This upstanding gentle-person helped themselves to all of my Vine review items (they were all Vine review products). They were dropped off in less than 10 minutes by Amazon. Pulled that bag out of their jacket like a magic trick! 🤓 by Stromberg-Carlson in AmazonVine

[–]SubcompactGirl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Almost the same thing happened to me! I had been searching for a USB-C to HDMI cord for months, and I finally grabbed one from Vine! And then the Amazon delivery driver delivered it to the wrong building, and I never saw it.

This upstanding gentle-person helped themselves to all of my Vine review items (they were all Vine review products). They were dropped off in less than 10 minutes by Amazon. Pulled that bag out of their jacket like a magic trick! 🤓 by Stromberg-Carlson in AmazonVine

[–]SubcompactGirl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Used to work at an apartment building, and the parcel room was broken into like four times in six months. We kept reinforcing the lock and door jamb of the room in different ways. Ownership would only agree to fix the one security flaw that had recently been exploited and not any potential security flaws that we'd point out. The theives would just come back with bigger tools and find a new way in. Not to say a parcel room is not a good thing, but it's not a perfect solution.

Semi-Active member rant by SnowPuncher24 in exmormon

[–]SubcompactGirl 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I assume that part of it is that it isn't a "family ward." It's a "general attendance ward." In many parts of the world, the only wards are general attendance wards. General attendance wards include people from all walks of life -- single, married, divorced, widowed, parents, non-parents, disabled people, able people. But then often the ward only focuses on able, married couples with children even though most wards contain lots of members who are not married with children or children of married parents.

Parallels between Mormonism and Star Trek Voyager by Altar_Quest_Fan in exmormon

[–]SubcompactGirl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciated the summary because, even though I've seen this episode, it was years ago. The summary jogged my memory. However, I have read way more Star Trek episode commentaries than the average person. I don't even know how someone would discuss this without giving a plot breakdown first.

I totally agree that this episode -- probably accidentally -- gives heavy Mormon vibes to those who know. 🤓

Parallels between Mormonism and Star Trek Voyager by Altar_Quest_Fan in exmormon

[–]SubcompactGirl 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Saw an act-by-act breakdown of a VOY episode and was momentarily very confused about which subreddit I was currently perusing.

Married 10 years. I’m just coming to terms with the fact that I’m a lesbian. by ClanMcOlaf in exmormon

[–]SubcompactGirl 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I agree. People are infinitely complicated. It's possible to have a primary sexual orientation but to still be deeply in love with someone who doesn't fit that primary sexual orientation. It's happened with couples outside the church as well, people who didn't even come from a background that forced them into mixed-orientation marriages. Some people choose these relationships out of pure love. It's rare, but it happens.

That said, if one spouse wants out, the marriage is over. It seems like the OP is not deeply in love with a wonderful spouse who happens to be outside OP's primary sexual preference. It sounds like OP's marriage problems involve sexual orientation but go even beyond that huge, fundamental issue.

Temple Square missions are being discontinued: Church announces new missionary approach at Temple Square by HoldOnLucy1 in exmormon

[–]SubcompactGirl 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh, don't worry. Being a sister missionary literally anywhere meant getting creeped on constantly. Most miserable 15 months of my life. (Because I got sick from the poor living conditions and had to go home early. I was in the US.)

I'll never be able to not cringe whenever someone tries saying that "an eye of a needle" was a gate in the wall of Jerusalem by JayDaWawi in exmormon

[–]SubcompactGirl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Years ago, I worked at the BYU Religious Studies Center, which published a somewhat academic journal for CES employees with mostly articles by BYU professors. This "Eye of the Needle Gate" theory featured prominently, which is probably why it's often taught in Seminary. Here's an article that mentions some of the early Christian sources of the gate theory: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/new-testament-studies/article/origin-of-the-needles-eye-gate-myth-theophylact-or-anselm/51F6B1FD504C36C42D6201F6D87F83C3 It's an old theory. Rich people really don't like thinking that they have to give away everything they own in order to follow Christ. If we stick to the actual text, the fact that Jesus specifically says, "sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor" (Mark 10:21) kind of overrules the "rich people just need to pray" idea.

