Setting Sail

Since we will be gone for the next week, I thought it would only be appropriate to leave something to enjoy. Here is his new learned trick:




I guess all that dragging down the stairs actually did teach him. He all of a sudden was coming down by himself. He likes to stop in the middle of the stairs and just stand- that makes me nervous, but he seems to be fine.


Hope to have lots of fun pictures from our next week!

Adventures of Corban

Everyday I have to take Nika on walks to go to the bathroom. Almost everyday Corban comes on at least one of those walks (the other times he is either left with his father, or I just leave him to play in the family room by himself- they are short walks, so don't be too alarmed). When Corban does get to go, he LOVES it! I just carry him because I don't think it is worth pulling out a stroller. From the moment we start walking out the door, he is perched over my shoulder, looking around, smiling, and enjoying the fresh air. He loves it when there is a bit of breeze- he smiles and squints his eyes a bit. Today as we were walking (keeping a steady pace), Nika would stop to smell, and then all of a sudden start running up the hill past us. Corban would just giggle at her every time she did it.
I also just bought him a potty seat. I set him on it at least once a day just for fun. Tonight I thought it would be fun (for me) to see if I could catch him needing to go potty and put him on it at that moment. So I left his diaper off. HA! I went to put the seat on the potty (literally seconds after putting him down) and I come back to him peeing as he is reaching for the button on the DVD player. Needless to say, there was no more pee to go into the potty by the time I grabbed him and rushed him to the bathroom. He wore a diaper the rest of the evening.
About that button on the DVD player (actually the XBOX), he LOVES it! It is the button that ejects the disc, so you hear the disc going in and out. Occasionally you will hear the flipping of the tray as he is grabbing on to it. I am sure I will be sorry in the future, but it really is adorable to watch- he is pretty careful about it- and very precise with the pressing of the button.
He is still so adorable as he is falling asleep. He still does the whining, moaning thing as he is drifting off into slumber land. That is something I will totally miss when he stops. I took a moment tonight to just hold and rock him as he drifted off (while moaning). I couldn't help but think how these moments are flying by. In heaven, I want to come back to this perfect state!

Embarrassed

I am sure that no one has thought a thing of it, but I must make a comment on the subject. With all this commotion of my name being on the "harass" list, the amount of our donation is plastered all over the universe. Something that I thought would have been very personal has now become more than just public. This was first a problem when my employees started getting phone calls and that was one of the key phrases the callers would use, "She donated $XXXX towards hate." Not really something you want your employees to know about you...especially when the hate part is not true.
Well, I am definitely NOT trying to draw your attention to it, but in the case that you are wondering how and why the amount, may I refer you to an earlier post made back in the beginning of this venture. We are not at all as wealthy as we may appear, but Heavenly Father let both Jared and I know what we were to give. I have had to remind myself of that many times as we have been going through this harassment. In addition to the "ouch" factor, had it not have been as big of a donation, we might not be receiving the attention that we have. I am in no way regretting the decision. My prayers were answered. I am grateful for the strength it is giving me- I think it is going to be necessary for the future battles.

Looking on the Brighter side

If you haven't read this article in the Meridian News, then you need to. I think it is shocking, but I also think it is good to be informed. Thank you, Colleen, for sending this to me. Article VI Blog is also another good place to read up on what is happening with the Prop 8 persecutions. Whether for or against, everyone should be able to admit this is persecution and it is wrong.

