Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas. Bonnie, Greg, Jacob, Austin and Cheryl and Jim joined us for Christmas. I love having family with us. We had plenty of food and goodies. We also played many games. It was sad to see everyone leave. For pictures of Christmas go to Bonnie’s blog: http://bonnie-dancingintherain.blogspot.com/2008/12/christmas-2008.html

Bonnie left the morning of Monday Dec. 29th, Dad’s birthday. Dad appreciated receiving phone calls, but after that not much happened for his birthday. We went to the store and found him an angel food cake with strawberries and cool whip. I sang happy birthday to him, but I forgot to give him the birthday card I’d bought for him.

We were planning to leave for Utah at 4 am on Tuesday morning, but Monday night we decided we were tired and around 9 o'clock that night we bought tickets to fly to Utah the next morning.

Photoshop Class

Today was the last day of my Photoshop class. I am still a beginner, but this is an image of the web page I created for my last assignment. (Doubleclick on the picture to enlarge it.)

Brianne's Baptism

Last weekend we enjoyed Thanksgiving with Suzanne’s family. A special event was Brianne’s baptism on Saturday Nov. 29th. Brianne was so excited and had a beautiful smile on her face. Brianne’s grandmother Sandra gave a talk on baptism, and I gave the talk on the gift of the Holy Ghost. Caitlin and Brianne have lovely voices and sang Baptism together, accompanied by their mother. Brianne was baptized and confirmed by her father. There was a wonderful feeling in the room in which we could feel the Spirit. I’m grateful for the gospel and the choices our grandchildren are making to be baptized and live the gospel.

WE ALL ARE MORMONS....by Rabbi Shifren

We are living in an era of insanity! Witness the latest attempt to remake the nature of our country, founded and established on certain principles that have been the envy of the entire world. The latest assault on our country and its values comes in the form of vicious and criminal violence against the Mormon church in Westwood, California.

Interesting how the selective self-righteous indignation on the part of the radical Gay activists is played out here: they bewail the blow to freedom and justice! But I thought we just had elections, where the majority of Californians expressed their views in a free and open manner. Are we not a nation of laws? Dare we relive the McCarthy era, where Americans were harassed and threatened with the loss of their jobs for believing in a certain way? If the Gay radicals should have their way, untold numbers of Americans would live under the threat of the Gay-Lesbian "thought police," where individuals that reject the Gay lifestyle would be sought out and have sanctions brought against them.

It's bad enough for those working in the entertainment industry here in Los Angeles, where a fog of political correctness and a bending over backwards to accommodate, even promote Gay lifestyle is in full gear. Let none dare say that this type of activity is anathema to our country, our morality, and the debauchery of our young people.

Let it be stated unequivocally: The radical Gay attack on the Mormons is the shot over the bow against the United States of America. There was a time when what a man did in his bedroom was sanctified between himself and G-d. Now we are being served an "in-your-face" smorgasbord of smut and licentiousness as being between people who only "want their civil rights."

Hogwash! We are dealing with the equivalent of a moral takeover of the country that has as its bedrock a belief in G-d and His promise for humanity. They don't want civil rights! What they desire is quasi Gay/Lesbian hegemony, where a huge "bookburning," reminiscent of the Nazis, will purge any remnants of the "Christian, White, mainstream America" that has given ALL AMERICANS the most profound scope of freedom, liberty, and justice that Mankind has yet to experience.

People have perhaps wondered: why the Mormons? Answer: they are a small, yet vocal Christian minority. They have been selected by the mobs as vulnerable, a group that might not have such massive support among America's Christians.

We who are friends of the Mormons, their patriotism, their family values, will not falter in our continued support of these dear Americans. Let us recall the Christian minister Niemoller, whose admonition during those dark years of Nazi Germany moved us to our core:

"When they came for the gypsies, I said nothing, because I wasn't a gypsy. When they came for the homosexuals, I said nothing, because I wasn't a homosexual. When they came for the Jews, I said nothing, because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the Catholics, and I said nothing, because I wasn't a Catholic......then they came for me, and there was no one left to defend me."

