Oh so sweet Land of the Long White Cloud (Aotearoa).
It's been 2 years since I've last been back, and it's still just as beautiful as ever. Drought and brown grass and all.
There's a certain 'Freedom' that traveling brings. The freedom to be someone else, in a different place, and to see different things. It's what helped me see how much more there is in the world besides little 'ol La'ie and PCC.
I mostly stayed in Raglan all weekend.
It's perfect.
A snippet of surf and hippie paradise in kiwi country.
Today was the first Sunday I went to church. Pivotal for me.
(and actually stayed past sacrament, sunday school, AND RS). To be honest, I stayed mostly because ice cream and cookies were promised as an after church ward refreshment.
I wish I took a picture of my church outfit today because I looked hella good :-) And damn right I did since only about 5 people in my ward know I'm in the ward or who I am. So if I'm gonna meet people for the first time, I better at least look good............bumbai.
For a long while now, I've struggled to go to church, let alone do anything spiritual-related, or Mormon.
I'm a Mormon you see.
I'm definitely NOT the best example of one, but I'm trying. In very small steps, like micro-mini, but trying nonetheless.
To be completely honest, I don't like going to church every Sunday. I don't think I'm a bad person, it's just I don't like going every Sunday.
I'm not a Molly-Mormon (a term defined as an LDS zealot), but I'm not a Jack Mormon either (a term defined as the exact opposite of an LDS zealot). I'm in the middle :-) And truthfully, I shy away from church people because I don't like hearing the gossip 24/7, pointing fingers in every direction at everyone, and it's dissapointing how some are quick to look down on others because they aren't living the same way. Gospel is gospel, and people in Gospel are still...........well, people.
So I came to the conclusion that I'm a normal person, who also happens to be Mormon.
I hang out with and am lucky to be surrounded by all kinds of people. People of different religions, Mormon friends, friends who have no religion, friends who smoke and drink, friends who I like to think are nuns, gay friends, straight friends, ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE. And even as a Mormon, I wouldn't want to close off my doors to anyone in my life, despite their lifestyle.
I hang out with everyone. Everyone has something different to offer and we'll never know what else is in the world, nor will we have an opportunity to grow if we don't extend ourselves and learn about others.
Most importantly, when I'm around others I want to be myself. I don't want anyone to feel pressured to have to be someone else or do things differently just because it's me.
So despite who you are, I'll hang out with you too.
I keep my personal circle small, but I like having fun with anyone.
It's all about Good Vibes and spreading 'em :-)
(unless your irritz, super negative, or judgemental, then don't bother. 'Ain't nobody got time for that).
It's been 2 years since I've last been back, and it's still just as beautiful as ever. Drought and brown grass and all.
There's a certain 'Freedom' that traveling brings. The freedom to be someone else, in a different place, and to see different things. It's what helped me see how much more there is in the world besides little 'ol La'ie and PCC.
I mostly stayed in Raglan all weekend.
It's perfect.
A snippet of surf and hippie paradise in kiwi country.
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| Camping @ Indicators. Sunset. |
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Wairenga Falls (Bridal Veil Falls)
These past 2 weeks were a whirlwind of traveling, work, being sick, and busy-ness.
And finally a day of rest today.
(and actually stayed past sacrament, sunday school, AND RS). To be honest, I stayed mostly because ice cream and cookies were promised as an after church ward refreshment.
I wish I took a picture of my church outfit today because I looked hella good :-) And damn right I did since only about 5 people in my ward know I'm in the ward or who I am. So if I'm gonna meet people for the first time, I better at least look good............bumbai.
For a long while now, I've struggled to go to church, let alone do anything spiritual-related, or Mormon.
I'm a Mormon you see.
I'm definitely NOT the best example of one, but I'm trying. In very small steps, like micro-mini, but trying nonetheless.
To be completely honest, I don't like going to church every Sunday. I don't think I'm a bad person, it's just I don't like going every Sunday.
I'm not a Molly-Mormon (a term defined as an LDS zealot), but I'm not a Jack Mormon either (a term defined as the exact opposite of an LDS zealot). I'm in the middle :-) And truthfully, I shy away from church people because I don't like hearing the gossip 24/7, pointing fingers in every direction at everyone, and it's dissapointing how some are quick to look down on others because they aren't living the same way. Gospel is gospel, and people in Gospel are still...........well, people.
So I came to the conclusion that I'm a normal person, who also happens to be Mormon.
I hang out with and am lucky to be surrounded by all kinds of people. People of different religions, Mormon friends, friends who have no religion, friends who smoke and drink, friends who I like to think are nuns, gay friends, straight friends, ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE. And even as a Mormon, I wouldn't want to close off my doors to anyone in my life, despite their lifestyle.
I hang out with everyone. Everyone has something different to offer and we'll never know what else is in the world, nor will we have an opportunity to grow if we don't extend ourselves and learn about others.
Most importantly, when I'm around others I want to be myself. I don't want anyone to feel pressured to have to be someone else or do things differently just because it's me.
So despite who you are, I'll hang out with you too.
I keep my personal circle small, but I like having fun with anyone.
It's all about Good Vibes and spreading 'em :-)
(unless your irritz, super negative, or judgemental, then don't bother. 'Ain't nobody got time for that).
I realize this won't sit well with others, or people may judge me for being open. I'm NOT an advocate for the church, just for myself.
Preach it love!
ReplyDeleteAint nobody got time for negative irritz people!!
Can I tell you HOW MUCH I MISS YOU!!! And your quirky zest for all cute things asian :-) And your extra quick mouth of comebacks that you fire that I can't even compete with :-) Miss U Jaz!!!!
Delete*sigh* your stories of travel... what I would give for that.
ReplyDeleteYay for friends! If only people were as open-minded about others as you are, I swear this world would be soooooo much better.
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE sister. You said it well and echo my thoughts exactly. I like Utah for the LDS culture, but I dislike it for the LDS culture as well. It is awesome, but discouraging because people become very judgmental because they are Mormon and feel the need to play bishop. At the same time, we have such wonderful people here who really do love and accept everyone. It's like a double-edged sword sometimes, but I love that it pushes me to find who I am and accept everyone for who they are. It's hard not getting sucked into the "bubble" that is Utah, but as long as you can figure out who you are, accept who you are, and do the same for everyone, regardless of their religion especially, sexual orientation, blah, blah. You will be just fine here and able to teach everyone around you:-) And that is my speech for today. hahaha. I love this though. I struggle with going to church and staying in church, but I go because I think of Wes. If it was just me, I wouldn't be going too often or staying either on my own time. But Wes needs and wants to experience these things and is learning a lot and if I am selfish because I don't want to, then I hinder his learning and his wanting to understand the gospel. So yeah. And that's my parenting tip for today too...that only works for me.
ReplyDeletetravel is absolutely freedom. from boredom, isolation, ignorance, the like. i am excited for this new part of your life nea! as for activity in the church, don't feel pressured by it. the Lord does not pull us toward him with a leash. He waits patiently with open arms. and trust me hun, you will fill that fire someday. not the teary eyed sacrament meeting kind, or the excitement that utah haoles make when it's pioneer day (lol), or even the warm fuzzies at christmas time. it'll be a fire that consumes you when you are ready and need it most, so much so that you won't be able to contain it or deny it. and this is coming from someone who never wanted to serve a mission, get married, go to a byu, hated seminary, and barely opened a book of mormon. have fun sweetheart, keep your real friends close, and keep doing YOU. xoxo
ReplyDelete