Messages

1

General Discussion / Yep, inching closer to being 50 years

« on: Today at 02:22:16 AM »

..when Hmong folks first arrived here:

Hmong American Day celebration held in southeast Fresno


FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- An event in Southeast Fresno was celebrating culture this Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Hmong American Day was held Saturday at the Fresno Center on Kings Canyon Road.

The day was to celebrate the 49th anniversary of when the first wave of Hmong refugees arrived in the United States.

There were food booths, resources, arts and crafts and cultural performances.

The day honors the diverse identities, cultural legacies, and historical contributions of the Hmong community.

It also aims to inspire the younger generation to embrace their Hmong heritage.

The Fresno Center says this is a great way for the community to enjoy Hmong Culture.

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General Discussion / Good for those Mormon Missionaries as I've seen them out there struggling

« on: Today at 02:11:04 AM »

..at times:

For Mormon Missionaries, Some ‘Big, Big Changes’
The church has loosened its strict rules for those evangelizing. And many members of Gen-Z are loving it.

Andres Gonzalez, 19, stands on the balcony of his Los Angeles apartment, his hands in his suit pockets. It is his first week as a missionary, but today, instead of approaching people on the street, he is shooting a video that he will later post to social media.

After about a dozen takes, he is successful. “Hello! If you would like to learn more about Jesus Christ,” he says to the camera in Spanish, “contact me.”

Mr. Gonzalez is the image of the modern missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which has changed many of its practices — from how missionaries preach to how they dress.

The faith, long known for sending tens of thousands of neatly and formally dressed young people across the globe each year to preach door to door, is encouraging new missionaries to spread the gospel on social media and, for some, with acts of community service closer to home.

As a church leader, Dieter F. Uchtdorf, put it, missionaries should feel comfortable sharing their faith in “normal and natural ways.”

In the last few years, the church has also changed some rules for missionaries themselves — loosening restrictions on dress codes (women can wear pants) and how often they can call family members back home (once a week, not just on Christmas and Mother’s Day).

To outsiders, the adjustments may seem small. But to missionaries who adhere to strict rules while on assignment, the shifts are dramatic.

“We’ve seen a lot of big, big changes,” Jensen Diederich, 23, said. He served his mission in Peru and said it was “monumental” when the church allowed him to call home weekly, instead of just twice a year.

The church believes missionary work is essential for the world’s salvation — that people must be baptized in the faith to get to the highest level of heaven after they die. Missionary work also helps increase the church’s membership, and it deepens many young members’ faith. Many missionaries begin their assignments just after they leave home. Instead of partying on a college campus, they commit themselves to the religion and develop habits that can last a lifetime.

One of those members was Senator Mitt Romney of Utah, who was a missionary in France in the 1960s. He has said the isolation of his mission allowed him to examine his faith without distraction. When asked about the changes, he said, “For young people of my generation, I think the separation from family and friends served us well.”

But he understands times have changed. “With today’s youth in near constant contact with one another, maintaining greater connection during a mission fits their life experience,” he added.

Many young church members say the new rules have made missionary service more attractive and realistic.

Kate Kennington, a 19-year-old with a mission assignment to London, said finding people online and messaging them is a more successful way of approaching potential converts. “It’s how I would want to be contacted,” she said.

“Knocking on doors and approaching people on the street are no longer seen as useful as they once were because of shifts in American culture,” said Matthew Bowman, a professor of religion and history at Claremont Graduate University who holds the chair of Mormon studies. He is also a church member.

For decades, missionaries’ clean-cut suits were signs of prosperity, Mr. Bowman said, and an effective way of appealing to converts. But they now feel “outdated.”

Many of the changes, especially the push to evangelize on social media, were fueled by the pandemic, which shut down in-person church gatherings and forced Latter-day Saints and Jehovah’s Witnesses to find alternatives to door-to-door preaching.

