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Our Bishop moved recently. It was during Covid, so no church or formal release. It arrived in email. That Bishop was a great listener. He took so many to lunch to let them air their issues. No judgement. Tons of love. Always friendly. Chill.
My husband reached out by email to say “thanks and good-luck.”
The Bishop wrote back. He mentioned he would miss a lot of the ward members (we do have some really great members, even for TBMs, and a good handful of misfits). What he said he wouldn’t miss was the “Gaslighting”. His words. He didn’t say from where or whom. Our Stake Presidency is 2/3 chill, but the HC is a mixed bag. And the 1/3 of our old guard can really be a pain. Our Gospel Doctrine teacher was so relieved to be released, because Old Guarders, constantly came up after a lesson and fixed what he had or hadn’t said.
Anyway, it was an interesting exchange because he is active, caring, etc. And the shame, fear crap runs even into leadership.
I suspect implosion is the best option. Let it run it’s course.
This is beautiful. I am glad you got to share. And that it went well. After a decade of silence my extended family is pursuing mine (and my family’s) status with a bit more vigor. It’s a fun fine line. Part of that line for me, is I have no desire to crumble anyone else’s faith. If they hit a bad patch, I want to be a support, no matter what decision they make. However, when people you care about or are connected to you, it gets a bit dicey. Trying not to scare or hurt, and yet keep your personal integrity. Well done, Gerald. May it continue to go this smoothly as you grow. From my end, I am hoping the Ensign, as slanted as it may be will loosen up some of the tensions that exist in families. I recently stepped in it with my family. My slight opinion, started a watershed of tears, phone calls, texts, etc. We didn’t crash, but I hadn’t realized the fear from the my family’s point of view. Perhaps, if an Ensign is dedicated to this it will melt believers anxiety. Which in turn makes brings potential to better relationships with people like us. Is this the best roll-out. No. That’s largely because the team doing the roll out really hasn’t experienced anything like we have. So band-aids on deep wounds is the best we can get.
But the sheer existence of an Ensign dedicated to this issue says something about the copious blood and tears being spilled in homes, wards, stakes, etc. If a family can move on, still celebrate time together, and remove the judgement from the space, even if just a little, it’s worth it.
The following just arrived from our Bishopric. My favorite statement is Quote:we as a Bishopric and other ward leaders have sent messages on the Sabbath or using technology have connected to the groups for whom we have stewardship. The recent direction encourages us to NOT do that. Occasional messages from the Bishopric are encouraged, but not weekly. Likewise, we are not to attempt to “replace” Sunday meetings using technology or other means with optional devotionals, classes, and discussions. Rather we are encouraged to give space for individuals and families to seek their own inspiration regarding what family and home-centered Gospel learning really means to them.
Bummer no Zoom Sacrament Meeting.
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/guidance-administer-the-church-in-challenging-times ” class=”bbcode_url”> https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/guidance-administer-the-church-in-challenging-times SD – Great suggestion. Tapping also works wonders on Stress Release. Also feel free to PM me. I am big on meditation, spiritualism, rejuvenation. I can point you to healing books and practices. Church or no church, don’t let yourself be robbed by something you can detach from.
Go with peace. And I pray you find a space of forgiveness. Not for the wrong done by someone else. And not for you to “return to the church”. But for your own heart. Forgiveness free’s the forgiver.
Quote:I don’t know when church will open back up, and I don’t think that I will be one of the first families back.
Me, neither. I have a neighbor who had Stage 4 cancer who insisted on attending church. No matter how much I begged her not, she still went. I assume she felt she’d made a pact with God and needed to keep it. But church was already an infestation site. How many meetings did unhealthy drag themselves and their kids to church so that we could all “feel the spirit”.
So ban lift or not, I am not running back with any speed.
Quote:We don’t do home church and family members barely notice the difference between Saturday and Sunday these days.
Us, too. Only we can’t tell the difference between any of the seven days of the week.
My 6 year old nephew said in the opening prayer he gave for his family’s first Sunday at Home. “I like home church. I don’t want to go back again.” – His dad is in the Bishopric. His mom teaches early morning seminary. He’s cute, outgoing – and hates regular Sunday church. My sister shared it in a family group chat. I wrote back, “I am on his team.” Next my Bishop sent out a weekly letter. Our Bishopric takes turns sending out uplifting letters and messages. And they aren’t preachy or pushy, which I appreciate. His opening line was basically what a great time it is to not have so many meetings and things to go to. And how great it is to be home with his family. Then he shared some little story about family appreciation.
And finally, talking to my mom the other day, she is sleeping better because life is less stressful. She specifically mentioned Sundays, and not having to deal with the pushy Relief Society President.
So yeah, when God’s in charge, things are sweeter.
Quote:
That is great news mom3. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. What will she do next? Will she come home? Or stay there?For the time being we will remain separated. Both areas are in lock down until Mid May roughly. Once those bans are lifted we will make our next decisions. – We are all craving hugging her and being near her. We have used Zoom, skype, whatsapp 24/7. Sometimes just to even watch her sleep, so she could sleep and not be worried that her breathing would become compromised while she slept. We are ever so grateful she was not hospitalized. We likely would have lost contact with her. I don’t even want to imagine how that would work out.
Quote:That’s a big relief.
Yes it is. I can’t describe the feelings, it was beyond emotions, something vast and expansive, like all the elements of life swarmed around when we heard. I may have said this here before, forgive me if I repeat.We were close as a family before this. We are fused in a way I never imagined. Today a game of Age of Empires took place. My joy was listening to all of them call out to each other and have fun. I could sit still and listen to that forever. I have my heaven right here, right now.
Quote:How are things?
Covid Clear as of yesterday afternoon.It’s been ages since I felt that much relief, joy, elation. She was tested Sunday evening. Told she would have the results by Tuesday. Tuesday came and went with nothing. She still was having headaches, cough, can’t taste or smell. We were silently preparing for the worst. When the news came in – it was a full on party.
It will still take time for complete recovery, but she can begin to “be more normal” –
The wildest part is how exhausted I am now. 2.5 weeks of pulling for this takes a silent toll. We are all in need of recuparation.
Nibbler, thanks for remembering and asking.
Uchtdorf also has to hold up the bridge all by himself. I am going to give him a pass on this. He’s had missionaries, Covid, and a personal life (we know nothing about it). Perhaps I am jaded because I like him. But I feel like he has genuinely tried to be open, even keel, considerate, and hopeful for everyone. If his trend changes, I will reexamine. For now, though he can have a one off. One of the biggest keys I have come to in the past decade is, my version of life is mine. I used to live for support. Now if it happens, it happens. If not, I am an equal child of God or whomever, and I will go my way in peace. Who knows maybe someday someone will see it my way.
Quote:Mom, how is your daughter doing?
Kate, thanks for asking. We crossed the first week point on Sunday. She can’t taste or smell anything. And the cough is a killer. We are learning to count new blessings every day. The top one is – no fever. Every day she isn’t hospitalized is a gift. We take turns on vigil with her. Social Media is a huge gift. We sometimes just sit and watch her breathe. It actually helps her sleep a bit.
We have always been a close connected family, but this has thrown us into overdrive. Her sister, Daughter1, gets ready for work every day – and is online with her while she is doing it. We check in with each other daily, especially with Daughter1 still working. I also find I cherish my own health deeper than before.
But our compassion is growing, too. I saw a small clip of local medical staff in scrubs and just burst into tears. The sacrifices they are making are incredible. I always appreciated medical helpers but now it’s sooo much more.
Her “healed” date is scheduled for the 13th. We will know more then. Fingers are triple crossed.
