I have so much left to learn

It never ceases to amaze me just how little I know.

Today, two sweet girls from the Mormon church came knocking on my front door. I was the only one home (funny, that happened the last time they came) and by the time I hit the stairs and realized who they were, I knew I had to open the door. I wasn't ready or prepared to speak to them; I had just been researching contacts for one of my stories and definitely was not in the mindset to be thinking, "Okay, how can I engage these girls?"

They spoke to me for a few minutes, asking how familiar I was with the Mormon church. They were glad to hear that I had a Mormon friend and were surprised to hear that I had studied the Mormon religion at my high school (Just to clear things up: studied, not believed, meaning we were taught about it, but not taught to believe it. I went to an Evangelical Christian high school.) We actually watched this video in high school, and it basically sums up what I remember learning about the Mormon faith. I know there was more, but that would require me finding my Bible 12 notes to remember everything.

They offered me a little information, encouraged me to check out their web site for non-church members, and gave me a card with a phone number and the web site address.

Every time the Mormon church comes up, whether it's in a conversation, seeing that friend of mine pop up on Facebook, or having Mormon missionaries knock on my door, I instantly regret not knowing more about what others believe. There are so many different religions out there, but the Mormon religion keeps coming back to me again and again. I just wish I knew more about it so that I could actually sit down and have an intelligent, non-threatening conversations with those who come with the intent to get me interested (and eventually converted).

I admire their hearts - although they're required to be missionaries for the Mormon church for at least 18 months (I thought it was two years, but I can't find the exact number), they do it very nicely and sincerely. They weren't pushy and simply want to offer further information. Sometimes I feel like the Christian church could take a lesson in evangelism just by watching how fervent other religions are in their efforts to convert.

So this summer, I'm making it a priority: I'm going to review the teachings of the Mormon church and find out what they believe so that I can effectively sit down with their missionaries and start asking questions...with the intent of pointing them back to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Writer's block

I have a severe case of writer's block. I'm finally home in Memphis and bored/procrastinating/really don't want to unpack my room. (Long story. I've moved back home for the summer and therefore must unpack, which doesn't make a lot of sense to me, but those are the rules here.) There's always lots to do here, I just can't figure out what to write about nor can I really seem to get motivated about writing. Bummer. It's been a long time since I've had writer's block.

I guess it is good to be home, though. I missed the South, mainly family and my church, but also friends, sweet tea, Southern accents, hot weather, wildlife (I saw squirrels in the backyard today and realized that I never saw any while I was in New York - how sad), working out (shocking, I know), Mom's cooking, real barbecue, wearing t-shirts, country music, and my bed.

Someone once told me that after I came back home from college, home wouldn't be the same. Sadly, they were right. I feel "at home," but I feel like I've left a piece of me everywhere that I've been. Part of me is here in Memphis, another part of me is in Starkville, Mississippi, and a small part of me is in New York. From now on, I guess I'll just miss people no matter where I am...how about we all move to one place and fix this? :)

On the upside, I'm planning on writing a story focusing on several Memphis barbecue joints, and that makes me pretty excited. There are two close to my dad's business, and they're these little hole-in-the-wall places with some of the best stuff around town. I'm looking forward to sitting down with the cooks, owners, and customers to hear their stories and taste some of that delicious barbecue. Anyone have suggestions for places I should visit?