I am feeling much better today! I have spent my day in the BEST things. After having a great RS presidency meeting, which opened with a great thought, and then we talked about the people in the ward that need visits, and then things I can be doing for my callings. There are many other people have greater trials than what I suffer just right here in my little neighborhood. This reminded me to take action on doing those things that matter most and not waste time reading the negative. By the way, Jacqui, THANK YOU for the wonderful gesture and then compliment on Golden Spoon Comments. This was the only comment that came in today :)
I came home from the meeting and spent some time listening to and reading conference talks. WOW! Those apostles knew just what we needed. I particularly liked Elder Eryings' and Elder Hales' talks, as they put the umph back in my step to love everyone around me! Hales' is particularly applicable to persecutions and makes me so happy that I have a great sister and brother in law that live by this counsel. They both told me right from the beginning that it was best that we don't respond nor engage in conversation with those that are calling to boycott. As tough as that might be, it really is the best way for this particular situation. I can understand, looking at the picture with their understanding, how difficult this must be for them. If only they could see the bigger picture, or have the understanding that we have, then they might believe us when we say that we are not about hate. So many of the other blogs and articles are able to articulate this. My conclusion is that it is best to read uplifting things, not to remain oblivious to the situations around me, but because I do know what is going on and I need powerful support.
I love my Father in Heaven. He does bless you with peace and comfort when nothing else can. He does provide happiness and joy in a time when these emotions seem impossible. What a privilege it is to stand as his witness, especially when it isn't popular. I am very empathetic to all those that continue to suffer. It is so much worse in the emotionally charged areas (Hillcrest, LA, San Fransisco, etc.). I read that even Utah (a state as a whole) is receiving boycotts- all because the opposition doesn't understand that the donated money didn't buy the votes (if so, they would have won).

Corban has had a great day, sliding around on the floor, climbing stairs, unraveling ribbon, napping, and playing at the park. This time on the slide (at the park) he completely went down without help, though I did catch him at the bottom. Right now he is resisting bedtime. Jared came home from work and fed him his bottle...however, he was not successful at getting him to sleep. I guess those daddys are too much fun! So he is back to unraveling ribbon while I finish this blog (I guess he wore daddy out).
All in all, life is great!

I am posting the entire article because I am going to want to read back on it someday (when the link just might not be there):

All photos courtesy of Amy Fisler. Copyright 2008. Amy Fisler. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All Photos are Click to Enlarge.

Editor's Note: As some of you know, Meridian was hacked into last week, apparently by Prop 8 opponents, and in the place of our content was placed a homosexual pornographic film. For free email updates from Family Leader on issues that affect family and religious freedom, click here.

To send this article a friend, click here.

To sign up for a free email subscription to Meridian, click here.

It has been an interesting week.

The Chinese homily, “May you live in interesting times,” has its roots in a curse, not a blessing.

As I said, it has been an interesting week.

The controversy in California regarding Proposition 8 (the proposed amendment to the California constitution defining marriage to be strictly between a man and a woman) built to a frenzy in the days leading up to Tuesday's election and then exploded into anger and violence in the aftermath of Prop 8's slim passage into law.

I am a Los Angeles Police Department detective supervisor running a sex crimes unit covering the western quarter of the city, which also includes the area where the Los Angeles temple is located. I have a fantastic crew of 20 detectives who are an amazing mixture of races and sexes. I have several detectives who are openly gay or lesbian. This orientation has nothing to do with their efficiency as investigators. I deeply respect and like these individuals. I enjoy working with them. My life is often in their hands when we serve high risk search or arrest warrants. I trust them implicitly.

Obviously, the types of crimes we investigate bring us into regular contact with victims who are of an alternative lifestyle orientation. It is incumbent upon us that our compassion for these victims be no less than for victims who are heterosexual.

Hard Choices

Working in such an environment, I found taking a position on Proposition 8 to be difficult. Even though I chose to follow the direction of our Church leaders in my voting decision, it was extremely hard for me to place myself on the line when it came to actively working to ensure the passage of Proposition 8.

Still, I watched in amazement as my fellow ward and stake members worked tirelessly, committing themselves full-heartedly to the cause – not out of homophobic hatred, but out of a love of Christ and a belief in the sanctity of traditional marriage. Their faith strengthened mine, and I committed to participate in a sign waving public rally sponsored by our stake to be held at a local intersection.

By following through on this commitment, I found I had a greater stake in the battle than I had ever thought. I learned a number of hard and harsh lessons. And in the events following the election and passage of Proposition 8, I felt great anguish forcing me to drop to my knees in prayer – eventually coming to a more personal understanding of the Love of Christ and what he expects from me.

