Colin and Becca
Colin's siblings, Colby, Rhys, Becca and Colin, and Aubrey
Becca, Natalia (Rhys' wife), and Rhys having fun
Colin and Becca cutting the cake. Wendy made the cake.
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Colin and Becca wedding pics
On Friday, May 14th, 2010 Colin and Becca sealed their love for each other eternally by getting married in the Bountiful Temple. It was a beautiful ceremony. Here are some pictures from the reception, which was held at Becca's parents' home.
Colin and Becca
Colin's siblings, Colby, Rhys, Becca and Colin, and Aubrey
Becca, Natalia (Rhys' wife), and Rhys having fun
Colin and Becca cutting the cake. Wendy made the cake.
Colin and BeccaColin's siblings, Colby, Rhys, Becca and Colin, and AubreyBecca, Natalia (Rhys' wife), and Rhys having funColin and Becca cutting the cake. Wendy made the cake.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
The Family: A Proclamation to the World
I haven't posted much in a while. I write a weekly newsletter for the hotel I work at, and that's about all the writing I have been able to keep up with. However, I will be substituting this Sunday for the 16-17 year old Sunday School class in my ward. For me personally, I can't imagine a better calling than teaching that age group. Any younger and it's difficult to keep them involved in a lesson. Much older and people by and large have already made up their opinions on most aspects of life. You can have great conversations teaching adult classes, but I feel like I'm really teaching/contributing when I can teach the 16-17 year old group. With any luck a new teacher won't be called for a while and I can continue to teach the class.
This week we will discuss The Family: A Proclamation to the World
The importance of this declaration can not be overstated. It is a very clear and concise guideline to finding joy and happiness in this life, and more importantly the life to come. After presenting it in a General Relief Society meeting, President Hinckley sent the proclamation to the leaders of many nations:
On 13 November, about two months after the proclamation was issued, President Hinckley met with William Jefferson Clinton, the president of the United States, at the White House in Washington, D.C. The prophet presented him with a copy of the proclamation, which led to a discussion on the family. “It is our feeling that if you’re going to fix the nation, you need to start by fixing families. That’s the place to begin.” The leaders discussed “the need for parents to be actively involved in their children’s lives.” After giving him bound copies of his and his wife’s family histories and describing the Church’s family home evening program, President Hinckley suggested that the nation’s leaders get his family together and “sit down with those books and have a family home evening.” Church News, 18 Nov. 1995, p. 1. Church History in the Fulness of Times, p. 632.
This week we will discuss The Family: A Proclamation to the World
The importance of this declaration can not be overstated. It is a very clear and concise guideline to finding joy and happiness in this life, and more importantly the life to come. After presenting it in a General Relief Society meeting, President Hinckley sent the proclamation to the leaders of many nations:
On 13 November, about two months after the proclamation was issued, President Hinckley met with William Jefferson Clinton, the president of the United States, at the White House in Washington, D.C. The prophet presented him with a copy of the proclamation, which led to a discussion on the family. “It is our feeling that if you’re going to fix the nation, you need to start by fixing families. That’s the place to begin.” The leaders discussed “the need for parents to be actively involved in their children’s lives.” After giving him bound copies of his and his wife’s family histories and describing the Church’s family home evening program, President Hinckley suggested that the nation’s leaders get his family together and “sit down with those books and have a family home evening.” Church News, 18 Nov. 1995, p. 1. Church History in the Fulness of Times, p. 632.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Surfing in Utah?
Yep. You no longer need to live near the beach to feel the adrenaline rush of shredding a few waves. Wendy and the boys joined me here last week. The boys weren't fully convinced that this was the place they wanted to live. Of course, it is where I found a job so there wasn't too much discussion. Anyway, in an effort to gain enthusiasm for the move, we decided to go and visit the Salomon Center in Ogden.
Below are a few pics of the boys at Flowrider, an indoor surfing experience. It took a little while to learn, but they got the hang of it. However, since everyone loves a good wipeout picture, I've included both the best and worst of the day.
Below are a few pics of the boys at Flowrider, an indoor surfing experience. It took a little while to learn, but they got the hang of it. However, since everyone loves a good wipeout picture, I've included both the best and worst of the day.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
On the road again
When we moved to Chandler, AZ over 7 years ago it was with the intention to put down roots. Having stayed there 7 years is the closest that we have ever come to accomplishing that task. However, we are now on the move again. I started a new job in Ogden, UT on May 1st. Wendy and the kids are still in Chandler as Colby will be attending EFY in Flagstaff and his Young Men's group will be hiking Havasupai in June as well. With any luck we'll all be together again in late June or early July.
The move brings us closer to our adult children Aubrey and Colin who are attending Utah State and BYU respectively. It also brings us closer to my brother in Salt Lake and my parents in Park City.
Most people shudder at the thought of a Phoenix summer. I have come to learn though that if my office and home are about 72 degrees, and my pool is 91 degrees, it doesn't really matter that it's 115 degrees outside. I'm hoping to survive the Utah winter but I am looking forward to being able to spend more time with my family in area.
We will miss the friends we have made in Arizona, but look forward to making new ones.
The move brings us closer to our adult children Aubrey and Colin who are attending Utah State and BYU respectively. It also brings us closer to my brother in Salt Lake and my parents in Park City.
Most people shudder at the thought of a Phoenix summer. I have come to learn though that if my office and home are about 72 degrees, and my pool is 91 degrees, it doesn't really matter that it's 115 degrees outside. I'm hoping to survive the Utah winter but I am looking forward to being able to spend more time with my family in area.
