the store on every corner

Hi! New poster, so here is a twitter version of who I am.....

non-twitter using, young part time SAHM mom to 4 boys (3 surprises) and 1 girl, part time preschool teacher wishes her house was cleaner....


now that that's out of the way...


I love, LOVE, starbucks. In fact, I have an almost unwavering devotion to this store. At my regular store, they know me by drink (grande peppermint hot chocolate- 370 calories, 25 mg of caffeine, far better then my normal morning Dr. Pepper at 41 mg). But recently, I have had a few experiences there that have made me, well, waver, in my love for them.
The first: My old calling was young women's second counselor and one of my favorite, inactive girls worked at Starbucks. My husband and I would often stop in on date nights to say hi and get a snack. While we were chatting with her one night sipping our cups, her dad walked in. Her dad was in our bishopric at the time. We laughed at how awkward it was to run into other Mormons there because there just isn't a lot on the menu suited for us (which makes me wonder if that's one of the things I like...) It was even more awkward when he stopped in to say hi and his daughter told us he refuses to order from a chain like starbucks.
The second incident was at the beginning of this past school year when I took my almost 3 year old to the store and ordered my regular. I immediately warned my son van that it would be hot and to blow on it. He had been sipping on it for several minutes when we got to target and I took the cup to take my first sip. It was peppermint, but it def. wasn't hot chocolate..... I was furious. He didn't drink that much, but there is a HUGE difference between a peppermint hot chocolate and a peppermint MOCHA... not exactly what i want my already hyper 2 year old sucking down...
So, here is my dilemma. I would save a ton of money if I cut this "habit." (That makes it sound easy, doesn't it??) BUT.... I work at a preschool in a church. Everyone there drinks coffee. Coffee gift cards come at every holiday (in fact I have 1 in my diaper bag, waiting for the five minutes I wouldn't have to drag 5 kids in the store and ruin every one else's moments of peace). My co-workers and I take turns every Thurs. going to get starbucks. But the bottom line: I love the paper cup goodness (10% recycled materials!) that is warm starbucks. I don't know if I am quite ready to be done being one of the cup toting moms. Is buying coffee as bad as buying alcohol or cigarettes? I would never even consider buying those for others, even for those who could buy them legally, but think nothing at going to but others coffee. Is that wrong? Is the illusion of me walking around Target with my cup bad? Most of my friends know I'm Mormon, but in our town of almost 48,000, there are only abt. 200 active Mormons. Am I creating a bad example to those I run into who know I'm Mormon? "Oh... hi! Yes I know you know Mormons shouldn't drink coffee... Don't worry, this is only hot chocolate..." I dunno, it just gets awkward. So until next Thursday, I'll hold out on any more starbucks. After that, I can't be to sure...

The technology of the Gospel.

by dirthead

So the other Sunday at church, a person got up to speak in sacrament. Being the attentive listener I am, lost interest really quick. The speaker, a recently married RM, go up there and called everyone to repentance. And I mean everyone.

He told us as a ward we were not good members of the Church if we did not bring our scriptures to church. This really peaked my interest since I don't carry books with me, (other then coloring books for the kids). He then went on to say, "How can you expect to be a good member if you will not bring your scriptures to church?" He did this as he held up his scriptures.

I found it rather interesting to hear this coming from a 22 year old, no kids, member of the ward. I wanted to tell him, okay you get up get yourself ready for early morning church. Then once you are in between showering, getting dressed, eating, etc etc, get your kids ready as well. They need to get dressed, eat, etc etc as well. Now when you are dealing with multiple kids under the age of 4, this makes the time frame more challenging!

Then to have some 20 something peter priesthood tell me I am a bad member because I dont carry books with me? That really chapped me. SO. Here is my question. Aside from his being naive, if I attend my meetings regularly, go to the Temple, provide service when asked, am I really that bad of a member? How about this? To help minimize my arm load of kids, diapers, etc, I have downloaded to my phone from a popular website, the scriptures. Not just the bible, but every known written piece of work from the church. You can even get the weekly lessons for PH, or RS as well. And alot of times these apps are free!

