My name is Marie Leslie and I am a Mormon. Big surprise, huh? However, Molly is not a term that anyone who knows me would have ever applied. I always tell people that, growing up, I was the poster child for the square peg of the church.
So, how did I end up as the new “modern Molly Mormon?” Good question. But I think Jia explained it really well. I am a writer. I’ve been a writer since I could hold a pencil and form words. No, I haven’t published a book yet, but I’m working on it—really. I’m also a photographer but that’s another story. I have been blogging for a
couple of years at Improving On the Silence, which previously had another name, but was always mine. It’s more of an essayist/slice of life kind of blog, where I wax philosophical and photographical (yes, it’s a word—at least my spell check thinks so) and occasionally in the kitchen. But I’ve been thinking that I’d like a place where I could blog with a little more of an LDS orientation. That’s not to say that my beliefs don’t show up at Improving On the Silence, but that isn’t its primary mission in life.
So, when Jia announced that she was looking for someone to “adopt” Modern Molly, I knew that I’d found my home. And as Jia and I e-mailed back and forth it soon became apparent that this was just meant to be. I’m guessing we really did meet in New Mexico. I kept looking at her photos and thinking she looked familiar. We have many common friends and we went to church in the same building, albeit in different wards. And I’m looking forward to seeing her when she comes up this summer or when I am down in New Mexico.
And now let me tell you a little bit about me. After all, I hope we’re going to be spending a lot of time together.
Seriously, I am not Molly. I am a darn good cook; I’ve even canned a thing or two in my day—and I have a really cool dehydrator that I absolutely love (by the way, I’m always up for guest posting on food and related topics). I can sew. I can do it fairly well. It doesn’t mean I love it. It’s just a necessity sometimes—like when you need cheap curtains and Halloween costumes. There are other things I like better, like playing outside and surfing the web. I love the gospel, I love my kids and I really love my hubby.
I also like to speak my mind, and I love it when other people speak theirs. But respectfully. I’m a big believer in tact. We can disagree. I promise never to delete a comment just because we don’t agree; I expect you to do it nicely, though. I’d love to have more than just my point of view on here. I’m all about healthy discussion. I want this to be a place where we can come together and discuss all things related to LDS women, whether you’re a traditional “Molly” or a modern one. I probably really fall somewhere in the middle. I'd like Modern Molly Mormon to reflect the thoughts and interests and concerns and joys (lots of joys) of being a 21st-century LDS woman--of any age.
I’m definitely open to guest posting, sharing and contributions. If you want to guest post or you just want to suggest a topic for me, drop me an e-mail to marielesliephoto@gmail.com . Just put Molly or Mormon or something like it in the subject line so I’ll know you’re not asking me to photograph your wedding or your kids or your dog (which I do do, by the way, but that’s another website). And yes, we have a facebook page--you can just click in the box on the right to join us there.
So, what else can I tell you about me? I’m a mom of four, with three still in the nest. I’ve been married to my best friend (he really was before we started dating) for more than 25 years. I am a sap to the animal lovers at my house and we’ve had nearly every kind of pet that’s legal to own—except for cats. I’m not a cat person and apparently neither is the dog. I love writing, photography, the outdoors, cookies and popcorn, but not always in that order. I currently live in the Denver Metro area after a decade in New Mexico and most of the rest of my life in Southern California.
Ok, so you know about me. Now it’s your turn. Please don’t let my inbox echo. Tell me about you. Tell me what makes you tick. Tell me what you want to hear from me and tell me what’s on your mind.
It’s going to be a great adventure.
