Testify!

I don't know if this happens with other religions, but in the Mormon church we have what is known as "Testimony Meeting." This happens the first Sunday of every month. The premise is to set aside the first meeting, where all members of the ward meet together, so that those who feel so inclined can share their feelings about the Gospel.

I have mixed feelings about Testimony meeting.

There can be many wonderful thoughts and stirring experiences shared. I really like those particular testimonies.

There are a couple "kinds" of testimonies that I dread. The travelogue, where the speaker gives a long, winding story with too many details to explain why he feels the way he does. And there is the overly emotional testimony, where the speaker starts crying so hard that you can't understand her. That just gets uncomfortable.

Today, for example, one member of my ward stood up and said, "It's been a long road to get to where I am with the Church today..." At that point, I stopped paying attention and thought about other things. She may have had some important things to say, but as soon as I found out it was going to be a travelogue, I just couldn't listen anymore.

Does that make me a bad person?

Moving Forward...

I'll be honest. I've had moments of serious doubt about actually going to South Korea.

It has felt at times as though most of what could go wrong was going wrong. I felt completely powerless; not a feeling I enjoy having. Everything we have planned from 2012 on depends on us going to Korea.

I've quit my job. Turned down a position with Wells Fargo. Put off applying to grad school for another couple years. I've got students loans coming into payment. Bills. We received some very generous monetary gifts for the wedding, and that has helped us survive, but we've pinned everything on actually getting to Korea and earning two salaries there.

Our papers finally arrived at the school. After a week-long clearance delay. Really? On documents? A week to say the envelope is ok? Wow.

However, now that we're on to the next part of the process, I feel hopeful about actually getting there soon. It's a nice feeling.

And I'm feeling like my life is moving forward again.