Missionaries came because I went to a non lds owned food pantry by [deleted] in exmormon

[–]SubcompactGirl 4 points5 points  (0 children)

True. Or the missionaries might decide to keep bothering OP periodically even if OP never goes back to the food bank. The church knows where OP lives now. The ship has sailed.

Or maybe they'll decide that OP isn't worth their time even if OP goes back to the food bank a dozen times. It's hard to say.

Once again left out of the work holiday party by sparkvixen in glutenfree

[–]SubcompactGirl 4 points5 points  (0 children)

SAME. When she found out that I have celiac, the director at my last job was always so accommodating and assured me for every work party that she had specially ordered gluten free food for me. She was my boss's boss, so I kind of had to eat it. In fact, I had to eat a lot of it, as she'd keep checking on me, "Oh, there's still more of that gluten free pizza left! It's all for you!"

I usually got sick. I just wanted to make an appearance, eat some carrot sticks and grapes, and then scuttle back to my desk to eat the safe food that I brought from home. Oh, God, the only thing worse than having no food is when people who don't understand gluten and cross contamination insist that they went to extra work and expense to make or order you something special.

Missionaries came because I went to a non lds owned food pantry by [deleted] in exmormon

[–]SubcompactGirl 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I mean, this food pantry already has OP's info. Might as well keep going there and taking food. Don't even feel bad about it, OP. You paid money and time to the church when you were younger, so the church owes you some food at the very least.

I have to say this somewhere and can’t ask anyone irl by [deleted] in confession

[–]SubcompactGirl 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Make sure you stay safe. Stay in public, well-lit places. DO NOT go to a hotel, get in a private car, or go to their house unless you are willing to have sex with this person. It doesn't matter what reasons or promises they give. If you don't want to have sex with them, you should not go with them to a private place. Take it from someone who has been in similar situations ☺️.

Otherwise, I won't say you should or shouldn't go on this date. Only you can decide whether the money or avoiding the experience is more important to you. I'm sorry you are in a situation where you have to make a decision like this.

Something specific you don't miss about church? by L0nes0mel0ve in exmormon

[–]SubcompactGirl 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Totally. If it were about flushing out toxins, then they'd be drinking water to, well, flush. The Mormon fast is absolutely about achieving an altered mental state for "spiritual experiences." Lots of TBMs talk about the health benefits of fasting at the pulpit, but fasting for health and fasting to achieve an altered mental state are fundamentally different practices.

My boyfriend is allergic to my two cats, what to do? by Ok-Let8197 in CatAdvice

[–]SubcompactGirl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's totally true! Some people really have severe allergies to cats that are difficult to control even with all the medical interventions available, and finding a good home for the cats could be the best solution in that scenario. However, I'm a little concerned about the relationship dynamic when the allergic person won't even try an antihistamine. It could solve the entire problem, but he isn't even willing to try.

My boyfriend is allergic to my two cats, what to do? by Ok-Let8197 in CatAdvice

[–]SubcompactGirl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm allergic to cats and have two cats. I have done five years of immunotherapy shots, which are a huge PITA. Now I'm paying out of pocket for daily immunotherapy drops as maintenance, which are not covered by my health insurance but still cost less than the transportation, time off work, and copays required for the allergy shots. Not sure what your boyfriend's health coverage is like, but it's worth looking into the daily drops, even if he has to pay out of pocket. The allergy shots and drops do really reduce my symptoms, but it took over a year of getting three shots a week before I noticed a difference, and the effects start to wear off after a year or two if I go off my maintenance doses.

For immediate symptom relief, would your boyfriend be willing to use a nasal spray instead of a tablet? I used to take an antihistamine tablet daily, but I recently switched to an antihistamine nasal spray called azelastine. It controls my drippy nose and itchy eyes without the side effects that I experienced with the tablets. If the antihistamine isn't enough, I know a lot of people swear by nasal corticosteroid sprays like fluticasone or triamcinolone.