We will miss the friends we have made in Arizona, but look forward to making new ones.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Matthew 10:36 - Why can't I get my kids to do their homework?
36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
(New Testament | Matthew 10:36)
Not that there is anyone in my house that is trying to kill me or anything, but most of my battles do seem to be fought inside my own home. It is sometimes a struggle to get kids to act in their own best interest, i.e. getting them to do their homework, cleaning their rooms, doing the dishes, etc.
How do I create a home where love abounds and peace reigns? For me personally I notice a stark contrast between those times when we diligently read the Book of Mormon together and have family prayers, and those times when for whatever reason we let it slip.
As I personally put the Lord first in my life and try to do those things that will bring me closer to him, I find peace in my life. When I try to share that peace with those in my own home, we are all blessed because of it.
What's your thoughts on the subject? How do you find or make peace in your home?
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Jacob's Bar Mitzvah
On Saturday, January 24, 2009, I was blessed to watch my nephew, Jacob Levine, become a Bar Mitzvah בר מצוה. I had always thought that a Bar Mitzvah was a celebration for a 13 year old Jewish boy. However, the term Bar Mitzvah does not describe the event, it describes the person. Jacob became a Bar Mitzvah, he didn’t have a Bar Mitzvah. The term means “one to whom the commandments apply.”
Rabbi Morley T. Feinstein led the ceremony and Cantor Jay I. Frailich sang beautifully from their prayer book. However, the star of the show was definitely Jacob. He read and sang from the Torah and prayer book in Hebrew. He delivered the Haftarah, הפטרה which is a series of selections of the books of Prophets from the Hebrew bible.
He offered a heartfelt and inspiring prayer thanking God for the blessings he has received in his life.
After the Bar Mitzvah we went to a local restaurant that had been rented for the evening to celebrate this milestone in Jacob’s life. It was nice getting caught up with family members from my wife’s side of the family. Jacob’s father, my brother-in-law is a talent agent. Several actors were in attendance. The highlight of the evening was when Jacob played the bass guitar with his band mates. I don’t know what their first names are but they are the sons of Jane Seymour. She was very pleasant and cordial in person and happily videotaped the band as a dutiful mother while they played.
Adam and Naomi, thank you for inviting us to be a part of Jacob’s special day. It was the first Bar Mitzvah that I have ever attended and I feel privileged to have been there.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Catching up
Hi. I haven’t written in a while, life and a computer virus have kept me away so let me spend a little time catching up with what has gone on in my life for the last few weeks.
The biggest news would be that our son, Colin, returned home safely after serving two years in the Belem, Brazil mission. He struggled with his English for a while, but is quickly adapting to life back home.
Hi younger sibling Colby had his Eagle Scout court of honor. The Tempe Police Bagpipe Band, that both he and his mom belong to, played the national anthem and a few other pieces. It was a great evening.
Our daughter, Aubrey, and her husband, Curtis, came down form Logan, UT for Thanksgiving and we enjoyed our time with them immensely.
Last night, Wendy and Colby played with the bagpipe band in downtown Tempe, AZ in their festival of lights parade. There were all sorts of nice floats and stuff. Sheriff Joe Arpaio drove through in a police assault vehicle covered in Christmas lights. The crowd roared their appreciation every time the bagpipe band played Scotland the Brave.
The biggest news would be that our son, Colin, returned home safely after serving two years in the Belem, Brazil mission. He struggled with his English for a while, but is quickly adapting to life back home.
Hi younger sibling Colby had his Eagle Scout court of honor. The Tempe Police Bagpipe Band, that both he and his mom belong to, played the national anthem and a few other pieces. It was a great evening.
Our daughter, Aubrey, and her husband, Curtis, came down form Logan, UT for Thanksgiving and we enjoyed our time with them immensely.
Last night, Wendy and Colby played with the bagpipe band in downtown Tempe, AZ in their festival of lights parade. There were all sorts of nice floats and stuff. Sheriff Joe Arpaio drove through in a police assault vehicle covered in Christmas lights. The crowd roared their appreciation every time the bagpipe band played Scotland the Brave.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Random Thoughts on the Passing Political Scene
Election season 2008 is over. Well, except for pending court battles which will be waged by those that lost and felt they should’ve won…
Some of the most eagerly contested issues had to do with same sex marriage. Three states, California, Arizona, and Florida had ballot initiatives to amend their state constitutions to define marriage as being between one man and one woman. My views on this subject are well known, just scroll through my recent posts and you’ll see where I blogged frequently in favor of these initiatives.
There has been a fair amount of vitriol spewed over these initiatives. Several on-line news organizations today showed protests outside the LDS temple in Los Angeles and I’ve heard that plans are underway to hold more protests at other temples as well.
We are a country of laws, of the people, by the people, and for the people. In 2000, the people of California voted by a 61% margin to define marriage as being between one man and one woman. Four activist judges decided that the will of the people should not be followed in this case and overruled the voice and will of the people.
Here again the voice of the people has expressed its will. 52% of Californians believe that marriage should be between one man and one woman. The population of California is near 38 million. The LDS population in California is about 750,000. A fair amount of those are under voting age. Our voting population makes up less than 2% of the state’s population. I’m guessing that it was more than just LDS people that passed this initiative.
Notwithstanding, we seem to be on the receiving end of most of the venom. Here is a commercial that was run by the No on 8 crowd.