My fellow Americans, in the coming battle for the heart and soul of America and everything we cherish, may this call to arms be the mantra of every concerned patriot:
"WE ALL ARE MORMONS!"

http://www.lawatchdog.com/RabbiShifren-WeAreAllMormons112008.html

Ukiah Chapel on Sunday Morning

Newt Gingrich Warns of ‘Gay Fascism’

Newt Gingrich Warns of ‘Gay Fascism’
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 12:21 PM
By: Jim Meyers

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich warns that a “gay and secular fascism” in the U.S. is prepared to use violence to impose its will on the rest of the country.

Appearing on Fox News’ “The O’Reilly Factor” on Nov. 14, Gingrich and host Bill O’Reilly discussed the recently passed California ballot initiative, Proposition 8, amending the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage.

O’Reilly cited the protests by gay activists that broke out after the vote and troubling incidents associated with them, including a woman who had a cross knocked out of her hand and a Michigan church invaded by gay activists.

Gingrich responded: “I think there is a gay and secular fascism in this country that wants to impose its will on the rest of us, is prepared to use violence, to use harassment. I think it is prepared to use the government if it can get control of it. I think that it is a very dangerous threat to anybody who believes in traditional religion. And I think if you believe in historic Christianity, you have to confront the fact.”

He went on: “For that matter, if you believe in the historic version of Islam or the historic version of Judaism, you have to confront the reality that these secular extremists are determined to impose on you acceptance of a series of values that are antithetical, they're the opposite of what you're taught in Sunday school.”

The Georgia Republican, who left the House in January 1999, added: “I think when the left, when the radicals lost the vote in California, they are determined to impose their will on this country no matter what the popular opinion, no matter what the law of the land. You've watched them, for example, in Massachusetts, basically drive the Catholic Church out of running adoption services, drive Catholic hospitals out of offering any services, because [the radicals] impose secular rules that are fundamentally … sinful from the standpoint” of the church.”

Among the most prominent targets of gay outrage is the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which opponents say donated more than $20 million to the Yes on 8 campaign. It has been already become a focus of protests, with demonstrators gathered around Mormon temples not only in California but across the country.

African Americans, 70 percent of whom voted yes on Prop. 8, according to exit polls, have also become targets, according to Time Magazine’s Web site. Eyewitness reports published on the Internet indicate that racial epithets have been used against African Americans at protests in California - with some even directed at blacks who are fighting to repeal Prop. 8.

Gay rights activists also have begun publishing lists online exposing individuals and organizations that have donated money in support of Prop. 8, according to Time.

On AntiGayBlacklist.com, individuals who gave money toward Prop. 8 are publicized, and readers are urged not to patronize their businesses or services. The list of donors was culled from data on ElectionTrack.com, which follows all contributions of $1,000 and more and all contributions of more than $100 given before Oct. 17.

“Dentists,accountants, veterinarians and the like who gave a few thousand dollars to the cause are listed alongside major donors like the Container Supply Company Inc. of Garden Grove, which gave $250,000,” Time reported.

Gingrich had released a video urging Californians to vote for Proposition 8, which overrode a recent California Supreme Court decision that had recognized same-sex marriage in the state.

The Proposition passed by a vote of 52.2 percent to 47.8 percent.

© 2008 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
http://www.newsmax.com/politics/Gingrich_Gay_Fascism/2008/11/18/152539.html

More of the Same - Wizard of Id

Little Red Hen

THE BARNYARD

Once upon a time, on a farm in North Carolina, there was a little red hen who scratched about the barnyard until she uncovered quite a few grains of wheat. She called all of her neighbors together and said, "If we plant this wheat, we shall have bread to eat. Who will help me plant it?"

"Not I," said the cow.
"Not I," said the duck.
"Not I," said the pig.
"Not I," said the goose.

"Then I will do it by myself," said the little red hen, and so she did.