The missionaries use their phones to film videos of themselves promoting the church or sharing messages of faith. In one video, a missionary raps about his faith. In another, two missionaries throw a football and a Frisbee through an obstacle course in a church gym — an object lesson meant to visualize how Jesus Christ can help people overcome challenges.

So far, the changes appear to be working: In the last three years, as pandemic restrictions lifted and young members responded to an appeal from the church’s top leader for them to serve, the number of full-time proselytizing missionaries has risen by around 25 percent, according to church data. At the end of last year, the church had about 72,000 full-time missionaries serving around the world.

The church has just under 17.3 million members globally but has seen growth slow. From 1988 to 1989, during a surge in growth when the church expanded into West Africa, the church grew by about 9 percent. Last year, the church grew by about 1.5 percent.

The church’s missionaries have traveled the world, growing their faith from a fledgling start-up in upstate New York to a global religion that brings in billions of dollars in revenue.

Church leaders say it is men’s responsibility to become missionaries for two years starting at age 18. Missionary work is optional for women, who serve for 18 months. The church has historically encouraged women to focus on marriage and motherhood. But since 2012, when the church lowered the age women could become missionaries to 19 from 21, more women have been going.

Missionaries leave their families and friends, learn new languages and spend the first years of their adulthood spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.

While on a mission, they cannot date and must follow the religion’s ban on premarital sex, drinking, smoking, coffee and caffeinated tea. Communication with friends and family back home is restricted. They commit to stay focused on their work, and their proximity to their missionary partner creates a sense of accountability that keeps most from breaking the rules.

Until recently, the experience of young missionaries was similar to that of their parents. They first attended a missionary training center — a religious boot camp of sorts — before then traveling to their missions.

Most missionaries now start their training online at home, where the transition is less jarring. They can adapt to a mission schedule with their family’s support. Being home is also an opportunity for new missionaries to evangelize in their community.

“I’ve had friends who aren’t members of the church,” Tanner Bird, a 19-year-old missionary in Brazil who did part of his training at home in Houston. “And I just get super, super excited and talk to them about the gospel.”

Once deployed, men in some areas are allowed to wear blue shirts and go without ties, while women can wear wrinkle-resistant dress pants in “conservative colors.” Most missionaries now have smartphones and call their families weekly.

Some traditions remain: Young missionaries still do not get to pick their destinations. Many teenagers throw parties to open their assignments, reading their “call letter” aloud for the first time in front of family and friends. Others film elaborate announcement videos — including on ice skates. Some serve close to home (there are 10 missions in Utah). Others go as far as Tahiti or Tokyo.

Mr. Gonzalez, the missionary in Los Angeles, said he first imagined going on a mission when he was a child in Venezuela. His parents, who converted to the faith, often had young missionaries over for meals. After the church helped the family settle in Utah, he said serving as a missionary was part of his “American dream.”

Every morning, he wakes up at 6:30 a.m., the set time for many missionaries, with his “companion,” an assigned missionary partner. They are mandated to “never be alone,” with few exceptions, and each day follow a missionary schedule.

On Facebook, they contact people they have met, including those they have approached on the street in downtown Los Angeles. They also search groups for people who may be open to their message and post videos to generate interest in their faith. They keep track of potential converts’ progress, including lessons they teach. Every Monday, Mr. Gonzalez calls his parents.

Calls are also an opportunity for him to receive support. “It’s a little bit hard,” Mr. Gonzalez said of his mission work, describing people in downtown Los Angeles as “busy.” Still, he remains hopeful: “Some of them, they really are ready. They make time, even just like five minutes.”

The missionary experience is not for everyone. Some people feel isolated, find it difficult to adapt to a location, or struggle with the rules or the pressure to keep their commitment. Some people do leave early; the church does not comment on those who do.

Alex McAlpin, a 23-year-old who went on a mission to Denver, almost did not put in a missionary application. Before her mission, she attended Pepperdine University, where she wrestled with some aspects of church doctrine and history.

