Comments on: Tired of Making It Look Easy http://www.rexgoode.com/?p=131 My work, my ideas, my faith, my life Wed, 11 Aug 2010 07:14:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: David Spooner http://www.rexgoode.com/?p=131&cpage=1#comment-308 David Spooner Sun, 14 Feb 2010 09:22:12 +0000 http://www.rexgoode.com/?p=131#comment-308 I am a ex-gay in a Celerbrate Recovery program for 4.5 years. I have traveled down this SSA/SGA road for about 40 years. Have been married 35+yrs. I also attend SAA groups here in San Luis Obispo, CA. I just recently started an LDS-ARP group here in SLO. I really like the LDS recovery web-sites, like yours. My friend, Bentley has helped me greatly, David Spooner P.O. bx 4759 San Luis Obispo, CA 93403 I am a ex-gay in a Celerbrate Recovery program for 4.5 years. I have traveled down this SSA/SGA road for about 40 years. Have been married 35+yrs. I also attend SAA groups here in San Luis Obispo, CA. I just recently started an LDS-ARP group here in SLO. I really like the LDS recovery web-sites, like yours.
My friend, Bentley has helped me greatly,

David Spooner
P.O. bx 4759
San Luis Obispo, CA 93403

]]> By: Ann Best http://www.rexgoode.com/?p=131&cpage=1#comment-306 Ann Best Sat, 09 Jan 2010 00:36:16 +0000 http://www.rexgoode.com/?p=131#comment-306 Dear Rex, thanks for responding. And I would love to have you read my book when it's published. Isn't it so much fun to spend time with grandchildren? My seven grandchildren, ages 21 down to 3 months, are the reason I wanted to get back to Virginia where I moved after my divorce to my first husband; then when my second husband died I moved back to Salt Lake to help my widowed mother and then my homeless brother, and then two and a half years ago I finally got back to Virginia, the place my disabled daughter and I love the most. We love the beautiful Shenandoah valley. We live in Mennonite country! Life, though a struggle, is always interesting.... Ann Dear Rex, thanks for responding. And I would love to have you read my book when it’s published.
Isn’t it so much fun to spend time with grandchildren? My seven grandchildren, ages 21 down to 3 months, are the reason I wanted to get back to Virginia where I moved after my divorce to my first husband; then when my second husband died I moved back to Salt Lake to help my widowed mother and then my homeless brother, and then two and a half years ago I finally got back to Virginia, the place my disabled daughter and I love the most.
We love the beautiful Shenandoah valley. We live in Mennonite country! Life, though a struggle, is always interesting…. Ann

]]> By: Rex Goode http://www.rexgoode.com/?p=131&cpage=1#comment-305 Rex Goode Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:36:53 +0000 http://www.rexgoode.com/?p=131#comment-305 Dear Ann, Thanks very much. I'm sorry about the things you have gone through. I am glad you have found the strength to get through it. Last night, my daughter, her husband, and their baby stayed with us. They had a layover at the airport. My son, his wife, and their son came over. Both grandchildren are under a year. It was great to have them both together. I thought about how great it would be if all of my children, their spouses, and grandchildren could be together at one time. Some day... Most of the stuff I've written about my struggles of various kinds are on my other web sites: springsofwater.com and ldsr.org. Good luck on your book. I'm looking forward to reading it. Rex Dear Ann,

Thanks very much. I’m sorry about the things you have gone through. I am glad you have found the strength to get through it.

Last night, my daughter, her husband, and their baby stayed with us. They had a layover at the airport. My son, his wife, and their son came over. Both grandchildren are under a year. It was great to have them both together. I thought about how great it would be if all of my children, their spouses, and grandchildren could be together at one time. Some day…

Most of the stuff I’ve written about my struggles of various kinds are on my other web sites: springsofwater.com and ldsr.org.

