We just had a great comment from someone in the Philippines who wants to go on the trip. I thought that rocked. Let’s hope more singles from other countries join in! This is a great opportunity for singles from all over the world to gather. I bet you could talk to Dr. Redd to arrange something with the airfare. Please let us hear back from your experience. Dr. Redd has shared a lot of stories about leading these and how people bond.

Expect to have a great time as in FUN and adventures. Also expect to be completely spiritually and mentally nourished. He will create the best atmosphere to make new friends and create new relationships. When the spirit is present so is love. I can totally see the possibility of feeling love for 15 days. Dr. Redd will probably appreciate that as much as you will. His wife has had some serious health issues and I bet he’s been taking care of her. It will be a good recharge for him and everyone.

I want to go! I’m going to leave the possibility open.

I asked Melissa for what she considered the best dates. I think some of us get stuck in dating ruts so I thought this might inspire you to try something new. I like how she says you need to have an idea of what your date likes and how long you have been dating.

The Arts
I love going out to musicals, plays, operas, symphonies and the like. It’s a great way to enjoy an evening together with someone you’re trying to get to know, or if you’ve been in a relationship, I’ve found it to be a lot of fun to dress up a little and go out for something besides the typical dinner and movie.

These dates don’t have to be expensive either. Last semester I went to an art show in Salt Lake and my date and I enjoyed light conversation and observing the exhibits. It’s a good way to get to know someone in a new setting. I recommend different musical or theatrical events at universities, or if you have access to galleries, planetariums, festivals, or museums—any big city is full of things to do and see without breaking your bank to have a classy evening together.

Realm of Nature
My fondest dating moments have almost all occurred outside. I love going into Provo canyon, whether it’s a car or bike ride, racing on long boards, tubing, sledding, and rock climbing, or doing a plethora of other great activities. And did I mention all of the above are free? You might want to stake out a place in the park for two—even if it’s just to do homework or read books together it can be a fun little distraction from daily life in the classroom or office. Another good idea—although I wouldn’t try this on a first date—would be to get away from the city on a clear night to just star gaze and chat.

On the weekends, bon fires are a favorite choice for group dates or even just the two of you. No matter the excursion, I recommend bringing a camera along to help you keep a little of the beauty you’ll encounter—besides getting to capture the adventures you and your date may share.

Novelty
It’s not a bad thing to think outside the box and be a little unconventional. Notice I didn’t say off-the-wall different, but a change of pace is most refreshing at times.

One of the sweetest dates I went on was with a boy I’d gone out with a few times. It was a random weeknight, and we were both finishing up our homework when he called to do something. We got a shake for two and drove to a beautiful overlook to just chat. He coyly put on a CD that simply couldn’t be listened to without active participation, so he turned up his stereo and invited me to step out of the car to dance. What a sweet moment together, just dancing under the stars! But again, before you go crazy with dating out in left field, a word of caution, know your date or else your excursions might come off just plain silly or obnoxious.

Some other fun novel dates I’ve participated in were ice cream sculpting, movie-making, ballroom or swing dancing, decorating cookies, and building structures out of sugar cubes and hot glue…you should’ve seen our tooth-pick and marshmallow men! It’s fun to tackle a hands-on project together; it provides a lot of laughs and perhaps a chance to see your date in a new setting.

Table for Two
Go out for a little 7/11 hot chocolate or other treats. Yes, 7/11–as in the gas station. For some blessed reason they have an amazing hot chocolate center in their store which is better and less expensive than most other hot chocolates that I’ve had in the valley.. Also, dinner is always a good idea. After you’ve gotten a little something to eat or drink, just chill, sit back and relax.

Again, it shouldn’t even be expensive, but a word to the wise, be sure after at most two dates you spend at least a dollar or two on the girl you’re out with. Cheap is never a good thing to be labeled as. Maybe sometime I’ll tell you about the cheapest, worst dates I’ve gone on…you don’t want to become that sort of story for the people you take out, do you?

15 Unforgettable Days that will Change your Life!

Dr. Redd and Gregg Johnson will lead you through the lands of the Book of Mormon: Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico’s Yucatan Penninsula. They’ll take you to places believed to be The Waters of Mormon, the land of Nephi, the River Sido, Zarahemla, and the land of Bountiful.

To get to the prices go to the bottom of this article. The itinerary is here.

Of course fun is also part of the the experience. You’ll go scuba diving, snorkeling, and swim at the base of a 200 foot waterfall. You’ll see underwater gardens, the wide sanded beaches with crystal clear blue water (I’ve been to the Yucatan). There are natural hot springs and you’ll swim with dolphins, go boating, and more.

The trip includes round trip airfare from Central America from Salt Lake City. You’ll get to take home momentos from your trip: slides, a video, and booklets about each site.

The tour is July 19 through August 2, 2007.

Dr. Redd has led many of these tours and it’s his first love to do so. He studies singles and what dating habits lead to happy marriages. I love the combination of spirituality and having a good time while learning. You couldn’t find a more qualified leader. You don’t want to miss out. You’ll be in a setting conducive to finding the right type of person.

