We live right in the heart of your average Utah ward.  We have our share of trials as a people, and we try to be a helpful family.

Recently we became in need of some of that service.  Not the "young women make cookies and leave them on your door kind" (which is good), but more like the "we will watch your kids for hours and hours several times over the course of a week" kind.  Bundle that with shoveling the snowy driveway a couple times, bringing in our garbage can, bringing over dinner once or twice, covering a sunday school lesson, giving a priesthood blessing, and more.  All from one family.

Our neighbors didn’t wait to be asked, they actively look for chances to serve.  And they didn’t treat us in any special way, it is just the people they are. 

I know my family has learned a lot from our little trial, but I think I have learned the most from the example of our neighbors.  I hope I can look for more ways to serve others in the future the way they always do.

You are a small group, but what you lack in numbers you make up for in dedication.  You faithfully practice each week (even fast sunday!) and share your talents about once a month.  No one can say you don’t try.

But here is the thing:  If there are only 12 of you, an arrangment with 8 parts doesnt work.  ‘Cause then that lone 1st alto thinks she has to sing twice as loud, which just makes her sound twice as loud.  And that bass gentleman you arbitrarily assigned to sing tenor?  He isn’t a tenor. So he just reaches for every note, usually at those critical times when he and the other guy (the actual tenor) are the only ones singing.

While I am on the topic, why is every hymn you sing arranged like this (unless you can find an 8-part arrangment): 

First verse, everyone in Unison
Second verse, 1st half men only (melody)
                        2nd half women only (melody)
Third verse, everyone, SATB

I wonder what would happen if you were to sing the hymn strait through, as written.  Or if the women sang the 1st half of the second verse first instead of the men.  Would the choir raise a mutiny?  No, no one wants to see that.

A few months ago, Elder Ballard wrote an interesting article regarding the participation of faithful Latter-Day Saints in the new proliferation of user-generated media.  I admit, a few months ago I saw it as just a simple endorsement to be missionaries to the world, but lately I have seen it in different light. 

Anyone that spends much time searching will stumble over the "Blogernacle".  Blog after blog of LDS related themes.  Unfortunately, in my opinion the negative voices drown out those that are positive at a pretty wide margin.  It always surprises me to see how negative some people get about the church, especially those that were once faithful members, and for whatever reason no longer are.  Both online and offline, the hatred in the lives of these individuals is astounding.  Certainly not all that have chosen another path are negative and hateful.  Many are as respectful as I think we try to be towards them.   The recent controversy regarding California Prop 8 has exacerbated the issue.  Some voices are rude, many ignorantly making references to the church and its past (or referencing the FLDS Church as if it were the LDS Church).   

I believe we all need to take Elder Ballard’s instruction to heart, and participate in the conversation.  He reminds us that contention is of the devil, which makes participation necessary of great tact and balance.  How wonderful it is that such a large organization trusts its members to carry for the the message in the new media.  I know it can be done, and I know we can be successful. 

I know that the Lord will provide guidance in my life, so long as I seek it from Him.  I think I am pretty good about doing this for the big stuff (marriage, career, major investments in the cutest scripture bags in the world, that sort of thing), but what about my daily activities? 

I have a friend that feels prompted about so much in her life, it made me feel like I wasn’t trying hard enough.  Was I not in tune?  Or was the ‘radio’ not even on?

I beleive that it comes down to the individual.  We all receive promptings different ways.  Some might be more subtle, and some are more apparent.  Some are sought out, and some come as a little blessing from above.

One thing is certain, though. The ability to hear and recognize those promptings is based on the individual.  As we learn from Nephi,  unless we ask with faith, obedience and humility, we will not receive the guidance we need. The challenge is opening our hearts to it all the time.  He wants to bless us, we just need to receive it.

We all can do better, right?  So here are some ideas:

10.  Talk to everyone about how much you love Twilight books. 

9.  Read more.  A pocket-size MollyGear Mini may be the perfect choice for holding tight while on the move.   

8.  Exercise more.  Keep that temple in good condition.  Its only a loner.

7.  Gossip less.  Its soooo tempting and soooo fun, but soooo wrong.  If you wouldn’t say it if the person were there, then don’t say it.

6.  Compliment others.  This is simple, if you are looking for something nice to say, you will find it.  Its a kind of appreciation that can trickle down through your whole life.

5.  Buy more ice cream.  Its yummy. 

4.  Serve more.  Make a goal to do at least one act of service on a daily basis.  It might be small most days, but when you are on the lookout for small ways to serve, you will find big ways too.  Involve friends to make it a bigger, better experience.

3.  Reach out to the less-molly. 

2.  Don’t ever rationalize disobedience.  If it’s wrong, it’s always wrong. 

1.  Resolve to do better each day. 

No one knows for sure whether MollyGear was made for Molly Mormons, or if Molly Mormons were made for MollyGear.  But one thing is certain, they go together like too much perfume and Relief Society.  But what is a Molly Mormon?  Lets explore.  Come along.

Being a Molly Mormon is a good thing.  If you are 10, and someone calls you a Molly, your tendency might be to feel ashamed.  You shouldn’t.  Instead, just respond, "I’d rather be a Molly than a skank like you!"  On second thought, if you say that, you wouldn’t be much of a Molly.  Because Molly’s don’t say bad stuff.  They even avoid the "close enough" words like Jeez, frick, and freek.  

But back to being ashamed.  Being a Molly takes guts.  It take guts to live "not of the world".  For that, you should be proud.  There really isn’t a good response to the person throwing out the would-be insults.  I guess you just ignore them.     

It’s funny how so many things that had a negative connotation in grade school carry through to adult life.  If you took a salad in your lunchbox in 5th grade, forget it.  Kids would point, others would laugh, references to your being a bunny rabbit would be made, it would be an all-around ugly affair.  But now if you take a salad to work for lunch?  That’s a good thing.  Same with being a Molly. 

Don’t be ashamed of being a Molly.  Be proud.