tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post877909807772377793..comments2023-09-30T07:11:12.483-07:00Comments on pilgrimsteps: Dear LDS missionariesjanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06538362162139679868noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-872231028834545602010-03-04T16:57:27.590-08:002010-03-04T16:57:27.590-08:00I'm so far behind on my blog reads, but am so ...I'm so far behind on my blog reads, but am so moved as I just read this now. Thank you, Jana. I love your blog.Alisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12881867656072259894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-90652496821267663022010-02-09T10:50:07.638-08:002010-02-09T10:50:07.638-08:00As an ex-Mormon, I too struggle with how to react ...As an ex-Mormon, I too struggle with how to react to the young missionaries who come to my door. Your letter describes what I feel to be a perfect example. I'm sure they left your home feeling positive. My younger sister completed her mission several years ago and the stories I heard from her of how cruel strangers were to them at times made me sad. <br /><br />Even though I don't personally agree with what my family believes, I have to remember that they are simply doing what they feel to be the right thing. <br /><br />Thanks everyone else, for your comments here. I love the idea of the audience who reads Jana's words regularly, like I do, think alike despite our differences. What a wonderful community to be a part of.<br /><br />-TraceeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-23765849313291317392010-02-08T18:26:58.222-08:002010-02-08T18:26:58.222-08:00I cried when I read this. It's beautiful and ...I cried when I read this. It's beautiful and truly respects everyone's feelings.<br /><br />My son is a mormon missionary. Personally, I invite the local missionaries in when they come by, I even feed them on occasion. I don't explain why I don't go to church and they don't ask. We just enjoy each others company, meet on some kind of common ground, and so far it is somehow working out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-2081949561110707942010-02-08T15:21:32.828-08:002010-02-08T15:21:32.828-08:00Good can come of FMH being down. Serendipity (an...Good can come of FMH being down. Serendipity (and sidebars)led me to this beautiful post. Thank you for coaxing me toward more patience and understanding.Moniker Challengedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14070806539595091639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-20628580451215741492010-02-06T12:01:25.572-08:002010-02-06T12:01:25.572-08:00All:
Thanks for validating my angry feelings. It&...All:<br />Thanks for validating my angry feelings. It's hard to feel this way--I don't like feeling anger, though I know it's a natural part of the process.<br /><br />Matt:<br />Your praise means much. Thanks.janahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06538362162139679868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-45403438038124873422010-02-05T16:04:34.821-08:002010-02-05T16:04:34.821-08:00Your prose here is excellent. Spare, but heartfel...Your prose here is excellent. Spare, but heartfelt. Really well done!!matt thurstonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-60070115733578214152010-02-05T12:31:49.770-08:002010-02-05T12:31:49.770-08:00Wonderful piece of writing, Jana.
I have issues w...Wonderful piece of writing, Jana.<br /><br />I have issues with missionaries, but I don't dislike them on a personal level and only wish the best for them. They're doing what they believe they should be doing, and it's difficult to fault anyone for that, even when I believe they are being wrong-headed.<br /><br />Also, I hear you about the anger issues. I'm currently trying to compose a letter of resignation from the church, and I've noticed those feelings bubbling up again from time to time. It especially seems like kind of a strange head-space to be in as I'm starting to get my ducks in a row to go back to school do an individualized masters program revolving around belief systems and how they affect individuals, institutions and society.<br /><br />Anyway, thanks for posting this.<br /><br />Elainelittlemissattitudehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09826943351455750612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-88591762227227532462010-02-05T10:45:10.248-08:002010-02-05T10:45:10.248-08:00What a beautiful letter. I'm sorry to hear tha...What a beautiful letter. I'm sorry to hear that your feelings of anger have been resurfacing (happy to talk with you about that anytime, Jana, as we would have so much to share). I find myself torn over the missionary visits, too. I hate it when they knock, and I want them to go away, but I remember that before my husband left the faith that was him, a young naive 19 year old doing what he believed at the time was the right thing to do (because he'd been told so all his life). You dealt with both situations perfectly. Those missionaries might someday be like Chris and John are now: outside the church with a whole new sense of the world. They are less likely to be open to new and different ideas, though, if people like us treat them like crap just for doing what they've been told and for following their 19 year old hearts. It's a journey, after all, isn't it?<br /><br />Jana, I swear: sometimes your blog brings be back from the brink.Elissa Minor Rusthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13688992354658242055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-78355290798785879062010-02-05T10:42:37.976-08:002010-02-05T10:42:37.976-08:00I love the entry...and I also love the picture. B...I love the entry...and I also love the picture. Beautiful!Erin G.http://pursuedbyabear.