Dear Bro Jo . . . : Scared and Alone - Part 13 of 15: Is It All Really Worth It?

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Monday, August 24, 2015

Scared and Alone - Part 13 of 15: Is It All Really Worth It?

Dear Bro Jo,

I didn't say that tea was my only problem and I'm not trying to make excuses for anything.

I have quit drinking the tea and I'm not having problems with that.

Did I go to the Bishop for it?

No.

Did I go to the Bishop for talking with the guy?

No.

But that wasn't exactly what I was trying to figure out right now.

I was hoping to figure out how I can stop doubting so many things and how I can get to where I don't want to give up on the Church.

I'm glad you gave up drinking soda, but what's not hard for one person could be hard for another.

I've been to Bishops for a few times, it may not have been serious, but I have talked to them. And in general with things that have gone on in my family, they've came to me about certain things and comments they've made and the things they've done just haven't helped me feel comfortable around them.

Also, I wasn't saying it was hard to focus on the saviors love, I was trying to say that it's hard not caring about other peoples judgments.

If you want to think that I'm making excuses, then that's fine.

I don't know how to explain myself any better.

- Scared

Dear Scared,

I'm sorry that I misunderstood.

Let's try again.

What are you having doubts about?

- Bro Jo

Dear Bro Jo,

I obviously didn't explain myself very well, and I'm sorry for that. I'm just doubting everything in general right now.

Mostly, I'm just doubting about whether or not I want to keep going to Church and if it's the right thing for me.

There's so much going on (outside of just my individual problems) that I've just wanted to give up and don't know what to believe in anymore.

I know we go through these things to learn and grow, but with so much going on all at once, I'm losing the battle.

I just don't have the drive and the want to go to church and stay active anymore.

I feel like I'm just complaining now and I should really just stop.

There's probably nothing anyone can do to help. .

Sorry.

- Scared

Dear Scared,

I'd like to try to help.

What's going on outside?

What makes you think that life might be easier or better if you stopped going to Church?

- Bro Jo

No comments:

Bro Jo's "Dating Rules for Teens"

General
- Date in groups of 2 or more couples minimum, 3 or more couples is recommended
- Pick Up boys first, then girls; drop off girls first, then boys
- Be clean - literally and spiritually
- Plan must be pre-approved by the Parental Committee
- Borrow a Cell Phone from Parental Committee - for emergency use only
- Only date people your Parents have met (a pre-date meeting may be needed - a movie party at your house is a great way to have Mom and Dad meet all of this year's potential dates!)
- Don't flirt with another person's date - you can go out with them next time - focus on the person you're with
- Remember why you're dating: to get to know someone better, to discover what type of person you like to spend time with, and to practice this important social skill
- First Date is with Opposite Sex parent - prove that you're ready
- Keep the conversation going - spend more time asking questions than talking about yourself
- Focus on your companion - DO NOT TEXT YOUR FRIENDS WHILE OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE - it's rude and, well . . . lame
- No dating the same person twice in a row

Boys
- Home by 11:30pm
- Plan / Pick up / Pay
- Plan communicated to date - no surprises!
- Sisters deserve to go out with decent guys regularly, be one of those guys
- Chivalry isn't dead - show respect by opening doors
- It's scary to call, get over it (practice), it's your job to phone
- Be prepared Boy Scout: make sure the car is clean and has gas, be familiar with where you're going, have enough dough
- Keep dates simple and not too long
- No gifts (keep it casual)
- Meet the parents
- Minimum of one date per month

Girls
- Home by 11pm
- Know what's planned - and pre-communicate that plan to your parents
- Dress Modestly
- Teach your date that you deserve to be respected (make him open doors and insist that he use proper language)
- Don't call boys - make them call you (this is a respect tool)

Exceptions
- Formal Dates (like Prom or a Wedding) can extend the curfew 30 minutes
- Flowers may be an appropriate "gift" for formal occassions

Rules for Parents
- Set the Example (married parents should be dating weekly - if you can, occassionally make that a "Date to the Temple" - if you want your kids to go, they need to see you going - great for married-people dates - Bad Idea for first dates)
- Know your kids' friends, their dates and potential dates
- Communicate Expectations
- Help to Plan Ahead - especially in the beginning
- Discuss the Plan - offer council when asked, but don't take control
- Review the Rules
- Pray
- Don't Spy (if it's your date night too, go somewhere else - and get home before your teen)
- Wait Up - near the door, not in your bedroom
- Debrief - Discuss the date with your teen when they come home, before everyone goes to bed
- Be positive and encouraging
- Don't "arrange" dates for your kids with other parents - if the kids find out it'll be bad

REMEMBER PARENTS - You Water What You Want to Grow! (But too much water and the plant will drown.)

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Disclaimer

*This website is not affiliated with the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints, nor does it's author claim to write on behalf of the LDS Church.

for more information on The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints go to: http://www.mormon.org/

"Dear Bro Jo" is an entertainment column, and should not been used as a substitute for Professional Counseling, nor is it intended to replace conversations with one's Bishop or other Priesthood Authority.

All posts and content are the property of Dave Johnston (c) 2009-2013.

Dear Bro Jo . . .

Things to know

Monday, August 24, 2015

Scared and Alone - Part 13 of 15: Is It All Really Worth It?

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