Then the church made its dress code change, allowing women to wear pants in 2018.

“That was the first day of my life that I thought maybe I would go” on a mission, Ms. McAlpin said. She saw the new dress code and the church’s other mission changes as a sign the church was evolving and listening to its younger members, many of whom hope their church will modernize in larger ways. “I wanted to be a part of the change.”

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General Discussion / Re: hit my local RIVER last weekend.... THE GREAT WHITE BASS run is ON!!!!

« on: May 10, 2024, 07:08:32 PM »

Now hmgLIAR is claiming his mommy's "FREEZER" is his now...

MY FREEZER

When in fact:

stop taking pictures of your parent’s freezer.

"SEEING IS BELIEVING YO"

 

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General Discussion / Re: Sheriff got shot in the back in progressive DA's district, this happens when

« on: May 10, 2024, 07:05:05 PM »

Look who crawled back to prove me right (ONCE AGAIN)!!! 

Yep same o hmgLIAR as he's still very "mad" so he can't help but crawl back to prove me right (ONCE AGAIN)!!! 

I ALREADY STOP CLICKUON THEM

The neutral PH members are spot on with "legit" "ALL CATTLE" PROOF quotes such as the one below showing why hmgLIAR is THE compulsive serial LIAR of PH:

HmgRock, you should post sincere, honest topics

"and i stand 1000% behind my word" as well as Reporter and other neutral PH members...


"SEEING IS TRULY BELIEVING YO"

  :


*** YES, hmgLIAR WILL CRAWL BACK TO PROVE ME RIGHT AGAIN BECAUSE HE'S THAT "mad"..

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General Discussion / Re: Photo Share: Forrest Gump stop & NOPE ain't no FAKE "side of the road" photos

« on: May 10, 2024, 06:59:28 PM »

"he" still very "mad" so he can't help but crawl back to prove me right (ONCE AGAIN)!!! 

I ALREADY STOP CLICKUON THEM

And..NOPE, still ZERO evidence to back up the "TRIP ADVISOR" LIE..

Those of us that are "legit" can easily provide "legit" evidence to back up our claims...

like the "legit" "ALL CATTLE" PROOF quote below showing why hmgLIAR is THE compulsive serial LIAR of PH:

HmgRock, you should post sincere, honest topics

"and i stand 1000% behind my word" as well as Reporter and other neutral PH members...


"SEEING IS TRULY BELIEVING YO"

  :


*** YES, hmgLIAR WILL CRAWL BACK TO PROVE ME RIGHT AGAIN BECAUSE HE'S THAT "mad"..

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General Discussion / Re: THEKING<<<< what the hell happen to his guy??? he use to post good stuff

« on: May 10, 2024, 06:53:15 PM »

And speaking of "just copy n paste spam shyt" LIES and "misleading clickbait"

and.."DUDE HAS GONE FULL RETARD MODE
NEED SOME SERIOUS HELP"

This LIE is a perfect example of it per the "legit" "ALL CATTLE" PROOF quotes below:




"SEEING IS TRULY BELIEVING YO"

 

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Marriage & Family Life / I see Urkel finally tie the knot eh??

« on: May 10, 2024, 01:17:56 PM »

All the Stunning Photos From Jaleel White's Country Club Wedding to Tech Exec Nicoletta Ruhl!

The Family Matters alum and 'Growing Up Urkel' author tied the knot with Ruhl on May 4 in front of 175 guests in Los Angeles

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General Discussion / Sheriff got shot in the back in progressive DA's district, this happens when

« on: May 10, 2024, 01:14:23 PM »

...there's no real consequences.. .

California police officer shot in back by criminal who should have been in jail: progressive DA's challenger

A known gang member with a long violent criminal history accused of shooting a Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy could have been kept behind bars if not for soft-on-crime policies by the region's top prosecutor, his election opponent said.