Isn’t it interesting that those that scream how intolerant I am are so mind numbingly intolerant? The opponents to the proposition spoke about how deceptive our claims were, i.e. it would impact what would be taught in schools, it would impact how churches could operate, etc. Here is an article by NPR (a fairly liberal news organization) that gleefully shows where religious organizations are getting beaten back on same sex issues. There is my documentation to support my concerns over this issue. In return, the same sex crowd used lies and distortions to instill fear and paranoia in the masses.
Despite protestations to the contrary, defining marriage as being between a man and a woman is not about hating gay people.
I know that God lives and that he loves all of His children. Yes, both the straight and the gay ones. We are on earth for a purpose. God wants to bless all of His children. He has provided commandments that if we follow, we will be blessed. There are more commandments than just homosexuality by the way, and I freely admit that I am not perfect. However, I don’t expect people to accept my faults and sins and simply pat me on the back and say, “That’s okay. You just be who you are.”
Society does not accept it when we break man’s law. When we catch criminals they are prosecuted. Apparently God’s laws don’t seem to carry the same weight by some.
Clearly the difference of opinion on this issue was only settled for a while. Those in favor of same sex marriage will try to overrule the passed proposition in the courts. Three lawsuits in California have already been filed. Will they be successful? Time will tell. I would expect the cases to find their way back to the California Supreme Court, which is the same court that overruled the last law in California passed by the voters against same sex marriage.
If the cases are not resolved in favor of gay marriage proponents I would expect it to show up on ballot after ballot until it does win. As society drifts farther and farther away from God’s teachings, I would expect it to pass someday. Does that mean that I should just stop fighting? No.
President Boyd K. Packer recently said, “Some work through political, social, and legal channels to redefine morality and marriage into something unrestrained, unnatural, and forbidden. But they never can change the design which has governed human life and happiness from the beginning.”
“We do not set the standards, but we are commanded to teach them and maintain them. The standard remains abstinence before marriage and total fidelity in marriage. However out of step we may seem, however much the standards are belittled, however much others yield, we will not yield, we cannot yield.”
Also, When I think of unfair and false attacks on the church I am reminded of these words from Elder Bruce R. McConkie,
“Now, I have what every true disciple has. It is called the testimony of Jesus. In our day it includes the revealed knowledge that the earthly kingdom—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—will triumph. In this connection may I set before you this illustration:"
"The Church is like a great caravan—organized, prepared, following an appointed course, with its captains of tens and captains of hundreds all in place.
What does it matter if a few barking dogs snap at the heels of the weary travelers? Or that predators claim those few who fall by the way? The caravan moves on.
Is there a ravine to cross, a miry mud hole to pull through, a steep grade to climb? So be it. The oxen are strong and the teamsters wise. The caravan moves on.
Are there storms that rage along the way, floods that wash away the bridges, deserts to cross, and rivers to ford? Such is life in this fallen sphere. The caravan moves on."
"Ahead is the celestial city, the eternal Zion of our God, where all who maintain their position in the caravan shall find food and drink and rest. Thank God that the caravan moves on!"
Finally, I think of the words in Moroni 9:6
And now, my beloved son, notwithstanding their hardness, let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God.
So I will continue to fight for what I know to be true. And between now and the time that gay marriage is fully legalized I will be stocking up on my food storage.
Some of the most eagerly contested issues had to do with same sex marriage. Three states, California, Arizona, and Florida had ballot initiatives to amend their state constitutions to define marriage as being between one man and one woman. My views on this subject are well known, just scroll through my recent posts and you’ll see where I blogged frequently in favor of these initiatives.
There has been a fair amount of vitriol spewed over these initiatives. Several on-line news organizations today showed protests outside the LDS temple in Los Angeles and I’ve heard that plans are underway to hold more protests at other temples as well.
We are a country of laws, of the people, by the people, and for the people. In 2000, the people of California voted by a 61% margin to define marriage as being between one man and one woman. Four activist judges decided that the will of the people should not be followed in this case and overruled the voice and will of the people.
Here again the voice of the people has expressed its will. 52% of Californians believe that marriage should be between one man and one woman. The population of California is near 38 million. The LDS population in California is about 750,000. A fair amount of those are under voting age. Our voting population makes up less than 2% of the state’s population. I’m guessing that it was more than just LDS people that passed this initiative.
Notwithstanding, we seem to be on the receiving end of most of the venom. Here is a commercial that was run by the No on 8 crowd.
Isn’t it interesting that those that scream how intolerant I am are so mind numbingly intolerant? The opponents to the proposition spoke about how deceptive our claims were, i.e. it would impact what would be taught in schools, it would impact how churches could operate, etc. Here is an article by NPR (a fairly liberal news organization) that gleefully shows where religious organizations are getting beaten back on same sex issues. There is my documentation to support my concerns over this issue. In return, the same sex crowd used lies and distortions to instill fear and paranoia in the masses.
Despite protestations to the contrary, defining marriage as being between a man and a woman is not about hating gay people.
I know that God lives and that he loves all of His children. Yes, both the straight and the gay ones. We are on earth for a purpose. God wants to bless all of His children. He has provided commandments that if we follow, we will be blessed. There are more commandments than just homosexuality by the way, and I freely admit that I am not perfect. However, I don’t expect people to accept my faults and sins and simply pat me on the back and say, “That’s okay. You just be who you are.”
