From One Stranger Thing to Another
It’s true, I’m a Stranger Things junkie. Big time. Nearly ten years ago, my son - who had recently left home to start his military career - texted one day, instructing me to check out a new show on Netflix. “I think you’ll really like it, Mom,” he wrote. “It’s X Files meets Super 8 meets Stand By Me.” I comprehended and appreciated two of those three references - X Files and Super 8. From the very first seconds of the first episode, I was hooked. The opening setting of the s
Laureen Simper
3 days ago3 min read
The Loaves and Fishes of Ward Choir
Three weeks ago, I got my annual Christmas present a little early: my epic, barking, you must've-started-smoking-at-age-4 cough. Once again, it was looking like I would not be able to participate in our annual ward Christmas program, and I was devastated. I used to hate being in the ward choir, but my experiences with ward choirs have forever changed how I feel about spending yet another hour to stay at church to go to the rehearsals. I used to be a lot like Fanny Brice when
Laureen Simper
Dec 24, 20254 min read
Changing What Waiting Looks Like Part 2
Knowing there is purpose in learning to wait changed waiting for me, but it still hasn't made me love it. Neither has looking for the lessons in it. Still not a fan. During my intense waiting curriculum, Father left me with the unmistakable knowledge that a LOT of His time involves waiting, and I'm so truly grateful for that inspired insight. For example... How long DOES it take for an earth to be ready for water? Light? Plants? Animals? How long does it take for the first hu
Laureen Simper
Dec 16, 20254 min read
Changing What Waiting Looks Like - Part 1
Inigo Montoya really said it best, with pith and a Spanish accent: "I hate waiting." That about sums it up, eh? There isn't a big enough font: I HATE. Waiting. In any line, please make it less than 2 people deep, and be sure to check cart contents before committing For a medical appointment of any kind In traffic - particularly left turn lanes with any color arrow For an upload For a download For a laundry load - the last 5 minutes of the cycle? I swear it's 15 For miracles I
Laureen Simper
Dec 15, 20255 min read
Where Did All the Happy Atheists Go?
When I was a growing up, and as a young adult, I would occasionally meet a person who claimed he didn't believe in God. It didn't happen often, and because I lived such a sheltered life, while I didn't care much one way or the other, I felt bad because I grew up calling God Heavenly Father, and who wouldn't want an all-knowing Father looking out for them? Since we obviously didn't share beliefs, faith wouldn't end up on the short list of things to discuss; we picked up the sh
Laureen Simper
Nov 18, 20256 min read
Is Repentance a Topic for Polite Company?
True story 1: Many years ago, a friend was telling me about something he/she had observed in his/her in-law's marriage that had been less than ideal. Translation: this was a normal marriage. Clutch your pearls now, Lucille. Yes - we were talking about a HUMAN marriage in a FALLEN world. The weakness wasn't something egregious like abuse, but it was definitely unrighteous dominion - the garden-variety kind that we often fail to recognize AS unrighteous dominion - the passive
Laureen Simper
Oct 20, 20255 min read
Gospel Basics for the Directionally Challenged
At the risk of stating the obvious, I just want to start by saying that I love the way Jesus does things. The more I pay attention to what He does and the way He does it, the more I think, "Boy, I'm sure glad HE's in charge!" He's always kind and compassionate. But He's never nice. He's always meek and lowly of heart. But He's never weak. He always speaks the truth. But He's never harsh. He has great power - over the very elements He created. But He never abuses it by using i
Laureen Simper
Oct 7, 20254 min read
