We Came, We Saw, We Froze

Presidents' Day: A holiday known for a prime day to buy a new mattress, car, and/or furniture because of OUTRAGEOUS sales (said in my best obnoxious commercial voice).  Our Presidents must feel completely honored to be given such high regard on their special day.  When I woke up I thought to myself what a better way to remember our past presidents...spending money I don't have.  Therefore, we decided we'd go the old fashioned route of spending some quality time together as a fam. (*gasp*) 
Since we had rain drops the past couple days, we knew Flagstaff would be white and have some good snow for sledding.   With kids in tow and the lack of time in the day, we didn't go for what Jason and I like as 'extreme' sledding, so we went the cheap, plastic, round disc, sissy way.  'Twas fun, minus that we have zero good snow gear, had frozen hands and feet, and Nathan had to ride home in his undies because he was soaked.  Added bonus, I was the only one taken out by a sledder.  Chopped off on the legs, flipped on my back, complete take-down.  Obama would've been proud.

Scenery of how amazingly beautiful it was.

 Even more stunning scenery.

My love and I.

She didn't get too fast being the brakes were on the ENTIRE time.

We love holidays!!!

Why Jen?

Why Jen?  Jen has often asked me why she was so lucky to have me as a husband.  There are so many reasons why Jen is the perfect wife for me.  Many of you may know that Jen and I met on my mission in Nebraska.  I was one of the missionaries that taught her about the church.  She was a golden investigator.  She absorbed everything we taught and she was baptized in two weeks.  Jen was so innocent and pure with the gospel.  She was so willing to do and obey the commandments.  It was a joy to teach her.

Soon after she was baptized I was transferred out of the area.  She was always upon my mind wondering how she was doing in the gospel.  I knew that she was alone and she only had her friend that helped her in the gospel as a support.  What I didn’t know until we started dating was that she did not have much of support from the ward but she still fulfilled her calling as a primary teacher.  Her actions spoke loud to me of the commitment and her testimony.  I knew of others in similar situations that gave up because of similar circumstances.

 Jen being alone in her first year as a member and striving to do the best she could and not giving up on the gospel spoke volumes to me.  Her actions had a great impact upon me because of a lesson I learned about companionships from my mission.  I had over twenty companions on my mission.  Just to let you know, that is a lot of companions for 24 months.  All my companions were new missionaries or junior companions except for my trainer in the first two months of my mission.  Most of the time, I was leading the companionship, making the decisions or pulling the load of the work.  I was so sick of it by the end of the mission I knew that I needed to marry a woman that would help me pull the load and work with me side-by-side.  I needed that person to be able to help me and I would help her to reach our eternal goal.

Jen blew me away with her determination and strength when times were tough for her.  I knew that her heart was in the gospel and she would put the gospel first in her life.  Her actions demonstrated that she had one of the many traits I needed for a great marriage.  Most guys growing up would talk how important it was to marry someone beautiful or “hot”.  I knew early in life that the beauty within someone will improve their appearance overall.  I did not expect to marry a physically attractive woman.  I looked for the spiritual beauty first.  I didn’t think that I would get both. 

I wanted to express to my wife that I have been blessed with the most beautiful, sexy and spiritually driven woman that I could have asked for.  Thank you for making so many good decisions and allowing me to be in your life.  Why Jen?  Why me?!  Why did you choose me and allow me to be blessed with you?  I love you and I hope that we will continue to overcome challenges and strengthen this great marriage.

Love,
Jason

Yes Robbie, There is a Cupid

Dearest Robbie, I figured your mother should know the answer to your question since, in fact, I shot her with my arrow many years ago to find fancy the man you call 'Dad'.     I was born many years ago and my first archery success took place with a man named Adam and a woman named Eve.  I've been responsible for the rich and wealthy to fall for the poor and lowly of heart, good girls to fall for the rebellious bad boys, lonely old women to fall for young pool boys, princesses to find their princes, and pilots to fall for innocent girls from Idaho.   Life used to be easier.  I had a good gig going, but the short stints of celebrity romance has been a crushing blow to my career and obviously, my judgment (of which I attribute to the smog.)You have me to thank for pre-nups, in-laws, and years of angst over toilet seats.  Yet, if ye heed my voice I can make you the happiest in all the earth.  Yes, my dear boy, Cupid is still about, and will always continue to search for those whose hearts are pining for love.  Tell your mother not to hide the truth and let her know if she doesn't want a sarcastic answer, then she better not be asking stupid questions.See you in the near future,XOXO, Cupid. 

Happy Valentine's Day.

Politics of Finding Balance

My last post I took very seriously and swore I would write about every topic brought up.  Then in my email inbox I received this question:  I would like to get your opinion of the whole illegal immigration issue. Are you for kicking all the illegals out & even denying the "anchor babies" citizenship if they are born here?  Or are you more the love your neighbor, we can make reform to get them legalized & paying proper taxes side?