Society does not accept it when we break man’s law. When we catch criminals they are prosecuted. Apparently God’s laws don’t seem to carry the same weight by some.
Clearly the difference of opinion on this issue was only settled for a while. Those in favor of same sex marriage will try to overrule the passed proposition in the courts. Three lawsuits in California have already been filed. Will they be successful? Time will tell. I would expect the cases to find their way back to the California Supreme Court, which is the same court that overruled the last law in California passed by the voters against same sex marriage.
If the cases are not resolved in favor of gay marriage proponents I would expect it to show up on ballot after ballot until it does win. As society drifts farther and farther away from God’s teachings, I would expect it to pass someday. Does that mean that I should just stop fighting? No.
President Boyd K. Packer recently said, “Some work through political, social, and legal channels to redefine morality and marriage into something unrestrained, unnatural, and forbidden. But they never can change the design which has governed human life and happiness from the beginning.”
“We do not set the standards, but we are commanded to teach them and maintain them. The standard remains abstinence before marriage and total fidelity in marriage. However out of step we may seem, however much the standards are belittled, however much others yield, we will not yield, we cannot yield.”
Also, When I think of unfair and false attacks on the church I am reminded of these words from Elder Bruce R. McConkie,
“Now, I have what every true disciple has. It is called the testimony of Jesus. In our day it includes the revealed knowledge that the earthly kingdom—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—will triumph. In this connection may I set before you this illustration:"
"The Church is like a great caravan—organized, prepared, following an appointed course, with its captains of tens and captains of hundreds all in place.
What does it matter if a few barking dogs snap at the heels of the weary travelers? Or that predators claim those few who fall by the way? The caravan moves on.
Is there a ravine to cross, a miry mud hole to pull through, a steep grade to climb? So be it. The oxen are strong and the teamsters wise. The caravan moves on.
Are there storms that rage along the way, floods that wash away the bridges, deserts to cross, and rivers to ford? Such is life in this fallen sphere. The caravan moves on."
"Ahead is the celestial city, the eternal Zion of our God, where all who maintain their position in the caravan shall find food and drink and rest. Thank God that the caravan moves on!"
Finally, I think of the words in Moroni 9:6
And now, my beloved son, notwithstanding their hardness, let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God.
So I will continue to fight for what I know to be true. And between now and the time that gay marriage is fully legalized I will be stocking up on my food storage.
Monday, November 3, 2008
The Gift of Tongues
Yesterday, all the stakes in Arizona had a broadcast Stake Conference. President Boyd K. Packer presided.
One of the things that I like best about Stake Conference is that I always get to sit in one of the front two rows. My wife is the designated ASL signer for those that are deaf. I sit in the corner so I can be close to her. I love watching her sign. My favortie ASL sign is "Jesus." Wendy and I refer to it as the seatbelt sign, because to me, the sign looks like someone is strapping on their seat belt in a car.
Anyway, there were several people that were hearing impaired in attendance and so I and our two boys sat in the second row. As the broadcast started we realized that whoever set up the audio had set it up to be heard in spanish. The congregation all chuckled and we wondered how long it would take to correct the problem. Wendy signed to those in front of her that the broadcast was in spanish and she didn't know how to interpret that.
However, sitting in the row behind us was a recently returned missionary that went to a spanish speaking mission. Wendy pulled him up and he whispered into Wendy's ear the translation from spanish to english and then Wendy translated it into ASL for those that needed it. This lasted for about ten minutes until the audio was fixed.
That was about the coolest thing I have ever seen in church.
One of the things that I like best about Stake Conference is that I always get to sit in one of the front two rows. My wife is the designated ASL signer for those that are deaf. I sit in the corner so I can be close to her. I love watching her sign. My favortie ASL sign is "Jesus." Wendy and I refer to it as the seatbelt sign, because to me, the sign looks like someone is strapping on their seat belt in a car.
Anyway, there were several people that were hearing impaired in attendance and so I and our two boys sat in the second row. As the broadcast started we realized that whoever set up the audio had set it up to be heard in spanish. The congregation all chuckled and we wondered how long it would take to correct the problem. Wendy signed to those in front of her that the broadcast was in spanish and she didn't know how to interpret that.
However, sitting in the row behind us was a recently returned missionary that went to a spanish speaking mission. Wendy pulled him up and he whispered into Wendy's ear the translation from spanish to english and then Wendy translated it into ASL for those that needed it. This lasted for about ten minutes until the audio was fixed.
That was about the coolest thing I have ever seen in church.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Rhys' Mission Call
The letter arrived today. We have been on pins and needles as we expected the call to show up a couple of weeks ago. Rhys showed tremendous restraint, as he knew that the call was here in the middle of the day and he actually waited until everyone was home before he opened it. We had grandparents and siblings on speaker phones on everybody's cell phones.
As it turns out, I should've stuck with my first guess because it was right. However, I let logic and reason take over and after I had thought about it for a while I decided that Rhys would end up going to New York City. He's not going there. Like I said, he's going to place that I guessed first.
Intially, Rhys was hoping to be called to Fiji, but earlier today he was hoping for Mozambique. He didn't get called to either of those places.
Rhys will enter the MTC on February 4th, which coincidentally happens to be my birthday. Sending our son on a mission is a good birthday gift, but getting him back two years later will be a better one. Rhys will serve the Lord for two years in the St. Louis Missouri Mission.
He is very pleased with his call and is looking forward to getting into the field.
