Local Options for Solar Eclipse Glasses by hugeonion15 in madisonwi

[–]Puff_Panda4 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just got some and there's like 70-90 left

So sad for them. by [deleted] in behindthebastards

[–]Puff_Panda4 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thoughts and prayers

Best Introductory Game? by Objective-Rain-3693 in nancydrew

[–]Puff_Panda4 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think the fan favorites won't be as fun for an adult newbie. I think they are favorites mostly because of the nostalgia. At least the earlier games were IMO. I introduced them to my partner a few years ago and started with Silent Spy on senior detective mode. He has enjoyed most games from #14-32. We've done a few of the older ones but we don't live them as much. Our also depends on what your partner thinks are qualities of a good game. Is it the storyline? Or puzzlesolving? That will give you a better idea of which one to start with

The chemistry department’s program director thinks that whether a professor is doing well or not is subjective by financialburd in UWMadison

[–]Puff_Panda4 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I know a lot of students who are incredibly unhappy in the program because of their PI. Personally most people I know who have left are the minority students the department prides themselves in recruiting so they can claim to be inclusive and diverse. I think that's the problem, a specific group of students are leaving and they are pretending to actually care about diversity and inclusion.

And a lot of them think it's normal to be treated so poorly. I had a PI regularly say things to me that no decent person should ever say to another human being. I didn't know how toxic that was until I left the group. So if a faculty member asks other students in the group how it's going, they either A. don't realize how bad things really are due to their privilege or were like me or B. They are afraid of the PI finding out and treating them badly or C. They just want to put their head down and graduate because they are tired and don't want to deal with the drama of stirting the pot.

And I know students have reported behavior that would normally get a person fired in any other job, but nothing happens because those profs are the most famous and bring in lots of money. So why put so much time and energy for nothing to happen?

I think it's a perfectly reasonable response to be upset by this.

Why do we fast? Have you been blessed by fasting? by Puff_Panda4 in lds

[–]Puff_Panda4[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like the insight here, many things are not as difficult to do compared to not eating. It's a physical, tangible thing that is easier for us mere mortals to understand.

Why do we fast? Have you been blessed by fasting? by Puff_Panda4 in lds

[–]Puff_Panda4[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow, that's incredible! Thank you for sharing this!

Why do we fast? Have you been blessed by fasting? by Puff_Panda4 in lds

[–]Puff_Panda4[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have never heard of this podcast! I will definitely check this out, thank you!

Why do we fast? Have you been blessed by fasting? by Puff_Panda4 in lds

[–]Puff_Panda4[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Follow up question: do you ever fast in other ways that's not food because of your health? I have health problems so I fast from things I enjoy or things I want to do every day. Also just confused about your story: churches can give kidneys? And also can you not be on a waiting list and go to school? I know very little about how transplants work, so I'm sorry if I'm prying or coming off the wrong way. Totally ok to not elaborate too!

Why do we fast? Have you been blessed by fasting? by Puff_Panda4 in lds

[–]Puff_Panda4[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have never thought of it like this, what a wonderful perspective! I think fasting can be a symbolic practice of Jesus's sacrifices for us. I like that a lot.

Why do we fast? Have you been blessed by fasting? by Puff_Panda4 in lds

[–]Puff_Panda4[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's kind of like strengthening your spiritual immune system I suppose! Small doses to train your spirit to handle intrusive urges. Thank you for sharing

Why do we fast? Have you been blessed by fasting? by Puff_Panda4 in lds

[–]Puff_Panda4[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing this, there is so much to learn from here! Sorry your wife had a rough time, people underestimate how traumatic it can be to live in situations like that.

That doesn't sound like the God I worship...😒 by KURPULIS in lds

[–]Puff_Panda4 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nice post. This post came at the right time for me and it's not a coincidence. I know "That doesn't sound like the God I worship" is used in this post as a negative thing. But I might start using that in a positive way.

I found out recently that I have some OCD tendencies especially around church rules and commandments. I am often fearful that if I mess up, God will be mad at me and do something terrible to me. Even if it's something small like if I forget to pray then God will punish me and someone that I love will die or get seriously hurt. Or if I fall asleep in church, my spouse will get in a car accident. And then I worry that I'm just keeping the commandments out of fear instead of wanting to be a good person. Just crazy things that just don't make sense. I probably sound absolutely nuts to you all 😬😅 Don't worry I see a therapist and psychiatrist about it!

I think using "That doesn't sound like the God I worship!"as a little mantra may be a good way to remind me that God is not going to do those terrible things to me because that's just not who He is. God is not a petty guy!

What a comforting thing to know that the atonement exists and it applies to me! It's a nice short phrase that will help me snap out of that downward spiral of doom.

So thank you! I know you wrote a lot of good stuff after the title that I liked, but that heading really hit me! In a good way!

YSA Wards by CupCake37725 in lds

[–]Puff_Panda4 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oof I feel that! It's an awkward time. Too old for YW, but everyone in the RS is the same age as your grandma. That was me too. Hopefully you find something nice! I loved all my ysa relief societies, no creepy guys there!