The wheat grew very tall and ripened into golden grain.

"Who will help me reap my wheat?" asked the little red hen.

"Not I," said the duck.
"Out of my classification," said the pig.
"I'd lose my seniority," said the cow.
"I'd lose my unemployment compensation," said the goose.

"Then I will do it by myself," said the little red hen, and so she did.

At last it came time to bake the bread. "Who will help me bake the bread?" asked the little red hen.

"That would be overtime for me," said the cow.
"I'd lose my welfare benefits," said the duck.
"I'm a dropout and never learned how," said the pig.
"If I'm to be the only helper, that's discrimination," said the goose.

"Then I will do it by myself," said the little red hen. She baked five loaves and held them up for all of her neighbors to see. They wanted some and, in fact, demanded a share. But the little red hen said, "No, I shall eat all five loaves."

"Excess profits!" cried the cow. (Nancy Pelosi)
"Capitalist leech!" screamed the duck. (Barbara Boxer)
"I demand equal rights!" yelled the goose. (Jesse Jackson)
The pig just grunted in disdain. (Ted Kennedy)
And they all painted "Unfair!" picket signs and marched around and around the little red hen shouting obscenities.

Then the farmer (Obama) came. He said to the little red hen, "You must not be so greedy."

"But I worked hard and earned the bread," said the little red hen.

"Exactly," said Barack the farmer. "That is what makes our free enterprise system so wonderful. Anyone in the barnyard can earn as much as he wants. But under our modern government regulations, the productive workers must divide the fruits of their labor with those who are lazy and idle."

And they all lived happily ever after, including the little red hen, who smiled and clucked, "I am grateful for now I truly understand." But her neighbors became quite disappointed in her. She never again baked bread because she joined the 'party' and got her bread free. And all the Democrats smiled. 'Fairness' had been established. Individual initiative had died, but nobody noticed; perhaps no one cared... so long as there was free bread that 'the rich' were paying for.

EPILOGUE

Bill Clinton is getting $12 million for his memoirs. Hillary got $8 million for hers. That's $20 million for the memories from two people, who for eight years, repeatedly testified, under oath, that they couldn't remember anything.

IS THIS A GREAT BARNYARD OR WHAT?

Source: Email from Grace Jones

A Beautiful Day

It was a beautiful day in Ukiah for Cheryl and Jim’s Open House on Saturday October 25th. The temperature was 88°; it was our last very warm weekend. It was wonderful to have Cheryl and Jim here along with Jim’s parents, his brother Joe and his wife Tiffany, Bonnie, Greg, Jacob, Austin, and William and Skyler and our beloved Ukiah friends. Bonnie in her blog gave a good description of the Open House. The Open House was held at the lovely home of the Morgensens. Their new patio was perfect for people to comfortably sit outside at tables. Sharon prepared the delicious food: shrimp nachos, veggies with dip, strawberries Romanoff, fruit salad, phyllo with sausage, meatballs, ham, turkey, and tri-tip, Greek Easter bread, wedding punch, and black bottom cupcakes. Leanne, Barbara, and Nina helped Sharon with the food on the day of the Open House. Marjorie Fowler earlier went to Santa Rosa with me to buy flowers and created the table centerpieces. Bonnie arranged the flowers on the cake; it was a double layer full-size pumpkin spice sheet cake from Schat’s.






When I woke up Monday morning, it seemed bleak. After all the excitement, everyone was gone. The family had arrived Friday night and was gone by Sunday. I would love to have everyone in the family live closer to us. We're looking forward to flying to Texas two weeks from Monday so we can be with Suzanne’s family for Thanksgiving and Breanne’s baptism.

On another beautiful day during the week following the open house, I thought what more can we want in life than a beautiful day. Then I thought I would add people we love and who love us. Further I’d add something to believe in and something to do. Then it dawned on me that my list is the same as what President Hinckley said new converts need: a friend, a responsibility, and nurturing with “the good word of God.” His list was only lacking a beautiful day compared to my list. A beautiful day is a gift from God which we perhaps appreciate more because we don’t have one all the time.

