Today's Freedom of Religion Rally and my remarks

Today I am given this short little talk during the Nationwide Stand up for Religious Freedom Rally. I am representing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am a little nervous, but praying for our Heavenly Father's sustaining hand to be upon me.

I am grateful for the opportunity to share the podium with all of these wonderful religious community leaders today.

I have two items I would like to discuss: the protection of religious expression, and the need of the religious community to gather together, as we are here today, to protect this valuable right.

This rally, entitled Freedom of Religion, is really much more than that. People will say, you have freedom of religion, you can worship anytime and in any manner you chose, but our Founding Fathers, in the First Amendment of the Constitution guaranteed us so much more…the Free Exercise of Religion. This right is not restricted to our homes or places of worship. Many wish to stifle the religious conversation, of our morals and values in the public square. If individuals don’t want to hear a message of religion, they no longer leave the public square, shut their doors on missionaries, refuse to say the Pledge of Allegiance, or turn to a different channel on the TV or radio. Instead they have adopted a strategy that seeks to silence our voice and tries to force us to change our Godly value system to meet their desires.

We cannot allow ourselves to be bullied into silence, or to be made to feel that we are not compassionate if we do not bend to others’ personal preferences, or to special interest groups.

Today’s attack on the exercise of religion, through HHS which includes forcing religious institutions, or individuals to comply with government regulations against their religious values and beliefs is only one in a long series of efforts to minimize the free exercise of religion guaranteed in the Constitution. It is my 1^st Amendment right to exercise my religious beliefs, in my home, my business and in the public square- not just to believe them.

In the Bible, when Daniel, Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego were told to eat the King Nebuchadnezzar’s food and to go against their religious health code, did they? No.

When they were told not to pray in the public square, did they fear man and his bullying, even when threatened with death?…No.

They stood up for the right to exercise their religious beliefs and in doing so showed the leaders of the land that God’s way was indeed a better way, than the ways of man.

An Apostle in our church, a respected former Utah Supreme Court Justice, Elder Dallin H. Oaks has said, “The religious community must unite to be sure we are not coerced or deterred into silence by the kinds of intimidation or threatening rhetoric that are being experienced. Whether or not such actions are anti-religious, they are surely anti-democratic and should be condemned by all who are interested in democratic government. …When expressed sincerely and without sanctimoniousness, the religious voice adds much ….to the public debate.”

“Religious persons should insist on their constitutional right and duty to exercise their religion, to vote their consciences on public issues and to participate in elections and in debates in the public square and the halls of justice.” These are rights of all Americans, even those who are religious…

May we continue to have our voices heard, as we protect our sacred liberties.

Sorting out the political mess...10 thoughts

I opened the newspaper this morning to read the following: "Romney's Tuesday losses show conservative doubts"

Interesting isn't it, I feel like I live in an upside down world...wins are losses, losses are ties, First Amendment Rights can be trampled if we use catch phrases like "women's rights." When will America stop spinning out of control?

Now, I am going to work out my thoughts here on the written page:

1. Romney has the most electoral votes- he isn't losing no matter what the headlines say

2. The Primaries have been drawn out too far...we should have 1 or 2 primary election days Nation Wide...period...this is ridiculous...Texas and California don't even count and they have the most delegates.

3. Newt Gingrich is a brilliant man, I love hearing him speak, he is a leader, but he isn't the leader we need right now.

4. Rick Santorum is a terrific man, lives his convictions and has a kind heart, I don't see him as President

5. Mitt Romney also lives his convictions, morals and values, he can run our Country and be a great leader.

6. None of the Candidates are ultra conservatives, they are right of moderate Republican's, all of them, and that is why they have been successful across the board in their public service.

7. The far right will be disappointed in some of the things that any of these candidates do in office...just as liberals have been disappointed in Mr. Obama.

8. You can't govern The United States of America and be far left or far right...because we have a representative government. Reagan certainly wasn't a conservative for his day... though the way our values and morals have shifted, he would certainly be an ultra conservative today.

9. You can't spend America into debt and expect us to survive as a World Leader...I believe only Mr. Romney can lead us back to prosperity...real not just on paper.

10. The Press should not determine our President, interpret the news or make the news...it should report the news...I remember that from my teen years when that actually happened.

Now, I think that almost no one reads my blog... so, Kathy, thanks for letting me vent and sort. Vote with your heart and head...select a candidate and put your all behind him or her...exercise the rights that God and then our Constitution granted you....then in the end, you will know, you did what you could...the rest is up to the electorate.

Oh yes, and if you don't like Mitt Romney because he is a Mormon, that is OK...we all get to choose who represents us. I would like to say, that my reasons for selecting him as my candidate of choice have nothing to do with which church he attends on Sunday...I think Newt, Rick and Mitt are all men of great faith, show dedication to their values...and some of my best friends are Catholic.

Cleaning and Organizing my Pantry

OK, you remember that I started cleaning my house room by room and getting everything organized...oh maybe that was back in October. In the meantime Stefany has turned me on to Pintrest...and the ideas for getting organized increased exponentially. The idea for the pantry were wonderful.

I was able to take 3 bags of stuff to the Thrift Store (DI) and now I can find everything. I loved the little cloth bins from Target...canning jar lids in one, cookie cutters in another and chocolate in the third...maybe I don't like chocolate, but the kids need cocoa, and chips when they come over to bake.

This wall has the canned foods, and look at the big storage buckets with lids on the bottom shelf. One shelf is just appliances that are used a couple of times a year, ice-cream freezer, pasta maker (Kurt loves to make homemade pasta), the popcorn popper...wait I see a pattern here, all these appliances are for Kurt's specialties...next time you come visit, he will have to use one to make you a gastronomical delight.

