Show & Tell: NieNie Asks -- Do You Attend Church?

No, I don't go to church - too hard. Funny, this is what I am blogging about. I will say you are an inspiration to me.

I'm not sure where you're getting your info, but it's completely inaccurate.

Although, by saying "keep sweet" it seems that you are confusing the mainstream LDS church (14 million members) with fundamentalist polygamists, like Warren Jeffs' FLDS (10,000 members,) who indeed hold the bizarre views your comment suggests.

I don't attend church, but if I did it wouldn't be the LDS church, which is one of the most untolerant churches there is. No blacks or gays allowed and women only get into heaven through their "man"?! Laughable. But you go right ahead and drink that koolaid. And be sure to Keep Sweet.

Great Question!!! We attend church every Sunday. We're pretty active. It's been a little hard to remain active in Utah. We have felt the hypocrisy of our neighbors. We understand that the church is perfect and true and that the members are not. It's a bit sad. We love our ward. We attend a Polynesian ward, I can truly testify that these members are real and have so much compassion, love and respect for life and people. They remind me of the members outside of the state of Utah. Members outside of Utah, understand, accept and embrace the diversity. They do not pass judgment so quickly. Regardless, we love the gospel and love to attend church.

but, first, we need to reach out to Lavinia. Lavinia, God didn't leave you, God isn't a person in that sense, He is always with us. You sound depressed and from what you are telling us, you have every right to be, with what you've been through and how it sounds like you are being treated. I have not been through what you have, but I do have severe chronic pain from an injury and I know how it can get one down. I realize that is nothing compared to burns. I know Nie is very busy, but I hope she sees your post and reaches out to you as the world has reached out to her. I'm sure you would trust her as we have to be so careful on the Internet and she also understands what you have gone through with the burns. Nie is so fortunate that she not only has a wonderful, loving family, but actually, a world of friends. That really helps in the healing process. Lavinia, do you remember how Nie felt several years ago? She was having a very, very hard time, but I think with all the love and getting involved in life helped her so much. If you are able, try to get involved with other people (besides family) as you will find that is the very thing that will take your mind off of your pain and family emotional hurt and will help begin to heal you. People and God DO love you, but you have to let them in. God works through all of us and that is the love that I think would really help you feel better.

Now, no, I do not go to church on a regular basis. Like many here, I grew up going to church every Sunday, but took a break during college. Then, with children, we began going and they attended Christian school. But, like many here have stated, with all the church politics and people problems, we finally left.
I also agree with many that we do not need a building to have spirituality. Those that have close extended families and churches that seem to be the "real" thing are very, very fortunate.

I apologize that this is so long, but I wanted to express these things.

I'm a happy athiest!
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YES!

Church is my absolute happiest place in the world.

Peace. Love. Community. Enlightenment. Inspiration.

And, of course, Holy Spirit shivers of joy!

Amazing praise band! Awesome message! Inspiring calls to go out and share the joy, one beggar to another. Holding hands in simple prayer.

Nothing compares to this.

(And I freely admit to enjoying the lusciousness of the world... in all of its enticing forms...fine food, wine, beautiful clothes, jewelry, homes, exotic travel...)

But none of that comes even close to the joy of the community of forgiven sinners joining together in humble gratitude and praise.

If that's not your experience of church, THEN FIND ANOTHER CHURCH!

Church should be unfettered joy.

I am soooo greatful to say that I share your faith, and have a very strong testemony of the truthfullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ! Right now we share a building and go at the 1pm time. I have to say it is not always easy keeping my 4 very energetic boys sitting still and I dont seem to get a whole lot out of sacrement meeting at the moment, but I do feel the spirit and I know that My husband and I are setting a good example for them and one daywhen they are not 7,5,3 and 3months that they will be able to sit still. lol Thank you so much for being a wonderful example!

not the god bit, but the family bit. if your family ignores you until you're needed, it sounds like you need to find a new family. chosen families - the people YOU decide to consider family - can be just as close, if not closer, than blood families with close ties.

My husband and I are from diverse religious backgrounds. Trying to find one that jives with a very opinionated kid ("the music is too loud" or "the songs are all sad")

What an amazing and encouraging story you have been kind to share. I have never blogged simply because I didn't know how. Thank you through your experience I have also discovered through your site how to blog so hopefully I can start my own.

I haven't been to church in a few years however I am a dedicated Assembly of God believer & not interested in the Mormon Church.

Now that I know about your blog I will visit you now and then. One day I will open a blog too... thank you for sharing...