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-87202109408357206352010-02-05T09:03:09.190-08:002010-02-05T09:03:09.190-08:00I started talking to someone the other day in the ...I started talking to someone the other day in the pet store, and as I walked out to my car her saw my coexist stickers and made a comment about how they were interesting. I told him I was a Quaker, and he continued to tell me about Jesus and how he thought it was so sad that some of his older friends don't believe in Jesus- I said something like, well different things are good for different people, and he said that I seemed like a nice lady, and he was glad that I believed in something. I couldn't get into it with him- but I was happy that the way that I reacted was not in ager or frustration, but rather acceptance. <br /><br />I think that the way that you treated the young men is such a testimony of the values you have and the beliefs that you have about accepting others and being kind to others.<br /><br />Sometimes I feel that my values conflict with my emotional reactions to people and I have a hard time being kind rather than defensive, but I am getting better about it, and I guess its part of the journey...catbonnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17149673259883574032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-23720715590822159692010-02-05T07:56:33.581-08:002010-02-05T07:56:33.581-08:00Jana, thank you for treating these boys so nicely....Jana, thank you for treating these boys so nicely. We may not all believe what they believe, but we certainly all have a duty to humanity. You're both inspirational to me, and if anyone has a right to be angry, it's you guys...but you're not. I just adore that about you guys.Allison Easleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00085762314973318718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-85344277843785825942010-02-05T07:50:46.556-08:002010-02-05T07:50:46.556-08:00I love this letter. For so many reasons. It made m...I love this letter. For so many reasons. It made me miss you. We must be sure to have lunch in my neighborhood this month. I can't wait!Brookehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00542017000729688632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-74876899586413649302010-02-05T07:26:09.519-08:002010-02-05T07:26:09.519-08:00Sarahk:
You crack me up so much. Take a coat next...Sarahk:<br />You crack me up so much. Take a coat next time, girl!<br /><br />Lucy:<br />Hugs to you & your Mom. :)janahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06538362162139679868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-75743570429690007312010-02-05T07:24:24.727-08:002010-02-05T07:24:24.727-08:00All:
Recently I've found myself angry all over...All:<br />Recently I've found myself angry all over again at the church. I'm not sure why, but the wounds continue to resurface and fester. But I do tend to love the Mormon people that I know, and I hate to take out that anger on them--especially such sweet/naive kids as those missionaries--who remind me of my own kids and of my friends' kids so much.janahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06538362162139679868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-35790649042680790502010-02-05T06:52:20.241-08:002010-02-05T06:52:20.241-08:00This is lovely. It captures my feeling that I don&...This is lovely. It captures my feeling that I don't want to turn these encounters into anything angry or bitter (I'm not sure how they felt, but as we ended the conversation, I shook their hands and wished them well).JohnRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01822899155130408891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-57087982224286472182010-02-05T06:35:27.142-08:002010-02-05T06:35:27.142-08:00This is Lucy.
I usually avoid the computer because...This is Lucy.<br />I usually avoid the computer because my mom's reading choices almost always make me cry, and my eyes almost always betray me and start reading anyway. I'm glad this was up when I woke this morning. Lightyears better than a message of hate; you are a wonderful person. So many people are kids who don't know much at all (like me).Lucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18184413890263257747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-70630800228567932352010-02-05T06:26:50.778-08:002010-02-05T06:26:50.778-08:00Oh Jana. I so respect and admire you. Yesterday, w...Oh Jana. I so respect and admire you. Yesterday, when the missionaries came by for a visit, I ran and hid in the kitchen, leaving my poor husband to deal with them. When they didn't seem to be leaving, I escaped out the side door and ran to a neighbor's house. When she didn't answer the door, I hid in my own backyard, because I'd locked myself out the side door, and couldn't try to enter the front door, which goes straight into the living room. It was about 35 degrees, and I with no coat.<br /><br />I know I was rude. But, for the exact reasons you gave, I couldn't even speak to them at all. Bless you for your humanity.sarah k.https://www.blogger.com/profile/18443012372866539495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-64619063169993544622010-02-04T23:15:27.614-08:002010-02-04T23:15:27.614-08:00I am humbled by your care for the feelings of two ...I am humbled by your care for the feelings of two representatives of an organization that has caused both you and John so much anguish. <br />I am not nearly as gracious. I would have told them where to go if they had knocked on my door.Missoula Redheadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12942697469687009660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-68803399295489598882010-02-04T20:34:37.065-08:002010-02-04T20:34:37.065-08:00Oh I just love this. I'm terrifically glad it ...Oh I just love this. I'm terrifically glad it was on top when I opened GoogReader.<br /><br />Very well said.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com