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If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.

One day I will still not be an optimist. Today and always the glass could use a little bit more, don't cha'think?

But today, I am NOT going back to bed!

Vacation Day 3

Pink's Hot dog stand

Mann's Chinese Theater

Madame Toussu's Wax Museum

Vacation Day 1

Drive down to Clear Lake, CA

Our condo in Clear Lake

Disneyland on Rachel's 12 birthday

Why I am against “Gay Marriage”

Why I am against "Gay Marriage". Simply put, I believe in what modern prophets have prophesied.

In part, "marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God…We warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets." (http://lds.org/family/proclamation?lang=eng) I don't want the calamities to come to my family members, my community here in Kent, WA, WA State or the United States of America.

 

I believe that discussions on the subject can and should be civil and respectful. I have the right to my views even when based on my religious views, just as someone else has the right to their views that disagree with mine.

 

I believe that the separation of church and state only means that the state cannot tell its people what to believe or what church to attend. Churches have every right to voice its moral opinion. This right (separation of church and state) does not require the individual to separate their religiously based beliefs from public forum.

 

I believe that our nation was founded on the moral belief system of the Judean-Christians. We (the U.S.A.) started out with our laws based on religious moral values, so why is it "not" ok now?

 

I like people. I like their stories. I love learning about them. When I read, I read biographies. I love all people; I am not "against" gay people. I know a small handful of people that are gay. I don't "hate" anyone. I love my neighbors.

 

The L.D.S. view of marriage is different than the rest of the world. We believe that when a marriage is solemnized in an L.D.S. temple and both the man and woman remain worthy throughout their lives here on earth, that marriage is eternal. Their children can be theirs forever. "The family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children." (http://lds.org/family/proclamation?lang=eng) The "traditional" family (defined as mother, father and children) is the fundamental unit of society. It is the ideal, not everyone will have it.

 

I believe Noah was a prophet for his time. I believe Gordon B. Hinckley was and Thomas S. Monson is a Prophet, Seer and Revelator for our time. I am afraid of what calamities will ripple out if "Gay Marriage" becomes legal.

Thoughts today

• We are not supposed to put out dates for traveling in a public setting so our home doesn't get broken into while we are away. BUT, I'm SO excited to see my family!


• I am grateful that we might have argued and fought as kids, but as adults we love each other and care to see each other!


• I am happy for Sabbath today! NO sewing! I will read my daily Book of Mormon and read my RS lesson in the Ensign. I need to get a Sunday School lesson schedule.


• I finally went to Macy's and had my make up done up. I spent a lot of money, but still have more to buy. I went to the Clinique counter and was happy that it wasn't "to" made up. Give me some time and I hope to look more professional and polished.


• Dale is Loving his job! I look forward to him coming home every night and how animated he is in telling me about all his meetings and what he is doing to shake things up! He loves it!


• I am grateful for my testimony of living prophets! I was at the RS broadcast of General Conference when they first read the "The Family, The Proclamation to the World". I knew it was true then and I know it now. I am grateful for my family!

First Day of Summer Break

This is Rachel's last Activity Day. We had 15 girls here. They played water balloon volleyball, soapy slip-n-slide and then ate nacho cheese and chips. They had a good time.

Earlier today Rachel, Jamie and I went to the Bellevue Regional Library. I checked out way to many audio books for our trip.

Compassionate Service Coordinator

Compassionate Service Coordinator? Me? Are you serious? Did not see that one coming. This will make me stretch. At first I was thinking "This is an 'old lady' job!" Then I remembered a friend in MD that was good at it, and she is way younger than me.
I already have something to do this week with it and I don't know how to approach it. Rachel just volunteered to go with me. She's sweet. Way sweeter than me.
I enjoyed the newness of going to Sunday School and Relief Society yesterday. It didn't feel right though. I should be teaching, not listening? Obedience and service to others, ok.
I have had a few people tell me that I did a good job in Primary. One of them yesterday touched me. A former Stake President, WW II and Korean war veteran and a very opinionated man was one of our teachers for awhile. I remember how I felt so strongly that I wanted him to serve in Primary and kinda had to fight for him. He told me yesterday that I served well and he felt the spirit when I was in there. That was nice to hear. Enough about that.

This week I have a new VT route, 6 grade party, finish prep for 8 grade party, embroider 3 trek flags, finish Ada's quilt top and quilt it and on Friday more trek sewing, and the above mentioned service to give and coordinate. I hope I sleep better than last week!

Primary

Well it was a good run. I was the ward Primary President from Sept 2007 until June 2011. I had 2 different presidencies in that short time. I use to say to Dale, I don't know why I'm in here, "I just keep the trains running." I still think that is true. I know gospel truths were taught. Line upon line the kids learned a little bit every week. Though SR primary thought is was boring sometimes with nothing new. We helped add to the Firm Foundation that their parents already put down for them.
Then I look at were I was 3 1/2 years ago. I was in the process of questioning my relationship with God. Am I his daughter? What do I mean to Him? In trying to learn about the new calling, I turned to the handbook and the goal for primary is for the children to learn that they are a child of God and he loves them. I remember distinctly when I read that goal, I bawled my eyes out and could not read more for an hour or so. How could I teach what I don't know for myself? Then the Theme for the next entire year of Sharing Times was "I am a Child of God", I bawled some more. I didn't understand why everyone loved the song so much.
I still have room to grow, but I personally have grown in my relationship with my Heavenly Father. I say my prayers more frequently now and they are always sincere. I read scriptures nearly everyday now. My kids say I'm more patient now than I was 3 1/2 years ago (that's because JR primary drove me nuts, even till the last 5 minutes of it). I listen very closely when the song, "I am a Child of God" is sung. I hope to love it when I know more.
I loved the kids. That was easy. I loved their innocence. I loved teaching, that was mostly easy too. I didn't do home visits, wish I would have done that. I didn't reach out to less-actives either, I figured it was up to the parents more than me. I tired to follow the handbook as best as I understood it.
I loved the women I served with! I loved getting to know them all better. I loved watching them serve and them grow. I loved learning from them. I am grateful for this time that I had with these young brother and sisters of mine.