Excitement!

Sun

68°F | 55°F

Mon

70°F | 55°F

Tue

72°F | 53°F

Wed

68°F | 54°F

Since we moved to So. Cal I have waited for rain. Hawaii gave us rain often, 

especially when we were least expecting it.I guess So. Cal sorta has seasons. 

Its getting colder finally.I missed the cold season after living in Hawaii for 
almost 3 years. We are excited for this weeks forecast.

Sad.

Fire destroys LDS church near Seattle

October 16th, 2010 @ 6:39pm

MUKILTEO, Wash. -- Officials in the Seattle area are investigating a fire that destroyed a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

A Seattle NBC affiliate, KING 5 TV, is now reporting the fire was deliberately set.

Fire crews responded to the fire at 3 a.m. in the city of Mukilteo Saturday. When the roof collapsed, firefighters quickly realized they would not be able to get inside to fight the flames, so they took a defensive position.

"They were walking around the building and they could hear movement, which sounded like the roof was going to collapse. They called for a second alarm," said Brian McMahan, assistant fire chief with the Mulkiteo Fire Department.

"The building has collapsed in the middle and has burned outward through the sides, and collapsed all the way through," McMahan said.

The building serves as a meetinghouse for two wards, or roughly 800 members of the Church in the area. One member said, "It's devastating. The good news is they'll rebuild it and it'll be another great building to serve the community and members around here."

I feel sad for the people that set this fire. Its unfortunate that people would use their agency to make such a terrible choice. If the church wasn't true we wouldn't be continuing to be persecuted, but we are and will be until that great day!

Remember this great prophecy:

"The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; . . . the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done."

Church Responds to HRC Petition

This response is very very clear about the misunderstanding that caused an uproar because of President Packer's General Conference talk: 
While we disagree with the Human Rights Campaign on many fundamentals, we also share some common ground. This past week we have all witnessed tragic deaths across the country as a result of bullying or intimidation of gay young men.  We join our voice with others in unreserved condemnation of acts of cruelty or attempts to belittle or mock any group or individual that is different – whether those differences arise from race, religion, mental challenges, social status, sexual orientation or for any other reason.  Such actions simply have no place in our society.

This Church has felt the bitter sting of persecution and marginalization early in our history, when we were too few in numbers to adequately protect ourselves and when society’s leaders often seemed disinclined to help.  Our parents, young adults, teens and children should therefore, of all people, be especially sensitive to the vulnerable in society and be willing to speak out against bullying or intimidation whenever it occurs, including unkindness toward those who are attracted to others of the same sex. This is particularly so in our own Latter-day Saint congregations. Each Latter-day Saint family and individual should carefully consider whether their attitudes and actions toward others properly reflect Jesus Christ’s second great commandment - to love one another.

As a church, our doctrinal position is clear: any sexual activity outside of marriage is wrong, and we define marriage as between a man and a woman. However, that should never, ever be used as justification for unkindness. Jesus Christ, whom we follow, was clear in His condemnation of sexual immorality, but never cruel.  His interest was always to lift the individual, never to tear down.

Further, while the Church is strongly on the record as opposing same-sex marriage, it has openly supported other rights for gays and lesbians such as protections in housing or employment.

The Church’s doctrine is based on love. We believe that our purpose in life is to learn, grow and develop, and that God’s unreserved love enables each of us to reach our potential. None of us is limited by our feelings or inclinations. Ultimately, we are free to act for ourselves.

The Church recognizes that those of its members who are attracted to others of the same sex experience deep emotional, social and physical feelings. The Church distinguishes between feelings or inclinations on the one hand and behavior on the other. It’s not a sin to have feelings, only in yielding to temptation.There is no question that this is difficult.

Obviously, some will disagree with us. We hope that any disagreement will be based on a full understanding of our position and not on distortion or selective interpretation. The Church will continue to speak out to ensure its position is accurately understood.

God’s universal fatherhood and love charges each of us with an innate and reverent acknowledgement of our shared human dignity.  We are to love one another. We are to treat each other with respect as brothers and sisters and fellow children of God, no matter how much we may differ from one another. 


link to the article can be found here: http://beta-newsroom.lds.org/article/church-mormon-responds-to-human-rights-campaign-petition-same-sex-attraction

We had so much fun decorating this year! Its fun getting into decorating for holidays! Here is our porch all fun and scary...BOO! Time to get ready for HALLOWEEN!

My thoughts. My belief.