How does this change the perspective of anyone who says "youre a bad member because of...."

So I pose the question. How has technology helped us as a Church progress? Or how has it helped you? I can say for me, it has helped me tons. Not only can I get my Gospel studying in whenever, where ever. It has taken one thing off my mind when I am rushing out the door to make early morning church. I always have my phone, so now I will always have my scriptures.

What other forms of technology have you been able to find to help you with your knowledge of the gospel? Please share so others can benefit!

Please Excuse...

A NEW Normal Mormons will be back in a jiff! Til then, take a look at the archive! Lots of great reads!

Expectations

by Holly

We went to church for the first time in our new ward today...it also happened to be the first time in almost 2 years (long story...see my other posts). We decided we wanted to get active again and the 1500 mile move provided us an excellent opportunity to start fresh. We didn't get a chance to 'ward shop' because we had a VERY limited time to find a place to live, so what we get is what we get.

Our experience there today was a little less than we had hoped for/expected and naturally we talked it over on the 25 minute drive home. We discussed all sides of the issue and could not decide on where we stood, so I thought I would see what you all thought.

When there is a new member to a ward (no matter if they are a recently baptized convert, a family who just moved in, a newlywed couple moving from the student ward to the family ward, etc) what expectations are ok and where is the line drawn? I know it would be too much to expect a host of angels to meet us at the door or for valet parking or for a seven-course meal to be served after the block. But with all joking aside...what can one expect? Both as the new person and as the ward?

Anonymous

So I haven't written anything in awhile, and I finally was able to squeeze out some words. I have to say, I am sick and tired of all the anonymous postings where people are saying "Mormons are this," or "Mormons believe that." But I know that won't change. So all I have to say is, if you wanna criticize then at least have the stomach to post who you are! This anonymous crap is just an easy way for anyone to say something without standing up and saying "yeah I said that."

I will admit, we Mormons can be a peculiar people, but alot of the things we do believe in are not that odd. In fact alot of the beliefs stem from bible teachings. So until you get your facts straight, then do us all a favor and keep your anonymous postings to yourself.

"Big Love" to Air Sacred Temple Ceremonies

If you haven't yet heard, HBO is planning to air parts of our sacred temple ceremonies. As you may have guessed, I am extraordinarily angry. Like - really, really angry. It's not so much about the sacred temple ceremony being publicized, it's more about the fact that they are purposefully trying to disrespect us. They hired an ex-Mormon to tell them all the details of what goes on in the temple. Usually producers and directors attempt (albeit the feeblest attempt) to respect most major religions without "crossing that line." Well - they just crossed a huge one. BUT - after reading this article I feel a little better.

From the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Website:

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sometimes finds itself on the receiving end of attention from Hollywood or Broadway, television series or books, and the news media. Sometimes depictions of the Church and its people are quite accurate. Sometimes the images are false or play to stereotypes. Occasionally, they are in appallingly bad taste.

As Catholics, Jews and Muslims have known for centuries, such attention is inevitable once an institution or faith group reaches a size or prominence sufficient to attract notice. Yet Latter-day Saints – sometimes known as Mormons - still wonder whether and how they should respond when news or entertainment media insensitively trivialize or misrepresent sacred beliefs or practices.

Church members are about to face that question again. Before the first season of the HBO series Big Love aired more than two years ago, the show’s creators and HBO executives assured the Church that the series wouldn’t be about Mormons. However, Internet references to Big Love indicate that more and more Mormon themes are now being woven into the show and that the characters are often unsympathetic figures who come across as narrow and self-righteous. And according to TV Guide, it now seems the show’s writers are to depict what they understand to be sacred temple ceremonies.

