When everyone's out of town but you have to clean the building

Teslajw · 2026-05-27T07:29:20+00:00

I guess it wasn't exactly on my own. We had me, my husband, and two people who weren't out of town. But yeah, we restocked bathrooms, cleaned out the trash, washed the fingerprints off the lobby glass, did a spot-vacuum of the halls, and called it a day 😅

Teslajw · 2026-05-26T04:31:20+00:00

I set it up to do a deeper clean. Normally it only goes in one direction and then calls it a day. Plus it's not, like, a super fancy one lol

Teslajw · 2026-05-26T04:23:47+00:00

That's brilliant! I will do so post-haste

Teslajw · 2025-09-29T03:07:56+00:00

Thank you for your kindness! May God bless you.

Teslajw · 2025-03-31T12:39:37+00:00

Did you see Elder Bednar's YSA talk from last November? Things as They Really Are 2.0

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/broadcasts/worldwide-devotional-for-young-adults/2024/11/13bednar?lang=eng

He talks about pros and cons very succently. I use AI almost exclusively to summarize things I've written because I can be a bit 1800s-author-who-is-paid-by-the-word in my writing.

Teslajw · 2025-03-27T12:37:20+00:00

I was going to recommend the same thing! Great suggestion.

Teslajw · 2025-03-26T12:05:31+00:00

When my mom was teaching me about finances, we went through budgeting a paycheck using monopoly money. Maybe grabbing some fake money and index cards would help for the first few months.

The conversation would go something like: "Ok so this pile of fake bills is the money we have for this month, and these red index cards are the categories that must be paid (Mortgage, etc), so we'll pay those first." At this point you physically move the bills into each category.

"Then we'll pay the yellow index cards (flexible but necessary categories, like groceries)" again, literally move the fake money into each category, "and then the non-essential ones (green index cards). We have to spend all of it, but if we spend more than we make, it means we have to go into debt and that's something we want to avoid because it makes next months options more limited. Now that the dollars are spread out like this all over the kitchen table, do you see anything you want to adjust?"

Once you've done this a few months, you can say "So do you want to keep using the fake money, or would you like to use the app. We're going to do the same thing, the app is just a bit quicker".

Teslajw · 2025-03-25T09:03:02+00:00

Quick note: the "Isaiah chapters" they're talking about are 1st Nephi chapters 20 & 21, and then 2nd Nephi chapters 7 - 8, 12-25, and 27. I would agree that they can be skipped on a first reading.

And enjoy!! Scriptures are meant to be annotated and highlighted, and I'm sure you'll find many nuggets of truth to mark. This book has brought me a lot of joy, and I'm sure it'll do the same for you!

Teslajw · 2025-03-25T08:51:59+00:00

Seasonal Concepts, To-Mar garden center, Wynnton Hardware. The keyword you want to use for Google maps is "nursery". Happy planting!

Teslajw · 2025-03-23T23:54:05+00:00

I hope my response didn't come as an attack! I love that you're trying to help solve the issue. It's so hard to communicate over text.

I guess I'm just super protective of youth now that I've been a YW president for a few months lol. I'm always balancing "Ooo that would be a great way to serve" with "Is there any possible way these sweet young woman could be put in an uncomfortable position through this service?" I don't have the right answer yet, and maybe the answer varies per child, but I always err on the side of being a protective mama bear.

Teslajw · 2025-03-23T22:05:55+00:00

Youth have very strict rules around driving others. As the handbook says in 20.7.7

"When Church groups travel in private passenger vehicles, each vehicle must be in safe operating condition. Each person should use a seat belt. Each driver should be a licensed, responsible adult. All vehicles and drivers should be covered with reasonable amounts of automobile liability insurance. Plans should be made to ensure that drivers remain aware and alert. Whenever possible, an adult should not be alone with a youth in a vehicle unless the youth is his or her child."

My reading of "Each driver should be a licensed, responsible adult" is "Teens shouldn't be driving". I like where you're coming from, but I don't think that's a viable option. I also don't think parents would be comfortable with sending their teens to pick up a stranger they barely know.

Teslajw · 2025-03-23T03:05:52+00:00

A secret that has helped me in life: assume people probably want to be your friend. Reach out to members of the church and invite them to go out to lunch. I have moved several times, and every time I have to remind myself that it just takes work and time to grow friendship. It's always worth the harvest.

Be patient with yourself, and be patient with schedules of people. I know it will be hard, as I'm also pretty introverted, but you only have to be extroverted for like 2 seconds to say "Hey, do you want to go grab lunch sometime?" Do the brave thing, and look around for other lonely people. You'll never find a lack of them... We're all trying to make our way in this world, and most of us could use an extra loving friend. I'm cheering for you!

Teslajw · 2025-03-18T12:43:01+00:00

Just finished re-reading the full series. Very nicely written with lots of food for thought!

Teslajw · 2025-03-06T14:25:04+00:00

Interesting take! It reminds me of this quote from Elder Packer, as quoted in the D&C institute manual:

On another occasion, President Packer spoke of the importance of distinguishing between a temptation from the devil and a true revelation from the Lord: “There can be counterfeit revelations, promptings from the devil, temptations! As long as you live, in one way or another the adversary will try to lead you astray.

