Lead me, guide me, feel me up....

A couple of years ago, I was asked to substitute in the Sunbeam class at church for a couple of weeks. I love kids and looked forward to spending time with them. I prepared my lesson and made sure I used lots of stories and pictures to entertain approximately five 3 year olds.

When I got to class I was told that I had an additional 3 year old. The family had just moved in and little Andrew was in my class. This was my first time teaching Sunbeams--I've never served in Primary (although I've campaigned for it many times!).

When it came time to tell a story, we all sat down and the little ones made sure to put their chairs as close to me as possible. I had 12 little knees all touching me legs. As I began my story and held up pictures, I felt someone's little feet on my shins--just rubbing me. I didn't think much about it because all the kiddos were touching me.

As the story progressed, the little feet rubbed higher and higher until I noticed they were now on my thighs under my dress! When I looked to see whose feet were that high on my legs, I saw that Andrew, sitting directly in front of me, didn't have his feet on my thighs, but rather was using his hands to rub my legs! I quickly removed his hands, yet he kept trying to get them on my legs again. Story time was over! We switched to doing some physical activities to keep them entertained and keep Andrew from attacking me again.

The next week, I wore a longer, straight skirt. I thought that Andrew wouldn't want to try to wedge his hands underneath this skirt--I was wrong. I spent almost the whole class evading him and trying to divert his attention.

I had never been felt up by a 3 year old and have joked about it since. I didn't have the courage to say anything to his parents as they were new and I didn't really know them. After a couple of years, I finally confessed to Andrew's mom. I told her that I've joked in the past that I was molested by a 3 year old--and it was her son! She laughed and said that he has always had a fascination with women's stockings--he likes the feel of them. She was perplexed, however, when I revealed that I wasn't wearing any hosiery!

Good Friday....

...isn't so good for me. I have laryngitis. And stuffed sinuses. I wanted to do a great post about the Passover dinner I attended a couple of nights ago, but I don't have the energy for that at the moment.

So, here is a thought for you this Holy Day:

"As we approach this holy week—Passover Thursday with its Paschal Lamb, atoning Friday with its cross, Resurrection Sunday with its empty tomb—may we declare ourselves to be more fully disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, not in word only and not only in the flush of comfortable times but in deed and in courage and in faith, including when the path is lonely and when our cross is difficult to bear."---Jeffrey R Holland, 2009 April Conference.

What does this say about me, part 2?

Have you seen the Disney movie, "Beauty and the Beast?" Beast as a man is pretty hot. And whew! he looks like he can really kiss. Yum....

What does this say about me?

I haven't watched Disney's "Cinderella" in a very long time. But I can still quote quite a few lines, sing the songs, and even anticipate funny moments. And I found a line that applies to me, "And I'm so eligible!"

Practical joke at work

After reading my blog, you realize I love playing practical jokes. A couple of months ago, I was in our home office for my company to train new employees.

I had 4 students. Of the 4, only 1 was truly new to the company. She recently graduated from college and is a sweet, cute girl. During our training, we happened to have a company wide employee meeting. A couple of days before, the other trainer and I were chatting with a couple of the trainees. Including new girl. Chuck begins to explain to New Girl that during employee meetings that new employees are required to stand and introduce themselves. Of course, New Girl looked to me to confirm or deny. I confirmed it adding that you had to state your name, where you're from and a short story about yourself.

Needless to say, New Girl was scared! She asked about the story portion and I just said that it was just a little something--embarrassing moment, favorite memory, just something to remember you.

The next day while on break, I overheard her speaking to one of the other trainees--an employee who was transferring from another department. New Girl said that she asked another employee about it and that the other employee said that Chuck and I were pulling her leg. New Girl then exclaimed, "I know Chuck would do that, but no way would Beefche! She would NEVER do something like that!"

I could no longer remain a passive listener. I laughed so hard and New Girl had a look of pure astonishment. She almost didn't believe me when I said I was completely joking with her. She said she was convinced I wouldn't do something that mean.

Ahh, she now knows me better.

General Conference

I decided that I wanted to go to General Conference this year. I chose April because I always enjoy April conference more. I think it's because we get the stats of the church in April.

So I left sunny, spring-like Indiana and arrived in Utah....and snow. I forget how snowy Utah can be in April. It wasn't real cold, I didn't wear a coat. I planned on going to the Saturday morning session. So, what happens? It turns very cold and snowy on Saturday morning. I decided to wear my coat for that experience.

I was able to meet a very nice couple while standing in line at Conference. They work for the church and have several Apostles and General Authorities in their ward. In fact, they told me they just got a new Gospel Doctrine teacher--Vaughn J. Featherstone--at least I think it was he. It was an emeritus GA in any case. I asked what the lessons and discussions were like. He said the last teacher was fluent in Hebrew and they had a lesson regarding the Hebrew translation of the scriptures.

Saturday's talk that made an impression on me was President Eyring's talk on debt and addictions. It was one to make me ponder the connect of these two devestating events. I want to think of my life and what I must do to avoid either.

I am constantly amazed at how the Spirit speaks to me during Conference. Sunday's talk that I especially loved was Elder Holland's talk (any surprise, there?). His testimony of Christ and His path of loneliness rendered me speechless. I felt the Spirit confirm to me the truth of his words.

This Conference has convinced me that I must go to the Temple more regularly. It is not something to do when I have time--because I will never have time. It is not something to do because my ward is attending. I must attend for my own salvation.

Join me, friends. If you have a recommend, make time to go to the temple. Work it out with family members to watch your kiddos. Or better yet, get with another couple and agree to watch each other's children to allow each couple to attend together. If you don't have a recommend, then live worthily to receive one. Make an appointment with your bishop now to begin that process.

Meeting strangers

I'm not opposed to being set up with single men that my friends recommend. Once, my friend gave me a picture of a guy with his name and phone number on the back. I asked her who he was and she admitted that she didn't know. After my puzzled look, she explained that her dad always gets coffee at White Castle in the mornings. He saw this guy there and immediately thought of me. He just felt that this guy and I should meet. So he asked him if he were single and would he be willing to meet me. The guy gave him a picture (don't YOU carry a wallet size photo of yourself???) and wrote his information on the back.


I really appreciated the thought. I did and do. But, meeting complete strangers like that is...well...a little weird to me. Of course, I've met strangers before...people I've "met" online. But to me there is a difference. First, I had communicated with these people either through a forum or through email for some time. Second, I wasn't planning on dating them. Entering into a relationship with someone requires a little more scrutiny, in my opinion.


So, if you want to set me up with a single guy...bring it on. But please make sure you know him better than the guy in line at your local fast food place!