Brush up on your knowledge of the 12th Article of Faith

During this wonderful recession, I have been just thrilled (notable sarcasm) to see many of my friends lose their jobs and their livelihoods, while others have thrived. Why is this so? There are days when I just get so angry and frustrated with our lot in life. Of course, we must always take a higher road - one that will lead us closer to our Heavenly Father. But don't you ever just get so mad? That you wonder WHY in the world is all of this happening? I know I do, and then I know I have to immediately repent (egads).
My school district has frozen salaries. Great, now I can't afford to pay even MORE bills, while our illustrious President has inflated our national government even more with 32 (count 'em, 32!) 'Czars.' Good grief!!! There's more of our tax dollars going down the loo!
Does ANYONE in Washington have a clue anymore as to what they are doing to our country? I have friends who are losing their homes, self-respect and are so depressed that they wonder how in the world they will ever dig themselves out of the hole they're in.
Now, we're not looking for a hand-out (surprise, we are REAL Americans), but a hand-up. We need jobs, and not just garbage jobs where people say to you, "You should be thankful to have a job!" (Gee thanks for the support) and then they pay you much less than what you are worth. Great, while those in Washington get richer on the dole, we all suffer.
I gave a talk in church on the 12th Article of Faith here a few weeks back and what is going on in Washington right now is exactly what we been warned about.
Be warned: CHOOSE YOUR LEADERS WISELY! or we will all be living in a real life version of '1984.'

Long time, no talk

There's been so much 'controversy' over Miss California's comments about same-sex marriage. Her statement that she believes that marriage should be between a man and a woman drew some of the most hateful language that I've heard in a long time...language that is not permissible on this blog. Indeed, these hatemongers call themselves the tolerant ones, yet cannot stand to have their beliefs challenged.

While reading a blog on Mormon Times by Laura M. Brotherson, I came across this great statement:

There is a way to satisfy these competing beliefs about marriage. I was particularly impressed by the wisdom of a gay individual who posted the following comment on one of the news-story blogs. He wrote:"I'm gay … and I do not believe there should be any outrage over (Miss California's) comments regarding gay marriage. The pageant judge asked what she thought. She is entitled to her opinion. Just as those who want gay marriage are entitled to theirs. Too much gets put on this topic. Too many in the gay community are hung on this redefinition of marriage. Tell me again why a religious institution has to redefine itself because you feel entitled to its rewards? Civil unions carry the same legal weight and are more than sufficient for those of us needing the legal aspects of our relationships satisfied."In reading many of the other comments, equality seems to be the buzzword used by those who seek to redefine the institution of marriage. Equality is certainly getting skewered in this context.Let us be clear. Equality means that any man and woman who want to marry can do so. Any other combinations are going to have to find something else to call it because "marriage" is already taken.

It must be noted that our new President is also against same-sex marriage, as well as the always fabulous, Elton John (Madman Across the Water album - absolute brilliance) - civil unions are what is acceptable to them. So why then attack a woman at a pageant being asked an opinion question if you don't want to hear the response? One has to be prepared for an opposing statement.

Political correctness aside, we know that marriage is a divine covenant that was established by our Heavenly Father, and man is not at all qualified to redefine it as he sees fit.

May the Lord bless you,

SIZ

We say, "Merry Christmas!!"

Don't ever be afraid to say, "Merry Christmas!" It is a true blessing to have the gospel in our lives, and an honor to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

No matter your circumstance (this single mom is really struggling this Christmas), we must always remember what our Lord and Savior has done for us, and how lucky we are to be able to worship in our own way.

I pray that the Lord will bless you and yours this joyous season in remembering the wondrous birth of Him who sacrificed all for us.

Many blessings to you,

SIZ

Single parents in the church

Here's a question for you all: Does your ward treat single parents (moms in particular) differently than two-parent households?

Old friends, painful memories

I reconnected with an old friend through classmates.com - it had been quite a few years since we had talked. She and I had parted under....disappointing circumstances. The story goes like this: this dear friend (I'll call her S) had gone to school far away and came back pregnant. Being a member of the church, she knew what the consequences of her actions were, and decided to give the child up for adoption. I completely supported her whatever her decision. When she came home for a brief visit, she stopped by my house and swore me to secrecy. No one was to know. I agreed and promised I would not say anything because it was not my news to tell. However, a mutual friend (who used to be my very best friend) was at my home when S came for the visit. This mutual friend was shocked and also swore he would not say a word. Unfortunately, this mutual friend couldn't keep his mouth shut and spread the word around the entire stake, adding to S' humiliation. And, of course, this mutual friend told S that he said nothing, so she blamed it all on me, telling me the friendship was over. This situation bothered me for a very, very long time as I knew that it wasn't me who did the gossiping. Nevertheless, she did not believe me, so I had to just let it go. So, it was just a bit surprising and shocking when S contacted me and asked me to email her, which I did. Painful memories re-emerged, but I didn't speak of the incident, as it is better left in the past. This is something that I am sure many of us go through at one time or another and it is just so sad...we should be lifting each other up, trusting each other, instead of letting go of precious friendships that can carry us through our sometimes precarious lives. A very interesting experience it was, and a blessing to reconnect with an old friend.

http://mormon-blogs.com/

Hey ya'll, this is a great site to find all of your favorite blogs that relate to the church!

Family

On the Ferry, Pocahontas, going over the James River to Jamestown!

SPRING BREAK!

Everything has a new beginning in the spring.
We educators desperately need a spring vacation to reboot ourselves and get ready for the last stretch to June. I'm thrilled to have this time with my children and friends, and the opportunity to go to Busch Gardens!! (We've suffered from withdrawal)
Spring is also a wonderful time to reboot our spiritual lives and get ready for General Conference, for the opportunity to listen to the Prophet.
How blessed are we, really? It's a good question to reflect upon, and to remember the great things in life we enjoy, the best being our knowledge of the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

Being a single sister in the Church is not easy, especially when one has to deal with small-minded people (as in any church), however, our relationship with the Savior is the most important thing, and it is up to us to elevate ourselves above all of the nonsense that man and woman can say to us to bring us down.

So, be happy, be blessed and be successful in all you do. Even when you don't feel like you're doing enough, you probably are, and the Lord will bless YOU for your efforts.

As always,
SIZ

Happy New Year!!

I am so grateful for a new beginning. This past year has been one of many challenges, but also one of many blessings. My family were blessed to go to General Conference in April, which was just amazing, and a much needed spiritual uplift.

We are looking forward to more experiences and adventures for 2008 - I will be receiving my Master's Degree in May, and we're traveling up to Ohio for a family reunion in July. So, excitement awaits!

May our Heavenly Father truly bless you this coming year.

Cheers,

SIZ

Veteran's Day

I am reminded of Captain Moroni and the Sons of Liberty on this blessed day.
I am reminded of all those who have valiently fought for life, liberty and our right to worship freely.
I am reminded of how blessed we truly are to be living in a country that is the freest in the world, albeit not a perfect one, but a free one. Nevertheless, we must still fight to keep these freedoms.
On this Veteran's Day, we must remember those who fought for us, those who continue to fight for our freedoms, and we too, must fight within our own country to maintain these freedoms.
May the Lord bless those in combat this day, that they will feel the peace and love of their Heavenly Father.
Love to you all,
SIZ