It is almost time! As my long-time readers know, the first Sunday in June has been set aside, (by me) as International Hug a Convert Day. (Or IHACD, for short.) This year it falls on June 1st. IHACD has become one of my favorite things on this blog, and I can’t believe we are already in our third year. You will laugh, you will cry, you will be strengthened.
I love converts. I love to hear their stories – the challenges they overcame – the faith they relied on – the miracles they experienced – the way the Lord lined up the dominos just right. I also have come to realize that publishing these stories is a way of pushing back against the morass of those willing to shout their stories of de-conversion on the internet.
CONVERTS:
If you would like to share your own story on IHACD3, I would consider it a great honor. I will be running stories for a week, beginning on June 1. Type it up, and email it to me at mmm@middleagedmormonman.com/home/, and be sure to include a photo. It doesn’t have to be long, or fancy. Short and simple is just as powerful. I will include as many as I can. This is a safe place, and I won’t allow any critical comments.
Remember – this is international. Last year we had stories from Hungary, England, China, Australia, Germany, etc. Even from North Carolina!
Even if you do not want to publish your story – write it down anyway, and file it away. Too often we let those important days slip by without documenting them. There may be times when you need to revisit those experiences and feelings.
If you are hesitant because you don’t know how to write it up, please look at the tab up above that says “Conversion Stories.” I have archived most of the stories from this event over the past two years.
READERS:
Read, and comment. Nicely. It is a day where only love and appreciation will be acceptable on the comment page. Also, spread the word on Facebook or Twitter, or whatever your favorite social media site. I will post Facebook links throughout the week from June 1 – June 7.
You can also help by sharing this link today so that more converts know that we are excited to hear their stories.
• If you are interested in how this idea came about, read this post from 2012.
• June 1st is also Fast & Testimony Meeting for most of us. It would be a great time to express appreciation for those who had the courage to join the church – whether in your family history, or someone else’s. We are all here because of someone’s conversion story.
• For every convert’s story, there is usually a missionary story as well. Write those down. Your posterity needs them, and you might, too.
MEDIA:
Feel free to spread the word, and feel free to use whatever graphics you want. Just let me know you are doing it.
FINAL REQUEST:
Please, I beg of you, don’t write a comment saying, “We are all converts.” I know, I know – at some point in time, we all need to experience a conversion. But unless your conversion required you to have an interview with missionaries, be baptized, and be listed on the church records as a convert baptism – I’m not talking about you, even though I am extremely happy you are on board. Maybe one day we will have a “Hug Someone Who Already Belonged to the Church, and Then Was Converted Day.” June 1 is not that day. (But if you need a hug, let us know.)
So please send in your stories, and don’t wait until after IHACD has already started – by then I will have already filled the slots. (Probably 21) I you have questions, give me a holler. Thanks!
I submitted my story last year. Are you going to be revisiting those stories from past years at all? And more importantly, did you make buttons for IHACD b/c I would like one? 🙂
I put all of last year’s stories up on the tab on the home page. This year will be all new – except you still deserve another hug. I’ll see if I can put together a button this weekend.
Thanks!
I appreciated your comment to readers about expressing gratitude for whomever converted in your family history. I seem to remember someone talking about learning your ancestors’ conversion stories (or maybe it was in regional conference a few weeks later–I can’t find it in my notes). That’s something I feel I need to do. Thanks for the reminder!
I do need a hug…
Woohoo! This is one of my favorite parts about this blog!! I can’t wait!
And Hug Someone Who Already Belonged to the Church, and Then Was Converted Day- just made me laugh out loud. This sounds great though, and I’m excited to hear and read these stories! Thanks!