Raymundo Duran, 47, who allegedly shot Deputy Samuel Aispuro in the back at a stop light while he was sitting on his marked sheriff's department motorcycle on April 22 in West Covina, California, has been involved in a number of violent crimes, including two felony assaults that he committed while serving an 11-year sentence for manslaughter, according to court records.

Aispuro, a nearly 20-year veteran of the department, was wearing his bulletproof vest and survived the unprovoked attack.

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General Discussion / Re: hit my local RIVER last weekend.... THE GREAT WHITE BASS run is ON!!!!

« on: May 10, 2024, 01:08:26 PM »

What does hmgLIAR do when he's caught red-handed for LYING, LIE some more of course!!! 

Dude also called "taking pictures of" his "parent's freezer"..."master FISH WHISPER"...

Who you trying to kid, stop taking pictures of your parent’s freezer.

"SEEING IS TRULY BELIEVING YO"

 

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General Discussion / Re: hit my local RIVER last weekend.... THE GREAT WHITE BASS run is ON!!!!

« on: May 10, 2024, 11:19:59 AM »

Yeah as "legit as hell" as this FAKE "sign and date" photo below:





THEREFORE:

That picture looks like someone just gave meat to your parents and I know you come as fake as it comes. “Fake it til you make it huh”?

"SEEING IS TRULY BELIEVING YO"

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General Discussion / Photo share: First Zip to make it out of the islands

« on: May 09, 2024, 11:52:03 PM »

Zippy’s opens in Las Vegas; first location not in Hawaii
Fans of Zippy’s can now get a taste of the much-loved Hawaiian restaurant without going to Hawaii. After more than four years of waiting, Zippy’s opened its first location outside of Hawaii Tuesday morning and it’s located in southwest Las Vegas. Cars with customers began lining up hours before the 10:10 a.m. opening at 7095 Badura Ave, near Rainbow Boulevard and the 215 Beltway.

Haven't been to a Zip since we were in HI so took these photos of the one in Sin City:

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General Discussion / I wanted one, although the Samurai was a poor man's Jeep, I was still too poor

« on: May 09, 2024, 11:23:59 PM »

...to get one back in the 80s..

I took these photos as remembrance of my teen memories:

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General Discussion / I knew a few Hmong men that were like this Christian Pastor with their wives

« on: May 09, 2024, 11:10:53 PM »

...They would not allowed their wives to drive due to their insecurities.. .

Mica Miller’s husband ‘groomed’ her years before their marriage, refused to let her drive, police report says

Mica Miller’s husband John-Paul began “grooming” her years before the couple wed in 2017, according to a Myrtle Beach police report obtained by News13.

Miller made the allegation in a Feb. 21 complaint about a stolen vehicle after being discharged from an involuntary hospital stay.

The 30-year-old Myrtle Beach woman killed herself on April 27 at Lumber River State Park in Robeson County, two days after serving John-Paul — the former senior pastor at Solid Rock Church in Market Common — with divorce papers.

Miller was a vital part of the church, leading youth worship sessions and the women’s ministry.

Timeline: What’s happened so far in the death of Myrtle Beach woman Mica Miller

Miller’s suicide came after well documented claims of abuse within her marriage, substantiated by court records filed last week by her siblings in a bid to control her estate.

The May 2 affidavits filed by Sierra Francis and Nathaniel Francis, allege a pattern of abuse and harassment toward Mica by her husband, echoed in Miller’s comments to police in February.

“The CP (complainant) stated that she had been separated from her husband since January of 2023. The CP stated that she was involuntarily hospitalized … when the CP was discharged from the hospital, hospital staff informed her that her husband picked up her purse and car keys,” the report states.

Miller met with police in the Coastal Grand Mall parking lot to report the theft of her car. She was hospitalized between Feb. 8 and Feb. 10, and told officers she believed John-Paul committed her to steal the vehicle.

