Memories from the "Mish"

Hi Ya'll, It's another hot, humid, sticky day in Virginia. Ick. Have you ever had an experience where a chain of events ultimately lead up to something that is unforeseen? I just had that experience this week. Let me start at the beginning: My children and I were able to fly back to SLC for Conference this past spring. I felt very strong about going, that it was to be an amazing experience for all of us (it was). I was most excited to go to my mission reunion. I hadn't seen some of my fellow missionaries since the mission! and I was particularly interested in seeing my Mission President and his Wife. We had so much fun talking, and crying a bit, because of our joy of seeing each other. Then, those of us missionaries that were there all went out for dinner and talked until 2 a.m. During our conversations together, we asked the question, "Hey, do any of you know whatever happened to Elder M? We've been trying to find him for some time, and his old emails don't work anymore." We all talked about him and what a great guy he was, and a wonderful friend. Elder M. was from Holland, and when we all said goodbye to him as he was leaving the mission, we weren't sure we'd ever see him again. About a month later, I received an email out of the blue from one of the women I taught on my mission. She told me she'd found me! and that she was in the Young Women's Presidency, etc. and that we should get together sometime. Luckily, in July, my kids and I drove down to Florida (where this Sister - Sister W. lives) for a wedding reception. We were able to connect, and she too, asked the question: "Hey, do you know whatever happened to Elder M?" and we had nearly the same conversation as my friends from my mission reunion. Elder M. had been at Sister. W.'s baptism, and was a very important part of her life at that point. Elder M. was a wonderful missionary and a tremendous friend to all of us. Then, early this week, Sister W. emails me and writes, "You're NEVER gonna guess who I found!!!" and she forwarded me an email from Elder M., who is now living in Germany. All these thoughts, all of these prayers have put us all in touch again. An amazing blessing! We were all saddened to find that he is not in the church, but assured him that we LOVE him! and we are all here for him, and that he is NEVER alone. This is so amazing to me, all that happened over the past few months, something that has put me, and others, back in contact with a very dear friend. That is the most powerful message I am leaving you all with today. Our Heavenly Father has a plan. It involves EACH one of us. We are all here for each other, to lift each other up, encourage, love and accept each other, "warts and all."

MItt Romney for Prez?

I hate the humidity. Why do I live here?
I've been reading many comments in the AOL blogs about Mitt Romney and his religion, and I'm still dumbfounded at the blithering idiocy that is put out as fact on the net. One good thing about Bro. Romney running for President is that others can see that we do not have horns, and/or multiple wives, and we are actually quite normal people (whatever "normal" is).
One comment I read by an unidentified female stated that "the church doesn't let anyone get away" and that one of her "friends" has been "hiding" from the church for thirty years. Oh, and that another one of her "friends" was "shunned by her family and members of the church for refusing to kick a black boy out of her cub scout troup." Huh? It's nonsensical diatribe like this that people actually believe. Forget it if there is absolute truth staring them in the face, they will choose the more controversial, the horrible, the unbelievable untruths.
So, Romney for President? I haven't made up my mind yet. I'm still trying to get an answer from his campaign folk on the sorry state of public education and what he would plan to do with it. At this point, I'm just enjoying reading the ignorant rantings of the uneducated masses, in the hopes that they will receive an epiphany of sorts, or a least a slap in the face of truth.
Best,
SIZ

Blind Date

Have you ever been on a blind date? I was pretty open to them until one experience left me scarred for life.
I had been divorced for about five years and was in no hurry to get remarried (which may cause great discomfort for many in the church). A wonderful couple (Bro & Sis. K) that I knew in my ward offered to set me up on a blind date with this "really great guy." They stated that they'd know him for years, and he was so handsome, kind and just super spiritual, and "ready to get married." (Hmm. That should've been my warning sign right there.)
Okay, so I went. I was told to dress nice because I was being taken out to a really great restaurant in Sherman Oaks. He came to the door. The guy was enormous. Tall and huge. I was a bit taken aback because it wasn't what I had expected. He was very sweet, brought me flowers, came inside and said hello to my children and my babysitter (who looked at me with horror in her eyes), and we left.
He had this enormous truck that you practically needed a ladder to get into. Not very ladylike when you're wearing a dress (guys take note). As we were driving down I5, he told me about his family and how he still lived at home with his mom, and how she still cooked him dinner every night, did his laundry and cleaned his room. The man was 36 years old, and a "successful contractor." He told me he wanted a woman who would be a "good wife" who could cook, and clean house really well (I laughed because I am not the best housekeeper, a true weakness). If we weren't going 65 miles per hour on the freeway, I would've jumped out of the truck.
We went to a lovely Greek restaurant where he told me my children needed a father and he was up for the job, had dinner and then we went to Westwood to walk around. People were staring. I just smiled at them.
On the drive back home, his road rage came out as a puny little Honda cut in front of him. He started yelling out of his window and got right up on the guy's behind. I was horrified. He kept making comments after that about how he was "bigger than that guy" was and therefore, had more right to be there than the puny Honda. At this point of time, I was ready to give him the number of a therapist I knew. Thank Heavens for my off ramp because that meant I was almost home.
He walked me to my door, attempted to lay a big smooch on me, and I politely declined and shook his hand and told him thank you for a lovely dinner. Upon entry into my home, my babysitter (a good friend of mine) said, "I'll bet you're never gonna talk to Bro & Sis. K again." to which I replied, "Well, I'll just never ask them to set me up on a date again." The following Sunday in church, Bro K said, "I'll bet you never want to speak to me again." I just laughed and thanked him for thinking of me in my pathetic singleness. lol
The blind date called me three times a day for two weeks solid. I let him know from the get-go that I was not interested in pursuing a relationship with him, but would like to remain "friends." The 'f' word. Throughout his persistance, I was polite, but then I had to say, "If you call me one more time, I will have to file harrassment charges against you....." and there it ended.
What is your scariest blind date story?

Greetings!

Hey ya'll,

This is my first blog for Sister in Zion.

"What did you do to make your husband leave you?" Sis. F said to me one Sunday. I looked at her in shock, thinking, "Did she really just say that to me?" I've been accused by married sisters of being a flirt and a potential husband-stealer because I was friendly. Many members of the church have no idea what to do with us - the single sister, the single Mommy. While some members are just wonderful, many others are just weird, treating us like some type of anamoly.
Even so, I've been the victim of gossip and misjudgment by many who either do not understand my situation, or who were perhaps too uncomfortable with it.

I know that we are all imperfect and there are many things we each need to work on...gossip and judgment is probably at the top of the list. We must remember who we truly are, and that is children of our Heavenly Father; brothers and sisters, so we must treat each other as such.

In spite of my previous experiences, I have a strong testimony of the Gospel. I am in a fabulous ward now, with some absolutely amazing people. My children and I are truly blessed.

What do you think it means to be single in the church? Single activities are a bummer, going on-line is worse, so I'm holding out hope that it will just come naturally.

Cheers,
SIZ