It Was Quite a Day!

I love politics, especially in an exciting presidential year. I love listening to speeches and debates. I find myself on pins and needles waiting for the daily poll numbers and trying my hand at political analysis. I have very definite opinions about the way things should be and am usually not afraid to tell people how I feel, but I realized recently that my social world is full of like minded people, and that I have never really had to get out of my comfort zone, politically speaking. A few years ago, 61% of the voters in California passed an initiative stating that only marriage between a man and a woman is recognized in California. A few months ago, that decision was overturned by a the State Supreme Court, so now we have a new proposition, Proposition 8, that will hopefully be passed, adding an amendment to the state constitution, preserving traditional families. We have been instructed by the First Presidency to do all that we can do to help, including donating our time and resources to the campaign. We were given a folder a few weeks ago with the names of people in our voting precincts and the streets that they live on. We have been asked to walk door to door polling these people. That folder sat on my entry way table for two weeks. I would walk by it a just get sick at the thought of the task at hand. I prayed for strength and was always comforted that all would be well, that this was something that is VERY important to the Lord and to the Prophet, and that I should just buck up and do it. So I did. Yesterday was our walk. I am happy to report that I was a brave girl and even did the talking a few times! We were able to contact a lot of the people on our list and only had 2 definite NOs and 1 Undecided, and MANY people who were definitely in favor of the amendment. There were a lot of people who were willing to put up a yard sign for us, and a few who wouldn't "because it is just to controversial, but thank you for doing this for us." It really pointed out to me that there really is (I hope) a silent majority, and that we all really need to get involved to spread the word. It was a real test for me, but I did it and know that I will be blessed for it. So...Please pray for our state, and pay close attention to your own state politics.

On a lighter note, we had a great ward activity last night. We all had so much fun. My ward is my favorite thing about California. We had a Chili cookoff and guess what??? WE WON!!! Ben and I had a lot of fun doctoring up our recipe, adding this and that and it turned out delicious! What was our secret ingredient? LOVE! (and chocolate! shhhh!)