Monday, September 25, 2006

More about the Evergreen Conference

More about the best weekend ever - it certainly was. Why? Because Samantha and I hung out with the coolest people ever - PineTree, Smurf, AttemptingThePath, and other cool guys. I now have about 8 new, wonderful friends! I miss them and can't wait until next year's conference. Yes, I'm going back!

Okay, SSA/SGA is not something I deal with directly. Sam has experienced it in her past, we have a young friend here locally ("David") that is dealing with it, and I have a man in my ward who is in a lot of deep, personal, mental, and emotional pain beccause of it. (I now have have about 8 more dear friends who are dealing with too.) So I want to learn more about it, and more importantly, how I can love, support, and help others who are dealing with it.

To me, the best speakers were Ty Mansfield and Fred & Marilyn Matis, authors of "In Quiet Desparation." I'd love to elaborate, but I do not have enough time or space. Just get the book and read it!

So now I have an assignment. I have to report to the other 11 bishoprics in my stake about SSA/SGA. What should I say? "Yeah, my wife and I went to SLC and played in the JSMB with some cool guys, had a LOT of fun, goofed around, then came home." Actually I did learn many things, but the highlight was just being with the guys (and Sam). If any of you have ANY advise or opinions about what bishops should learn or know about helping members who have SSA, please let me know.

Is "damnable" really a swear word? I'm sorry I missed that guy's workshop. I heard he was really good. Guys, if you're out there, please come visit us. Next time, maybe we'll play "Probe". Maybe Samantha and I will become the Fred & Marilyn Matis of the eastern Rockies. For now, here's to gellatinous pork! Cheers.

4 comments:

AttemptingthePath said...

Well... my bishop is excellent, never really said i was evil, he's just very quiet, our meeitings are usually 5 minutes long and then he sends me away saying i'm going a "great job" I think what I need from him is a little bit more counsel, as long as it's informed.

Ty sent me the quotes from the session that he did, if you want them, lemme know.

Bro. and Sis. Matis are amazing, infact they remind me a great deal of samantha and you.

it was great to meet you too, have a good one!

Angel Feathers Tickle Me said...

Love to all......

Kengo Biddles said...

I've told more than enough bishops, and the thing that's the most important, I think is that bishops realize that just because we admit to SSA, we're not raging sex-fiends. We're like anyone else, we just have a painful twist. Thanks for your blog, Darrin.

Stephalumpagus said...

I wish I had gone. I will definitely be there next year. :)