Dealing with the death of my father has definitely changed me as a person. This type of experience really helps you to focus on the things that really matter in life, at least for a little while. I’m sure that I will go back to taking things for granted sooner or later. I also came to appreciate friends and family that gave me and my family support during this trying time. (more…)

I don’t like karma because karma likes to bite me on the proverbial bum. For the most part my life runs along pretty smoothly until I make a judgmental statement about someone and then…Ouch! There goes karma again. (more…)

As part of this week’s whirlwind series on the atonement I skipped ahead in the reading of Blake Ostler’s Exploring Mormon Thought – The Problems of Theism and the Love of God to chapters six and seven which cover soteriology and the atonement. Blake proposes what he calls “The Compassion Theory of Atonement”. Here are the basic components (not necessarily in the right order): (more…)

In the back corner of the yard amidst the trees, grass, and flowers there was a kiln. It was made of roughly hewn, golden yellow bricks, stacked with loving care. The kiln was about 6 feet tall and the opening was arched, leading to a dark belly where simple dirt was changed into something strong and enduring.

The kiln was made by a young potter whose skill in making pots was renowned. The potter was tall and lean with arms and hands made strong from molding and shaping the clay. He had a firm jaw, full lips, and hair the color of wildflower honey. Glasses framed in thin gold wire rested on the bridge of his straight nose.

Each morning the Potter would come to load his creations into the kiln. In the evenings he would return to check on the baking pots making sure their transformation was complete. (more…)

I have always loved to dance. I’m what you would call a “self-taught” hoofer who has had minimal exposure to dance instructors. This handicap has never stopped me from fully immersing myself in a good dance groove when the mood has struck. I can often be seen shakin’ my stuff while cleaning, doing dishes, or whenever I get the chance. (more…)

The Sunday School lesson I taught yesterday ended up being relatively lame, I thought. I did not connect well with the class members. The Spirit was not really teaching us most of the time. Sure, there were some high points of the lesson, but overall it was weak. I’m pretty bummed about it — mostly because it was surely due to lax spiritual preparation on my part. (more…)

I hate waking up early in the morning. If I had it my way I wouldn’t wake up until I was completely ready and then my housekeeper would tiptoe in with a tray of hot cocoa and pastries. I would then read in my bed until I was ready to face the day. (more…)

[The following guest post was submitted by bloggernacle regular, DKL. Enjoy!]

I am not a woman, not by sex and not by gender construction. Even so, I have a considerable and active interest in women. I am, of course, heterosexual, and I am–thankfully, for the single women of the bloggernacle–married. I also have a mother, two sisters, and four daughters. I have some stake in the avenues of opportunity available to the women who influence my life, not the least of whom are my daughters. I am unequivocally committed to their having every worldly avenue of opportunity open to them. Am I necessarily starting off on the wrong foot with regard to women's rights if I adhere to some form of gender essentialism? (more…)

What is your role in your family? Are you the over-achiever? The wild child or black sheep? Maybe you’re the fun one, the nerd, or ultra righteous child. Me, I’m the peacemaker. (more…)

A few years ago I became aware of a little yellow fellow named SpongeBob Squarepants. My children and husband found him to be quite funny and I was intrigued by the constant laughter coming from them as they watched his show. (more…)

The choir in our ward is excellent. We have a well-trained director and gobs of talented singers. As with every ward I’ve been in for the last 15 years, I’m a member. And as with every ward choir I’ve been in for the last 15 years, I don’t really love it. (more…)