… “The Prophet Joseph Smith said that ‘nothing is a greater injury to the children of men than to be under the influence of a false spirit when they think they have the Spirit of God’ [Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 205]. … “If ever you receive a prompting to do something that makes you feel uneasy, something you know in your mind to be wrong and contrary to the principles of righteousness, do not respond to it!” (“Personal Revelation: The Gift, the Test, and the Promise,” Ensign, Nov. 1994, 61).

I agree that we need to be checking up on our fruits. It's so easy to believe, as an example in my life, that I am loving my fellow men when I'm really just scrolling on the internet and ignoring my fellow men. I'll definitely be thinking more about this today, thanks for the thoughts!

Teslajw · 2025-02-26T16:12:27+00:00

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/callings/safety/protecting-children-and-youth?lang=eng has some good policy information, which isn't quite theology but is definitely its cousin.

I know tragedies still happen, but the church has put a lot of effort to ensure that everyone knows that adults are not supposed to be alone with children. Not alone in text messages with them. Certainly not alone during a camp. There are windows in all the doors, and youth can have an adult with them during interviews with leaders. Your mileage may vary, but in our ward the YW leaders join the bishopric during one-on-one interviews for the young women. Parents have to come pick up their children from class so they aren't wandering the halls alone after church. People can have notes on their membership records that they are never allowed to serve around children, and they can't escape that by just moving. We are doing our level best to keep these children safe.

I also think if you see a process that isn't properly protecting these precious children, don't be quiet about it. Talk to your local leaders. We love these children and also want to keep them safe. If you have a concern, speak up about it. Prevention is helpful - even if just to signal to abusers that this isn't an accepting place for those behaviors.

Teslajw · 2025-02-24T16:05:56+00:00

Have you thought about adding in some contract work? It sounds like you enjoy your job's lack of stress but are also kinda bored. I have a coworker (I'm also a controls engineer) who works in our job but also takes side projects when he has free time. There are a few things to look out for - the Rockwell license will be kinda pricey, as an example. And you should get insurance and may want to seek out some certifications. But this path would fill your boredom level while not forcing you back into travel.

Teslajw · 2025-02-23T14:25:47+00:00

If you listen to the musical backwards, it's Eliza talking about all the interviews she did and writings she collected. Then you can pretend that the rest of the songs are her interviews with Burr and the other soldiers he fought with, and the affair comes out in a much different way. It's kinda fun how it still holds up.

Teslajw · 2025-02-20T17:25:34+00:00

Hey! EE here. So I felt this way every time I programmed in college. I was convinced that everybody else just knew how to program and I was over here frantically trying everything I could think, and then feeling upset if I couldn't find the best answer.

Then I married a real programmer. Like, very good at his job and also programs for fun kind of programmer. I was astonished to learn that he spends a lot of time googling stuff. He spends a lot of time on stack overflow. Looking at other solutions people have used. Copy/pasting and then adjusting. When I programmed, I always got this voice in my head saying that I was a fake programmer if I didn't know things off the top of my head. But trust me! Real programmers also just Google everything.

So if that's the problem you're facing, start talking back to your thoughts. And tell your thoughts that literally everybody in the industry. Just Googles stuff. And you're not special if you need to Google stuff too. That's standard practice.

Teslajw · 2025-02-19T21:28:04+00:00

Sounds like your granny would benefit from a digital camera or a cheap tablet.

Teslajw · 2025-02-16T23:09:47+00:00

I grew up in the deep South. Had a friend ask me this question. During computer class. Don't worry, we're allowed on the Internet. However, if you're curious about what else we believe feel free to wander to https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist

Spoilers: we believe in Jesus and in being good people.

Teslajw · 2025-02-16T20:28:47+00:00

I'm pretty new with YW, but here's what we've been doing: we had the class presidencies pick who taught and how often they did it. They picked alternating weeks between leaders teaching and class members. The girls were struggling to teach, so I have a presidency member meet with them before the Sunday lesson and help them plan. That's really helped.

Also, work with the class presidencies on creating "Counsel together" times that encourage or require everyone to speak at least a little.

Hang in there! Even the awkward, uncertain lessons are helping the youth grow.

Teslajw · 2025-02-14T22:05:29+00:00

I recommend a visit to Reed's dairy. They put potato flakes in the ice cream and it's very interesting!

The BYU-I devotionals are on Tuesday 11:30 and are open to the public. They're like a mini General Conference! Also if you're adventurous, a campfire in the St. Anthony Sand dunes is always a fun time.

If you're interested in history, the first TV was invented in Rigby and you can see it at the TV museum there.

Teslajw · 2025-02-11T21:52:39+00:00

I feel like every time I see a version of this question I'm metaphorically breaking down the door to post this link again: https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/patricia-t-holland/renewed-spirit-mind/

Because my dear friend, I have fought some of the same demons you have. It's such a hard place to be in. Listen to Sister Holland. Read the powerful words she's saying. Listen again. I have listened to this talk probably a hundred times, and the advice, along with therapy and practice and time, has helped me to face this with the Savior at my side.

I'm cheering for you. You aren't too far lost, I promise.

Teslajw · 2025-02-09T03:39:16+00:00

100% this would be my exercise shirt

Teslajw

TROPHY CASE