If you’re a single parent, for any reason, just about any age, you should go to this class! I always felt the spirit and learned so much. The teacher is great. Here’s the info:

“GOSPEL PERSPECTIVES ON LDS SINGLE PARENT ISSUES”

This class is designed to uplift and assist LDS singles and single parents through the application of gospel principles to the particular challenges of single parents. Develop friendships as you strengthen your testimony!

Class will held Tuesday evenings, 7:00 – 8:45 p.m., September 9 – December 9, 2008 at the Orem Northridge Stake Center chapel (1674 North 200 West) for singles of all ages. You may register at http://ce.byu.edu/ed/ and click on “Adult Religion Classes” or register at the door (it is much quicker online).

Topics to be addressed include:

-Maintaining faith and hope

-Healing from the past & moving on

-Fitting in your ward family

-Dating & courtship

-Dealing with adversity

-Forgiveness

-Overcoming fears and loneliness

-Becoming whole through Christ

-Maintaining morality

-Handling finances and becoming self-reliant

-Parenting issues

-Helping children deal with death or divorce

-The priesthood and the single parent family

-Blending families

Registration is $17.50 for the entire class or $2.50 per class. Students may join the class at any time. Sister Cheryl Merrell, M.S., Certified Family Life Educator and single parent will be the instructor.

This is NOT a parenting class, although that is a small part of what will be covered. The class covers a wide range of topics of interest to single parents and single adults. Call the instructor at 431-0383 if you have questions.

Whenever I get a chance I like to attend institute and religion classes. If you’re aged 18-30 you can get a list of institute classes where you live from LDS.org. If you date online like I do, this is a safe first date. Meet at the class. Sometimes there are free activities after. Research shows that when your dating centers on building a spiritual foundation you have a higher likelihood of being stronger and happier if you get married. So why not start dating off right.

If you’re over 30, then BYU offers adult religion classes all over the country. Some are just for singles, others don’t specify. The cost is usually under $20 for 4 months of classes. I took an excellent class on the atonement that was at MountainView’s seminary building but I no longer see it listed. Here’s another class specifically for LDS singles in American Fork, Utah.

If you’re divorced and live close to Orem, Utah, sign up for Cheryl Merrell’s Gospel Perspectives on LDS Single- Parent Issues. This class is so valuable I wish they made videos of it or taught it around the entire church. The next series starts in the Fall at the Orem Utah Northridge Stake Center - 1674 North 200 West.  Contact: Karen Spangler - 801-422-8782.

The single parenting class covers fitting into your ward family, dating, blending families, and other issues. The teacher has been divorced and widowed so she has been a single parent twice for different reasons. I always felt the strongest spirit in those classes and looked forward to them every week. Not only did I learn so much but I also felt I wasn’t alone at a difficult time. Single parents in all circumstances and of many different ages attend.

Wait, did I just write that title?

I go in spurts with dating - attracting blocks of men who share similiar characteristics. For a while it was computer nerd types, so just about everyone I dated was employed as a computer programmer. Then I started getting men with mustaches. That is no joke, and I didn’t find it that amusing, even though one of them was persuaded to shave his, which improved his looks quite a bit.

Note to men: if you want to be kissed I suggest you lose the mustache. I guess I’m getting old enough that this must be addressed. Women out there, is this something you’ve faced?

Lately though there’s a new trend starting. I’m not attracting programmers or entrepreneurs, no. The overall feel is men who value their spirituality. Men with solid testimonies. Single dads (through divorce or being widowed). This is good news though funny enough they (so far) tend to fall within a certain look which I wouldn’t say was my preference. This leads me to ask can I get spirituality and attraction in one person? I believe it’s possible.

My son has been prodding me to hurry up and get remarried. He’s in first grade and so he has no clue how much work that is. I mean, this is for ETERNITY. Talk about anxiety over a decision. He knows full well how things go when eternity doesn’t last forever and I for one never ever ever want to put him or me through that again. These things are not for rushing though.

Seeing as how I just turned 36 I noticed a new phenomenon that really bugs. As a seasoned online dater I’m used to getting men older than me flirting and ignoring their flirts. However, men of all ages cut off their search for women at age 35. Therefore, I have dropped off many searches. The number of responses to my online profile has dropped to almost nothing. It’s sad I know.

So my answer is to start meeting people in real life. Strange, I know. I’m going to go to dances and such. I’ll tell you that a lot of quality women don’t go to activities because at the ripe age of 36, we have a child or two to take care of. Often young children and that means getting a babysitter or showing up to things every other weekend at the most.

I know I’m rambling but that is what this blog is for - my musings. Enjoy and happy dating.