Is it okay if I just start out by saying CRAP! Okay, seeing as I have explained that crap is considered a bad word in South Africa I better not use it. Doing so will negate my ability to use damn and hell so frequently because they are not bad words in South Africa. If I am going to claim the privilege of using those choice words because I was a missionary in South Africa then I may have to hold myself to a higher standard or the South African standard for the word crap. I cannot have my cake and eat it too... or can I?
Let me start this over. Damn. Now see, doesn't that just make you feel good? Probably not and so I apologize to those of you out there that simply do not get me when it comes to swearing. I try so hard to do everything right but I use damn and hell a little too frequently and that is surely a stain on my character, I know. Was it J. Golden Kimball that use to say he repented too damn fast? I love that. Okay, so what the hell am I so damn upset about? Sorry, had to do it. I think my swearing posts may be some of my favorite to type. Now back to the heart of the matter. If there is one thing that I am not exactly comfortable with it is dating people that I don't know. I am shy, extremely shy at least until I know you. The idea of going on a date with someone I don't know scares me to death. Kristin Mabb has a friend and she wants to set us up on a blind date. She went and talked to Sara and next thing I know she is at the LBH questioning me about my willingness to go on a blind date whilst I am ringing her up some bread. There was no escape and I buckled under the pressure. I just need to say no and not think twice about being mean. This was two nights ago. Last night I was helping with chairs and tables at the Relief Society garden party and was confronted by said Mabb about it. Did I call? Just send a text. Do I have any questions? Just send a text. This blind date stuff kills me. I would much rather just hurl my guts out in a garbage can repeatedly then worry about meeting someone and having to spend time with a complete stranger.
SIDE BAR: I did learn in this process that there are singles dances in St. George. Sounds like there are rarely any guys younger than 50. I could be a breath of fresh air for some of the ladies there. Shoot, throw in a little speed dating and I am in. I have experience in this arena and can speed date with the 80 year olds no problem.
Okay so back to the problem at hand. Blind Dating. Damn. I am not one to move very quickly in this arena and am expected to contact this stranger. Have you never heard of stranger danger? Seriously. This is blinding. I cannot live freely now because I have to worry about this. Kristin Mabb is going to want a status report and this is simply too much pressure. I need a steady girlfriend and people need to know this so I don't get cornered about this blind dating stuff in the future.
On to more important things. I made my regular Thursday visit to the Temple tonight. You wouldn't know it with my foul language. I mean using the word crap like I did. I am ashamed of myself. It was a wonderful visit. I decided to do initiatory work and I love doing that. The blessings there are wonderful and I enjoyed hearing them. The shoulders that they may bare the burdens that shall be placed thereon. I felt that powerfully tonight. It has been my experience that this promise, this blessing is real. I am grateful to a loving Savior who is real and who can make our burdens light. There is no doubt that I have lived in a situation that relying on my own strength I am not capable of carrying the load. The Lord however can do all things and through him I have been strengthened. I have felt the shoulders being strengthened so that they can bare the burdens that are placed thereon. Often times that strength to bare comes through others - loving friends and family that just seem to show up. Through them miracles have occurred and continue to occur in my life. I am so very grateful for those blessings, for those that listen and act on promptings and for a Lord who knows my needs and who loves me. I know he loves each of us and is aware of our individual needs.
So often we can get caught up in the challenges of every day life that we fail to recognize the hand of the Lord and the blessings that come so freely. There is great counsel in the hymn Count Your Many Blessings. When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed, do not be discouraged thinking all is lost. Count your many blessings name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done. It is true. Take a moment to reflect and consider the blessings you are enjoying and prepare to be amazed.
So heck, as blinding as this blind date thing might be I just need to relax and stop dry heaving. It will be fine. I used heck there. What the crap? In the process of typing this post I have secured a date for Wednesday night. Pretty amazing right? Don't get too excited as it is not with the blind date but with a friend that I quite enjoy and am comfortable with. I am excited about that and maybe it leaves me with no openings on other days so the blind date will have to be put off for a time. Shucks. Actually had a great chat with Kathy Schatz on the way to the Temple tonight and shared with her my blind date dilemma. She gave me great advice - do lunch. It is easy and leaves me the ability to control the time. That was welcome information especially after my four hour blind date affair of a month ago. I don't know if I ever wrote about that one. Painful. Okay, I'm out.
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