During the Proposition 8 rally, as I stood with my wife and friends waving Yes On 8 signs and waving to the passing rush hour traffic, I learned several things. I learned supporters of both Yes On 8 and No On 8 liked to honk their horns. I learned the way to tell the difference is the No On 8 supporters usually accompanied their horn honking with an obscene gesture or a string of obscenities. They also liked to swerve their cars toward the children on the curb.

I learned when we didn't engage in argument with the No On 8 supporters who intermingled with us in the intersection, they became enraged, red faced, and fit to burst.

I have no doubt Yes On 8 supporters both from our church and other churches engaged at some point in the shouting matches during the numerous rallies and demonstrations across the state. However, on the evening of my participation, I was amazed by the cool and non-confrontational way the Yes On 8 supporters conducted themselves.

I learned at the rally several of our ward members had received hate mail after their names, religious affiliation, contribution mounts, and addresses were published on a website inciting No On 8 supporters to target the listed individuals. Their houses and cars had been vandalized, their campaign support signs stolen, and opposition signs planted in their place.

When I returned home after the rally, I had a huge headache and my stomach was in knots. I am not a fan of confrontation, and the noise of the horn honking, both pro and con, and the divisive atmosphere inherent in the volatile situation had taken its toll. Still, after praying with my wife, I felt calmer and was pleased we had chosen to participate. While our efforts were miniscule compared to the hours of service to the cause provided by others, we had at least jumped down from the fence and done something.

Then I saw the latest No On 8 television commercial.

Tolerance?

Supposedly produced by an independent group not affiliated with the official No On 8 campaign, the thirty second commercial spot shows two scruffy male white actors portraying Mormon missionaries who force their way into the well-kept home of a married lesbian couple.

“Hi, we're from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” one says.

“We're here to take away your rights,” says his companion.

The missionaries then rip the wedding rings from the women's fingers and ransack the house until they find the women's marriage license, which they destroy.

“Hey, we have rights,” one of the women says.

“Not if we can help it,” answers a missionary.

Moving outside the residence, one of the missionaries smugly says, “That was easy.”

Flexing his muscles, his companion asks, “What do we want to ban next?”

While I was appalled by the commercial, I was even more appalled both MSNBC and The Comedy Channel happily took money to broadcast this overtly hate filled vignette. I cannot imagine a similar commercial, targeted at any other religious or racial group, not being considered a hate crime with a civic outcry for prosecution.

My hackles were beginning to rise in a distinctly unchristian way. However, the fun was just beginning.

Election Day And Aftermath

Election day in California saw numerous No On 8 activists distributing literature and vocalizing at polling sites in clear violation of election laws. Police were called, 100 yard distances from the polling places were paced off, yet the agitation continued.

Despite these efforts, Proposition 8 obtained a slim majority (52.5% to 47.5%). Exit polls showed the proposition was supported by 7 of 10 Black voters, a majority of Latino voters, and by people with children under the age of 18 still at home. Clearly, it was supported by all people who believed marriage is a special and protected institution.

The day after the election, spontaneous protests sprung up in West Hollywood – a small residential community, with a large gay and lesbian population, located within Los Angeles County , but just outside Los Angeles city borders. The protests did not have a particular focus or target other than outrage as they strayed outside the confines of West Hollywood and into Beverly Hills , Hollywood , and West Los Angeles . Several arrests were made, but the seething anger at the passage of Proposition 8 was not dampened.

On Thursday, however, two days after the election, rumors began to be picked up by LAPD of a large protest organized by gay and lesbian activists and their supporters to be staged outside the Los Angeles LDS temple on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Los Angeles.

LAPD has 22 geographic Areas divided between 4 administrative Bureaus . My investigative unit is attached to Operations-West Bureau – which has responsibility for the area where the Los Angeles temple grounds are located. We operate out of a squadroom across from the Bureau's administrative offices. In such proximity, I was in a position to observe the command post set up in the Bureau offices to monitor the actions of the field command post charged with keeping the already illegal (no permits) protest peaceful.

What I learned by watching and listening shouldn't have surprised me, but it did. During my 30+ year tenure, the LAPD as an organization has made great professional strides in the internal battle against sexual harassment, sexual orientation harassment, and racism. While there are still those in civil liberty organizations who contest we are still guilty of racially profiling on the streets (difficult to imagine when our department is so thoroughly integrated at this point in time), organizationally there is little or no tension remaining in these areas.