Why Support Traditional Marriage?

1) Marriage is first and foremost about children. Traditional strong healthy families reduce social ills and the need for government social programs such as child welfare and child-support enforcement. The government is most intrusive in personal lives when marriages fail. Thus traditional marriage needs strengthening, not abandoning.

2) Gender is not interchangeable. Nature determines a male and a female are needed to produce a child. Parenthood has always been tied to biological parenthood unless a biological parent releases his right to another parent of the same gender through adoption. Children need both a male and a female influence in their rearing.

3) A nation has an interest in the birth and education of children. When males and females do not value marriage and children, more and more children are born out of wedlock and there is a decline in the births of children resulting in a demographic death spiral. EU countries such as Austria, Germany, Italy, and Spain are in the death spiral, demographically and culturally, which threatens their economies and social stability.

- Joan

Yes on Prop 8 Ads

FIRST AD - "Whether You Like It or Not"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kKn5LNhNto

SECOND AD - "It's Already Happened"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PgjcgqFYP4

THIRD AD - "Everything To Do with Schools"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7352ZVMKBQM

FOURTH AD - "Truth"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l61Pd5_jHQw

FIFTH AD - "Have You Thought about It?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YRQZwNfQ0o

Mitt on FoxNews after Debate

http://committedtoromney.com/2008/10/15/mitt-on-fox-news-2/

Cheryl and Jim's Wedding October 11, 2008

Cheryl and Jim’s wedding was a special occasion. Cheryl looked wonderful in her white dress in the temple. It was great her sisters were able to help her dress in her temple clothes for the wedding ceremony and then help her dress in her wedding gown for the pictures afterwards. Elder Lamar Heslop, first counselor in the Los Angeles Temple presidency, performed the ceremony. Being united in the temple as a family, for Cheryl and Jim’s wedding, was a sacred experience.

Afterwards the usual wedding pictures were taken. Cheryl and Jim looked so happy, and the photographer took many great pictures. We are happy to have Jim as our new son-in-law. One picture I particularly liked was Cheryl with her nieces; she looked like Cinderella with the nieces admiring her.

In the evening a reception was held on a patio outside a Los Angeles stake center. The patio had appeal with arches and was surrounded by lights. Cheryl’s colors were dark red and brown. Go to www.myfamily.com to see pictures of the wedding and reception so you can appreciate the beauty created by Cheryl and Jim for the reception.

Wedding Pictures

President Monson

I’ve been listening to the Sunday morning special between conference sessions about President Monson. I’m amazed at all the detail; President Monson must keep a detailed journal. If you recall, when we attended Aspen Grove I told him about the lady I sat next to on an airplane who talked about Tommy, with whom she’d attended high school, and what a good boy he was. President Monson got out a pad of paper to record the name of the lady, but I didn’t know her name.

From the 9/13/08 Church News I believe the name of the lady must have been Jane Beppu Sakashita. Quoting her, “He is the kindest, most compassionate person.” Also, “He was always friendly, and helped others. There wasn’t a person he would leave out. He was always close to people. You could see the friendship in his eyes.” http://www.deseretnews.com/cn/view/1,1721,500006892,00.html

Our Church Service

I’m excited that Cheryl’s wedding is getting closer; we’ll drive down to L.A. two weeks from today. Cheryl and Jim, your website adds to the excitement of the upcoming marriage.

Since I retired, I’ve been attending the Oakland Temple when Wes works there on Tuesday. Yesterday (Tues. Sep. 23rd) I was set apart by President Darwin B. Christenson as an ordinance worker for the Oakland Temple. My calling will begin next Tuesday morning; I need to be there by 4:30 a.m. As I think about my new calling, I realize I need to have the Spirit with me and smile and be loving and radiate Heavenly Father’s and the Savior’s love to the sisters.

