Now Let Us Rejoice

I just returned from the General Relief Society Broadcast of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What a magnificent, uplifting, and inspiring meeting it was! The words of love, comfort, encouragement, joy and the calls to action sank deep into my heart. What blessing in the world can compare to the blessing of hearing and receiving the word of God?

I feel so impressed to do more to fulfill the calling that I have to be a woman of the Lord. I must be bold, I must be compassionate, I must work, and I must have joy. I must be a light to others and a standard bearer. I must not be afraid to speak the truth and more importantly to live it.

There were so many great things said tonight and I wish I could quote them to you. But my memory is not that good. But I just want everyone within my sphere of influence to know that I know that God lives. I know He loves us. I know He has a plan for this world and for all of his children. I invite everyone I know to come learn these things for themselves. You too can know the truth; not just believe, but know. You too can experience the peace that the gospel brings. Don't waste another minute! Heed the Savior's call to come unto Him. I am so grateful for the many experiences I have in my life that remind me of the call and get me back on the path. I hope to see you all on it and then we can help each other along.

Three of the Reasons I Love My Life

Excellent Article from my Church

Especially love the section quoted below, but read the whole thing:

How Would Same-Sex Marriage Affect Society?

Possible restrictions on religious freedom are not the only societal implications of legalizing same-sex marriage. Perhaps the most common argument that proponents of same-sex marriage make is that it is essentially harmless and will not affect the institution of traditional heterosexual marriage in any way. “It won’t affect you, so why should you care?’ is the common refrain. While it may be true that allowing single-sex unions will not immediately and directly affect all existing marriages, the real question is how it will affect society as a whole over time, including the rising generation and future generations. The experience of the few European countries that already have legalized same-sex marriage suggests that any dilution of the traditional definition of marriage will further erode the already weakened stability of marriages and family generally. Adopting same-sex marriage compromises the traditional concept of marriage, with harmful consequences for society.

Aside from the very serious consequence of undermining and diluting the sacred nature of marriage between a man and a woman, there are many practical implications in the sphere of public policy that will be of deep concern to parents and society as a whole. These are critical to understanding the seriousness of the overall issue of same-sex marriage.

When a man and a woman marry with the intention of forming a new family, their success in that endeavor depends on their willingness to renounce the single-minded pursuit of self-fulfillment and to sacrifice their time and means to the nurturing and rearing of their children. Marriage is fundamentally an unselfish act: legally protected because only a male and female together can create new life, and because the rearing of children requires a life-long commitment, which marriage is intended to provide. Societal recognition of same-sex marriage cannot be justified simply on the grounds that it provides self-fulfillment to its partners, for it is not the purpose of government to provide legal protection to every possible way in which individuals may pursue fulfillment. By definition, all same-sex unions are infertile, and two individuals of the same gender, whatever their affections, can never form a marriage devoted to raising their own mutual offspring.

It is true that some same-sex couples will obtain guardianship over children –through prior heterosexual relationships, through adoption in the states where this is permitted, or by artificial insemination. Despite that, the all-important question of public policy must be: what environment is best for the child and for the rising generation? Traditional marriage provides a solid and well-established social identity to children. It increases the likelihood that they will be able to form a clear gender identity, with sexuality closely linked to both love and procreation. By contrast, the legalization of same-sex marriage likely will erode the social identity, gender development, and moral character of children. Is it really wise for society to pursue such a radical experiment without taking into account its long-term consequences for children?

As just one example of how children will be adversely affected, the establishment of same-sex marriage as a civil right will inevitably require mandatory changes in school curricula. When the state says that same-sex unions are equivalent to heterosexual marriages, the curriculum of public schools will have to support this claim. Beginning with elementary school, children will be taught that marriage can be defined as a relation between any two adults and that consensual sexual relations are morally neutral. Classroom instruction on sex education in secondary schools can be expected to equate homosexual intimacy with heterosexual relations. These developments will create serious clashes between the agenda of the secular school system and the right of parents to teach their children traditional standards of morality.

Finally, throughout history the family has served as an essential bulwark of individual liberty. The walls of a home provide a defense against detrimental social influences and the sometimes overreaching powers of government. In the absence of abuse or neglect, government does not have the right to intervene in the rearing and moral education of children in the home. Strong families are thus vital for political freedom. But when governments presume to redefine the nature of marriage, issuing regulations to ensure public acceptance of non-traditional unions, they have moved a step closer to intervening in the sacred sphere of domestic life. The consequences of crossing this line are many and unpredictable, but likely would include an increase in the power and reach of the state toward whatever ends it seeks to pursue.

The Storm Has Passed

Charlie and Josh both had a bit of trouble for a few days and Katie threw up yesterday morning, but everyone appears to be relatively healthy now.