I truly believe that you can love a person and not love their choices. I believe that you can love a person yet not condone their choices or their lifestyle. Love is and should be unconditional. But unconditional love doesn't mean you have to give up what you believe in or stand for, to love others. 

In the past couple days there has been yet another uproar and protest about same-sex marriage, particularly stemming from an LDS General Conference talk given by Elder Boyd K. Packer, of the twelve Apostles. His talk "Cleansing the Inner Vessel" is being petitioned by the Human Rights Campaign. His talk was directed at teaching us that we can make changes in our lives so that we can enjoy happiness and that God is there to help us and not judge us. Also, for those that struggle with same-sex attraction that they can overcome the feelings that beset them. Here are bits and pieces of Elder Packer's talk.     

There is something very liberating when an individual determines of his or her own free will to be obedient to our Father and our God and expresses that willingness to Him in prayer.

     We are free to ignore the commandments, but when the revelations speak in such blunt terms, such as “thou shalt not,” we had better pay attention.

The adversary is jealous toward all who have power to beget life. Satan cannot beget life; he is impotent. “He seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.”⁸ He seeks to degrade the righteous use of the life-giving powers by tempting you into immoral relationships........

     Years ago I visited a school in Albuquerque. The teacher told me about a youngster who brought a kitten to class. As you can imagine, that disrupted everything. She had him hold the kitten up in front of the children.It went well until one of the children asked, “Is it a boy kitty or a girl kitty?”

Not wanting to get into that lesson, the teacher said, “It doesn’t matter. It’s just a kitty.”

But they persisted. Finally, one boy raised his hand and said, “I know how you can tell.”

Resigned to face it, the teacher said, “How can you tell?”

And the student answered, “You can vote on it!”

You may laugh at this story, but if we are not alert, there are those today who not only tolerate but advocate voting to change laws that would legalize immorality, as if a vote would somehow alter the designs of God’s laws and nature. A law against nature would be impossible to enforce. For instance, what good would a vote against the law of gravity do?      

     There are both moral and physical laws “irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world” that cannot be changed.¹⁷ History demonstrates over and over again that moral standards cannot be changed by battle and cannot be changed by ballot. To legalize that which is basically wrong or evil will not prevent the pain and penalties that will follow as surely as night follows day.

     Regardless of the opposition, we are determined to stay on course. We will hold to the principles and laws and ordinances of the gospel. If they are misunderstood either innocently or willfully, so be it. We cannot change; we will not change the moral standard. We quickly lose our way when we disobey the laws of God. If we do not protect and foster the family, civilization and our liberties must needs perish.

     It has been said, unfortunately there has always been a tendency to "shoot the messenger." I don't think Elder Packer originated the concept that homosexuality was not a moral practice. You cannot change God's laws it doesn't happen like that. 

     You can love a person and not love their choices. I believe that you can love a person yet not condone their choices or their lifestyle. Love is and should be unconditional. But unconditional love doesn't mean you have to give up what you believe in or stand for to love others.

Cruisin' in the Bug

Evs had to take his GRE in Redlands. So I met my Mom and we went to Naders soccer game then went back to Tony's to hangout. Naders and I hitched a ride in Mom's yellow Volkswagen Bug and rode with the top down. We were feeling cool. We were feeling hip. Oh that Mom of mine..she's the "cool" grandma.

                  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Our Sage turned ONE! Such a milestone. haha..He certainly has such a fun personality! But he can also be a little brat too and has a mind of his own sometimes..you would think he was a teenager..But we love our Sage! He is so funny! I cant imagine coming home and not having him there wagging his tail rapidly, as it thumps against the inside of his kennel..separation anxiety..just a tad.. He is so cute! We are letting his coat grow out..love his shaggy look..for his birthday I gave him a ton of treats throughout the day..we were going to take him to the dog park, but it was rainy..so we will be doing that another day. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAGE..

Urban Dictionary

Just for fun! The website Urbandictionary.com is pretty funny! I mean it can be a little bit well... over descriptive in a nasty way, but overall its kinda interesting the results you get. I decided to look up Mine and Evs names. I would say they were pretty accurate..funny how that happens...


DARCY defined as:
*The human drug...awesome, lovable, great, fun, crazy, wild, randomly different, and peaceful. 
* a term, usually shortened to darc (pronouced dar_ss) used in reference to people with great skill or an adjective for an astonishing feature.
*A person who laughs at a joke before reading, or a person who cant even finish a joke because they spontaneously bursts into laughter before the joke is even done.