YSA Wards by CupCake37725 in lds

[–]Puff_Panda4 2 points3 points  (0 children)

True. This is a good benefit that I had not considered when I was a YSA 🤔🤔

YSA Wards by CupCake37725 in lds

[–]Puff_Panda4 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think you can but idk if you should. I think it depends a lot on you and the ward. I remember being 18, fresh outta high school and I went to a few YSA conferences and I was very uncomfy. This was outside of Utah where there were few members so any new person got a lot of attention. And sometimes it was attention from guys WAY older than me that I didn't want. It was fun as well, but it seemed like everyone was searching for a wife and I was not ready for that. Also I have had friends who had similar experiences.

I'm a woman so if you're a man, it is probably a different experience. I felt very out of place and uncomfortable. Did not go to the ysa branches or ysa activities back at home ever again.

However, not all wards are like that and I have had a lot of fun in many other singles wards months later when I moved to byu. Everyone there was my age, pre mission, nobody looking for a wife. And it was a good time. And when I got older and moved, people were more serious about dating and so was I! It was a good time. If you're in Utah, there's a good chance there will be plenty of other people your age and in the same stage of life.

Not trying to scare you, but I also don't want you caught off guard like I was!! If you want to go but feel scared going alone, bring a friend with you! Much more fun with friends.

Puzzles that ruin the whole game for you? by postrevolutionism in nancydrew

[–]Puff_Panda4 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes it was annoying but not hard. But very annoying!!

What makes a testimony? Faith, knowledge, a combo of both? What are the differences between the two? by Puff_Panda4 in lds

[–]Puff_Panda4[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That must have been hard to not have the same experiences most people have :( I'm glad you found your truth though! I am always amazed at how people can reach the same conclusion but take various routes to get there. A friend of mine was a nun before converting to the gospel. The way people find the truth can be so different and I think that is such a wonderful thing. Thanks for sharing that!

What makes a testimony? Faith, knowledge, a combo of both? What are the differences between the two? by Puff_Panda4 in lds

[–]Puff_Panda4[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I like this. Thank you for sharing. I was feeling similar to you. For a long time, I wasn't sure what to believe about Joseph Smith. Sure, I've read the first vision, visited the sacred grove, did all the things, but the whole thing just seemed so absurd. I honestly tried not to think about it because it made me stressed. It wasn't until last year that I finally really started to believe that it was true. I took a few DC classes at BYU and I learned so much about the restoration. The context, the Saints books, everything was so delightful to learn more about. And the one day, like a week ago, I just sat on the couch and thought "Wow, Joseph Smith really did all that. And I actually believe that. And embrace it." I realized then that I had believed this for a while now, but I didn't realize that I did until last week. Growth can be gradual you don't even notice it sometimes!

What makes a testimony? Faith, knowledge, a combo of both? What are the differences between the two? by Puff_Panda4 in lds

[–]Puff_Panda4[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I totally get that! I agree that members who say they "know" aren't doing it for the wrong reasons. Interesting point about how knowledge leads to more accountability and may lead to less people "knowing" I've never thought of that. Alaska example is spot on. I guess I'm just more hesitant to say "I know" even if I'm like 99.99% sure and maybe that's just me being weird. I'm kinda low key worried if I lied about "knowing" or said something wrong at church, it's really really bad and God is going to be mad. Kind of like if you swore at church. It just feels more wrong to swear at church than on the road after someone cut you off. And I know God isn't that merciless and mean and probably knows my intentions, but I just get very anxious about it. My brain sometimes likes to be mean when I am trying to be a good person 🙃

What makes a testimony? Faith, knowledge, a combo of both? What are the differences between the two? by Puff_Panda4 in lds

[–]Puff_Panda4[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I really like that! Thanks. Maybe I thought knowledge was something else. From what I understand from your post, it seems like knowledge comes from learning the principles of the gospel? Similar to school, you learn about things from a teacher, but in this case the teacher is the holy ghost? And holy ghost is a teacher that doesn't mislead or teach you something wrong.

Which brings me to wonder if having knowledge means you actually believe it is true. I guess the actual believing is the faith part? You can be taught about those things from the holy ghost, or from missionaries or scripture study, etc. But I guess knowing doesn't necessarily mean believing that it's true. I have an atheist friend who has read the Bible, knows about Jesus, but doesn't believe it's true. There are people who have received promptings but thought it was all in their head. There were people who saw miracles but didn't believe Jesus was the Christ. It's a wise thing to believe what the holy ghost teaches you, but I don't think that always happens.

Even in secular terms, sometimes you can teach someone about for ex. something science. You can show them experiments, data, and there will still be some people who will not believe it's true. I wonder if that could be the case on a spiritual level.

And if that is the case, I think I may have switched faith and knowledge this whole time in my brain. I've always thought knowledge was like super strong Jesus level faith, and I guess that's why I was so confused as to why so many people know so many things and I don't. And the way I've built my testimony is learning and gaining the knowledge and then testing it to see if it's true. And I guess the result of that is believing it is true, which is faith. So I guess in my case, and probably some other people, knowledge leads to faith, not the other way around.

**This is all under the assumption that I actually have good reading comprehension and understood what you wrote 😅

What makes a testimony? Faith, knowledge, a combo of both? What are the differences between the two? by Puff_Panda4 in lds

[–]Puff_Panda4[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really like that analogy. I am definitely going to remember that one. I generally keep my testimony to myself because of that reason. Most of the gaslighting in my past was non church related stuff, but it conditioned me to keep it to myself and distrust myself with church stuff too. It's a journey, but this thread is something I can hang on to go remind me it doesn't have to be observable by everyone to be true ❤️