What are you proud of this year?

We don’t seem to have a post on Segullah this morning. No worries. It happens. And usually when it does, we let the blog sit blank for a day. But on this final day of 2009, I want to hear your thoughts. Before we start making New Year’s resolutions, I want to hear what went [...]

Leaving the Foyer

In my old filing cabinet next to the piano, there is a folder marked “spiritual insights” with articles and quotes that, at some point in my life, sparked something within me. Lately I’ve needed some spiritual sparks—the shape of my testimony worn down by mundane daily-ness and taken for granted for too long—so I’ve turned [...]

Tales of three women

Some time ago I read about a Relief Society presidency that actually had to debate over whether or not to take food in to a sister in their ward—a sister under their stewardship—who was recovering from surgery. Why the big to-do? Because her surgery had been “elective.” Today I express my gratitude to three very [...]

Burning the Beast

I’m shoveling out the holiday aftermath. Ripped boxes, shredded paper, torn ribbons, untwisted twisty ties (you know, the parent-tormentor variety used to anchor toys to their packaging securely enough to survive an atomic blast), half-eaten candy canes, little lumps of red and green metallic foil from various Christmas chocolates, crushed cheese crackers (planted in stockings [...]

Two Mothers to One

Jenny Chamberlain married her high school sweetheart after making him wait until she was darn good and ready. She mothers, quilts, writes and photographs for fun. She bottles peaches and applesauce when coerced. She blogs about whatever flips her skirt at rowenasrantings.blogspot.com. My shock from the divorce wore off several months into my father’s second marriage. [...]

Marriage Miscommunication

After a decade of coming home for the holidays as a singleton, I have fielded my fair share of some variation of the following question: “So, are you dating anyone?” I’ve handled it pretty well, if I do say so myself, but it can get a bit tiresome. So last year I decided to take [...]

God is not dead, nor doth He sleep

It’s Christmas Eve. Likely, you are too busy embracing loved ones, baking cookies, delivering gifts or relaxing by the fire to read this post. Christmas is a day that we bustle about to make things perfect; that we seek to create our own little vision of heaven on earth. But life isn’t perfect and you [...]

In the Season of Giving: A Trait to Cherish

My mom, Priscilla, was a highly sought-after commodity in the prime of her single years. It was 1959. She had a nice Italian boyfriend who wanted to marry her. Her father strongly disapproved. Her high school sweetheart was an enlisted man, with no college education. He would ask for her hand regularly; every leave provided [...]

‘Tis the season to give each other goodies (but I really wish we wouldn’t)

I know that some of you out there enjoy giving and receiving neighbor gifts at Christmas time. In fact, right now you’re putting the finishing touches on your homemade, hand-dipped chocolates or your caramel macadamia nut popcorn balls before deftly wrapping them in cellophane and gold French ribbon and delivering them to snow-covered homes all [...]

The Noodle Angels

“My mother wants to make us Christmas stockings,” my husband told me, that first autumn of our marriage. “For your birthday.” I bristled. I had plans for our Christmas stockings. I wanted big flannel ones with snowmen and maybe blanket stitching. I had seen them in Target. They were cute. It felt intrusive to me [...]

Aren’t I Lucky?

Lyn Greenwood lives in Houston, TX with her husband and two children. She was raised in Colorado, graduated from BYU in Chemical Engineering and has lived in Texas for almost 12 years. She makes a valiant attempt at trying to balance all aspects of her life: loving on her family, working full-time, and training for [...]

But ye have not so learned Christ

14 Monday: 9:10-11:30 am post-op doctor appointment. 12:15 Kindergarten. 3:15-5:00 final exam, husband meets me at college, will be home late. Home at 7:00-dinner. Husband home at 8:00. Sister calls to say she is having surgery the next day—I need to pick her up. Arrange sitter for kids the next day. No FHE. Open random [...]

The Witching Hour

Today’s guest post is from Jenny, who lives on the east coast with her husband and five terrific kids. Her children say: “she cooks good food, and takes too many pictures.” She likes to eat food that other people cook (preferably people in restaurants), take pictures, write, shop, spend time with family and to be [...]

And the Soul Felt Its Worth

I sat in my car, my hands gripping the steering wheel, glaring at the front end loader inching its way across the road. Perhaps the sheer force of my gaze could speed the thing up? But no. It lurched forward, then back, then forward, then back, performing what appeared to be a 39-point turn to [...]

The Divorce: The Rest of the Story

Nan was gracious enough to guest post about divorce last week and now she’s written a follow-up post to answer some of the questions about her experience. She’ll be reading and answering your questions in the comments over the next few days. Thanks Nan! It was Christmas Eve and the last of my children had [...]

