Mormon Bloggers

My son is going to his second Cub Scout Camp soon.  Last year was a blast for him.  It’s just a day thing and it requires parent volunteers for the week, which hopefully will work out with my husband’s new schedule because I’m not quite ready to leave our baby for that long.

Last year the kids made dream catchers, they panned for “gold”, made candle holders, little wicker baskets, wooden treasure boxes, and so many more things.  I had no idea where to put everything and had to convince him to part with some of it because we just don’t have a place for every craft he makes.

I think the worst part was having to put sunscreen and bug repellant on him every day.  He resists it every time, but I just told him he wouldn’t be going if he was going to be difficult about it.  When we go swimming, we tend to go later in the day because that has involved three boys who hate sunscreen with a passion.  Last year my youngest said, “I like sunburns!” 

Last year my husband was a saint (in my eyes) and volunteered every day of the camp.  He has always loved Scouting and figured it would help the kids who needed more consistency. 

I remember going to a Campfire Girl camp when I was little and I guess it wasn’t all that different from this, except we learned how to make taffy, which we tried unsuccessfully at home, but it was still fun.  Ours turned out rock hard.  I also made a toolbox for my dad, which I was proud of for years.  That was my first time using a hammer and nails that I remember.  It’s not so much about what you make, but the skills you learn.  I remember how it felt like an accomplishment to me that I was able to put something useful together by myself.

I think before this year’s Cub Camp starts, we’ll have to part with the old crafts and make way for the new.  My son will be disappointed, but I’m sure he’ll get over it when he brings home his new creations.

Taking Away the Sting of Affliction | The Blazing Center

by Rodman PhilbrickRated PGMy 12-year-old son recommended this book to me, and I was glad he did. Max the Mighty is actually the sequel to Freak the Mighty, which I haven’t read, but if it’s as good as this one (and my son says it’s better), then you should start your reading there.Max is a giant sized boy with a timid heart who ends up running across the country with an 11-year old girl,

It typically takes a lot to offend me and I usually freely admit when I have made a mistake.  Even when I’m not wrong, I’m happy to let a person think I am and I apologize for my perceived wrong doing.  I found myself in such a situation yesterday.  I don’t think anyone was to blame exactly, but we had a change in leadership within my calling and there hadn’t been any training as to how certain responsibilities should be delegated.  When things didn’t fall into place as they should, one person was rather upset at me even though my “mistake” was made in complete innocence.  It’s the way we have been doing things my whole three years in this calling and no one had complained until yesterday when there was a communication problem.

Even though I didn’t think I had done anything wrong, I apologized most sincerely and explained I was unaware of the expectations under the new leadership – that this was how we had been arranging it for years.  I added again, “I am really sorry.”  It didn’t seem to help and I was pretty upset by the tone of voice this man used with me as he said, “Don’t ever do this again.”  We kind of smoothed things over later, but I was praying throughout our meeting to let any hard feelings I had go.  I’ve been under a lot of stress in general and feeling especially sensitive.  I felt like he was making a mountain out of a molehill because the situation was easily remedied and no one was hurt in the process.

When I think I have been unfairly dealt with, I tell myself all sorts of things.  In this case, “Maybe he was having a bad day.  Maybe he was embarrassed.  Maybe this was the umpteenth thing that went wrong this week.  Maybe he doesn’t understand how his tone sounded in his stressed state.  Maybe he has a disorder, causing him to be filled with unpleasant feelings when things don’t go exactly as planned?”  Next, I tell myself about their many good qualities and remember the faults I have that people have to deal with on a regular basis.  I’m definitely not perfect and I’m sure many people have misread me at times.  Because I have been forgiven and want forgiveness in the future, I need to forgive.

I’m not going to hold a grudge.  I’m swallowing my pride and seeking out people to teach me the offical way things are supposed to run.  I’m willing to change what I’ve been doing for three years and work with this person on the level he expects.  I heard of this quote from Brigham Young – something like, “Holding a grudge is like drinking poison and expecting it to kill someone else.”

It’s unhealthy for me to carry around hard feelings and I try to view situations like this as an opportunity to learn how to forgive.  The last time I was in such a situation, me and the other person became pretty great friends.  It was a wonderful growing experience for me. 

