Proposition 8

Well, I really feel that I need to write something about Prop 8. I just saw a YouTube clip on a friend's blog. At first it seemed kind of sappy....but as it continued, I felt so impressed that this is the right thing. Marriage is between a man and a woman. The Lord has already spoken on this issue. Pretty simple.

On another friend's blog, I got involved in a discussion that I probably should have stayed out of. I had someone tell me that what I was saying was just "religious dogma." Okay, I'll admit, that I had to go and look up what that meant. Maybe it is religious dogma (which by the way means - according to http://www.dictionary.com/ : A doctrine or a corpus of doctrines relating to matters such as morality and faith, set forth in an authoritative manner by a church). But, ya know when it is just me and I really ponder marriage the answer I get comes to ME. I know that the Lord has a way of doing things. He really knows the BEST way to do things - a way that really works. I want to be on His side and doing what He wants me to do. The answer that I get is that His way is: "marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children." Yes that is what my religion teaches. So, yes it is religious dogma, BUT it is also what I KNOW TO BE TRUE!!! I KNOW IT!!!!

The Lord has prescribed a way for His children to live on this earth. He has prescribed a way for us to follow and be happy and then in the "end" be able to live with Him again and even become like Him. What a blessing that is. What a blessing that knowledge is! Those who choose to follow Him will be blessed and will have eternal happiness. I know that they will not always have an easy life - got it, but in the "end" it will be way worth it. Those that choose to not follow Him and think that they know better might have what they think is happiness...heck they might even really be happy here and now, but in the "end" they will be anything BUT happy. They will see the error of their ways and will have to answer to God why they chose what they did and then live through eternity with the consequences.

Looking at Proposition 8 with a little different spin, the nature spin: Nature has selected against gay marriage. It's true. David took a class last semester on Anthropology. He learned a lot about natural selection. One thing he taught me was that nature chooses things to continue reproducing and to not. The meer fact that a homosexual couple cannot reproduce tells us that nature has selected against it. Nature doesn't allow for that couple to reproduce. Interesting.

Also, in my Early Childhood Education Class I had to look at some information on birth order. I found it very interesting that they listed a "Sexual dysfunction resulting from childhood sexual abuse" as homosexuality. Check it out if you are interested at http://www.birthorderplus.com/. So it seems that even the scientists can't figure out if it is a dysfunction or not. With nature selecting against it it sure appears as such.

Now, just to clarify, I am NOT saying that those with homosexual feelings are "bad," "evil," or "hell-bound." Personally I don't believe that it is something that someone is "born with." I believe that some people might have more of those types of feelings than others, but it is not a DNA thing. I am sure that it would be a very difficult thing to deal with and I don't know what that is like from first-hand knowledge. But, I do know that the Lord has said that it is not okay to act on those feelings. The action is what I have a problem with. The action is what the Lord has a problem with. I do know people that have chosen this lifestyle. In fact, my old hairstylest...the nicest man around, was gay and he lived with his partner. I love him. He was so kind and loved my kids...he moved which is why he no longer does my hair. He was great, but I didn't approve of his life choices, so we just didn't discuss it. We chose to be friends and enjoy our time together. He knew my position and I knew his.

I know that our Father in Heaven loves all of us. He truly does. I know that we need to protect marriage. I am encouraging anyone who reads this to vote YES on proposition 8.

October starts with a BANG!!

Well, here we are a week into October and we have already had three fieldtrips, with at least four more scheduled for the month. Faith left on October 1st for a three day - two night fieldtrip to Mount Lassen. The bummer was that exactly 2 weeks before she left, she was jumping rope and hurt her foot. She was on crutches for the trip to Mt. Lassen and had to miss a few of the hikes. Faith and her great attitude had a blast playing games with Duncan's mom. I was told today by another mom that they were impressed that she went on one of the hikes. They said that she was a real trooper! As of now, the foot is still hurting and we will be going to a foot specialist on the 15th!

Hyrum left the day after Faith to go to Camp Winthers for one night. He had a blast. The third grade has been discussing the water cycle and were able to spend all day Thursday following the water cycle along the river up to the top of the mountain. They had a great time.

On the 1st I got to take Gloria and Helaman on their first fieldtrip of the year to the library. It was fun, but Nephi sure was a pain! There are computers in the children's section and he sure thought that they were fun to play with. Glo and Helaman loved checking out their own books. It was really fun!

I took Vilate to the dentist on the 2nd, and although not as funny as the previous visit (see last post) it was interesting! Vilate stood outside the door to the room and refused to go in. The poor receptionists remembered me from two days before and immediately ushered us out to get the referal!

Helaman had to go to the doctor right after Vilate's dental appointment. He woke up on Thursday with a swollen face. They said that he had something called perotitis. Apparently he had a viral infection in his salivatory gland. When the doctor told us the treatment, as much sour candies as he wanted, he was soooo excited and Vilate was majorily jealous. It is amazing how quickly it healed! He is all better and we have had 6 days in a row of no doctor/dental appointments. I am so excited, but I am anticipating that we will be back to Kaiser soon!!

Our good friend and apartment manager, Alma, had a great party on Saturday afternoon. Earlier this year, or maybe it was last year, she entered an Emeril Live contest. The contest was a cheese contest where the contestants had to submit a reciepe that had cheese in it. Alma submitted her Cheese Tamale with Jalepeno Peppers and WON!!!! She was one of I think 4 winners. Well, as her prize she was flown to New York for the taping of the Emeril show. The show aired on Monday, October 6th. Alma was given a DVD with the show on it and we got together two days before and got a sneak peek, private screening. It was awesome!! Alma is a magnificent cook and made all the items that won for the party. It was wonderful. We ate it all while we watched the show on the "big screen" in the community room. Congratulations, Alma!!!!

And finally the best thing this past week was General Conference. I love this time of year and I really LOVE conference. I really enjoyed the words that were spoken and feel so blessed to live in a time and in a place where I can hear the words of our Prophet. The rule at our house is everyone must sit and listen each time the prophet speaks and if you have been baptized, you must also sit through the Sunday morning session. Overall the kids did really well. We did put a TV in the girls room so that they could have something that they could enjoy and that would keep them out of our hair!!

So, there you go!! Never a dull moment at our house!! Looking at the calendar I see that next week brings much of the same - I am soooo excited!!!