Ride for the Brand

     Hello all.  I want to apologize in the beginning because this is going to be a long post.  If you're up for it and actually get to the end, hopefully there's something in here to help you or someone you care about if they're having a hard time.      This time of year is kind of a difficult one at times.  It's also a very busy time for us.  Before I get to the reasons behind the challenges, let me give you some background:      So for the first 25 years of my life there was someone that I had the privilege of knowing.  Even though that might seem like a long time, I really was only close with this person for maybe the first 12 years of that 25.  We were best friends.  We would play in the sandbox together, with LEGOs, sports, and whatever other things were around.  Even if they weren't play things we'd play with them.      I remember playing outside and pretending to be this or tha...

I'll try to make this one short so you don't have to get bored of reading my rants.  I've been thinking lately about the world and about things people say.  One of the subjects that gives me great concern but also great amusement is all the hatred the LDS church gets.  It's sad to see some people be so vehemently opposed to an organization that does so much good, yet comical to hear people's reasons.  I've yet to hear one good reason for someone leaving the church.  Sure there are people who have issues with Bishops, Stake Presidents, someone said or did something and made you mad.  But those are people.  Nobody has been able to tell me how the church has hurt them. "Well, they tore my family apart!"  Did the LDS church really tear your family apart or was it the individual choices you were all making?  "Well, I just don't agree with the doctrine."  What don't you agree with?  That Jesus is the Son of God and Savior of the world? ...

     Hello all.  Since it's been a month since my last rant, I figured I was due.  Things have been going well in our household.  A new baby has changed things.  Kind of different when it's been four years since you had a newborn.  It was a decision we made a while ago to have another one, but not one that we took lightly.  We weighed the pros and cons, talked finances, and ultimately prayed about it.  So now we're a family of 5, and we love it.      As for my rant, there's something that's always been frustrating and annoying to me and that is the idea of Christianity as it's seen from a world view.  Now, let me start off by saying that I am 100% Christian.  I believe that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer.  There are many things that have helped me come to this conclusion, but that's for another time.  You might be asking, "Well, that's nothing special.  There are millions of Christians in...