Note the bins here on this shelf too, paper goods below, and odds and ends of kitchen utinsels in the target bins. Cook books are nice a neat too...It may not ever make pintrest, but I am enjoying the organized look and ease of finding things.

Now this was my best find ever....a little cook book that Becky had given me when she was in the 4th grade...here was the inscription in the front cover...Mom, you have to double click on the picture and you will be able to see it better...that made cleaning up a sentimental experience...great day

Family Time, Christmas Time

I find that the best part of Christmas is just being with family and friends, watching the happy grandchildren running around with each other, eating too much food, singing Christmas Carols and just enjoying each other's company.

Below we have pictures of us decorating the tree, Elli is being helping by Grandpa. I think the boys are dancing while Riley and Addyson decorate the tree.

Last night we went to the Church Christmas Party and listened to some of the grandkids sing... I recorded it on my camera, but I don't know how to download it on to my blog. One more thing I will have to learn before I die (the list just keeps getting longer, I'll have to live to be 102 like my Granny).

After the lovely songs of Jesus and a wonderful dinner, Kurt and I went down to the San Diego Temple to view the temple lights. Wow, they are beautiful this year, I hope 1000s of people come to the temple grounds to see the gorgeous light display and here the beautiful music.

Here is to family and friends!!

I LOVE CHRISTMAS

It is true, I love Christmas. I love the hearing people talk and sing about Jesus Christ. I love the carols, the nativity scenes, the decorating of my home, and the excitement of Grandchildren. I love the strangers that greet you with happy faces and "Merry Christmas."

Today the grandkids who live in town are coming over to decorate our tree. We started this tradition last year, and I think it is one that will last. So for now, some pictures of the house decorated, the tree ready to be decorated and most important of all, the table set for a pizza party with the kids. I am so excited...this is as good as

the year I got a Barbi dream house for Christmas...and that was in 1960... actually, every Christmas has been wonderful!

I enjoy getting out the decorations that I have had for years and years and holding each one as I decide where to place them. I have ornaments that were on my Granny and Gramp Herrold's first Christmas tree...96 years ago. Well actually there are only two left, the rest were broken when Brian climbed the tree at 18months and the tree fell over...thank goodness he was alright...but he sure did scream with that 13 foot tree on top of him!

I have decorations that were painted by me, and by my mother-in-law, Jan. Getting those out remind me of the tole lessons she taught to the "Marler Sisters" years ago.

There is also my Santa collection, some quite silly and others very beautiful. I'll show the beautiful ones. The two red ones were gifts from Jan (she made them), the white on on the right was from the Graff's and the gold one, from an after Christmas special in 1999.

My other collection is of nativity sets, the one at the top of the page, was given to me by my children...I also have a set carved of olive wood from the Holy Land that Mom and Dad gave us in 1977, hand painted sets, a precious moments set...and a few others. I enjoy having them around the house as constant reminders that we celebrate Christmas as a gift to Christ, a way to thank him for all he has done for us.

I guess it is time to get ready for the family to arrive....

Things I have done lately

In our family we celebrate Easter by attending Church, worshipping the Savior and glorying in his resurrection...but on Easter Saturday, we join the kids in a huge breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt. Here are the kids lined up by age, ready to find the eggs .

Even the cat got into the act, she must have figured if all of the kids were looking in the bushes, she ought to find out what was there also.

We almost got a picture of all the kids looking at the camera at the same time...key word...almost.

Here we have Jorden, Addyson, Elli, Gunnar, Michael, Axel and Aiden after the hunt. The real problem was that they wanted to count their eggs and start eating the candy... who can blame them.

On May 7 throughout the State of Calfornia we had a Mormon Helping Hands Service Activity. 60,000 plus members of the Church gave service to various communities across the state. Here in Escondido we cleaned Kit Carson Park, cleaned some of the alley ways in the downtown area, and wrote letters to servicemen with the Blue Star Mom's.

Here is Elder Lynn Robbins and Sister Robbins writing to the serviemen, you can see they were surrounded by kids who came to help

Here is a group of helping hands who paused to have a picture taken.. what cute boys!

Stef and Scott's Home

What a wonderful day and a great weekend. Friday, Kim, Becky and I drove to Henderson to visit Stefany and Scott in their new home. We arrived in time to organize the kitchen, bring in the furniture and make up the beds...then of course, it was off to dinner. Cafe Rio the dining sensation of choice!! Who doesn't love it. We were up chatting, organizing and moving in boxes...a little TV and a game on my Kindle. The next morning we were up again, and off to a few garage sales. My favorite past-time. We found a few fun thinks, like a new doll house for the grand-daughters. We found some porch lights for the new house, and had a great time. Our afternoon was filled with watching General Conference. I just love hearing the Apostles and Prophet speak. The lessons were warm and loving, and yet firm and warning. I love the opportunity to set new goals and strive to live by the messages for the next months. It is not that the messages are different, they are just so inspiring, I really want to do better in my life. Our Stake President, President Haynie, was called to be an Area Seventy, that was exciting. And the Area Seventy that I work with in my calling, Elder Waddell was called to be in the 1st Quorum of Seventy. So for us changes are in store. Kurt will be released on May 1, and I will have a new Agent Stake President to work with. Now to get ready to serve our mission. Only two years left until our planned departure date. This morning we left for home, and arrived just in time for the afternoon session of conference. Now I just need to watch the two morning sessions. Thank goodness for recording devices on the T.V. We had family dinner this evening, with Pam and Mike hosting. What a great weekend. Stef and Scott...thanks for having us over, we had a fun time. I forgot to take a picture of the house, maybe next time.