EVAN defined as:
*1. to be awesome beyond contemplation 2. to be so good looking that one is attractive to every female present and at least one guy present 3. to be incredibly smart.
*A strong man that is on the path to being very successful.  All the women want to be with him and all the guys want to be him.
*Just so happens to be the sexiest man alive! he's the awesomest guy in the whole world, i mean, i if i was lucky enough to touch him, maybe his sexiness would rub off onto me... damn im soo jealous.
* a cute goofy guy, that always seems to be able to put a smile on his face no matter what. Always there for you when you need him, is the greatest person in the whole entire world. Most lovable guy there is.
*1. makes the everything seem good, safe,hopefull and happy when you hug him. 2. has the most sincere, hearmelting, lovable smile and laugh. 3. the guy you can alwayse call when you need help. 4. the most honest and caring person ever. 5. the man who will ruin all other men for you.6. just being around him will make you remember when the world was a good place.
*The most amazing boy you will ever meet. Someone who spoils you and loves you no matter what. He is a boy that anyone could fall in love with. He's someone with a sense of humor and definitely romantic. He has a wonderful smile beautiful eyes. This boy is so handsome beyond belief and someone I love.

Love don't Judge

The other day, along with many other women of the church, I had the opportunity to hear a talk given by the Prophet of God, Thomas S. Monson. He spoke via satellite to all the women of the church that could not be present in Salt Lake City, Utah. I thought this talk was really amazing and stood out to me not as something I fail miserably at, but something I could certainly work on.

My dear sisters, each of you is unique. You are different from each other in many ways. There are those of you who are married. Some of you stay at home with your children, while others of you work outside your homes. Some of you are empty-nesters. There are those of you who are married but do not have children. There are those who are divorced, those who are widowed. Many of you are single women. Some of you have college degrees; some of you do not. There are those who can afford the latest fashions and those who are lucky to have one appropriate Sunday outfit. Such differences are almost endless. Do these differences tempt us to judge one another?

Mother Teresa, a Catholic nun who worked among the poor in India most of her life, spoke this profound truth: “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” The Savior has admonished, “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” I ask:Can we love one another, as the Savior has commanded, if we judge each other? And I answer—with Mother Teresa—“No; we cannot.”

He told a story of a young couple named Lisa and  John. They recently moved into a new neighborhood. One morning during breakfast, Lisa looked out the window as her neighbor was hanging her clothes to dry and said," that laundry is not clean, our neighbor does not know how to get clothes clean." Lisa made the same comment every day. One morning a few weeks later, Lisa looked out the window and saw clean wash and she said, "Look john she finally learned how to wash clothes correctly, I wonder how she did it?" John said, "Well dear I have the answer for you, You'll be happy to know I got up early this morning and washed our windows."

Are we looking through a window that needs cleaning? Are we making judgments when we don't have all the facts? What do we see when we look at others? What judgments do we make of others?

None of us is perfect, yet for some reasons we tend to point out the faults in others. Theres no way to know the heart or intentions or circumstances of others from the outside, yet we find reason to criticize. 

--President, Thomas S. Monson

Meet Jessi

I was privileged to have the opportunity to meet and become great friends with Jessi.  Here is her story: Jessi is 18 years old. She just graduated from high school and moved to Riverside, CA with her Mom, brother and sister. She is a wonderful person who had a desire to find herself and her purpose in this life. Almost a month ago she prayed to our Heavenly Father for guidance and help. The next day Jessi was just taking a walk around and on the cross of Jackson St. and Garfield and she came in contact with the missionaries. It was on the street that they first taught her and invited her to learn more. The missionaries invited me to meet them at the church to help teach her and I was so excited. From that point Jessi and I became instant buddies. We helped each other in so many ways and I feel so blessed for such an opportunity to help teach the gospel to Jessi and bear my testimony of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. As I watched Jessi learn, I watched her countenance and light shine. Her joy increased and she made so many changes in her life. I love her words, "It just all makes sense." I know that she has a lot to learn as all of us do, but I know she has learned/gained one of the most important tools that we need in this life and that is faith and trust in God and his Son, Jesus Christ. What a wonderful day it was. Jessi entered the waters of baptized today. Her light is shining and her joy is full. She is happy. Her family came to the baptism and it was so amazing to see their love and support. 