“The CP stated that she has known her husband since she was 10 years old and that he ‘groomed’ her while she worked for him at Solid Rock Church until they were married six years ago,” the police report states.

News13 this week obtained court documents showing that John-Paul had power of attorney over Mica’s healthcare, and he told officers Miller was prone to “episodes on an annual basis” around Christmas.

John-Paul said his wife “spends large amounts of money when she stops taking her prescribed medication,” and acknowledged having the car to prevent it from being sold.

John-Paul Miller told police “the vehicle was martial property and that he was unwilling to give back to his wife for a month, which he stated was usually the timeframe of these reckless episodes.”

Sierra Francis said in her affidavit that her sister told her that people were following her and indicated that her husband had hired people to follow her. The affidavit also alleges that John-Paul transferred assets, including the deed to their home, to one of his sons and moved his wife’s personal belongings from their home while she was undergoing treatment at a mental-health facility.

Sierra Francis said her sister was hopeful for her future after filing for divorce but still afraid.

“My sister also expressed to me that she was fearful that she would not make it to the divorce and that her life would be taken from her,” Sierra Francis wrote. “It is my belief that she told multiple people, including other family members.”

Nathaniel Francis said Mica expressed many of those same fears to him, according to his affidavit.

“Mica confided in me that John-Paul moved her belongings out of their marital residence … so that he could ‘keep an eye on her,’ Nathaniel said. “Following this, Mica then retained an attorney for the purposes of filing for divorce from her husband and joined a new church.”

Nathaniel Francis also said he had received communications from John-Paul in the past that indicated he “knew no reason for divorce, but wanted a separation and gave reasons why.”

Mica Miller used her personal Facebook page over 10 days in March to provide family and friends with updates about her life and frame of mind.

“Hey everybody. I just want to let you know that I’m alive and well, and life’s been kind of crazy the past weeks, months, years, but I’ve had to keep my circle really small for the past couple of weeks because I’m going through a lot, and it’s hard, and it’s my cross to bear,” Miller said on March 18.

“I want to reach out to everybody to tell you how much I love you and I miss you, but this is the best way I know how,” she said.

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General Discussion / These "black face" White boys were wrongfully accused so glad they won $million

« on: May 09, 2024, 11:06:48 PM »

California Students Get $1 Million After They Were Expelled for Wearing Supposedly Racist Acne Masks

This week a California jury awarded the boys, identified as A.H. and H.H. in their lawsuit against the school, $1 million in damages, plus a tuition reimbursement of about $70,000.

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General Discussion / This is prison punishments for convicted rapists??

« on: May 09, 2024, 11:04:00 PM »

A Day in the Prison Life of Danny Masterson: Pickleball, Movie Nights and $300 a Month on Candy

Danny Masterson’s life in prison sounds more like a relaxing weekend than a punishment. Sources exclusively tell In Touch that the convicted rapist participates in sports and enjoys video games and a collection of TV shows and movies downloaded on the prison tablets.

“At about 11:30 or so he heads out to the pickleball court which has a basketball rim where he stretches and works out. And then he plays pickleball for about two hours --- and he plays pretty decent,” an insider reveals. “He’s getting better and his playing has improved in the past few months. He’s on the court quite a bit. The one thing I can say is that his jump shot is surprisingly good – not like the thespians I knew when I went to high school.”

Masterson, 48, has also apparently made nice with the prison’s security guards.

The source adds, “Masterson works for prison guards as an errand boy. He hands out ‘ducats’ or permission slips to fellow inmates who have medical appointments, counseling sessions and other appointments within the prison.”

At 3 p.m. every day, Masterson’s required to be in his cell for a headcount, according to the insider, but he’s allowed to use a “prison-issued tablet.” With the device, he can play video games or choose from a selection of TV shows and movies to watch. However, the source clarifies that the prisoners “don’t have access to traditional internet,” and all of the That 70s Show alum’s emails and messages are monitored.