 Um, next question please.   Crap, what did I get myself into? I guess I was thinking of butterflies and rainbows and not such heated topics.  Yet, do I have an opinion?  Yes.  Will you like it?  Probably not.  I’m not an extremist.  I see valid points on both sides. 

I once took a quiz about where on the map I am with being a Republican vs. Democrat.  After answering several questions, the quiz would pin what side of the fence and how far over the fence I was.  I’ve often thought I was a very strong republican.  Turns out I was smack dab in the middle.  Some may interpret that as indecisive.  I see it as balanced.  Balance between the EXTREME ‘right-wing’ (less change, less government) and ‘left-wing’ (more government control). 

My republican opinions come into play when I think of entitlement versus personal responsibility.  I already posted my feelings on that, so I’ll spare that long description twice.  I agree with responsible fiscal spending…again responsibility.  I believe strongly in elections, where people have a voice, instead of judges making strong decisions for the people as a whole.  I believe in local, state, and federal government. I do not believe federal should dictate states laws.  I believe a people governing themselves requires hard work and ingrains a deeper appreciation and love for their country and laws within that land. 

My democratic opinions come into play when I see people truly in need. I feel at times extreme republicans take a stance towards others in need as ‘they got themselves in their situations, it’s up to them to get out.’   The extreme democrat, on the other hand, would just give handouts.  I do believe in responsibility, but realize some have never been taught responsibility and do believe as a people we have a duty to teach skills to one another to help others become successful. I love the church’s ‘Perpetual Education Fund.’  The program is designed to help individuals be successful and give hope anywhere they live, not just within the United States.  I appreciate the democrats in their role as civil rights activists.  Because of that, women can vote, blacks can vote and both have the ability to have prestigious careers. I care deeply about individual rights…as long as government does not interfere in church and moral issues.  Also, extreme democrats are very much for government control.  In certain cases, that control can be beneficial for worst case scenarios.  For example, big wig companies (electric companies) could try to monopolize businesses and strong arm the people.  Government can at that point step in and create balance.  Government can also be beneficial for incentive based movements such as solar power and cleaner energy incentives for overall benefits to individuals and help businesses move forward.  

  

In my opinion, each extreme is very dangerous to society.  Ultra conservative can lack compassion which would not foster good working relationships and unity as a whole. They can come across as heartless.  Liberals can weaken by being entitled and not earning what is received. When everything is given many will not strive to be better nor improve which tends to lead toward a lack of appreciation and innovation.    Innovation/work and unity/compassion are the tools which have made this nation great.  Utilizing compassion without giving into entitlement is a difficult balance for many, but is essential for our future. 

    

In regards to illegal immigration, I was impressed with the church’s stance:

1.     ‘Love thy neighbor.  This includes all of God’s children, in all places, at all times.’  We cannot and should not judge.  If we have not walked in another’s shoes nor lived the life they have it is impossible to say that if in those same circumstances we would not choose the same paths they have chosen.  We may have chosen worse.

2    ‘Strengthen Families. Families are meant to be together.  Forced separation of working parents from their children weakens families and damages society.’  This, to me, means a father leaving his children to work in the U.S. is not beneficial for the family unit.  Neither is sending a father and mother back to their country while the children remain here without their parents beneficial. ‘No other success can compensate for failure in the home.’  David. O. McKay

3.    ‘Observe the Law.  Every nation has the right to enforce its laws and secure its borders.  All persons subject to a nation’s laws are accountable for their acts.’  If one is unhappy with the laws of the land they should do all they can to try and change that law, not break it.  My personal opinion in regard to ‘anchoring babies’ is they should not be allowed immediate citizenship.  The law was not obeyed by the parent.  With only one member being a citizen, it could cause division within the families.

I know I didn’t answer the question probably how this individual wanted me to.  I  didn't pick a side. Sometimes picking a side can cloud our minds from looking toward solutions.  I haven’t a clue what that solution is.  Illegal immigration places a heavy burden on health and education monies.  Yet, is it humane to turn away those in dire need of medical attention?  Is an individual's suffering or death the answer to prove a point? Is it beneficial to turn a child away from learning to read and write? Is illiteracy the answer to prove a point?  On the other hand if we release the flood gates, we can possibly drown and not be able to sustain ourselves.  There needs to be change and reform.   If illegal immigration is so prominent because of the difficulty to become a citizen, then solutions should be formed to alleviate the difficulty.  No process will ever be perfect.  Whether republican or democrat, it’s about doing the right thing.  It’s about seeing everyone’s point of view.  It’s being open to see the gray areas between the black and white.  It’s the letter and spirit of the law, its justice and mercy, its balance.