Prop 8

Alright, so I haven't put any information about Proposition 8 (California) because I wasn't sure what to say. I learned tonight that most people haven't been educated about the repercussions if this doesn't pass so, here is some factual info for you to look at and share with others.

http://www.whatistheharm.org/

This is site with the mission of exploring the consequences of if Prop 8 doesn't pass in California. The first article highlighted is phenominal - read it!

2 videos you need to see now
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1803212239?bclid=1745181164&bctid=1784521903

Religious Freedom Concerns are Real with Same-Sex Marriage
http://www.meridianmagazine.com/familyleadernetwork/080925freedom.html
"...California law now requires that students in public schools from kindergarten on must be taught about “Family health and child development, including the legal and financial aspects and responsibilities of marriage and parenthood.” California Education Code 51890
Now that marriage has been officially redefined, any discussion of marriage must include discussions of same-sex marriage...."

http://d2race.blogspot.com/
For those of you that are interested - here's the blog of our local chapter of the Coalition to Protect Marriage. The pictures are of our phone-calling days at Bishop Gubler's house...you can see Ian in a few.

Six Likely Consequences If Proposition 8 Fails
1. Children in public schools will be taught that both traditional marriage and
same-sex marriage are okay.
The California Education Code already requires that health education classes instruct children about marriage. (§51890) Therefore, if the definition of marriage is changed, children will be taught that marriage is a relation between any two adults. There will be serious clashes between the secular school system and the right of parents to teach their children their own values and beliefs.
2. Churches will be sued if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings that are open to the public. Ask whether your pastor, priest, minister, bishop, or rabbi is ready to perform such marriages in your chapels and sanctuaries.
3. Religious adoption agencies will be challenged by government agencies to give up their long-held right to place children only in homes with both a mother and a father. Catholic Charities in Boston has already closed its doors because of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts.
4. Religions that sponsor private schools and which provide housing for married students wiil be required to provide housing for same-sex couples, even if it runs counter to church doctrine, or lose tax exemptions and benefits.
5. Ministers who preach against same-sex marriages will be sued for hate speech and could be fined by the government, it has already happened in Canada, one of six countries that have legalized gay marriage.
6. It will cost you money. A change in the definition of marriage will bring a cascade of lawsuits. Even if courts eventually find in favor of a defender of traditional marriage (highly improbable given today's activist judges), think of the money - your money, your church contributions - that will have to be spent on legal fees.

And think of all the unintended consequences that we cannot even foresee at this time. Where will it end?
It's your children, your grandchildren, your money, and your liberties.
Lets work together to protect them.

September

This has been a very busy month. I am loving my new job and the people that come with it. It requires a lot of energy and time to be a special day class teacher! I'm almost putting in 12 hour days every day. This is a lot like my job in Everett, WA without the nasty behaviors. The kids are sweet and the aides in the classroom are great. The hope is that I will find a way for it not to take so much time each day, poor Ian gets a zombie when I get home. On the other hand, I've been really grateful that I'm so busy -I can't be too sad about personal stuff that has run amok.

Speaking of which, my hormone levels are decreasing wonderfully so much so that whereas it was possibly going to be 6 months + 6 months before we could try to start our family again, it might only be 3 months+ 6 months. The morning sickness had caused me to stop taking my Reliv, but I'm feeling so much better now that I'm trying to get back into the habit of taking my shakes again.


I do need to start finding balance in my day to day living. I need to add more exercise and healthier eating! I also want to finish my latest scrapbooking venture. So many things to do and so little time.

I had the opportunity to teach gospel essentials today and what a blessing that was! I love to have the opportunity to look back on my life and the blessings that the gospel has brought. I'm so grateful that Ian and I have 'built our house upon the rock' and that when the rains have come (and boy, have they come) we have been able to weather it and come out steady on the other side. I don't know if it's possible to go through a really difficult trial and not be angry about it or feel betrayed somehow, but I do know that after it's over (or almost over) that the gospel can bring peace and hope unknown to the world. Mom sent me aftermath pictures of hurricane Ike, I kind of feel like this house below. It may be the only house left on the whole street, but it's still hanging on. I am so grateful for my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm so grateful for a living prophet today who can share his perspective and guide us through difficult times. I'm grateful for the scriptures that provide their daily dose of wisdom. I could never have done the things I've done nor accomplished the things that I have accomplished without the Lord and his guidance. He is wonderful!