Good luck on your book. I’m looking forward to reading it.
Rex

]]> By: Ann Best http://www.rexgoode.com/?p=131&cpage=1#comment-304 Ann Best Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:31:55 +0000 http://www.rexgoode.com/?p=131#comment-304 Dear Rex, I'm glad I'm meeting you. I first met you in a round about way through Jonathan Langford. I recently read his book, partly because I knew Zarahemla was publishing a book, subject homosexuality, and I had just signed a contract with a publishing house to do my book, semi-autobiography of my first "gay" husband which is now in the editing process. The thing I find so uplifting is that you got married and determined to stay, despite feelings that had to be powerful, with your family and church, something my first BYU professor husband said he didn't believe was possible. He said he didn't believe it when someone said they were "cured," meaning that they stayed with family and church and controlled their same-sex feelings. Well, you don't get "cured." It's a lot like any trial we're given, whether a catastrophic accident like my daughter was in that put her in a wheelchair at age 20, or "alcoholism" that my second husband suffered from. Nothing goes away completely in this life, but you struggle with whatever you're dealt; and it definitely can be a struggle to try and stay on the "straight and narrow." This life is The Test. Tribulations are required. Then the Atonement covers the rest. You are a living example of these truths. I admire your strength. I'm glad I met you. I haven't read much yet here on your website, but I will work on it. Thank you. Ann Dear Rex, I’m glad I’m meeting you. I first met you in a round about way through Jonathan Langford. I recently read his book, partly because I knew Zarahemla was publishing a book, subject homosexuality, and I had just signed a contract with a publishing house to do my book, semi-autobiography of my first “gay” husband which is now in the editing process. The thing I find so uplifting is that you got married and determined to stay, despite feelings that had to be powerful, with your family and church, something my first BYU professor husband said he didn’t believe was possible. He said he didn’t believe it when someone said they were “cured,” meaning that they stayed with family and church and controlled their same-sex feelings. Well, you don’t get “cured.” It’s a lot like any trial we’re given, whether a catastrophic accident like my daughter was in that put her in a wheelchair at age 20, or “alcoholism” that my second husband suffered from. Nothing goes away completely in this life, but you struggle with whatever you’re dealt; and it definitely can be a struggle to try and stay on the “straight and narrow.” This life is The Test. Tribulations are required. Then the Atonement covers the rest. You are a living example of these truths. I admire your strength. I’m glad I met you. I haven’t read much yet here on your website, but I will work on it. Thank you. Ann

]]> By: Rex Goode http://www.rexgoode.com/?p=131&cpage=1#comment-302 Rex Goode Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:38:40 +0000 http://www.rexgoode.com/?p=131#comment-302 Dennis, Thank you. Your dream reminded me of a time many, many years ago. I was walking with the Ward Mission Leader. I was a stake missionary then. That kind of dates it right then. The Church hasn't had "stake" missionaries in a long time. Since we would be working closely together, I wanted him to know about me. Since I knew he was on-line a lot, I figured it was only a matter of time before he found out anyway. So, I told him as we walked to where we were going. Later, a family got baptized and he assigned me to teach them the New Member discussions. I was also assigned to be their home teacher. On our first visit, they said, "Oh. You're the man who was hitting on _________ (the Ward Mission Leader)." I straightened them out about that. The WML wasn't even attractive. :) They said that because I was the most "real" person they knew in the ward, they felt they could trust me. It always turns out well in the long run. Thanks again, Dennis. Dennis,

Thank you. Your dream reminded me of a time many, many years ago. I was walking with the Ward Mission Leader. I was a stake missionary then. That kind of dates it right then. The Church hasn’t had “stake” missionaries in a long time. Since we would be working closely together, I wanted him to know about me. Since I knew he was on-line a lot, I figured it was only a matter of time before he found out anyway. So, I told him as we walked to where we were going.

Later, a family got baptized and he assigned me to teach them the New Member discussions. I was also assigned to be their home teacher. On our first visit, they said, “Oh. You’re the man who was hitting on _________ (the Ward Mission Leader).” I straightened them out about that. The WML wasn’t even attractive. :)

They said that because I was the most “real” person they knew in the ward, they felt they could trust me. It always turns out well in the long run.

Thanks again, Dennis.