Congrats Rhys. We love you and are so pleased by your decision to give two years of your life to the Lord in this endeavor.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Guess where Rhys will go on his mission
Hi all,
Our son Rhys should receive his mission call either today or next Friday. Feel free to post a comment and take a wild guess as to where he'll end up.
To make full disclosure I will give the following information which might be relevant, but then again, might not be...
He has studied four years of spanish in high school. His older brother is coming home from the Belem, Brazil mission on November 5th. He is secretly hoping to be sent to Fiji.
Please post a guess and we'll let you know where he's going once we find out.
Our son Rhys should receive his mission call either today or next Friday. Feel free to post a comment and take a wild guess as to where he'll end up.
To make full disclosure I will give the following information which might be relevant, but then again, might not be...
He has studied four years of spanish in high school. His older brother is coming home from the Belem, Brazil mission on November 5th. He is secretly hoping to be sent to Fiji.
Please post a guess and we'll let you know where he's going once we find out.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
1st Graders field trip to a lesbian wedding
Yesterday, I posted a video from Tony Perkins and the Family Research Council. It talked about how in states where gay marriage was allowed, that the students would have to be taught that gay marriage in all ways is equivalent to traditional marriage. Just in case you thought I was over reacting. This hit the newswires today.
School Field Trip to Teacher's Lesbian Wedding Sparks Controversy
First-graders in San Francisco took a field trip to City Hall to celebrate the marriage of their lesbian teacher on Friday, but opponents of same-sex marriage in the state say the field trip was an attempt to “indoctrinate” the students, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
The field trip was suggested by a parent at the Creative Arts Charter School, and the school said the trip, where students tossed rose petals on their teacher and her wife as they left City Hall, was academically relevant.
"It really is what we call a teachable moment," said Liz Jaroslow, the school’s interim director, according to the newspaper. She said same-sex marriage had historic significance. "I think I'm well within the parameters."
California will vote on Nov. 4 on Proposition 8 which seeks to ban same-sex marriage in the state, and supporters of the measure say the field trip shows that allowing same-sex marriage will mean it’s taught to school children, the newspaper said.
"It's just utterly unreasonable that a public school field trip would be to a same-sex wedding," said Chip White, press secretary for the Yes on 8 campaign, told the Chronicle. "This is overt indoctrination of children who are too young to have an understanding of its purpose."
Everyone will be affected by recent court decisions in Massachusetts and California. Stand up and be heard. If you live in California, vote yes on prop 8. If you live in Arizona, vote yes on prop 102. Families are too important not to stand up for them at this defining moment in history.
School Field Trip to Teacher's Lesbian Wedding Sparks Controversy
First-graders in San Francisco took a field trip to City Hall to celebrate the marriage of their lesbian teacher on Friday, but opponents of same-sex marriage in the state say the field trip was an attempt to “indoctrinate” the students, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
The field trip was suggested by a parent at the Creative Arts Charter School, and the school said the trip, where students tossed rose petals on their teacher and her wife as they left City Hall, was academically relevant.
"It really is what we call a teachable moment," said Liz Jaroslow, the school’s interim director, according to the newspaper. She said same-sex marriage had historic significance. "I think I'm well within the parameters."
California will vote on Nov. 4 on Proposition 8 which seeks to ban same-sex marriage in the state, and supporters of the measure say the field trip shows that allowing same-sex marriage will mean it’s taught to school children, the newspaper said.
"It's just utterly unreasonable that a public school field trip would be to a same-sex wedding," said Chip White, press secretary for the Yes on 8 campaign, told the Chronicle. "This is overt indoctrination of children who are too young to have an understanding of its purpose."
Everyone will be affected by recent court decisions in Massachusetts and California. Stand up and be heard. If you live in California, vote yes on prop 8. If you live in Arizona, vote yes on prop 102. Families are too important not to stand up for them at this defining moment in history.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Gay marriage is a slippery slope to the destruction of society
Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council helps explain the slippery slope we’re on if we endorse gay marriage. At the end of the day, the question becomes, what is best for a child? What is best for a family? And what is best for society? Those that disagree with my views, invariably ask what is the harm to anyone if two people want to be married, regardless of their gender? The answer is PLENTY. Several studies suggest that a child is best raised in a two parent household, with both a mother and a father. My support for that comment can be found below in other posts I have written on the subject.
If we legalize same-sex marriage, then it must be taught in our school system as being morally equivalent to traditional marriage. It is now the gay rights community that is being intolerant. I affirm that God does exist and that He loves all of His children regardless of how we choose to live our lives. However, that does not diminish the fact that He wants to bless His children. He has given us commandments, that if followed, will bring us happiness and peace, in this life and the next. As always, please feel free to post your comments for or against my views.
If we legalize same-sex marriage, then it must be taught in our school system as being morally equivalent to traditional marriage. It is now the gay rights community that is being intolerant. I affirm that God does exist and that He loves all of His children regardless of how we choose to live our lives. However, that does not diminish the fact that He wants to bless His children. He has given us commandments, that if followed, will bring us happiness and peace, in this life and the next. As always, please feel free to post your comments for or against my views.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Eight Reasons to Defend Man/Woman Marriage
Family Watch International has published a treatise called, "Eight Reasons to Defend Man/Woman Marriage. It reads in part:
Eight Reasons to Defend Man/Woman Marriage
“One can believe in same-sex marriage. One can believe that every child deserves a mother and a father. One cannot believe both.”
