A Quarter of a Century

Why does a quarter of a century sound so much longer than 25 years? Today, my baby girl, Rachel, is 25 years old. You can read more about Rachel here when I featured her on my blog last year.



Happy Birthday, Rachel. I so glad you have a happy life and are doing well!!

Love, Mom.

P.S Remember who you are!!

An Angel

This week in my mission, with Church's Family History Department, there was a big change!! Elder Martinez was released as a missionary leader. He was my very first missionary leader and helped me through training and those first trying attempts at answering e-mails and phone calls. Early in my mission I needed someone who understood the technological ins an outs. I think I have that pretty much down now, thanks to Elder Martinez!! He will still be serving as a missionary but he is moving up in the world and will be assisting with the more technical aspects of FamilySearch Support. He will do great because that is where his strengths lie. But, I will miss his sweet spirit and his testimony.

So, Wednesday night, our whole missionary group, all eight of the Sunny California Missionaries were put in a brand new group with Sister Schilaty.

Thursday is my day to answer phone calls for FamilySearch Support. My very first call of the day was from a patron who was irritated and frustrated. The system WAS working the way it was designed, but that wasn't the way SHE wanted it to work. I had a solution to help her, but she wasn't really listening to me. All of a sudden, I got a message on my private Skype (missionaries use Skype to communicate one with another). It was my brand new missionary leader, Sister Schilaty, giving me encouragement to help with the phone call. It took me a second to realize she was actually on her phone, listening in on the call, (missionary leaders and quality assurance people can do that!) no one had done that since I first started taking calls in April, at least that I was aware.

I was so glad she was there, like a little angel, whispering to me, helping me!! Most of the patrons who call FamilySearch Support are wonderful and patient and happy for our help. This was by far the most rude patron that I ever assisted. But, I stayed calm and she finally listened and we worked out a solution that was workable for her.

Later, on I was talking to Sister Schilaty on the phone. I told her I was glad she was there. She wasn't sure how I would feel that she was listening in on the call. How could I not be happy??
She said she just felt inspired for some reason to listen to the call. I needed the encouragement and I am sure the Lord knew that, and He brought me help!! I know I'm going to enjoy working with Sister Schilaty. She's an angel!!

My Mixed Emotions

My mind has been a swirl of mixed emotions the last few days. I'm just not sure how to blog about my feelings. Do I just not say anything about how the election went and forget it all happened. Or do I try to put my feelings down in writing. I'm not good at putting my feelings down, but I try. So, here goes.

Obama won! The first black president of the United States of America. I hope that his election helps to heal people. In my town, this is the first year the citizens voted for mayor. (Currently, the mayor was chosen by the city council.) And, guess what? We overwhelming voted for a black man, including me. I think he is going to do a great job. We are no longer a racist country. People can achieve their dreams. People of every color and creed.

Still, I have concerns for the country I love. Concerns that we will become more like a socialist state. Concerns that the unborn will not be protected (I know they are not protected now, but I think it will get worse). Concerns that we won't be able to protect our country from terrorist acts. Concerns about the economy. Barark Obama is the president elect and thus we need to give him a chance. We need to pray. Only time will tell.

Prop 8 won! Marriage between a man and a woman is protected in California! The voters have spoken. Why do I NOT feel as joyous as I should? Is it because this issue is NOT going to go away? It makes my heart said to see the protests outside the Temple. It makes my heart sad to read the threats to churchs and people. I have never felt or shown hate to gay people. I just want to take a stand for what I know is right and what I know is right for the preservation of the family. There are people who appreciate what we have done as Latter-Day Saints, check out this: Ruth Youth Proclaim International Mormon Appreciation Day. It warmed my heart, when it needed to warmed.

Life goes on! I will keep doing what I do everyday. Take care of my family, who I love dearly!! Tend to my home and serve my community. Serve my mission, which is a joy in my life!! And, pray!!

Wednesdays Whereabouts!!

The pelicans seem particularly prolific!!

ONLY IN AMERICA

What an evening. Evan and I participated in a "sign wave" on behalf of California's Proposition 8. We meet with many others on a busy street corner with our "Yes, on Prop 8" signs. The" No" people were there too. We stood side by side, waving our signs, proclaiming our free speech rights. The very old and the very young and the inbetweens. We disagreed. We did it respectfully. It was touching to me.

52 Blessing Project- Week Forty-Four

What blessing it is to be able to vote!!

This week I Am going to the polls.

The issues and candidates have been studied.

My vote counts and your vote counts too!!

We live in a wonderful country, and I don't want to take it for granted!!

I will vote and my voice will be heard!!

LIFE

Pro-Life to me is the only way to vote. Why, you might wonder when there are so many other important issues out there, including the economy and protecting our country from terrorists etc. It just seems simple to me, when someone values the sanctity of innocent human life, then everything else falls into place. To me, it begins there.

"This video is safe for all ages -- there are no graphic images. The goal here is to give American citizens a solid grasp of where Senators McCain and Obama really stand on the life issue, using their own words. Millions of young lives depend on our election-day decisions. Over 35 years of hard won pro-life battles could be reversed if voters remain uninformed - especially Christian voters who alone could reclaim the rights of the unborn on November 4th." (From the web page America's Choice Now.)