In the Bureau command post there was a large screen television displaying scenes from the protest outside the Los Angeles temple. Imagine my surprise, when angry protestors began rushing the closed temple gates, and I heard an officer in the command post say, “I hope they burn that place to the ground.”

Imagine my even stronger surprise when another officer replied, “They better hope they don't get through the gates, because the Mormons have an army in a bunker under the temple that will come out and kill them all.”

Really? My temple recommend must not be of a high enough clearance to get me into that part of the temple.

I'm now doing a slow burn. Not only am I watching a sacred building under siege from 2,500 angry people shouting, “ SEPERATION OF CHURCH AND HATE,” and carrying signs proclaiming MORMON HATERS and LOVE NOT HATE, I'm listening to other police officers who agree with the protestors or have the most imaginative fantasies about blood atonement armies hidden under the temple (exactly how do we feed them, drill them, get them in and out without anybody seeing, or are they all in a state of suspended animation until needed?).

I want to emphasize these were not officers or detectives from my own unit – who are all aware of my Mormon faith. Those in my unit who disagree with me over this issue are respectfully tolerant, as I am respectfully tolerant of their opposite beliefs. Tolerance, as Orson Scott Card recently pointed out, is indicative of disagreement. It is not a battle we choose to fight amongst ourselves. Most of us have known each other for a long time and are either embracing of, or oblivious to, our differences – divisiveness has no place in the types of investigations we conduct.

The Mob

The worst, however, was yet to come. The temple presidency made a decision to close the temple for the evening. The right decision, but since when do we as Americans stand by – no matter what our religion – while access to a place of worship is forced to close down because of aggressive outside influences?

The late local news showed scenes of several Hispanic females in tears outside the temple trying to remove the signs desecrating the walls and fences surrounding the temple. As these individuals – who according to a temple spokesperson were not church members – removed the hate-filled signs, the mob exploded and began beating the individuals to the ground. Police intervened and arrests were made, but the fact this was allowed to happen at all was appalling.

Other supporters of Yes On 8 drove slowly by the protestors with Yes On 8 signs attached to their cars and pickups sparking other violent confrontations.

A friend of mine, watching the same scenes play out on the television, called and said he felt like he wanted to go down to the temple with a baseball bat and begin swinging at the demonstrators. I must admit, the natural man in me agreed.

In actuality, the scenes on the television, literally drove me to my knees in prayer for the safety of the temple, the members, and our church. A lesson I have learned several times before, caused me to expand my prayers to include those who were opposing us for they are not our enemies – they are our brothers and sisters in Christ.

The Appropriate Response

In the face of hatred, how are we to feel about this focused attack upon our church? An attack launched not because we are the only supporters of Proposition 8, but because we have been the most visible and financially supportive entity in the battle. We are an easy target.

In a recent article on Christian Courage , Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles wrote, “I would say that one of mortality's great tests comes when our beliefs are questioned or criticized. In such moments, we may want to respond aggressively – to put up our dukes . But these are important opportunities to step back, pray, and follow the Savior's example. Remember, Jesus Himself was despised and rejected by the world. And in Lehi's dream, those coming to the Savior also endured ‘mocking and pointing … fingers' (1 Nephi 8:27). ‘The world hath hated [my disciples],' Jesus said, ‘because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world' (John 17:14). But when we respond to our accusers as the Savior did, we not only become more Christlike, we invite others to feel His love and follow Him as well.

“To respond in a Christlike way cannot be scripted or based on a formula. The Savior responded differently in every situation. When He was confronted by wicked King Herod, He remained silent. When He stood before Pilate, He bore a simple and powerful testimony of His divinity and purpose. Facing the moneychangers who were defiling the temple, He exercised His divine responsibility to preserve and protect that which was sacred. Lifted up upon a cross, He uttered the incomparable Christian response: ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do' (Luke 23:34).”

We have often been instructed to love our enemies, and despite the current horror of our trials, this is no time to do differently.