David Blankenhorn, Institute for American Values 1
1. Legalizing same-sex marriage severs children from their right to know and be raised by their biological parents.
Whatever you legalize, you encourage, and therefore get more of. If same-sex marriage is legalized, more children will be raised without a mother or a father. Social science research overwhelmingly proves that children do best on all measures of health and wellbeing when they are raised by their married biological parents. Man/woman marriage optimizes the chances of children being raised and cared for by both biological parents while same-sex marriages establish unions that will always deny the child the right to be raised by either a mother or a father.
Research also shows that mothers and fathers, by nature of their genders, make unique contributions to the development of their children and that these contributions cannot be replaced by two “parents” of the same sex. If society sanctions marriages that make it impossible for children to be raised by either their mother or father, children suffer.
To use an analogy: You could pass a law that says oranges now are apples. But oranges will never look like apples or taste like apples or be apples no matter how many laws we pass, nor will they ever produce the same seeds as apples. Just because we recognize this reality does not mean we have animosity toward oranges. In fact, we can like both oranges and apples and still hold an opinion that they are different. While this example may seem silly, it illustrates that the proposed radical experiment with same-sex marriage attempts to achieve the impossible. Same-sex marriage will never bear the same fruit as man/woman marriage – no matter how many laws are passed because it is radically different.
2. Legalizing same-sex marriage encourages the creation of children through reproductive arrangements that are not in their best interest.
By the laws of nature, same-sex couples cannot have children naturally. Recognizing same-sex marriages encourages increasing use of sperm banks, surrogate mothers and a number of other artificial reproductive technologies. The “products” of these technologies (i.e., children) too often find themselves at the center of court battles to determine who are their legally recognized parents. In addition, troubling testimonies have begun to emerge from children created through sperm donation regarding the negative impact this has had on them. For example, a woman who was raised by two lesbian parents from birth stated, “… I have still felt an empty space in my life, the lack of a father, and no matter the love that I have had from both of my mothers and the rarity of...
To read the rest of their article please click here.
Eight Reasons to Defend Man/Woman Marriage
“One can believe in same-sex marriage. One can believe that every child deserves a mother and a father. One cannot believe both.”
David Blankenhorn, Institute for American Values 1
1. Legalizing same-sex marriage severs children from their right to know and be raised by their biological parents.
Whatever you legalize, you encourage, and therefore get more of. If same-sex marriage is legalized, more children will be raised without a mother or a father. Social science research overwhelmingly proves that children do best on all measures of health and wellbeing when they are raised by their married biological parents. Man/woman marriage optimizes the chances of children being raised and cared for by both biological parents while same-sex marriages establish unions that will always deny the child the right to be raised by either a mother or a father.
Research also shows that mothers and fathers, by nature of their genders, make unique contributions to the development of their children and that these contributions cannot be replaced by two “parents” of the same sex. If society sanctions marriages that make it impossible for children to be raised by either their mother or father, children suffer.
To use an analogy: You could pass a law that says oranges now are apples. But oranges will never look like apples or taste like apples or be apples no matter how many laws we pass, nor will they ever produce the same seeds as apples. Just because we recognize this reality does not mean we have animosity toward oranges. In fact, we can like both oranges and apples and still hold an opinion that they are different. While this example may seem silly, it illustrates that the proposed radical experiment with same-sex marriage attempts to achieve the impossible. Same-sex marriage will never bear the same fruit as man/woman marriage – no matter how many laws are passed because it is radically different.
2. Legalizing same-sex marriage encourages the creation of children through reproductive arrangements that are not in their best interest.
By the laws of nature, same-sex couples cannot have children naturally. Recognizing same-sex marriages encourages increasing use of sperm banks, surrogate mothers and a number of other artificial reproductive technologies. The “products” of these technologies (i.e., children) too often find themselves at the center of court battles to determine who are their legally recognized parents. In addition, troubling testimonies have begun to emerge from children created through sperm donation regarding the negative impact this has had on them. For example, a woman who was raised by two lesbian parents from birth stated, “… I have still felt an empty space in my life, the lack of a father, and no matter the love that I have had from both of my mothers and the rarity of...
To read the rest of their article please click here.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Family and the sanctity of marriage
Legal battles are looming in the drive to define what is a family and what unions are allowed to be called marriage. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' stance on this issue is unequivocal, and it can be found here.
It states in part:
"The California Supreme Court recently ruled that same-sex marriage was legal in California. Recognizing the importance of marriage to society, the Church accepted an invitation to participate in ProtectMarriage, a coalition of churches, organizations, and individuals sponsoring a November ballot measure, Proposition 8, that would amend the California state constitution to ensure that only a marriage between a man and a woman would be legally recognized. (Information about the coalition can be found at ProtectMarriage.com.
On June 20, 2008, the First Presidency of the Church distributed a letter about “Preserving Traditional Marriage and Strengthening Families,” announcing the Church’s participation with the coalition. The letter, which was read in Latter-day Saints’ church services in California, asked that Church members “do all [they] can to support the proposed constitutional amendment.”
Members of the Church in Arizona and Florida will also be voting on constitutional amendments regarding marriage in their states, where coalitions similar to California’s are now being formed.
The focus of the Church’s involvement is specifically same-sex marriage and its consequences. The Church does not object to rights (already established in California) regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, or probate rights, so long as these do not infringe on the integrity of the family or the constitutional rights of churches and their adherents to administer and practice their religion free from government interference.