                             

I feel so blessed to have had the chance to take part in such an amazing experience. I watched a young girls life change and be touched by the Spirit of God and by the message of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and I saw her change. Change because she wanted to. Change because she knew what would bring her the greatest joy. She knew when she said that silent prayer over a month ago that her life wasn't right. That she wasn't happy and that she wasn't living her life right, but she didn't know how to change. I love to look at these photos and to see her face lit up.

                            

More support for Jessi. 

    

What a beautiful Sabbath Day!

And the cheese stands alone..

Ninja is our last little foster kitten. Once he can eat cat food he will be adopted. He is pretty cute.

I think Sage will miss him.

These guys are buddies. They play together, Sage forgets that Ninja is so little. And honestly I am not sure he realizes that Ninja is a kitten and not a dog because he wants him to play chase.

First there were THREE...then there were TWO..now there is ONE!

Our little Jett was adopted today. We were sad to see her go, but glad she has a good home. Its funny because I have been the "Momma kitty" for the past month + and as Jetts new momma came to get her, I found myself telling her all the details about Jett--how to feed her, how much she eats, what she likes to do, all about her fun personality, etc. It was hard to give her away. I suppose just like a mother and their child..but I am sure that relationship its a lot stronger seeing as how this is well..an animal..and not my own flesh and blood. I experienced the nature of caring for something but then having to get rid of it. Sad. I am sure glad when we have kiddos that I wont have to make that choice! We will miss you Jett!

I noticed the moon tonight as I was driving home from work. It was so luminous, FULL and hard to miss. It felt as if it was within my reach, at my level. It was sitting so lower than normal and well it was just a peaceful image. I called my sister to capture a picture of it since my point and shoot wouldn't have captured it correctly. Tonight we have a 99% full moon.

Whats its purpose? I suppose I don't really know, I have my thoughts, then there is the facts, but I just like how its so bright and so full of life. The moon rotates around the earth in its own pattern and the earth rotates around the sun, my husband taught me that tonight. Looking at the moon, I can't help but feel God's love orbiting around me (not sure if that makes sense, but to me it does.) Cool Moon.

First there were THREE...

Now there are TWO. Miley was adopted by a wonderful family with a sweet little girl who I know will "squeeze" the love out of her.

Thank you Greco family for giving Miley a great loving home! We will miss you Miss Miley Nums!

Bria

Really no words can express how funny today really was when Anthony forgot to bring Bria's diaper and she had a stinky load in her pants..well he improvised. I guess improvising just runs in the family. With a lot of paper towels and Evans athletic training tape he made it work. HAHA. Oh goodness..she wasnt quite sure what to think of it...

Bria hung out at our house while Evan tutored Anthony in math to help him get reading for his nursing entrance exam. Meanwhile, Bria was in and out of our front "shoe" closet, trying on all of my shoes and loving to close and open the door. She has such a fun personality. It was fun to have her over.

Sagers

Sage has a new trick. He can SHAKE. He has found out that shaking gets him a reward, so he does it often, even when he isn't asked. His reward was to eat out of the peanut butter jar, of course he has his own personal jar.

Taking a nap. Life as a dog is so exhausting!

The kitties:our foster kids

They are growing fast! Their ears are all uncurled and they are no longer trying to walk they are seeing how fast they can run and tacklet each other! They can pee and poo on their own now and we have introduced a litter box and they are doing pretty well with it. We caught one of them today fast asleep in the box. Amazing how fast they grow. Two weeks ago we saved them and now they are big eaters and are very loving. They are pretty fun too! However, Sage (our puppy) doesnt like all the attention we give to them and expects all the attention on him (spoiled!) Evs and I have learned alot from taking care of these kittens so it has been a good experience. We have learned to juggle our schedules and work together to make sure we are giving each other attention, then the animals (kittens, Sage, and Chandler-the snake) attention. We love being able to give so much love to these sweet kittens and know that they will be good cats as they get older.  

Featuring photos of : Ninja (black/white boy), Jett (all black girl), and Miley (calico girl).

Looks like Rubi didn't want to eat her green beans. I am pretty sure it just runs in the family...
GREEN BEANS = NASTY

DATE NIGHT: Double Feature

WE LOVE OUR MOVIE NIGHTS! These were both fun movies even the chick flick! This time Evs brought me home a surprise...mmm...my favorite!

I love..

Simple things: Like, when my hubby buys me flowers. Its one of my favorite things he does for me to show me he loves me and is thinking of me! He is so thoughtful, that guy of mine! XOXO