OH! The temple!! How fun! I haven't been since ages before my surgery. I think our ward has a trip planned to go to the DC temple this month. (About three to four hours away without bad traffic) My husband and I are trying to get there to be sealed this summer. I've been a member since 1995, and he's a relatively new convert so... I hope you enjoyed your time there... Josie

Thanks Josie and welcome to this board. We could all use a little input and activity on this board. It won't all be discouraging or bad news. Sometimes people share really great experiences. I'm getting ready to go to the temple here in a few minutes so I need to make to short. Have a wonderful week Josie. Come back often and say hello. Melody

Yes Gala I agree that there are definately HUGE red flags waving all over the place. My nephew himself has never threatened suicide. The first talk of possible suicide came from his mother who feels that he is too weak to face the consequences of incarceration. Her current husband (my nephew's step-father) and her estranged husband, has frightened all the children with nightmares about what it's like to be in prison (he has been in prison himself). He has filled the boy with stories about how they treat child molesters. Stories about how they would use a broom handle on the boy etc... My sister thinks that this boy will take the easy way out. My nephew is 15 and a habitual liar. He'd lie if telling the truth would get him out of trouble. He lies so much that he believes his lies and they have become an alternate reality for him. His mind has changed his memories of most events in his life. My sister, his mother, is the same way. A habitual liar. You can't believe anything she says. We're aware of this and take everything she says with a grain of salt and don't count on any commitments or promises she makes. Unfortunately for my family, this boy's sisters, and my sister all believe this boy and are supporting him 100%. They don't doubt that the girls have been molested but they are blaming my husband. They're also saying that my 20 year old daughter molested this 15 year old nephew several years ago. They are grasping at straws to get this 15 year old boy out of trouble. I think that this boy will start to believe the lies especially the ones originating from his mother and sister and therefore he'll be convinced that he can lie himself out of this situation too. We've gone back to the officer doing the investigation and asked him what the chances are that they can put a question of doubt in the jury's mind and therefore this boy go scott free. He laughed and said "no way". If they even tried, the prosecutor would catch him so easily in any or all of his lies and the videos of the girls interviews themselves would erase any doubt that this boy is responsible. Things are getting uglier and uglier before they get better. As I type, my sister took the day off work and is with her family as they plan their defense to this situation. Keep the prayers coming our way. Their definately appreciated. Love, Melody

Wow, jumping from a plane is something that one older man and I tease each other about several times a month. We tease things like "are you ready? When are we going?" Both he and I are extremely afraid of heights and we know this is a harmless way to tease each other. We both know it will never happen for us. I see no reason to jump out of a perfectly good plane (ha ha). Congratulations for accomplishing such an astonishing goal. You go girl. Keep setting and making those goals. Melody

I was molested by a step grandfather when I was a child and it does have lasting ramifications. I am basically a pretty normal person but I have been able to sort it all out and put things in place. I didn't go through counseling and in fact I didn't tell anyone about it until I was well into my adulthood. I told my husband before we were married and he has always been patient with me and very tender about sexual matters. I finally told both my daughters, but have never told my sons. I'm not sure how they would handle that. But about 15 years ago, I realized that it didn't enter my mind on a daily basis. Up until then, something would always make me think about it. We have a guy in our Ward....he served a mission and was a teacher at an elementary school. He married and his wife was a non member who got baptized right before they got married. They went to the Temple and everything. They had a son....when he turned 3 years....the guy got caught at work with *****graphy on his computer. It was pedifile stuff. Very sick. They then found sex toys of male nature in his desk and closet at work. The facts are that he never ever molested any kids except on....his own son. Why did I tell you this story, well the thing is that though he would lose everything and he did (he's in prison and will be there for about 7 years), including his wife and family, he came forward and asked that there be no trial. That he would plead guilty and is very remorseful. His wife is the one that ultimately acted in and still does act in a very bitter manner. she blames the church. She hates all members of the church. So, in the end, if he refrains from his ill desires for the rest of his life, who is worse off. Him or his wife. I think his wife. He is on the path to repentance and so can your nephew. It is not the end....it is no reason to turn against the church. That is the beauty of repentance and our Savior's sacrifice. He loves us all. I hope your nephew will come to understand, get the help he needs to not reoffend and that your family will heal. Christy