Last night as my son John was giving me my evening backrub, we were talking about some of the good things that are happening regarding better understanding toward our gay brothers and sisters (see below).  Suddenly he said, "Mom, I would love for our home to become even more of a center for gay people to come and feel supported and healed."

 

As I went to sleep, his statement blended into a question I’ve been asked–-"Carol Lynn, you have retreats for women.  Why don’t you have any for gay men?"  By the time I woke up I had an idea I’m going to try out–-

 
 

A WEEKEND AT CAROL LYNN’S: INVITATION FOR GAY MEN  (Or for families dealing with the issue).

 

            John and I and Chance (the only dog I have ever truly loved), have guest beds for four in our home here in Walnut Creek, forty minutes from San Francisco.  I have looked at my calendar and chosen three weekends.  For the affordable rate of $325 each, I will create for four gay men an experience that includes–- bed, breakfast, lunch and anything we decide to do that is virtuous, lovely, of good report and praiseworthy, such as--

 

            *personal storytelling and encouragement

            *deep discussion of the mysteries--God, religion, spirituality

            *hikes in my nearby hills

            *reading of my poems  

            *reading of "Facing East"

            *discussion of one of my favorite subjects: the magic and meaning of coincidence

            *a field trip to Trevor Southey’s home and art studio, if he’s available

            *a great caricature drawn by my artist son John

            *fun and laughter and just hanging out

 

 If you’re interested, see-- www.invitationforgaymen/......

 

 

APPEARING AT BENEFIT FOR SALT LAKE CITY HOMELESS YOUTH. 

 
           On Monday, September 21 in Salt Lake City, I will be reading from No More Goodbyes as part of a benefit concert for Volunteers of America, Utah’s Homeless Youth Resource Center.  Numerous Utah musical artists will be performing, among whom will be my daughter Emily. The Resource Center indicates that 43% of Utah’s homeless youth are gay kids.   For tickets see www.ldsapology.org.

                                                         

 

SYNCHRONICITY STORY: ANGELS ARE PRESENT!
 

            Many of you have read my book Embracing Coincidence (formerly Consider the Butterfly) and are as fascinated as I am by the phenomenon of synchronicity.  Here’s one of my recent absolute best!

            August 10^th, 2009.  I was responding to an email from a woman who was interested in being an investor in the film of "Facing East."  I concluded my email with:

            "A fun thing just now.  I occasionally look into numerology and was pleased to learn that (supposedly) when the number one appears in duplicates, especially 111 or 1111, it is a reminder that at that moment "angels are present."  Just a few minutes ago my eye happened to see 11:11 (which seems to happen much more often than my random glances should allow), and I thought----yes!----angels!  So just now, minutes later I received your email and my eye immediately saw on it the number 11:11, the time at which your email was sent. 

            So--angels are present.  For you.  For me.  And, we will hope, for the cause to which we both are committed."

            I then began to forward her email along with my response to the producers.  But--all of a sudden--I heard the sound of a voice speaking in my office.  What?  It was coming from my computer speakers and sounded as if it had a foreign accent.  Oh, no, I thought, my computer is being hacked by somebody in Pakistan and now I’ll hear some awful pornographic message!

            Then I heard it speak my name.  Too weird.  Warily I turned up the speaker volume.

            My words!--spoken by what I now could tell was a very skilled electronic system.

            I sat there dumfounded, totally in the Twilight Zone, listening to this unexpected, unseen presence read out loud to me, in his clipped, electronic accent, my own words.  "...angels are present...."

            I could not stop laughing.

            Of course there’s an explanation, as there almost always is.  A new version of "Outlook" had been installed on my new computer.  Evidently there was a function, which I had never heard of, through which emails could be read aloud.  I had accidentally, on this new keyboard, pressed the right button, and--voila!--The Voice.

            I’ve tried to reproduce the phenomenon, and I’ve succeeded only twice.  It has something to do with pressing the "s" key at the same time as one of the keys my right hand has a tendency to rest near.  But I don’t think I want to pursue it.  I’m just going to remember the magic.  Synchronicity is all about timing.  And I will never forget that stunning moment when the mysterious Voice read to me my own words:

            "So--angels are present.  For you.  For me..."

            And so it is.

 

 

A NOTEWORTHY HAPPENING IN MY LDS STAKE. 

Last Sunday and the Sunday before, my stake presidency--three of the finest men you’re going to find on the planet--gave presentations to all the adults in every ward in our stake in the "fifth Sunday" time slot they frequently utilize.  In the words of my stake president, Dean Criddle:

 

"All of our remarks throughout the presentations were anchored on a statement drawn from a 1991 letter from the First Presidency encouraging 'Church leaders and members to reach out with love and understanding' to those experiencing homosexuality.  We also focused our Stake members' attention on similar, supporting statements included in articles by Elder Dallin H. Oaks and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland in 1995 and 2007 issues of the Ensign, the 2007 pamphlet, God Loveth His Children, and the interview with Elder Oaks and Elder Lance Wickman posted at the LDS Newsroom ('Same Gender Attraction') on the Church website.  Some of our major points were:

1. Our sexual orientation (which gives rise to unbidden feelings and impulses) does not appear to be a matter of choice, nor does it call for blame.
2. Heterosexual marriage is not a 'cure' for homosexual feelings. 
3. Members of the Oakland Stake must be sensitive to the unusual burdens placed on members of our Church who experience homosexual impulses and not contribute to a hopelessness that drives some to despair and even suicide.
4. Parents especially are called upon to show love and support for a child who brings them the news that he/she is experiencing homosexual feelings.
5. A Church member who experiences homosexual impulses but is willing to follow the Church’s code of behavior is entirely worthy to hold high positions in the Church.
6. Our responsibility and opportunity is to show Christlike love and respect for all of our brothers and sisters----in our families, our neighborhoods, our places of work and our Church.
7. Without condoning conduct inconsistent with the teachings of the Church, members have a duty to show love even to those who choose other life paths.  

"The instruction we gave included nothing new.  It was just a gentle reminder that all Church members at baptism covenant to 'bear one another's burdens, that they may be light.' (Mosiah 18:8-10.)" 

 

            A member of each ward participated, sharing life experiences that added to the impact of the event.  From members of my own ward and other wards, I have heard nothing but very appreciative comments about this important counsel--"Such a healing experience for our family"--"Absolutely right on--we all needed that"--"A very large step in the right direction."