: We welcome you today!

We had a linger longer "saladpalooza" and someone brought a green Jello salad with shredded carrots and pineapple. Was it sincere, or was it ironic?

And since you asked, yes, someone else brought funeral potatoes. Does that count as potato salad?