Do you have a story to share about successfully forgiving a person?  I would love to hear it.

Elder Bradshaw’s Mission Blog:

Beginning on July 8, 2009, I will be serving a 2-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My family will be maintaining this blog with letters and photos I send them.

I have been called to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I received my calling and assignment in April, after submitting an application to Church headquarters. I’m preparing to go and I can’t wait to share the truth that I have come to know and understand with others.

I have been assigned to labor in the Arizona Tempe Mission, and will preach mainly in the Spanish language. On July 8, 2009 I will go to the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, for eight weeks to learn Spanish and receive some training as a missionary, and from there I will go to Arizona, where I will serve until July of 2011 (two years).

Some of you have asked how I can be contacted during my mission. As a full-time missionary, I will not be permitted to, and I probably won’t have time to, use any direct internet or phone communication with anyone outside my immediate family. If you want to contact me (and I would love to hear from you!), you can send letters in the mail, and I will try to respond within a few weeks. If you just want to write something quick, you can contact me indirectly through one of the blog administrators.

At the Missionary Training Center (from July 8 to probably around August 2), my address will be:

Elder Samuel Harris Bradshaw
Arizona Tempe Mission, #181-0908
Provo Missionary Training Center
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604

When I get to Arizona (September 2009 to July 2011), I can receive letters through the mission office:

Elder Samuel Harris Bradshaw
Arizona Tempe Mission
1871 E Del Rio Dr.
Tempe, AZ 85282-2822

Again, I would love to hear from anyone who wants to write me… don’t hesitate to write me; but don’t feel obligated to write me either.

The Gospel has been restored in its fullness to the earth and carries on today through direct revelation and direct divine authority. The fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is found within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I believe this with all my heart and soul.

It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ that I prepare to teach with all of my strength. I prepare to proclaim the word of the Lord and to invite people to come unto Christ – to proclaim God’s love and the peace that comes through the atonement of Jesus Christ, to as many people as possible. In Christ is my strength, and my peace. He is my life and my light.

I have been called by the Lord Jesus Christ to go in His holy name, to stand as a witness of the truth of His Gospel.

I believe in this with all my heart, and though I have not yet been officially set apart as a missionary, I believe that the truths I have testified of here are true, and so I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

A brief, linkless post tonight – really just some stray thoughts on two topics relevant to some lessons in church today.First, for Sunday School, we have been attending a special Marriage & Family Relations course (taught by my friend Ryan). Today we talked about unity in marriage. My wife and I were asked to prepare, in advance, some lists of complementary attributes of each other, and answer

By Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie BarrowsRated PGThis book has one of the most confusing titles in the history of the world, which makes it kind of hard to plug during casual conversations (“The Guernsey who?”), but I will definitely plug it here. Set just after World War II, this book follows Juliet, an author who is drawn into a unusual new circle of friends based on an exchange of letters. A

Welcome to my missionary blog! While I am on my mission, this blog will be updated and maintained by my family. If you want, you can subscribe to this blog so you don’t have to keep checking back for changes! Here’s how:

1) Subscribing via email.
This is probably the easiest way for most people to subscribe. If you want to get blog updates via email, fill out the form on the right side of this page, under “Subscribe.”

2) Subscribing via RSS.
This blog’s RSS feed can be found here.
You will need an RSS feed reader like Google Reader or NetNewsWire. Many email programs can also access RSS feeds.

3) Subscribing via Facebook.
If you are on Facebook, you may want to join my Mission Updates group. Group members will receive a message from my mom or one of my siblings each time this blog is updated. The group can be found here.

4) Subscribing via Blogger.
If you have a blogger account, you can follow my blog by clicking the “Follow Blog” link at the very top of the page.

The Resurrection and the Atonement of Christ are the pinnacle events in the history of the world. The darkness and sadness of Christ’s crucifixion did not endure. Christ was resurrected, enabling the resurrection of all mankind. In our lives we will have our dark days, but because of Jesus Christ we can have hope in overcoming our trials and ultimately returning to live with our Heavenly Father (2m, 32s, YouTube):