The Church has a single, undeviating standard of sexual morality: intimate relations are proper only between a husband and a wife united in the bonds of matrimony.
The Church’s opposition to same-sex marriage neither constitutes nor condones any kind of hostility towards homosexual men and women. Protecting marriage between a man and a woman does not affect Church members’ Christian obligations of love, kindness and humanity toward all people."
Please take the time to read the entire article. If you do it will become evident that the church's stance is not anti-gay, as some might claim, but rather it is pro-family. It cites several examples of the benefits to having both a father and a mother in the home. It discusses the alarming rate of homes where children are raised by a single parent.
David Blankenhorn in Fatherless America: Confronting Our Most Urgent Social Problem states: "The United States is becoming an increasingly fatherless society. A generation ago, an American child could reasonably expect to grow up with his or her father. Today, an American child can reasonably expect not to. Fatherlessness is now approaching a rough parity with fatherhood as a defining feature of American childhood.
This astonishing fact is reflected in many statistics, but here are the two most important. Tonight, about 40 percent of American children will go to sleep in homes in which their fathers do not live. Before they reach the age of eighteen, more than half of our nation's children are likely to spend at least a significant portion of their childhood living apart from their fathers. Never before in this country have so many children been voluntarily abandoned by their fathers. Never before have so many children grown up without knowing what it means to have a father.
Fatherlessness is the most harmful demographic trend of this generation. It is the leading cause of declining child well-being in our society. It is also the engine driving our most urgent social problems, from crime to adolescent pregnancy to child sexual abuse to domestic violence against women. Yet, despite its scale and social consequences, fatherlessness is a problem that is frequently ignored or denied. Especially within our elite discourse, it remains largely a problem with no name."
David Popenoe In his book, Life Without Fathers, states: "The decline of fatherhood is one of the most basic, unexpected and extraordinary trends of our time. Its dimensions can be captured in a single statistic: In just three decades, between 1960 and 1990, the percentage of children living apart from their biological fathers more than doubled, from 17 percent to 36 percent. By the turn of the century, nearly 50 percent of American children may be going to sleep each evening without being able to say good night to their dads.
No one predicted this trend; few researchers or government agencies have monitored it; and it is not widely discussed, even today. But the decline of fatherhood is a major force behind many of the most disturbing problems that plague American society: crime; premature sexuality and out-of-wedlock births to teenagers; deteriorating educational achievement; depression, substance abuse and alienation among adolescents; and the growing number of women and children in poverty."
As the definition of marriage changes and is trivialized, the sanctity of human life decreases.
According to Wikipedia, the current population in the United States is 305,275,000. According to the Guttmacher Institute, 45,000,000 legal abortions were performed between 1973 and 2005. That number is an eye popping 15% of the total population.
NPR reports that in recent court battles between religious and same sex groups, that religions are losing. Some of the examples they cited include:
"Adoption services: Catholic Charities in Massachusetts refused to place children with same-sex couples as required by Massachusetts law. After a legislative struggle — during which the Senate president said he could not support a bill "condoning discrimination" — Catholic Charities pulled out of the adoption business in 2006.
Medical services: A Christian gynecologist at North Coast Women's Care Medical Group in Vista, Calif., refused to give his patient in vitro fertilization treatment because she is in a lesbian relationship, and he claimed that doing so would violate his religious beliefs. (The doctor referred the patient to his partner, who agreed to do the treatment.) The woman sued under the state's civil rights act. The California Supreme Court heard oral arguments in May 2008, and legal experts believe that the woman's right to medical treatment will trump the doctor's religious beliefs. One justice suggested that the doctors take up a different line of business.
Wedding facilities: Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association of New Jersey, a Methodist organization, refused to rent its boardwalk pavilion to a lesbian couple for their civil union ceremony. The couple filed a complaint with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights. The division ruled that the boardwalk property was open for public use, therefore the Methodist group could not discriminate against gay couples using it. In the interim, the state's Department of Environmental Protection revoked a portion of the association's tax benefits. The case is ongoing."
Tell me, what happens when a gay couple decides that they want to be married inside of an LDS chapel, or temple? At the moment, I can't see how such a thing would be allowed. However, legal precedent is being made with frightening forward looking possibilities.
Heavenly Father loves all of his children regardless of the choices they make in life. However, He has given us commandments, that if we follow, will bless our lives.
His commandments are designed and intended to increase our joy and peace.
One of the greatest gifts we have been given on earth are families. As we continue to confuse what defines a family or a marriage, we reject the blessings He wants to give us.
What can we do?
Go to ProtectMarriage.com and sign up.
If you live in California, vote in favor of Prop 8 and encourage others to do likewise.
Arizona and Florida have similar ballot issues this fall. If you live there, vote in favor of them.
Write letters to your governmental legislators telling them that you support the definition of marriage being defined as a union between one man and one woman.
Donate of your means and times to support the ballot initiatives.
It states in part:
"The California Supreme Court recently ruled that same-sex marriage was legal in California. Recognizing the importance of marriage to society, the Church accepted an invitation to participate in ProtectMarriage, a coalition of churches, organizations, and individuals sponsoring a November ballot measure, Proposition 8, that would amend the California state constitution to ensure that only a marriage between a man and a woman would be legally recognized. (Information about the coalition can be found at ProtectMarriage.com.