WHEW!

It was horrible seeing Charlie in so much pain and so sad. He is such a sweet, happy baby and I just felt so frustrated that I could not make him better. But he seems to be all better.

As much as I hated to have them sick and as sad as I am that I basically have no more PTO for a while at work, I am so glad I was able to stay home and take care of my family on Wednesday. I wouldn't have wanted anyone else to do it -- not even Josh. When my children are sick, I want to be there, holding their hands and nursing them until they're all better. Being able to just hold Charlie in my arms for long stretches of time throughout the day and let him just nuzzle into my chest and find rest and comfort there was a great feeling. It's moments like that when I know that no one else on earth can take my place with my children and that they need me to be as present in their lives as possible.

Florence Nightingale

You: I wonder how Jess is doing today.

Me: Jess is at home nursing a husband and baby, both afflicted with a nasty stomach flu. When people are throwing up all over and diapers are exploding, that's not a good time to be without a washer and dryer. Sigh. Josh has turned a horrible shade of green, yet still manages to look as pale as death. He is also shaking and sweaty and has passed out twice. Charlie has cried more in the past two days than he has in the past 15 months. It makes me so sad to see him so unhappy and in pain.

How are you?

Just Pictures

Basketball stud

Alek and Lukas, cousins and friends

Charlie spaghetti face

Someone has seen Alek get mad before

Relaxing at Grandma's

Katie in the tub

Charlie in the tub

At my company picnic

Too cute

Just because she's pretty

Update

I'm so way behind on updating my blog with actual details about my life. Here is a quick update with pictures.

Way back in May, we had our first ever Young Women's Conference at the home of one of the YW leader's in-laws. The conference had a Star Wars theme and was a Friday/Saturday overnight conference. Friday we mostly just had fun -- ate dinner and s'mores, did karaoke, hung out and talked. Saturday we put the girls through the Jedi Academy. We visited different planets and locales around the galaxy and the girls unknowingly worked on their Personal Progress at each stop. The leaders were the Jedi Masters, complete with costume. It was a lot of work, but a total success and was so much fun.



The next big event was that Josh and I went to see Phantom of the Opera. Josh had seen the movie, but had never seen a live production (this was my 3rd time seeing it on stage). We bought tickets as our anniversary present last November, when tickets went on sale, and finally got to see the show in June. The guy who played the Phantom was AMAZING. Best Phantom ever. And we had a very fun date in the middle of the day (we saw a matinee on a Thursday).

Before the show

Me in my early birthday present

Alek also went to Cub Scout camp in June. The theme was "Cubs of the Round Table" and they did all these medieval-related activities. He had a BLAST.

Sir Alek the brave.

Jousting.

So, yeah, I had a birthday. My awesome in-laws helped me have a fantastic birthday by funding a date (Josh and I went to dinner and to see Wall-E) and my wonderful sister-in-law, Doreen, babysat our kids. Then Josh's parents went even further to help me have an awesome birthday by funding a birthday bash Josh had for me on my actual birthday. He invited a bunch of the young men and young women over and we ate pizza and played Karaoke Revolution and talked and had fun. And Josh finally gave me the birthday present I was supposed to get last year (a watercolor he painted for me). Totally worth the wait. Alek also gave me an awesome birthday gift -- the Brother Francis doll he made in school (they learned about saints and good-deed-doers from around the world this year). He sewed and knitted everything himself. Isn't that awesome?

My gift from Josh

My gift from Alek


My teenage friends at my party


Charlie loved my birthday cake


Katie looking adorable while waiting for cake

In July, we celebrated Alek's 9th birthday. His cousin Josselyn's birthday is just a few days after his, so we had a co-birthday party with the Barker clan. My sister-in-law, Olivia, made this totally adorable cake for my niece.

Josselyn's ladybug cake and flower garden cupcakes

Earlier that morning, I finally got around to figuring out what kind of cake I would make Alek. He looked through some options on a web site I found and decided he wanted a moon cake. He was happy with it, it was easy and fast, but it was pathetic looking, honestly -- especially compared to Liv's creation! Oh well. Not one of my talents, cake decorating.

Alek with his moon cake.

Alek had a great time at his party. He's so easy to please this one -- every present was wonderful (and there weren't that many, but you'd think he'd gotten the best haul in the world the way he acted), the cake was wonderful, the party was wonderful. He had no complaints, except he didn't want to go home at the end of the day. :) I'm one lucky mom.

Besides that, there is not much to report. Josh is getting ready to fall semester and is looking for a part-time job without success. I'm working on finding child care for Katie and Charlie while Josh is at school -- grandma is no longer an option. The summer has been fairly mild, the smoke from the fires finally cleared up and the Barker family is chugging along, happy with our lot.

A new piece by Josh