commitment...

the puppy and I were on our afternoon fun walk... that's where I am more
tolerant of her need to sniff and explore... it's a different world from
the morning walk where she and I practice military drill... :)

anyway, we encountered two young men, dressed in suits, and walking door
to door... I immediately knew their mission... Mormons... and, when
leaving a house, they stopped to inquire of Shadow and to pet her... (we
should get Shadow a job at the UN... she brings people together on a
common ground... )... we had a pleasant discussion and it reminded me
of many prior encounters that Dalin and I have had with the Mormon
strategy of sending two young men to a community for a year (or so...).

what impresses me is that, whatever the Mormon church may believe, they
inspire young men to spend a year of their life in a strange city, living
on a frugal budget (e.g., no car...), walking door to door every day,
hoping to talk to people of their belief. that's an impressive
achievement. getting teenagers to face strangers all day every day and to
be prepared to explain/defend their beliefs is remarkable... whatever
else they do, they certainly excel at motivating young people to commit
themselves to a cause.

and these kids have such bright, innocent faces and are so open to the
world... it gave me a big, long-lasting smile, just to talk with them...
and I'm still smiling. there is definitely hope for our younger
generation... :)

Jean B....

Interesting points to ponder, David. I usually just think
these folks are to be avoided--or quickly dismissed. I don't

Lou...

One of the reasons I think this is such a great group is the lack of crazies
that inhabit a huge number of other groups.

david...

on that note, one of the reasons that i like this group is that, most of
the time when someone introduces a topic of potential debate, they post the
topic with a degree of sensitivity to other opinions instead of a
black/white i'm right/you're wrong attitude. that encourages the rest of us
to participate if we wish... :) -- I say 'most of the time'... we're not
perfect (yet..)

really want to be proselytized (sp) at, but there is something
positive about this too, isn't there? Thank you for
instilling this thought!

Mikals11...

Mikal being Mormon (we prefer LDS) knows what your talking about.... when
their on the mission you can pick them out anywhere.... Always dressed the
same way.... White shirt dark pants.... Smiling open and friendly.... a lot
use bicycles to get around.... They'll help you with anything they can....
and if they can't they'll find someone who can.... Oh and by the way....
they go all around the world on those missions.... I was too old to do a
mission and kind of regret that....

**Dalin**...

Do they take a year after high school Mikal, and then go on to
college?

Dalin

Joy...

You were too old? How long ago did you join? My husband's aunt joined an
LDS church about 25 years ago, and she did a mission. I don't know how old
she was, but she had to be at least 65.