As I write this (Friday, November 7, 2008), plans are being made by the LAPD to respond to another larger protest/demonstration being planned by No On 8 supporters to be staged in front of the Los Angeles temple on Saturday.

This is interesting since Saturday is my stake's day in the temple. For some weeks now, we have been encouraging families to come together to the temple on Saturday to participate in ordinances.

How do we respond to hatred disguised by the adversary as tolerance? Our stake president has talked to the temple presidency who has assured him the temple will be open for business as usual. There are eight weddings scheduled on the grounds. Will we be able to get to the temple without being molested or our vehicles vandalized? We must place our faith in the Lord and proceed.

Challenges to our faith are not new. Nor are they likely to go away anytime soon. But, as Elder Hales reminds us, “True disciples of Christ see opportunity in the midst of opposition. We can take advantage of such opportunities in many ways: a kind letter to the editor, a conversation with a friend, a comment on a blog, or a reassuring word to one who has made a disparaging comment. We can answer with love those who have been influenced by misinformation and prejudice – who are ‘kept from the truth because they know not where to find it' (D&C 123:12). I assure you that to answer our accusers in this way is never weakness. It is Christian courage in action.”

Lessons Learned

Clearly there are lessons to be learned from the current unrest:

Tolerance is not agreement and should not be a one way street. However, we must still remain tolerant of those who are intolerant of us.

Recognize the adversary at work here – making good seem bad and evil seem good.

We can only be disciples of Christ when we respond to adversity in a Christlike manner. To do less opens our actions to the influence of the adversary and hurts us even more.

We should never take for granted the opportunities we have to gather together in worship. We should never put off the opportunity to attend the temple. For these valuable things can be disrupted and possibly even closed to us – if not permanently, then at least on a temporary basis.

Pray. Often. Don't forget to include those who are set against you.

And finally, have no doubt President Monson knows where all of this is leading. He will surely reveal the knowledge to us on the Lord's timetable. Meanwhile, we must support and trust him, his inspired councilors, and our inspired local leaders in our actions. Their actions of Christian courage will be our examples.

Yep, still hard

I guess it is my fault for thinking hard should only last a few months, really hard should only last two weeks, and the hardest thing I have ever been through should only last a week. I haven't quite hit a week, but I don't see an end in sight.
Heather calls me today asking how my day is going. Of course I knew what she was referring to since we have called each other EVERY day and sometimes 2 times a day to support one another through this harassment. (There is just something about men being able to handle these things. Both our husbands are able to smile through this.) Today I honestly answered her, "My day is going good. How about yours?" I guess it shouldn't have been surprising her response, but I had stayed away from the computer for the morning and was pretending that life was back to normal. Apparently the other side (those against Prop 8) are still working 24/7 to dig up any and all dirt they can find. And if they don't find it in you, they find it in somebody really close to you, and somehow relate it back to you- with the details all twisted. There is a new thing going around on Roger about an article he didn't even write. Oh, the annoyance!
I know I have no room telling people how they should react when they hear what we are going through here in California, but this is my blog, so I will say what I think. I don't feel that it is an outsider's job to tell us we should have compassion on the other side (I am not particularly talking about the 1st Presidency, as I would take this as counsel and I know this is exactly what our Father in Heaven would like us to do). It is really hard to hear, "It could be worse", "you just need to love them", or "they just don't understand." The best reaction to have is something to the tune of compassion and understanding for us, acknowledgement that THEY are the ones displaying hate, or just plain sympathy. No need to fear that you would be condoning our wallowing in our misery. We are pretty strong cookies- as we have been baking in this for the past few months. We just have to allow the sparks to fly often or we will burn from the inside out! We are doing our best to react in a way we have been taught- with love, understanding, and compassion for our enemies. Have faith in us that we are praying for that love and compassion on these people who don't share our same views (or morals) and are lashing out in pure hatred. I promise I am praying for this and I (and everyone else) could really use your prayers as well! I am not at all claiming to the worst off! I can't imagine the pain others must be going through. If I would have been to the LA Temple the day of the protests, I can only imagine the fear that would have put into me. It was bad enough walking out of my door on Saturday afternoon (after a wonderfully uplifting morning of crafts and discussions) to have a car drive by with a guy hanging out the window yelling belligerent comments. He didn't stop at one, but kept going until they (or I) were out of sight over the hill. YIKES! I thought my home was my safe haven. I guess I will have to stay inside.

