"If there's anyone who can do it...

...it's me."

I looked at my Elders Quorum President and smiled. Jordan* was sitting in my kitchen, talking with me about my--hmmmm, less than frequent attendance at Church.

Now, Jordan's father is gay. Jordan grew up--as did his brothers and sisters--thinking that they had a good life and were living in a good, Mormon family. One day, their lives were shattered when their mother handed them a packet of Church talks about staying true to the faith, the love of Christ and their father...well...he handed them a book about ex-Mormons and ex-Christians who found happiness in the world.

"I really like that," he responded. "That's a very powerful statement. You're so diligent in your callings and staying true to what you believe. If there is anyone who can do it, it is you, Andy."

"I know," I said, matter-of-factly. "It's just hard. I feel so alone, all the time. I know I'm not the only guy in the ward who experiences same-gender attraction, but...it sure feels like it."

"Well," he said. "You're not alone. There are others."

"I wish you could tell me. Not for...bad reasons, of course. Just so...that I have a friend to talk to."

I then went on a tangent.

"I mean, come on. How many guys and girls do you see who are Christian or Mormon who stay in their faiths if they are gay or experience same-gender attraction? Not many. I would venture to say that out of 100%, 99% leave and 1% stay in the Church. That's not very comforting."

"But," Jordan said, looking me in the eyes, "you are part of that 1%. Even though its a small number...it's still relevant. You are such an example of stalwart faith and courage...it's mind-boggling to me. There needs to be more people like you in the Church. It's sad that there isn't."

The conversation went on for another 10 more minutes, but those were the parts I remember the most.

Which brings me to this:

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. I know that no matter what trials, issues, challenges, sicknesses, money problems, etc that we may face in this life are put there for a reason. We are here to gain knowledge and understanding. We are here to be an example to those who do not know Christ or who may be far away from Him. We are here to love others and to be loved. We are here to express our love for Christ, God, and the Holy Ghost. We are to serve others. We are to be the people that our Heavenly Father wants us to be: faithful, diligent, and true to the end.

So, out of anyone, people who are gay, experience same-gender attraction, are alcoholics, drug addicts, overcome depression, or suffer in any other way, they're the ones who are the examples to others of how to get through live. Our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, provide for us the guidelines, commandments, and rules that we must follow in order to live our lives in a way that we may one day, return to live with Them in Glory.

If there's anyone who can do it...it's you.

*Name Changed.

I MADE THE CUT!!!

BOO-YAH! I made the RAPTURE cut and you didn't! Hahahahaha! Heaven is pretty sweet. Everyone got a new wardrobe--as we all arrived naked. There are free drinks, an awesome Zero-Calorie buffet, and...yes....DINOSAURS.

My Dream Partner

Yup. I kinda-sorta stole this idea from Grant. Who's to say what will happen in the future? In a perfect world, my future partner will have these--and other qualities--listed below.

(1) Allow me to watch HGTV all through the week, and then, on Saturday, do a little DIY on our house using one of the ideas that aired.

(2) Laugh at ridiculous things--like myself.

(3) Allow me to watch SouthPark, Simpsons, Family Guy, and other rude, crass and totally immature television.

(4) Kisses me whenever I feel down.

(5) Makes me breakfast.

(6) Lets me make him breakfast more than he makes it for me.

(7) Sings with me in the car, at the top of his lungs to whatever we're listening to--even if we both don't know the lyrics.

(8) Goes on road-trip adventures.

(9) Must be able to handle my current, awesome friends: Katrina, Clarise, Holly, Stephanie, Geoffrey, Tim, Kyle, and others.

(10) Cuddles with me when I am sick and watches--and quotes--"You've Got Mail".

(11) Exercises with me on a daily basis.

(12) Knows how to fix cars...or computers...

(13) Wants me to succeed in whatever future lies ahead of me.

(14) *NOT A REQUIREMENT* Be a ginger. For reals.

(15) And above all, will love me know matter what.

So: Fate, God, Allah, Buddah, or the Giant Spaghetti Monster in the Sky with Thine Noodly Appendages, this is what I wish for. Will I get it?

Only time will tell...

The Man in the Rear-View Mirror

This past Saturday, my mother came up from Arizona to visit her sister. Thankfully, she came up on the weekend of Mother's Day and I decided to take my mom out on a date.

I picked her up, handed her a bouquet of flowers and we went out to dinner. After a delicious meal--on me, of course--we decided to get some delicious frozen yogurt at the 100% orgasmically tasty "Yogurtland".

However, on the way there, we stopped at a red light--which is common, I know. Normally, I check my rear-view mirror to make sure that the person behind me isn't too close. This time, I noticed that the man behind me was extremely attractive.

Just recently, I received in the mail the HRC campaign sticker. I was overjoyed with the opportunity to share my political beliefs with the Provo world by placing it on my bumper. That being said, the looks people have given me when they pass by my car--especially cute, attractive guys--has been a plus.

So, when I noticed this man in my rear view mirror, I noticed him looking at the sticker. Then, we made eye contact through the mirror. You know that this same experience has happened to you, too.

What makes this experience funny--and slightly awkward--is that I was in the middle of telling my mother a story. It kind of went down like this:

"Yeah, and so when the curtain went up--" I noticed the man in the rear-view mirror.
I struggled to continue. "So, the curtain went up--"

Then he looked at me, smiled, and licked his lips.

I stopped. I couldn't continue my story.

The light turned green.

"Ummm...the curtain...up...the curtain...umm....it was a great show."

I couldn't even finish my story to my mother because I was (1) so flabbergasted and (2) so amazed that this man would do that.

I guess that's the power of the HRC sticker and...well, being an overly observant driver.