Certainly Church members are offended when their most sacred practices are misrepresented or presented without context or understanding. Last week some Church members began e-mail chains calling for cancellations of subscriptions to AOL, which, like HBO, is owned by Time Warner. Certainly such a boycott by hundreds of thousands of computer-savvy Latter-day Saints could have an economic impact on the company. Individual Latter-day Saints have the right to take such actions if they choose.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as an institution does not call for boycotts. Such a step would simply generate the kind of controversy that the media loves and in the end would increase audiences for the series. As Elder M. Russell Ballard and Elder Robert D. Hales of the Council of the Twelve Apostles have both said recently, when expressing themselves in the public arena, Latter-day Saints should conduct themselves with dignity and thoughtfulness.

Not only is this the model that Jesus Christ taught and demonstrated in his own life, but it also reflects the reality of the strength and maturity of Church members today. As someone recently said, “This isn’t 1830, and there aren’t just six of us anymore.” In other words, with a global membership of thirteen and a half million there is no need to feel defensive when the Church is moving forward so rapidly. The Church’s strength is in its faithful members in 170-plus countries, and there is no evidence that extreme misrepresentations in the media that appeal only to a narrow audience have any long-term negative effect on the Church.

Examples:

During the Mitt Romney election campaign for the presidency of the United States, commentator Lawrence O’Donnell hurled abuse at the Church in a television moment that became known among many Church members as “the O’Donnell rant.” Today, his statements are remembered only as a testament to intolerance and ignorance. They had no effect on the Church that can be measured.

When the comedy writers for South Park produced a gross portrayal of Church history, individual Church members no doubt felt uncomfortable. But once again it inflicted no perceptible or lasting damage to a church that is growing by at least a quarter of a million new members every year.

When an independent film company produced a grossly distorted version of the
Mountain Meadows Massacre two years ago, the Church ignored it. Perhaps partly as a result of that refusal to engender the controversy that the producers hoped for, the movie flopped at the box office and lost millions.

In recent months, some gay activists have barraged the media with accusations about “hateful” attitudes of Latter-day Saints in supporting Proposition 8 in California, which maintained the traditional definition of marriage. They even organized a protest march around the Salt Lake Temple. Again, the Church has refused to be goaded into a Mormons versus gays battle and has simply stated its position in tones that are reasonable and respectful. Meanwhile, missionary work and Church members in California remain as robust and vibrant as ever, and support for the Church has come from many unexpected quarters — including some former critics and other churches.

Now comes another series of Big Love, and despite earlier assurances from HBO it once again blurs the distinctions between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the show’s fictional non-Mormon characters and their practices. Such things say much more about the insensitivities of writers, producers and TV executives than they say about Latter-day Saints.

If the Church allowed critics and opponents to choose the ground on which its battles are fought, it would risk being distracted from the focus and mission it has pursued successfully for nearly 180 years. Instead, the Church itself will determine its own course as it continues to preach the restored gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world.

Being "Re-baptized"?

by: SeattleSuz

So, my hubby and I found a "middle of the line" church that we could attend and actually enjoy that is neither Mormon, nor Catholic. We've gone now pretty much every week for the past month and a half. I even volunteer in their nursery (so much fun!). However, as our daughter gets older, my husband gets a little bit of pressure from his very devoutly Catholic mother about getting Ariel baptized, because Catholics believe in the concept of Original Sin and her being baptized would somehow allow her to go to heaven if something happened and she died. *shudders* For some reason that I cannot explain, my husband does actually believe in the Original Sin concept and wants to get her baptized. Of all the things he chooses to believe of the Catholic church, he picks this one. *rolling my eyes*

Anyway. So, we were checking out "Baby Dedication" at the church we are currently attending and they do it, however, they only do it for MEMBERS and we are not "officially" members. Now I am not entirely sure what all that entails, but for some reason, I am VERY resistant to being baptized in THEIR church. Hubby cannot understand that and says, "What's it going to hurt to get baptized again?" Ummm, hello, for me, I have ALREADY BEEN BAPTIZED, by my dad, and I fully understand the meaning behind it. WHY oh WHY would I seriously need to do it again? Of course, this launches into the standard argument he has that "You are just anti-religion". REALLY? Because I don't feel the need to be rebaptized and proclaim "Praise Jesus" or whatever? I am a very spiritual person and I believe in God and I believe in Jesus Christ and what He did for us. Does this mean that because I am resistant to giving up my baptism by my loving father, that I cannot be a member of another Christian church? It doesn't seem quite right to me.