In the past month for gospel doctrine, I've taught from the war chapters in Alma and then the book of Helaman. It is good for me to teach. When I teach, I study harder than I do if I'm just reading the Book of Mormon. I can see how these chapters are of value to us in today's world. I've been extending my Chief Judges Chart so I can keep track of all of the people and events.

Wes and I have been very involved with Prop 8. In the past month we’ve been out walking on 10 different occasions and have personally contacted 228 homes. We still have work to do in the next week to try to finish our Alexander Estates neighborhood and the new houses to the south of us. Prop 8 is extremely important to the future of traditional marriage, the teaching of our children, and also our religious freedom. Traditional marriage as a constitutional amendment is up for a vote in Florida, Arizona, and California. (See my links on the right.)

Time Out for Women

I enjoyed attending Time Out for Women this weekend with Leanne and Nicole Irwin. We drove to Sacramento on Friday, went shopping in the afternoon at the Arden Fair Mall, stayed at the Hyatt, and attended Time Out for Women in the evening and also on Saturday.

Saturday I left early. Wes picked me up at 12:30 pm, and we drove to Utah arriving there at 10:30 pm our time or 11:30 pm Utah time. On the ride we listened to Eragon so we’ll be ready when Brisingr comes out.

Friday night the speaker was Jim Ferrell from Kaysville. Saturday morning the speakers were Mary Ellen Edmunds and Camille Fronk Olson. I realized our reactions to a speaker tell us more about ourselves than about the speaker. Both on Friday night and on Saturday morning the talks I responded to the most were the opposite of what Leanne liked.

On Saturday morning I particularly related to the talk by Camille Fronk. She spoke about barren women in the Bible who in their weakness humbly relied on the Lord and found strength in him. She focused on the story of Hannah; Hannah means grace. I like how she compared details of our Hebrew version of the story with the Septuagint and the Dead Seas Scrolls versions. She read Hannah’s Psalm in 1 Samuel 2:1-10 and referred to Hannah as a prophetess. During the talk I thought of Wendy’s Hannah and hope she realizes how special it is that she is named after Hannah. Sister Fronk then referred to a story in the September 2003 Ensign, “Learning to Rely on the Lord."

On Friday night Brother Ferrell referred to an incident related by John Bytheway where John had had a conversation with a minister on an airplane. The minister complained that our Savior was a Savior of the Gaps from 2 Nephi 25:23, “it is by grace that we are saved after all we can do.” Brother Bytheway explained that he didn’t believe in such a Savior either. Yes the Savior does cover what we are not able to do, but his grace is all encompassing. The Savior paid the price through his atonement so we may repent and return to him. We cannot merit salvation or exaltation on our own. We believe with the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:7-8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Further on the topic of grace, in a book I bought, Odds Are You’re Going to Be Exalted by Gaskill, he has quotes from J. N. D. Kelly which show that the early Christian views of grace and works were the same as ours. From reading these quotes I realize the importance of our free agency. It is only through its exercise that we can lay hold of the gift of grace. According to Theodoret of Antioch, “There is need of both our efforts and the divine succour. The grace of the Spirit is not vouchsafed to those who make no effort, and without that grace our efforts cannot collect the prize of virtue.”

McCain's Choice for VP

I'm disappointed in McCain's choice for vice president this morning. At first I thought if it couldn't be Romney, it's nice that it is a woman. The more I think of it, I don't think she has the leadership experience, economic experience, or foreign policy experience to be president if McCain dies (something to be considered because of McCain's age). Her only credentials, other than two years as governor of Alaska, is that she is a solid conservative. She can't contribute to solving the economic woes of the country. Romney would have been a solid choice capable of taking over the presidency if necessary. McCain's choice seems to go along with his reputation of being a maverik.

P.S. Suzanne, I just read your email with Glenn Beck's comments; hopefully everything will be fine. http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/14589/

Home Again

Friday July 25th I finished teaching the summer school Computer/Careers class at the high school. I enjoyed teaching the class; if we're not on a mission by next summer, I'll apply to teach again. With summer school over, I guess I’m officially retired.