On June 20, 2008, the First Presidency of the Church distributed a letter about “Preserving Traditional Marriage and Strengthening Families,” announcing the Church’s participation with the coalition. The letter, which was read in Latter-day Saints’ church services in California, asked that Church members “do all [they] can to support the proposed constitutional amendment.”
Members of the Church in Arizona and Florida will also be voting on constitutional amendments regarding marriage in their states, where coalitions similar to California’s are now being formed.
The focus of the Church’s involvement is specifically same-sex marriage and its consequences. The Church does not object to rights (already established in California) regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, or probate rights, so long as these do not infringe on the integrity of the family or the constitutional rights of churches and their adherents to administer and practice their religion free from government interference.
The Church has a single, undeviating standard of sexual morality: intimate relations are proper only between a husband and a wife united in the bonds of matrimony.
The Church’s opposition to same-sex marriage neither constitutes nor condones any kind of hostility towards homosexual men and women. Protecting marriage between a man and a woman does not affect Church members’ Christian obligations of love, kindness and humanity toward all people."
Please take the time to read the entire article. If you do it will become evident that the church's stance is not anti-gay, as some might claim, but rather it is pro-family. It cites several examples of the benefits to having both a father and a mother in the home. It discusses the alarming rate of homes where children are raised by a single parent.
David Blankenhorn in Fatherless America: Confronting Our Most Urgent Social Problem states: "The United States is becoming an increasingly fatherless society. A generation ago, an American child could reasonably expect to grow up with his or her father. Today, an American child can reasonably expect not to. Fatherlessness is now approaching a rough parity with fatherhood as a defining feature of American childhood.
This astonishing fact is reflected in many statistics, but here are the two most important. Tonight, about 40 percent of American children will go to sleep in homes in which their fathers do not live. Before they reach the age of eighteen, more than half of our nation's children are likely to spend at least a significant portion of their childhood living apart from their fathers. Never before in this country have so many children been voluntarily abandoned by their fathers. Never before have so many children grown up without knowing what it means to have a father.
Fatherlessness is the most harmful demographic trend of this generation. It is the leading cause of declining child well-being in our society. It is also the engine driving our most urgent social problems, from crime to adolescent pregnancy to child sexual abuse to domestic violence against women. Yet, despite its scale and social consequences, fatherlessness is a problem that is frequently ignored or denied. Especially within our elite discourse, it remains largely a problem with no name."
David Popenoe In his book, Life Without Fathers, states: "The decline of fatherhood is one of the most basic, unexpected and extraordinary trends of our time. Its dimensions can be captured in a single statistic: In just three decades, between 1960 and 1990, the percentage of children living apart from their biological fathers more than doubled, from 17 percent to 36 percent. By the turn of the century, nearly 50 percent of American children may be going to sleep each evening without being able to say good night to their dads.
No one predicted this trend; few researchers or government agencies have monitored it; and it is not widely discussed, even today. But the decline of fatherhood is a major force behind many of the most disturbing problems that plague American society: crime; premature sexuality and out-of-wedlock births to teenagers; deteriorating educational achievement; depression, substance abuse and alienation among adolescents; and the growing number of women and children in poverty."
As the definition of marriage changes and is trivialized, the sanctity of human life decreases.
According to Wikipedia, the current population in the United States is 305,275,000. According to the Guttmacher Institute, 45,000,000 legal abortions were performed between 1973 and 2005. That number is an eye popping 15% of the total population.
NPR reports that in recent court battles between religious and same sex groups, that religions are losing. Some of the examples they cited include:
"Adoption services: Catholic Charities in Massachusetts refused to place children with same-sex couples as required by Massachusetts law. After a legislative struggle — during which the Senate president said he could not support a bill "condoning discrimination" — Catholic Charities pulled out of the adoption business in 2006.
Medical services: A Christian gynecologist at North Coast Women's Care Medical Group in Vista, Calif., refused to give his patient in vitro fertilization treatment because she is in a lesbian relationship, and he claimed that doing so would violate his religious beliefs. (The doctor referred the patient to his partner, who agreed to do the treatment.) The woman sued under the state's civil rights act. The California Supreme Court heard oral arguments in May 2008, and legal experts believe that the woman's right to medical treatment will trump the doctor's religious beliefs. One justice suggested that the doctors take up a different line of business.
Wedding facilities: Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association of New Jersey, a Methodist organization, refused to rent its boardwalk pavilion to a lesbian couple for their civil union ceremony. The couple filed a complaint with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights. The division ruled that the boardwalk property was open for public use, therefore the Methodist group could not discriminate against gay couples using it. In the interim, the state's Department of Environmental Protection revoked a portion of the association's tax benefits. The case is ongoing."
Tell me, what happens when a gay couple decides that they want to be married inside of an LDS chapel, or temple? At the moment, I can't see how such a thing would be allowed. However, legal precedent is being made with frightening forward looking possibilities.
Heavenly Father loves all of his children regardless of the choices they make in life. However, He has given us commandments, that if we follow, will bless our lives.
His commandments are designed and intended to increase our joy and peace.
One of the greatest gifts we have been given on earth are families. As we continue to confuse what defines a family or a marriage, we reject the blessings He wants to give us.
What can we do?
Go to ProtectMarriage.com and sign up.
If you live in California, vote in favor of Prop 8 and encourage others to do likewise.
Arizona and Florida have similar ballot issues this fall. If you live there, vote in favor of them.
Write letters to your governmental legislators telling them that you support the definition of marriage being defined as a union between one man and one woman.
Donate of your means and times to support the ballot initiatives.
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