But who knows, maybe I am getting too upset. Would it hurt anything? What do you think?

I have half a mind to have my daughter get a (grand)fathers blessing and be blessed, cuz dangit, that's what I believe in!

Biggest Loser!

by SeattleSuz



I don't know how many of you watch this show, but since my husband is a personal trainer for 24 Hour Fitness, we love to watch it. I am especially interested this season, because my LDS Radar went up big time with 4 of the contestants: Dane, Blaine, Sione and Filipe. When they were showing their families on some of the eppys, the first big clue-in for me was the photo of the temple in the background of one of Filipe's pictures. So, I thought, OK, I KNOW that Filipe and Sione are LDS. How cool is that?! And I suspected that Dane and Blaine were because of how they talked, their families etc.

And I think that is SOOO dang cool to have these 4 LDS men on this show! Yes, Dane and Blaine have both been voted off, but the Tongan cousins are still there!! Yeah!

So, now when I am watching the show, I am noticing things that my husband wouldn't and that probably most people wouldn't. Last nights eppy showed Sione working out at the gym and I noticed that his garments were showing. doh! And then when Sione and Filipe got letters from home, both of their wives talked about being married "for eternity" and "Your Eternal wife". How very cool!!

Anyway. I just wanted to share that, because I am always very impressed when I see an LDS person on TV, representing all of us! :)

He knows

by Holly

So we are smack dab in the middle of our move...our 1500 mile move. I was home alone Saturday and had a little something inside me say 'Clean up the house'. I hadn't planned on doing anything of the sort that day, I was actually going to go outlet shopping with my bro and sis-in-law. I canceled my shopping trip with them and got to cleaning.

Fast forward to Monday. I get a call (while I'm at work) that our house is going to be shown that evening...right after I get off work. I was immediately grateful I listened to that little voice on Saturday that prompted me to clean because I would have had NO TIME to clean between when I got off work and when the showing was.

I got to thinking. We are not going to church, not taking the sacrament, not going to the Temple, not reading our scriptures and are not holding regular prayers. We are not doing a majority of the things we are 'supposed' to be doing. In spite of all that, I realize now it was a prompting. I know it may seem trivial and you may be thinking 'Why would God be so concerned with Holly cleaning her house'? Well, a LOT is riding on the sale of our home. We need to sell it for enough to help us pay for an adoption.

I fully believe that God loves us and wants us to be happy, no matter where we go to church, or where we live, or who we love or what we look like. He knows that having a child in our home will make us happy and so I was prompted to clean up so I would be ready for that showing. It felt good to know that He was thinking of me.

The Beauty of Being Involved

by April

So, contrary to what many have discussed thus far on Normal Mormons, I actually really like my ward. I didn't even have to ward shop! We've lived in the same place for a year, and it hasn't been just until recently that I've had the time and will to actually participate and go every Sunday. But as a new year's resolution, I promised that I would go to everything I possibly could, do my visiting teaching, fulfill my calling as a Mia Maids advisor, and attend enrichment meetings etc... So far, I am doing pretty awesome.

Not gonna lie though, I used to dread going to church and activities. I was always the "new" girl - and no one really knew me very well. Plus, church is boring. I'm sorry - but unless there's an extraordinarily charismatic speaker, I can't pay attention for the life of me. Even in Sunday School. Especially in Sunday School, ugh. But lately, I've found that the friendships I've made with both the youth, the leaders, and many of the women in RS that I actually look forward to showing up.

Sure, perhaps it's bad that I look forward to going to church because of friends or social activities, but honestly how many people do that? Countless. Even the older folks who are supposed to be "attentive" and all "filled with the spirit" doze off, read a book, etc... (even the Bishop!) which honestly - isn't right. At least I look like I'm paying attention instead of blatantly ignoring the speaker like most do.

My husband's view on church callings is quite different - I think I'll have him do a guest post!