It is so hard to not be outwardly defensive against these people boycotting the stores. Here are a few of the complaints (my defense in between) that are being sent in to the stores corporate office:

Our family and many of our friends will not be frequenting your establishment in the future.
Equal rights means equality for everyone!
You could have donated your $XXXX dollars to a battered women's shelter to actually help someone. Instead, you donated to promote hate by allowing Prop 8 to pass. A lot of gay/lesbians eat frozen yogurt, but a lot will not be spending their money at your establishment.
A former customer.

Have they even thought to look into where I have donated money. If they want to specifically talk about the business, we have donated well over that amount THIS YEAR to causes I would say are similar to a battered woman's shelter! A majority of my personal donations go through the church. If they knew much about the Mormon church, they would find that 100% of the donations made go to the cause. The humanitarian efforts are one of the first at any catastrophe.

To Whom It May Concern:

I enjoy your yogurt very much and have been a customer for over 3 years. It is with regret that I inform you that I will no longer be patronizing the Golden Spoon located in Poway, CA after learning that the owner, Amanda Crane, donated $XXXX to the yes on 8 campaign. I would ask that you seriously consider the future of your business relationship with Ms. Crane. Golden spoon is in the frozen yogurt business and shouldn't be involved in perpetrating hate crimes against a group of people merely seeking equal recognition under the law.

Sincerely,
Amanda Lee

That's right, Golden Spoon is in the frozen yogurt business and that is where they will stay. It was a PERSONAL donation, not a donation made by the company. Little do ANY of these people know that I am not the only owner, but it is made up of 5 owners, some of which don't agree with Prop 8, therefore, they are hurting their own side (owners and employees) with this type of boycott.

Subject: Boycott of XXXXX XXXXXX

It has come to my attention that XXXXXX XXXXXX (owner of parent business) of XXXXX XXXXX XXXXXX, Inc. and Amanda Crane (my local, Poway XXXX XXXXX Franchise) have donated substantial amounts of money to the "Yes On Prop 8" campaign in California.
Armed with this information I will no longer be a Golden Spoon customer. I will also be letting my friends and colleagues know this information as well.
Prop 8 isn't about gays or marriage or church. It's about the rights of ALL people and the ability of the government to dictate those rights. This is a slippery slope. Where might this slope lead to?

Thank you.

A favorite line that I have heard recently spoken to a gay man was this: "You have all the same rights that I do. You can get married to a woman just like any other man can." Of course if they know any of the arguments on our side, they have nothing to do with equal rights, nor wanting to take away rights from anyone. Our objective is to save traditional marriage, which we believe saves the family, which then saves the individual. It is unfortunate that the judges unlawfully gave them that right for a few months, so now it can be argued that that right is being taken from them.
We have used the "slippery slope" analogy on our side as well. The slippery slope we see is that marriage is not what they want. There is more to the agenda, which is how we got here. Where do you draw the line on marriage if it isn't between a man and a woman? Teenagers? Multiple wives? Sodomy? Relations with animals? And I would like to hear the argument of how this won't be taught in schools, when "marriage" have been chosen to be taught in schools by 95% of the districts in California?

And then there was this one:

I'm sorry that some folks in California are targeting you for boycotts. My family and I will increase our patronage of your stores in the near future until this blows over. The store in Poway, CA is the one we usually frequent.

I will also spread the word to others to increase their patronage.

Warm regards,

J. Drew
Poway, C

This person deserves a medal for making my day! Yippee! There are still kind words to be spoken!
Thank you to all of you who want to do everything in your power to keep our business going in Poway! I wish we could afford to just give you all Free Yogurt because you deserve it!
Thank you Heather and Roger and Kids for coming down yesterday! It was a nice break and it is always great to spend time with family. I can't wait for our much needed vacation in less than two weeks!

