I have received a few emails from people regarding prop 8. Although it is a difficult issue, this is an issue that I feel strongly about. I'm saddened that it has caused so much contriversy, so much division (both outside and within the LDS church) and so much hatred. This isn't about intolerance or descriminating against gays, although many feel that it is. I think it's quite ironic that those who feel that it is an issue of descrimination feel perfectly justified descriminating against members of the LDS church, and against those who are in support of Prop 8. I believe that Prop 8 is about exercising the right to stand up for what you believe in and to fight against something that you feel will ultimately threaten your right to practice religion freely. It's about the consequences we believe will inevitably come if marriage is redefined as anything other than between a man and woman.
Because I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I believe in a living prophet of God. Traditionally, the LDS church maintains a very neutral position when it comes to politics, simply encouraging its' members to study the issues, and to pray to help them to be guided to vote for issues and leaders who will lead us with integrity. However, during this election, for the first time in 20-30 years, the leaders of the LDS church felt strongly that we needed to be involved. We, as members of the LDS church, needed to invest our time, effort and means to help this to pass. It must be pretty important then. For me, it's so black and white. Even if I don't fully understand all the details, I know enough. I know that we have a living prophet, who prophesies, knows, understands and sees things that I can't. If President Thomas S. Monson believes that this needs to pass, I believe him. There is a really good article about Prop 8, the sanctity of marriage and why the LDS church became involved. Click here to read it. My mom and I were talking the other day about how the division line between good and evil has become so blurred. More than ever, it's time to choose a side, to take a stand, and to make sure that we are standing on the Lord's side of the line. Do your part by spending just a couple of minutes signing this petition and sending an email to your Governor and legislators.
This is from an email I received regarding Prop 8.
Urge Governor, Legislators NOT to oppose Prop 8
We have arrived at a most urgent time in history. Some elected officials in California - the governor and a number of legislators - have decided that the vote of the people means NOTHING. For reasons known only to them, they have indicated that they want the vote of the people concerning Proposition 8 overturned. To date, 44 legislators as well as the governor are petitioning the California Supreme Court to declare Proposition 8 unconstitutional. Although I fail to see how something that is in the constitution can be unconstitutional, this is what they are advocating nevertheless. I have never - EVER - witnessed such blatant disdain from elected officials towards a majority of their constituents as is the case concerning the sanctity of marriage. What we must do is to let our voices be heard-NOW. I am not suggesting we should take to the streets as the marriage opponents are currently doing. We must make our voices be heard directly by every legislator in California - both in the Assembly and in the Senate - as well as by the governor. We have voted on this issue - TWICE - and it is high time the government of the people, by the people, and for the people be restored TO the people. Take Action Now!
Click here to take action now and write to your California Governor and Congressmen.
On another website you can sign this petition, which will be delivered to Governor Schwarzenegger.
Proposition 8: Governor Schwarzenegger Respect the Voter's Will
If you are a California citizen, please act immediately to sign this petition to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger who is urging the California Supreme Court to overthrow the results of the recent free and fair election which passed Proposition 8, defining marriage as between a man and a woman. His actions as governor in attempting to negate this vote are an insult to the voters of California and undermine the rule of law. We will deliver this letter with your signatures to his office as a means of saying that the voices of the voters should neither be disregarded, nor silenced.
Please pass this petition on to your friends and urge them to sign it by clicking here.
Dear Governor Schwarzenegger,
Since election day, you have made comments urging the California Supreme Court to overturn the citizens' will in passing Proposition 8 in California defining marriage as between a man and a woman. This was passed after a rigorous election process by a healthy margin of 52% to 48%.
You have recommended that the state Supreme Court declare the initiative unconstitutional and said, "The important thing now is to resolve this issue." The election passing Proposition 8 did resolve the issue, according to the most basic tenet of our free society, which is based on the "consent of the governed."
When Thomas Jefferson put that language about "consent of the governed" in the Declaration of Independence, it was not just a nice-sounding phrase, but the keystone of the Declaration and, indeed, the entire revolution. It captured the fundamental reason the colonists had decided to leave the British Commonwealth, and why they were willing, as the Declaration put it, to "pledge their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor" to the cause of independence. The hallmark and foundation of this country is the "consent of the governed."
James Wilson of New Jersey, who signed both the Declaration and the Constitution, wrote that "the only reason why a free and independent man was bound by human laws was this - that he bound himself." In other words, he consented to be bound by them, because he participated in the process.
To try to overturn an election is an insult to voters and undermines the democratic process. As governor, it is your responsibility to support and defend the California constitution, which now reads that marriage is between a man and a woman and the foundation processes of our country that are based on "consent of the governed."
We urge you to:
-Publically accept the results of the ballot initiative as the will of the people
-Publically recant any suggestions that the California Supreme Court should overturn the voice of a free and fair election.
-Condemn the recent assaults upon the First Amendment rights of supporters of Proposition 8. We echo what the Protect Marriage coalition has said, "Amidst all this lawlessness, harassment, trampling of civil rights and now domestic terrorism, one thing stands out: the deafening silence of our elected officials. Not a single elected leader has spoken out against what is happening." We look to you to speak out against those who would silence free speech by targeting donors, disrupting church services and vandalizing property.
Sincerely,
Your Name & Address Here
Click on this link if you are in agreement and would like to sign this petition http://familyleader.info/petitions/petition_5.php
Sienna in her adorable Christmas dress (one of the FOUR my mom bought to choose from!)
The fam at the Ryan Shupe & the Rubber Band Christmas Concert! We missed you Jeff, Carolyn and the boys and Nelly!
The first gourmet club I attended was hosted by Shelly & Lindsay. The theme was "An Asian Occasion".
I have to mention how incredible the lemon pie was. If I ever have to choose between anything and chocolate, I would always go for chocolate, but I will tell you, I took one bite of this pie and couldn't stop. It was incredible. Here's the recipe. 
The girls fussing over Sienna (yes, this was staged :) 
Jake Sim chillin' in a Bug's Life at California Adventure
Sienna and her boyfriend Corbin(and me & Mel)
My bff Jeni
San Diego Temple
Andy & Jamie
Little Samson holding Sienna. Love those big brown eyes!
Can you tell that Sienna loved her first trip to Wahoo's? 
