Which is Worse?

The other day I asked a co-worker of mine what I should tell people when they ask me what I do.

I said, "Should I tell them I'm a Social Worker or a Therapist?"

He laughed and with a smile on his face said, "Either one is better than telling them that you are Mormon."

WAVE

I've been dabbling with a new website called WAVE women advocating for voice & equality. My sister Chelsea Shields Strayer is on the Board of Directors and got me interested. She had a wonderful interview with KRCL: RadioActive! so check it out to see what WAVE is all about.

I wrote a post on WAVE's Hope section of their website. I felt great about what I wrote and even called both my parents to get their opinions. I figured they'd be a bit squirmy about their two feminist daughters but was surprised to hear that they were fine with what I had written. Then came some negative comments and I started thinking about what it actually means to be a Mormon Feminist. I think, as far as Mormon Feminists go, I'm very mild and moderate but nevertheless if wanting equality means I'm a feminist--so be it! I am so proud of my sister, a very strong feminist, that she is reaching women who desperately need a place to call home.

I am grateful for wonderful (conservatively faithful) parents who have taught me truth and let me find myself in this great big world!

An Attitude of Gratitude

After watching General Conference I couldn't help but feel very grateful for all the blessings in my life. I wrote this poem a while ago but I thought I would post it since it describes many of the things I'm grateful for.
Made For Me

Behold the heavens Thy hands hath made

Deep is the valley Thou freely gave

On top the mountain, Beneath the sea

For these I’m grateful Thou made for me

To see a rainbow in its array

And bask in twilight near the end of day

The shooting star, For every tree

For these I’m grateful Thou made for me

For every sunrise that starts the day

And every river that’s carved its way

For every flower and every bee

Of these I’m grateful Thou made for me

The sound of music that fills the air

The deepest of love that we share

For healing, forgiveness, and eyes to see

Of these I'm grateful Thou made for me

Kylee Shields 2/17/10