Your children are precious & tell the girls I enjoyed the pictures of their crafts... very talented. Thank you girls : )

God Bless your family & be encouraged it's your inner beauty we all love NieNie <3 <3

I went to church every Sunday, and was a licensed pastor in my church - until I was 25. Then church politics got in the way and everything I knew fell apart.

I still love God with all my heart, but don't have a church home. I can't find somewhere that fits me and supports me where I live. I certainly miss it. The fellowship among believers is so very important.

Blessings to you, Nie Nie!

I saw your story 5/13/2011 it was a lovely touching story. I too have burns over 80% of me body since 2001. No one was there for me, and still today no one cares unless I can be of service to the, I'm giving it one more shot 6/6/11 of trying reconstructive surgery, after that I am giving up on life, God and everything. I am so happy you have a loving, caring family. Mine family ignores me until they need me.

I was a Baptist church secretary for about 10 years. We had a lot of drama occur in the church and we left out of frustration and disgust.

We used to be in church anytime the doors were open and the members were our "family".

Ever since then, we haven't been able to find a church home that we connect with.

My son recently started going to church with a friend. The church he is attending is Mormon and he is "really" into it. The people that he has met are absolutely wonderful. They are the nicest, most genuine people I have ever met. I'm just struggling with the difference in beliefs. I would love to be a part of their church family, but their beliefs are SO different than the way we were raised. It's very hard, but something we are praying about.

I attend church with my family of 5 every Sunday. I came to a saving belief in Jesus later in life (in high school) and He is everything to me. I love going to church...love learning, being with other believers, love passing down faith in Jesus to my children. So thankful!

I have enjoyed reading all the responses. I do attend church almost every week but I am not very traditional. I believe I can commune with God in or out of church, but I enjoy the fellowship with other believers, and worshipping together. There's so much joy in praising God as a united body.

However I know He loves me unconditionally and if I chose not to go He'd love me just the same.

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Every week. I am a Worship Leader, I take the first part of the service and then teach the 11+ girls group in Sunday School. My husband runs the AV and the computer for the service.

We attend the church I grew up at. My Church family mean everything to me. I am very very happy to be raising my children at this church.

My spiritual relationship is much like other relationships: it ebbs and flows; hills and valleys; ups and downs (I'm sure you get my drift). I attended regularly as a child, occasionally or semi-regularly as an adult and I've been attending regularly the last few years. I find that the more I go, the more I read other bloggers (like Nie) who love God, the closer and more loved I feel.

haven't set foot in a church for anything other than my grandfather's funeral in years. haven't held any sort of belief in an all-seeing, all-knowing being in over a decade, either.

As a rule, I attend church, though for the last several weeks, school has been using up my energy and I've missed a few services. I was not one to be eager to attend church until I switched to a new one. I was raised in one faith and got away from it because it wasn't working for me, so after several years, I found a church that's a great fit and now I feel obligated to attend. Not obligated because someone, human or divine, is holding it over me, but because if I don't go, I feel I'm not doing my part for the community and missing out on a lot of good information.

I am so happy to be an adult and not be forced to go to church anymore! I find God in many places; church was never one of them. I think church is great for many people, but it is not for us.

Yes, I do go to church every Sunday. I don't think it's where perfect people are though or those who feel they are better than others go.

It's a place where I renew myself each week and kind of start over, trying to take what I hear and learn and apply it to the upcoming week, trying to do better than I did. Otherwise I feel that I am just going through the motions. Does that make sense?

Yes, my husband, myself, our son & daughter attend each Sunday. I am active on our church council & lead the youth & family ministry team. My husband & son are very involved with our drama team & my daughter with the music program. Our faith & church family are a vital part of our lives. I can't imagine not raising my children within the church.

I believe that God is with us everywhere, every minute, everyday & I praise him at all times no mater where I am but I love coming together in church with my brothers & sisters in Christ to worship as a community.

I think it'd be great to be a church goer. I believe faith & spirituality are a must... Just not sure I found the right church or if church is the perfect place for me...

My husband and I go every Sunday. We were inactive for the first 2 years of our marriage and then finally started going. I'm so greatful we did! We went from being in nursery to teaching CTR 5 and I love it! We're also working on getting sealed in the temple :~)

I am a born and raised, 21 year old Roman Catholic and attend Mass every Sunday and daily Mass when I can make it. Attending Church is important to me because my faith is not just my "Sunday thing," but rather an integral part of my everyday life! :)

No better Cathedrals built for me than Mountains. Great place to reflect

I have one small boy and spend most my time in his baby class. I admire you with three. I feel I just need to set the example for my little guy of getting use to going to church now while he is young so that one day he will have the faith to hold onto through his life that going to church gave me. I also look forward to a time when us Mom's of little ones will be able to give more focus on what is being taught at church as our children get older.