Another first

We really enjoyed the park today...and we only went because I had to have a meeting with Kim Garcia for Enrichment. I started out thinking that the reason I don't go to Play Group is because my child is not ready to play. He proved me wrong today. He LOVED the sand. I took his shoes off and he played in the sand with his toes, allowed it to filter through his fingers, and crawled all around the sand box. I only had 1 incident with him trying to eat the sand- he got down on his belly and put his face in it, much like he does in the bathtub to taste the water. He is a weird child. As you see in the video, we also tried out the slide. He really was pushing himself off.

This Test is getting harder

I have yet to feel a desire for celebrating the passing of Prop 8. I know there are many reasons for this, and after discussing them out loud, the best answer I can give is that I think I have a hint of what our Father in Heaven feels for his children when they choose an opposing path to the plan of salvation. I have seen and studied so much on the subject of Same Sex Marriage over the past 3 months, which was disheartening to say the least. But it wasn't until this last week that I really realized who the opponent was we were up against. This group, and I really feel it is important to refer to them as a group, is more hateful than I would have imagined otherwise friendly individuals to be. I don't really have words for it, which is better anyway because I don't want to sound like I am casting judgement. The only point I am trying to get across is the way I am feeling after a successful campaign.
I know I didn't realize how bad this would get in the beginning, though I did expect it to be bad. It is a different trial of faith than I had expected. In a way I am grateful because I know it is making me strong because I am going to have to be stronger. But that also brings forth the reality that this is just the beginning.
Unfortunately, for a split second I thought about Corban and my unborn children and how I don't dare bring them into this ugly world. Then I reminded myself (or He reminded me) that those children have been prepared for this time. I actually need their strong spirits to help me through this. So bring on the babies!
In the middle of this post I received a phone call and I had a feeling I shouldn't answer it since I didn't recognize the number. The message said the following:

Hi, I am looking for an Amanda Crane. I got a message on my cell phone today
that you had donated $...... to the Yes on 8 campaign. I'd just like to
confirm that before I forward it to about 280 phone mail messages and to all the
email addresses on my San Diego list. My name is David and my phone number is
619-295-5478. I just like to get confirmation before I do something like that.
That it is either indeed true or not true. Thank you!

Boy was I glad I didn't answer it! I can't believe the attacks and intimidation that are coming from that side. Still! They are really sore losers. It makes me think of sports games and the lesson of sportsmanship. I guess these people haven't had much experience with that- or they are teaching that lesson different from when I learned it. If their point is that we, Yes on 8, are bigots and are so hateful, then why are they fighting this so called battle with the same? If I were an outsider without a position on the matter, their actions would really leave me to think. But people have been raised to think differently now, so what is right, is no longer right, what is moral no longer matters, what is law is fought in the name of individual justice. I thought that when we vote, the majority gets to decide the end. Apparently it just gives reason to put forth another lawsuit.
All joking aside, I really do feel bad about what is going on. I feel bad that this has hurt them to the point that they are lashing out in this way. I feel bad that they hold all this anger towards a very loving people. I feel bad that they are vindictive against individuals they don't know the slightest about. What does an amount of money say about a person? Does it tell them that I have a little boy that can melt the heart of anyone? Does it tell them who I am and who I am striving to become? Does it tell them that I too think there are injustices in this world? Does it tell them that I truly do strive to love my neighbor and my enemy? Does it tell them the hard days that I have experienced or the things that bring me great joy? Does it tell them that I make mistake? Does it tell them the accomplishments I have made in my life? Does it even tell them the REASON why I donated the money? Nope, it has no ability to explain any of these things.
I heard from an individual today that was picketing at the LDS temple in LA that "this is not a personal attack on the members of the church." I dare say it is. I do recall hearing my name personally on that cell phone message. I do believe that was MY employee calling ME to tell ME that he has had multiple calls for AMANDA CRANE about her donation to Yes on 8 and they are going to ruin my business. I did get a personal "heads-up" from GS corporate preparing me for the flood of emails that have come in due to my donation. Maybe I am a little paranoid.
It's just the beginning.