Fond memories

[Byfaithalone1]

Folks who frequent this forum are well aware of my concerns regarding the teachings of the SDA denomination. However, as a change of pace, I thought it might be fun to take a trip down memory lane and list some of my fond memories of SDAism.

I have great memories of:

(1) Ingathering in the snow before Christmas,
(2) Pathfinder campouts,
(3) 13th sabbath church programs,
(4) The pursuit of JMV/AJY badges,
(5) Hanging out with friends after potlucks,
(6) Vacation Bible School,
(7) the Heritage Singers
(8) Casseroles made from cereal, and
(9) Camp meeting.
​

To all who post here who have ever been SDA, what are your fond memories?

BFA

 

[Avonia]

Folks who frequent this forum are well aware of my concerns regarding the teachings of the SDA denomination. However, as a change of pace, I thought it might be fun to take a trip down memory lane and list some of my fond memories of SDAism.

I have great memories of:

(1) Ingathering in the snow before Christmas,
(2) Pathfinder campouts,
(3) 13th sabbath church programs,
(4) The pursuit of JMV/AJY badges,
(5) Hanging out with friends after potlucks,
(6) Vacation Bible School,
(7) the Heritage Singers
(8) Casseroles made from cereal, and
(9) Camp meeting.
​

To all who post here who have ever been SDA, what are your fond memories?

BFA

1. Sabbath - I loved the day and looked forward to it. But that's probably because it wasn't as much about what you couldn't do, but took time to do. I continue to love Sabbath, although it has nothing to do with law or "keeping" for me.

2. Being right. As a child it was comforting to be among the chosen ones. Who wouldn't want to be saved! I did feel special as a child because I was a SDA. I now feel more special as a member of the human family and a child of God. Being an SDA doesn't affect my identity one way or the other.

3. Vegetarianism. This was a good fit for me and will be a lifelong practice.

4. Ellen White. I do have much love for this woman. I clearly remember her more as a special prophet than I currently think of her as a special prophet. I understood then as I do now, the problem with Ellen White was/is us - not her. Good memories of listening to her words being read.

5. Adventist education. This worked well for me.

 

[AzA]

When I was small, baked macaroni cheese at Sabbath lunch. (I did not discover that there was a dehydrated cheese box-dinner analog of this dish until I moved to the US. I remain horrified.)

The ring of choruses we used to sing before Sabbath afternoon Adventurers.

When I was older, choir was wonderful. We bonded over good music, humor, toasting games that pitted the sections against each other, and early morning group prayer-fasts in the pine tree grove.

 

[JonMiller]

I think I have a lot less experience with SDAism then many of you here.

JM

 

[Byfaithalone1]

2. Being right. As a child it was comforting to be among the chosen ones. Who wouldn't want to be saved! I did feel special as a child because I was a SDA. I now feel more special as a member of the human family and a child of God. Being an SDA doesn't affect my identity one way or the other.

This reasonates with me. It was hard for me to transition away from this kind of thinking. I still struggle with it from time to time.

BFA

 

[Byfaithalone1]

4. Ellen White. I do have much love for this woman. I clearly remember her more as a special prophet than I currently think of her as a special prophet. I understood then as I do now, the problem with Ellen White was/is us - not her. Good memories of listening to her words being read.

Do you find anything that she wrote to be--on its face--problematic?

BFA

 

[Byfaithalone1]

When I was small, baked macaroni cheese at Sabbath lunch. (I did not discover that there was a dehydrated cheese box-dinner analog of this dish until I moved to the US. I remain horrified.)

I had the opposite experience. Growing up, I had only experienced the box-dinner variety. As an adult, I had my first taste of REAL macaroni and cheese. There is no going back. The same can be said about real hot dogs after a lifetime of vege-links (no comparison).

BFA

 

[Avonia]

Do you find anything that she wrote to be--on its face--problematic?

BFA

It's my sense that what she wrote was not only appropriate for her time, but progressive in many ways.

Those who idolize or demonize her certainly create problems.

 

[Sophia7]

I had the opposite experience. Growing up, I had only experienced the box-dinner variety. As an adult, I had my first taste of REAL macaroni and cheese. There is no going back. The same can be said about real hot dogs after a lifetime of vege-links (no comparison).

BFA

I had a similar experience with mac and cheese--boxed version first and seldom had the real thing until I was an adult. My mother-in-law gave me her recipe.

As far as hot dogs, I wasn't raised vegetarian, but I've never been all that fond of hot dogs.

 

[Sophia7]

When I was small, baked macaroni cheese at Sabbath lunch. (I did not discover that there was a dehydrated cheese box-dinner analog of this dish until I moved to the US. I remain horrified.)

For some strange reason, my kids like the boxed stuff better than the homemade baked kind. I don't understand that at all, but kids can be quirky when it comes to food.

I once tried a boxed non-dairy (soy) version of mac and "cheese" when I was traveling outside the U.S. It was disgusting!

 

[Byfaithalone1]

It's my sense that what she wrote was not only appropriate for her time, but progressive in many ways.

Those who idolize or demonize her certainly create problems.

It's not my intent to change the focus of this thread. However, I sense that there are some statements that are--on their face--quite problematic. It's my perspective that no one needs to demonize anyone in order to notice these problems.

BFA