Great Expectations

“I’ve got the greatest gift for you!” my husband tells our daughter. I shoot a glare at him, and if looks could kill, I’d be spending the holidays in the slammer. Usually we both subscribe to the Marjorie Hinckley school of thought, where low expectations are the key to happiness. At Christmas time, however, we [...]

Good Mary

Today I am thinking of Mary. I am thinking about the unexpected pregnancy, the faith in an angel, the discomfort of traveling too many miles on dusty trails, while in labor, on the back of a donkey. I am thinking about no room at the inn, and no place to rest her travel-weary body, and [...]

Open Eyes, Open Heart

Katrina Anderson is the author of today’s UP CLOSE post. She lives in Salt Lake City with her husband, three step-kids, and darling toddler son. Another baby will be joining the family this summer. Katrina grew up in Ohio, attended college at BYU, and had a brief career in television news before marrying the love [...]

Plants and Productivity

“If unmistakable personal revelation comes that we need to move from Massachusetts to Arizona, I’ll do it,” I told my husband five and a half years ago. Well, the revelation came and so did we. I began the slow process of planting roots here in the heat of the desert. That first spring, I also [...]

For anon 27 on the birth control post

..who wrote the following: I am thankful for the combined RS/priesthood meeting we had Sunday that was about using the internet…which prompted my husband to check my kids’ search histories. I say I’m thankful, but I am also devastated. And now we have found out my teenage son has a porn addiction. I can’t really [...]

How shall this be?

She cowers on the bed as a young girl would, introduced (by an angel, no less) to an overwhelming assignment/calling/challenge/blessing. I feel for this Mary, the initial weight of the impossible evident in her slouch and gaze. Moments later she straightens her posture and says “be it unto me” and “behold” but I love that [...]

Segullah Writing Contest Winners

Segullah is delighted to announce last year’s writing contest winners. The winning essays and poetry are currently featured in Segullah’s Winter 2009 issue “Becoming.” Heather Campbell Personal Essay Contest: First Place: “Beginnings,” by E. K. Beck Honorable Mention: “God Sees the Truth But Waits” by Jes S. Curtis “From Afar” by Jennifer Smith Segullah Poetry [...]

When I grow up I want to be a…

doctor, lawyer, fireman, teacher? When you ask kids what they want to be when they grow up you get one of those 4 answers. When I ask the missionaries that revolve in and out of my house for dinner, at least 50% give me the “I have no idea” line. Occasionally, I am impressed at some of the [...]

Applause

So the other day my friend, Meredith and I were riding the bus home after picking up our four-year-olds from pre-K. In fact I think we had our four-year-olds and a couple of other people’s four year-olds. Not an uncommon occurrence. The 15 minute commute is often spent making sure the seating arrangements are fair [...]

What Jesus Wants for Christmas

Many years ago in a small town in the southern part of the state of Utah, my great-grandmother was called to be the president of the Relief Society. During this period of our Church’s history there existed a very bitter and antagonistic spirit between the Mormons and the Gentiles. In my great-grandmother’s ward one of [...]

UP CLOSE: Rushing into Remarriage

Several years ago I took a long walk with my future husband while we planned our life together: how to finish school, where we would live, jobs etc. I’m sure we mentioned our parents in that discussion but didn’t worry about their approval (we already had it) and we certainly didn’t consider the effect that [...]

Pliability, Adaptability, Variability

When Grandma is writhing in pain from cancer– who will hold her hand? When the school calls about Johnny’s trouble with reading– who will spend countless hours tutoring him? When a neighbor goes through divorce and then depression– who will tend her children; who will bring her meals? We will. The Women of Zion.

The Divorce

Nan McCulloch lives in Draper with her husband, who has made all her dreams come true. She is a sometimes actor and theater-goer and has been published in Irreantum, Dialogue and Sunstone. She is pleased to be able to contribute to Segullah. We separated just before Christmas 1980. We told the children living at home. [...]

The Customary Christmas

My first Christmas with my husband was a tempestuous one. Instead of exchanging romantic gifts in front of a roaring fire as I’d always dreamed, we spent most of the holidays arguing and nursing hurt feelings. Christmas quickly disintegrated into a “my family” vs. “your family” throwdown (my family’s way of doing things being the [...]

Segullah Writing Contest Questions and Answers

It’s that time of year again–time to put the final polish on your essays and poetry for our annual writing contest. In past years when posting about our contest, I have asked if anyone has questions. And… no one ever does. I don’t know if that’s because it’s pretty straightforward, or if people are intimidated [...]

Interview with Featured Artist Rebecca Wagstaff

The fall issue of Segullah issue will arrive shortly in your mailbox, but we couldn’t resist giving you a preview of the beautiful paintings by Rebecca Wetzel Wagstaff that make this issue a visual feast. I love the way that she uses food and reflective surfaces in her art. Rebecca lives in Tropic, Utah with [...]

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