]]> By: Dennis http://www.rexgoode.com/?p=131&cpage=1#comment-301 Dennis Wed, 30 Dec 2009 06:33:36 +0000 http://www.rexgoode.com/?p=131#comment-301 Thank you Rex for the great courage and example you have shown. In my circle of friends in and out of the church I have several who also struggle (and some who have given up the struggle) with SSA. Your feelings, your ideas, your courage is and will be blessing to many of them. I actually have a dream several times a year. I am walking down the street with the Bishop and the Elder's Quorum President and while talking I pull out a cigarette and light up. They look at me in shock and I feel a bit bad but I look them in the eye and inform them that this is just one time and that I am going to quit after this one. I wake up and know immediately the meaning of the dream. I am a sinner and God sees my weaknesses just as clearly as the Bishop and EQP did. While I may fool those around me I have challenges in my life of the same genre (lost for a proper word here) as smoking in public AND GOD DOES SEE THEM. I am in no position to judge. Lastly, as I read the posts and responses I thought I would like to thank a few of the great people who have responded on this list but there was NO FEW that deserved thanks. THEY WERE ALL GREAT!! Everyone of you are simply wonderful and deserving of Christ's love. thank you again for sharing, Rex. May God richly bless you. You have blessed others. Dennis Thank you Rex for the great courage and example you have shown. In my circle of friends in and out of the church I have several who also struggle (and some who have given up the struggle) with SSA. Your feelings, your ideas, your courage is and will be blessing to many of them.

I actually have a dream several times a year. I am walking down the street with the Bishop and the Elder’s Quorum President and while talking I pull out a cigarette and light up. They look at me in shock and I feel a bit bad but I look them in the eye and inform them that this is just one time and that I am going to quit after this one. I wake up and know immediately the meaning of the dream. I am a sinner and God sees my weaknesses just as clearly as the Bishop and EQP did. While I may fool those around me I have challenges in my life of the same genre (lost for a proper word here) as smoking in public AND GOD DOES SEE THEM. I am in no position to judge.

Lastly, as I read the posts and responses I thought I would like to thank a few of the great people who have responded on this list but there was NO FEW that deserved thanks. THEY WERE ALL GREAT!! Everyone of you are simply wonderful and deserving of Christ’s love.

thank you again for sharing, Rex. May God richly bless you. You have blessed others.

Dennis

]]> By: Michelle Bishop http://www.rexgoode.com/?p=131&cpage=1#comment-298 Michelle Bishop Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:04:03 +0000 http://www.rexgoode.com/?p=131#comment-298 It is moments like this that remind me of what an amazing person you are Rex... I am so glad that you are the friend you are in my life.. I hope we can reconnect soon... Much love Michelle It is moments like this that remind me of what an amazing person you are Rex… I am so glad that you are the friend you are in my life.. I hope we can reconnect soon… Much love

Michelle

]]> By: Rex Goode http://www.rexgoode.com/?p=131&cpage=1#comment-297 Rex Goode Sun, 20 Dec 2009 15:24:50 +0000 http://www.rexgoode.com/?p=131#comment-297 Thanks, Michelle. I never fault anyone like us who make different choices than I. It is a really tough thing sometimes. Whenever it gets stormy here in the Portland area, I remember the time you were hanging out at our house and the hurricane force winds hit. You wanted to go home, so I drove you home with all of the trees flailing everywhere. Even though the radio was warning people to stay indoors, I felt we were protected until I could return you to your family. Thanks, Michelle. I never fault anyone like us who make different choices than I. It is a really tough thing sometimes. Whenever it gets stormy here in the Portland area, I remember the time you were hanging out at our house and the hurricane force winds hit. You wanted to go home, so I drove you home with all of the trees flailing everywhere. Even though the radio was warning people to stay indoors, I felt we were protected until I could return you to your family.

]]> By: Michelle Bishop http://www.rexgoode.com/?p=131&cpage=1#comment-296 Michelle Bishop Sun, 20 Dec 2009 05:10:31 +0000 http://www.rexgoode.com/?p=131#comment-296 Hey Rex, Thanks for sharing.. I was not nearly as strong as you in my beliefs... I am proud that you chose to stick to the church as much as you have. You were always that amazing father and friend that I could look up to.. With Love Michelle Hey Rex,

Thanks for sharing.. I was not nearly as strong as you in my beliefs… I am proud that you chose to stick to the church as much as you have. You were always that amazing father and friend that I could look up to..

With Love

Michelle

]]> By: Rex Goode http://www.rexgoode.com/?p=131&cpage=1#comment-288 Rex Goode Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:13:06 +0000 http://www.rexgoode.com/?p=131#comment-288 Thanks, Phil. Not meaning to rub it in, but I have seven now and will have eight by the end of the year. :) Thanks, Phil. Not meaning to rub it in, but I have seven now and will have eight by the end of the year. :)

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