Use Charlatan in a Sentence

by Kami Cornwall

Today I had an experience that caused me to pause. Actually I was reeling. I was in an ethics class for Graduate students working toward a Master's or PhD in Counseling Psychology. My professor used the word, "charlatan" in a sentence.

I overheard the following whispered conversation:
"I love that word - Charlatan."
"What does that mean?"
"It means...like...fake. You know...like...Joseph Smith was a charlatan."
"Who?"
"Joseph Smith. You know...the Mormons."
*snickering*
"I know, right? Soooo weird."
*more snickering and phrases down on a notepad to each other.*

I felt a wave of anger/shock/frustration sweep over me. A million words piled up behind my lips but I fought, instead, to focus on what my professor was saying. I wanted to explain thing, but then I didn't. I know everyone is entitled to their own opinion and she didn't know much about the subject.

But here, now two hours later, is the big question and especially for those who are supposed to be culturally sensitive to people of all races, cultures, and religions - couldn't she have thought of a better sentence to use the word in? I looked up "charlatan in a sentence" online and the example they gave was, "the magician was so bad, everyone knew he was a charlatan." Simple enough, right?

Would her comment have had the same impact if she had said, "you know...like...the Pope is a charlatan?" or, "you know...like Muhammed was a charlatan?" Is it still funny if we choose a Jewish prophet? Then why is it funny to poke fun of the Mormons? Are we really that "weird?" Considering she didn't even know there was one in the room...I'm thinking maybe my "weirdness vibe" might not be very strong. But then again, maybe I'm just a charlatan.

Blessings of the Lord

By Claire

"Remember there's a Heavenly Father there, and when we do what He has asked us to do, He will bless us. Let's not deny Him the opportunity to fulfill his promises by taking it all upon us as if we had to do it all by ourselves." -Elder Oaks

I love this quote, mostly because it reminds me that I don't need to be so independent that I never allow God to bless me. If I'm constantly thinking about fixing everything on my own, I'm never turning to God for help so that He can bless me. However, there is a thin line there between pure laziness and just recognizing that I'm weak and turning to Him for strength.

Recently, I've been thinking seriously about serving a mission. I'm about 85 percent sure I want to serve a mission at this point. I've been thinking about it for over a year, since I turned 20 last October. I would already be gone, but my biggest worry was that I wouldn't be able to afford it, Another problem is that I don't have dental insurance, which I need in order to pay to fix my teeth so that I can serve a full-time mission. However, my mom told me (a week or two ago), that I should focus on whether or not I want to go for right now. Once I've decided for sure that I want to go, I can start praying to God for help in the money department and about getting my teeth fixed.

I just need to learn to trust in the Lord to guide me where I need to go. Whether that's finishing out school, or serving a mission, I don't know right now. But I know wherever I'm led, it's for a purpose and that God wants to bless me, I just need to give him the chance.

And so, ending on this thought: How can each of you allow God the opportunity to bless you, like I'm learning to do? I'm convinced this is a learned thing, not something that comes naturally, because I know I struggle with it myself!

Have a good week everybody!

<3Claire

I'm Late. I'm Late, for a VERY Important Date!

By Jennifer Debenham

Two weeks can seem like such a long time until you realize at midnight that your post is due in a few hours. "Wasn't it just LAST Sunday I posted?" Apparently not.

I know I don't hold the corner on busyness, but since my last post I have:

* Helped plan and implement a Ward Thanksgiving Party
* Helped deliver Thanksgiving dinners to needy families.
* Hosted Thanksgiving dinner for 54 people, including purchasing most of the food, making some of it, and baking most of the nearly 30 pies (with the help of my mom and 3 of my sisters, thank goodness).
* Hosted a 40-year Anniversary Party and dinner for my parents
* Held a Birthday party for my husband (and did all the shopping necessary)
* Worked extra hours at work to get ready for our Winter dance recital as well as our new semester of dance classes
* Traveled 4 hours to Utah to:
       * Spend one full day picking out furniture for our new house AND
       * Spend one full day trying to get all my Christmas shopping done since shopping in my small Nevada town is "mucho lame-o" as my children like to inform me.

Of course, all of this was in addition to the regular jobs of a mom.

These past several days I have taken on the persona of the white rabbit in Alice in Wonderland--constantly looking at my watch (well, cell phone) with a frantic look on my face as I race off to the next "very important date."

It probably isn't surprising to anyone that I haven't done an ounce of writing that didn't pertain to my work or church calling until now. Thank you ANWA blog assignment!

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

What do you do to make sure, in all the craziness of life, that you have time for following your dreams?

Courage

By Bonnie Harris

I recently attended the Northwest Writers Retreat in Washington. Heather Moore was the guest speaker there and I loved what I learned from her. Her closing remarks had to do with the courage to follow our dreams. You know how notes can be, not always as complete as we'd like them, but here are mine. Basically what I took from it is that we have to try. We have to have the courage to try, even if we're told we can't. It was wonderful to hear her personal story. So keep dreaming, keep trying, and Happy Writing!

Courage to follow dreams--heather Moore

Resistance

Related to procrastination, is universal, it never sleeps, plays for keeps, fueled by fear, fed by fear, most powerful @ finish line, recruits alies

Rejection

Can come from people you know and love

Don't compare your worst self to someone's best self

Begin with a prayer- use writing time wisely, do I need to be doing sketching else

I'd you wan it you'll make time for it

Be supportive of other writers and their successes

Embracing your calling

Love 

We are told as a child our dreams are impossible

Fear of the defeats on the paths

Fear of realizing the dreams we've worked so hard for

What I took from it is that we have to try. We have to have the courage to try, even if we're told we can't. It was wonderful to hear her personal story. So . . .

Keep dreaming

Keep trying 

and 

Happy Writing!