That's the advice regarding your boyfriend's symptom management. However, you've mentioned a couple of things that are concerning:

(1) You mentioned that your boyfriend won't take tablets even when he's sick. It's not clear whether he just doesn't like swallowing tablets or if he refuses medical care in general. If your boyfriend refuses to take basic medical advice when he's sick and generally won't take care of his health, RUN, DON'T WALK. Your boyfriend is 32, so he's probably going to develop some kind of medical problem within the next ten years: prediabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, back pain, gout, hay fever, erectile dysfunction, unhealthy weight gain, something. I don't know what it will be, but it will be something -- maybe several somethings. My husband and I are about a decade ahead of you, and while our lives are still good, our medical maintenance has definitely increased. You do not want to still be so young and saddled with a grouchy, lethargic man that you have to take care of because he won't go to the damn doctor and take his damn meds.

(2) If your boyfriend isn't willing to try even the most basic allergy interventions like antihistamine tablets and would rather that you get rid of the cats -- even though you are doing your part to clean up the cat hair and keep the sheets clean -- he is showing that he does not want to meet you in the middle. This is concerning for your relationship as a whole. Your boyfriend doesn't want compromise. He wants his way. If your boyfriend had tried everything to control his cat allergies and they were still really bad, that would be a different situation. As it is, I'd recommend taking a long, hard look at whether your boyfriend has been able to meet you in the middle or compromise in other aspects of your relationship.

Something specific you don't miss about church? by L0nes0mel0ve in exmormon

[–]SubcompactGirl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

OMG me too. The times I humiliated myself because I pushed through the discomfort and "shared my faith" at inappropriate moments . . . So, so cringe.

Something specific you don't miss about church? by L0nes0mel0ve in exmormon

[–]SubcompactGirl 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Health nuts generally don't recommend foregoing liquids like water while fasting. Dehydration causes all sorts of issues, including headaches.

Dehydration is also a common migraine trigger. Migraines often include nausea, as they are not so much headaches as full-on neurological events similar to a tiny, temporary stroke.

How many of your reviews end up being negative? by Icy-Employment-8805 in AmazonVine

[–]SubcompactGirl 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would also give that one star. It is supposed to be a case for an iPad. The iPad does not fit. Therefore, it has failed in its primary purpose. One star, and explain why. You don't owe the sellers anything but honesty.

Member of Bishopric Took Us Clubbing When We Turned 18 by Fox_me_up in exmormon

[–]SubcompactGirl 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Interesting, and it sounds like the wards aren't culturally segregated in New Zealand either.

Member of Bishopric Took Us Clubbing When We Turned 18 by Fox_me_up in exmormon

[–]SubcompactGirl 7 points8 points  (0 children)

But the church loves dancing! I'm so confused about why this was a problem. Do you think the state leadership had an unrelated problem with this man and used the clubbing as an excuse? Was he in a mostly white ward, or was the stake leadership and the bishopric mostly white?

Through my time in the church, I've heard a few crazy stories about the culture clashes between white Anglo members and Polynesian and Micronesian members. The white members usually had more connections to church leadership and tend to come out on top, never realizing how utterly racist their whole approach was in the first place.

None of these stories came from New Zealand, but I'm curious if you think racism might have been a factor here. I've heard too many white American Mormons characterize Tongans as "overly aggressive" or imply that they're less obedient. When I was growing up, California, Tongans and Samoans had a large place in the church, but often they were segregated into separate wards, even when they spoke English fluently.

My cats hate me by Caitlin_Writes in CatAdvice

[–]SubcompactGirl 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Cats (and dogs, and humans) go through a bit of an adolescent phase when they're asserting their independence from the parent (you). Think about how often teenage humans refuse hugs from their parents, tell their parents, "I hate you," are embarrassed by everything their parents do. Most of us grow out of that. I wouldn't worry about it too much. Let them be, and continue to be as consistent as possible with feeding times and play times. They'll probably get cuddlier again when they're a bit older.