I find it really hard to miss a Sunday at church. My toddler adores church because of all the people and his admiration and surprising reverence for music. My husband and I were both raised here in Africa as Latter day Saints - my husband even served a mission in Kenya in his early 20's. Our church services are where we as a family renew our commitment to follow Jesus's example. I also enjoy other church's meetings which I get to attend from time to time as my family is of diverse religions. I come from a long line of ancestors that showed a love for God and his creation all in their own humble way.

My family and I go every Sunday. We are Mormon. Going to church is the highlight of my week. I can get weighed down, frustrated with life, and then at church everything falls into the right perspective again, and I feel refreshed and renewed. Motivated to do good and be good. Church = happy, for me : ). LOVE IT.

Yes, our family goes to church every Sunday unless the snow or illness won't allow it. I can not imagine missing it. We are a small church of around 10 people - Congregational (which evolved from the Pilgrims)

However, yesterday we did not go to our church. We went to the Baccaluareate services at the university were our only child attends. HE GRADUATED yesterday so it was a very proud moment and meaningful service.

We attend faithfully. I grew up going to church every time the doors were open. Hubby did not.

We've finally found a church we both enjoy and can grow with. Most importantly, there is a great children's program for Charlie.

Elizabeth

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I'm Catholic, and I got every week, and sometimes even Daily Mass if I can make it work with my work schedule.

We go every Sunday but it's always a challenge with three small boys. I love being there but it sure wears me out :)

Church is an integral part of my life. I am very involved in the church and have been for years. Recently my son passed away suddenly. If it wasn't for the prayers and support of my pastors and church family I don't know how I would have made it.
Marti Gilchrist Owner Health By Design ( http://www.facebook.com/pages/Health-By-Design/142329979112036 )

We do. BUT looking for a new church. Kind-of. We actually are church planters at heart... and since we have not found what feels right, we have started a group that meets in our home 2 Sundays a month. A couple of other families... the older kids prepare a little something for the younger kids to learn, and we adults either discuss Bible passages or... book discussion... It is actually a very meaningful and precious time for our families to connect and grow...

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I have always attended church from the time I was born. We are not Mormom - definitely will agree to whole heartedly disagree with your faith BUT enjoy reading your blog from time to time. We attend a Baptist church and our service is only about an hour for church and an hour for Sunday School. We have a wonderful nursey/children's ministry so the kids are divided up by age. Thanks for asking!!

We are Mormon, and we attend church every Sunday. My husband is the bishop in our small ward here in Germany. We love going to church; the talks, lessons, and testimonies refuel our spiritual batteries for the week.

We are Mormon, and we attend church every Sunday. My husband is the bishop in our small ward here in Germany. We love going to church; the talks, lessons, and testimonies refuel our spiritual batteries for the week.

I was raised Mormon. It doesn't add up. I'm much happier now as an atheist. I don't miss those hours spent in church at all.

Yes, I go to church every Sunday. I love going, learning more about God and growing closer to him. He loves me more than I can love him. Church and worshiping God is my life.

Church is a big part of my life -and my family's too! I love worshiping the Lord in song and being in fellowship with others. I teach children's church once a month and do the arts & crafts as well.

I am an athiest. The great outdoors is my retreat; my place for peaceful contemplation and wonder. And Mother Nature is the source of my inspiration and faith. I'm also a big follower of Karma. You know: Do unto others...

I love church! Our family goes every Sunday morning. Like clockwork. It makes me smile to sit quietly next to my family and get inspired! Our preacher is awesome and always gives us something to talk about afterwards. Also we always go out to eat Sunday after church. It's the one day of the week our whole family eats out. Sunday is a big family day for us and it starts with church.

We're currently looking for a new church home. So, yes, but not every Sunday right now.

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I use to go to church but something happen connected with religion to somebody i love so much so now i find very difficult to believe in anything! sorry!

I go on Easter, Christmas, and for prayer services if someone is having surgery/needs extra prayers.
It's sort of unique because I live in a religious commune of sorts...it was founded 100 years ago and is non-denominational. We rent our house from the church.

I go to church for holidays or if I feel called to go. But for the most part, I believe that God is everywhere, and I feel closest to Him in nature. So I like to sit in the grove of trees near my house and pray instead.