After summer school, Wes and I headed for Utah. We saw John, Emily, and Matthew. Then we stayed with both Wendy and Marjorie. We love being with the children and the grandchildren. With Wes falling while walking down Wendy’s front steps, we were limited in what we were able to do. Wes feels better now. Before we left Utah, we went up to Idaho Falls for a day and visited with Roberta and Frank.

Our return home was delayed by car trouble. We started home on Sat. Aug. 9th, accompanied by Ashley for an end-of-summer visit. After about 45 minutes of travel, we heard a clunk under the Honda and then the air conditioner quit. We debated on traveling home without air conditioning, but that would not have been good for Ginger. This gave us additional time to enjoy Marjorie’s family.

With the repair of the air conditioner (new compressor and condensor $1500), we came home on Tues. Aug. 12th. The next day we’re driving the Honda and it starts to make noises. We took it in for repairs and had to have the manifold and catalytic converter replaced ($1000).

Ukiah is extremely hot; it's over 100° each day. Ashley doesn’t like the heat. Last night we went over to the coast and ate dinner at the Little River Inn; it’s much cooler over there.

Upcoming Dates

The big date is Cheryl and Jim's wedding on Saturday October 11th in the Los Angeles Temple with a reception that evening at a Los Angeles stake center. On Friday, the night before, there will be a family dinner.

Tentatively there will be an open house for Cheryl and Jim in Ukiah on Saturday October 25th.

For Thanksgiving and Brianne's baptism, Dad and I will be at Suzanne's in Arlington, Texas. We already have our plane reservations.

Christmas will be at home in Ukiah. Cheryl and Jim will be there. This is an open invitation to the family to join us for Christmas.

More News on Cheryl and Jim

Thanks Jim for enlightening us on July 25th on the events leading up to your engagement.

See Jim's Big Day! http://jimsmatrix.blogspot.com/

Cheryl, where's your version of these exciting events on your blog?

Weekend with Family

We enjoyed having William, Kenzie, and Skyler in Ukiah this weekend. They came up from Morgan Hill for a visit; William ended up attending his 20th year high school reunion. Sheri Bradshaw also came to Ukiah for the reunion. Kenzie will stay in Ukiah for a couple of weeks. Kenzie was with us on the weekend and will be at our house this week during the day while Bruce and Marlene work.

Saturday we saw Jacob and Austin who had just returned from their weeklong Duty to God camp. They were excited about climbing Mount Lassen. Bonnie and Greg met them at our 24th of July picnic (held on the 19th).

Exciting News!

Jim and Cheryl just called tonight (Wed. July 16th) so Jim could ask for Dad’s approval and blessing to marry Cheryl. In the morning they leave for Salt Lake City to attend Jim’s brother’s wedding.

They already purchased their rings last Saturday, have been considering the date for their wedding (possibly either Sat. Oct. 11th or Sat. Oct. 25th), have looked at wedding dresses online (Cheryl will try on dresses in Utah this weekend), and started their invitation list. They are planning on being married in the LA Temple followed by a reception in a courtyard outside their stake center.

In the new order of things, however, they’re not engaged until Jim has the ring from the jeweler to give to Cheryl and formally proposes to her. All of these events started snowballing last week. We’ll have to get the details from Cheryl later.

I’ll be glad when they’re “formally” engaged so the whole family can know the exciting news.

Trips to Eureka

Dad and I have been up to Eureka twice in the last couple of weeks. Austin was ordained a deacon on Sunday June 29th, and Jacob was ordained a teacher today Sunday July13th on his birthday.

Bonnie returned yesterday from a week at Young Women camp in Oregon. The boys are attending the Boy Scout Duty to God campout with the Ukiah stake this coming week. We'll drive them to Ukiah when we return tonight; I hope all the boys' gear fits into the Honda.

Greetings from Mom

It's time for me to see what this blogging world is all about since most of the family is now writing to a blog. Actually I'm not going to tell you yet that I'm doing this. I need to see how it works out.