There is room for 47 people on the trip, with 10 spots left.

Sign up by calling Dr. Redd at 801-472-4411 or email jerrredd@gmail.com,
Cost $2950.00 - $3400.00 U.S. dollars and includes round trip airfare, accommodations, and food. Price depends on if you stay in a triple ($2950), double ($3100), or single room ($3400). Here is the schedule of events.

I had a great first date recently. I don’t think he reads this blog. I told him about my blogging addiction but he didn’t ask for the URL. You have to be careful about blogging about your dates. I don’t do it very often. I thought about it today I realized what I loved about it. It wasn’t that he was handsome (he was) or that what we did was fun (it was) or that we had a good time talking (we did). It was the way he treated me. So much respect.

He got me right off by helping me with my coat and the way that he did [gushing omitted]. He thought of me throughout our date and it made me feel special. I know men are hesitant to do some of these things. Is it fear of not being appreciated (I can get my own door)? Coming on too strong? Or, is it that they aren’t that interested and worry that by doing that their date will think they are?

All I can say is I was so impressed. I think if I didn’t get another date, lucky is the woman who does! It makes me think of what friends I could set him up with if things didn’t pan out. I mean, this is dating at its best, something every woman should experience. This was an internet dating adventure and you never know how those will go. The phone conversations did not prepare me for how great of a person he was.

I’m being funny but in honesty this date really stood out to me. I have been treated well before, and it’s one reason I love dating, but this was another level. It’s just a tragedy that he isn’t married. Imagine the example he’ll be to his sons about how to treat women.

It’s funny how with some this isn’t a problem at all, it’s how to stop talking during the movie, play, or dinner. That’s when you know it’s a good date. I remember a first date when I couldn’t care at all anything else but our conversation, even when we were doing something I normally enjoy. You can bet on a second date.On the other hand, stilted or awkward conversation can make you both look at your watch, other people, or the worst, you might get bored. I’m fine with silence but not a lot of it. I get plenty of that the weekends I don’t have dates, lol.

Avoid Talking about Past Relationships
This includes past dates, boyfriends/girlfriends/spouses, etc.

Why? You want to start off new, not drag other past hurts into the conversation. More than two is a crowd on a date - even if it’s positive. I am guilty of doing this sometimes. I need to remember that it’s usually not a good idea. I’ve had a date bring up a very sensitive issue and press about it until I was in tears. Smiles are the goal, not tears.

If you have more dates, there will be plenty of time to delve into each other’s past. You never know what is in someone’s past and the future is more exciting anyway.

I once had a first date that inspired me by his past. He grew up in Mexico and he chronicled his path to be where he is today. I was moved and inspired. I had so much respect for him and still do.

Family and Friends
Ask how many siblings your date has, if they are close to any one of them, and similar topics. I like hearing the classic family story or two (but not more than that unless they are great storytellers). Another good topic is asking about a person’s close friendships. It will teach you a lot about them.

Travel

Travel is an adventure. Hopefully they’ve left Utah. Where have they been? What did they do there? Where did they love visiting the most?

The Word Game

I love this game that happened spontaneously one phone conversation: take turn asking each other short questions. blue or red? seafood or steak? Stay in a hotel or a tent?

This game can go on and on. Play it while you’re waiting for dinner then talk about the most interesting or surprising answers. The game can get funny, interesting, or more serious. I find it insightful and a quick way to cover a lot of ground. It gets you in a creative mood too.

Career or Job

This is my favorite unless my date doesn’t have either, lol. I love talking about what I do for a living because I love what I do. If you get two people who love what they do, watch out. You may not need any more of these tips.

How They Spend Their Free Time and Weekends

Ask what your date likes to do when there are no demands. This helps you see what kind of pace and what is important. I always say what you are is usually made up on how you choose to spend your free time. Plus it will give you idea for future dates, if there will be any future dates.

Bonus flirty game: Write words on each other’s hands with your finger then try to guess what they wrote. This works when you’re at a movie or place you can’t talk. It can be romantic and funny. It’s only if everything else has gone well so far. It’s a good excuse to hold hands without actually holding hands, to see if you would like to.

I’ve been thinking about this topic lately. I realized that so often we kill a good thing because it’s not a perfect thing–not yet. We are impatient and want perfect now.

It’s easy to just get frustrated when we discover that every person has their flaws and weaknesses in a dating relationship. I’ve been reading in Doctrine and Covenants the last two months and a reoccurring theme that I’ve noticed is that the Lord gives us answers and instructions line upon line.

We must build ourselves first, line upon line, and then the relationship in the same way.Of course you will need to work out differences and discuss how to deal with issues that arise. Honestly, I think I’d be nervous if I found myself in the perfect relationship with the perfect guy because I’m not quite perfect yet. Instead, it’s so good to find myself at this stage of life—single—so that I have a little more time to prepare myself for marriage.

I can’t help but feel that I need to work my hardest to be the best I can be before I get married. Then when I am I can continue to work on things my whole life through. Marriage relationships are only part of the process—not something that happen after we or our mates have arrived at perfection.