Happy Halloween!

Yes, a happy halloween to all. There was a pumpkin my mom had that would squeel this phrase when you squeezed its hand. My niece Makhail loved this sound and soon after began imitating the phrase. I think of her on halloween and both those little voices!

I am not a big halloween fan. Those higher up who are in charge of me seemed to know this and my work schedule is late today! Wahoo. I get to avoid the whole mess. Besides, its rainy right now, so I just want to curl up with hot cocoa and a good flick tonight!

I am posting a brief update regarding my prop 8 calls. Thank you to Sara - you are sweet to read & comment. I didnt know you were checking this blog out & I am glad that my words were of some value to you!

This morning on the phone was pretty busy! I actually spoke with quite a few people.  My fave phrase for the day is:

"It takes two to tango, do you know what I mean?"

-an older woman named Doris (please, please Doris, I dont need that visual...and I hope you were referencing heterosexual couples....yikes!)

To catch up on the days prior....last night was very uneventful. Wait, wait, I take that back! How could I forget being called.....

"You're a bigot. A bigot. Enjoy it." *snarl*

-some middle aged man. (Oh, I will enjoy it sir. Thank you for telling me what I am. Please put that on the list of being a tree, a celebrity look-a-like, a crazy, a shrimp, well you get the idea.)

And then the night before. Oh yes, my most memorable call yet. 

First this woman insulted me for not having enough education (a BA is apparently not high enough on the qualification scale), not being intellectual, not being open minded, and the last (my personal favorite), not having any children. Yep. I dont lie folks. Thats truly what happened.  Nevermind the fact that all of her gay friends dont have children, or that she is being cynical and narrow minded by judging me for all of the things I apparently lack. Nope. That would be rational folks. And most of those arguing for the "civil rights" of homosexuals arent using logic or reason. 

They are playing the same cards over & over again!!!!! Please, get some new arguments. I am very tired of the same, limp rhetoric that you are laying out on the table. Freshen up the produce people. Get some new meat - whats laid out is so so STALE!

She ended the call by yelling:

"You're an idiot!"

Well, and idiot I am not. I actually thank her for her conversation. It bolstered my argument that the opposition is weak, irrational and attack seeking.

Happy Halloween friends. Dont get scared by the opposition. 

Shannon

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More Prop 8 Phoning moments

Okay, my dear blog friends-- I just finished my daily dose of prop 8 roulette. For those of you unfamiliar with this activity, its simple. Just pick up the phone, log into the calling program and you're in the game. You just never know what the hour will bring....

I didnt actually speak to a lot of people - its lunchtime on a Tuesday. But, the few I did speak with left some lasting words.

"I'm a staunch supporter of homosexuals. I love everything gay. I think they should be able to have homosexual marriage, have homosexual sex..." (after that my mind went into shock mode and all I could say was 'thank you for your opinion, have a nice day.')

-Beth (thank you for reminding me of what I dont want to have happen...)

"Do you know how many calls i've gotten this week? Prop this, prop that, Republican, Democrat, its a nuisance! This is not why I have a telephone. Goodbye!"

-Older man (I am not sure why he picked up the phone. He may want to invest in caller id to help screen his calls.)

There you have it. A daily dose of the real voting population. I couldnt make these quotes up if I tried. From my ears to your eyes. Have a great day & remember to vote yes on Prop 8. 

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Prop 8 Jewels

For those of you fair readers who are interested in the progress of prop 8 - I have some jewels to share. As you may be aware, the young single adults in California have been issued a responsibility by the first presidency to reach 1 million voters by election day. Each ysa is to call for at least an hour on the phones each day. I have been blessed to be a part of this challenge and have had the added responsibility to lead some of the ward members in this goal.

Below are some fantastic quotes from those who I have already called - it definitely is entertaining and amazing all at the same time!

"The bible dont say nothin' about Adam & Steve..."

-Ken (Nope. It doesnt. whatever helps you to vote yes Ken!)

"Is that [prop8] them one about gays? Marriage is between a man, a woman and God. Thats all you need. Thats what God wants."

-Billy (truly his name was Billy - I wish we had a few more rednecks around - they are good, simple people!!)

"Well, now you have made me reconsider. You seem like a very upstanding young lady. Regardless of how I vote, thank you for your efforts. Even if you have saved one person like me you have done you job."

-Alice (originally a no vote, but now may vote yes. She is going to go over to her neighbor who has a yes sign in his yard and ask him why he's voting yes)

Just in case you ever wonder if one person can make a difference consider our efforts on Prop 8. I dont say this to aggrandize myself - but as each person does their duty, standing shoulder to shoulder with the next- our individual efforts add up to a great force of good. 

Keep it up California YSA's, keep it up. We'll win this yet!

Shannon

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Bumps & Blessings

In a recent conversation with my parents (via Skype - a fantastic technological advancement) my father mentioned the above phrase - reminding me that life is full of bumps and blessings. That certainly is the case. 

So often it is easy to be overwhelmed by the bumps - to become spiritually "carsick" so to speak. Often when there are multiple bumps in a row, our mortal journey becomes more like an "E -ticket" ride and less like a Sunday drive through the country. Its easy to forget to look out the window and enjoy the view. Our adversary would have us become so focused on the spiritual nausea that we stop our drive - too sick or too dizzy to continue forward. But, our Heavenly Father wants us to continue even amidst the bumps. Just as any good E- ticket ride has a definite end - our spiritual and mortal journey will not always be bumpy and there will be great vistas along the way - the "blessings."

I certainly have been enjoying (I say that a bit tongue in cheek since I enjoy this type of discomfort about as much as a trip to the dentist) the bumps and blessings of my current leg of my life journey.

There have been some present bumps - work is definitely not going the direction I thought I wanted it to go. Now, I have to go and assert myself and get my "creative aggressive speak on" with the boss. Thats always a good time. In recent months my housing has been a bit "mobile." I am learning to be nimble with my ability to move. (3 moves in 6 months is certainly a lesson in flexibility and organization!).  A lot of my friends are having baby #1 or #2 - very exciting indeed to welcome a bundle of tiny proportions into the world - but also a small reminder of what I thought I wanted right now. And, God and I have had the same conversation regarding marriage (but this time i listened better - it only took 3 or 4 tries!). It just not time. As a result of all of this, I am feeling a bit wander-lost.

Ah, I can hear you few readers asking at this point "the blessings, the blessings - you promised there would be blessings." Yes, there are perhaps more blessings than bumps (which is partially my present realization.)

I have had the opportunity to live with my Aunt. Up to this point in my life I havent taken the opportunity to get to know her. What a lady. I didn't get to know my grandma Simmons very well - she passed away before I was old enough to retain too many memories. But, I think in a lot of ways my Aunt is like her. She is strong, kind, thoughtful, generous and safe. This has been a safe place to land - an important blessing in my life. She feeds me, makes sure I am sleeping and helps me stay sane. She has shared some of her strength with me as we have chatted about spiritual matters, temporal activities and just life in general. We have baked cookies (well, she bakes & I eat the dough) and packed boxes for my parents in Russia. She has shared family history jewels - and perhaps the crown of it all was when she suggested I try on Grandma's wedding dress.

***It fit.*****

What a tender moment between Simmons women. As I stood in that beautiful dress in front of the mirror, I could almost see my grandma looking back. I certainly was reminded that we are not alone in this journey. It was a precious moment with a few tears had by all.

Another fantastic blessing occured at work.  I was able to ring up a young lady and the conversation turned to Utah, BYU and the eventual "oh, your LDS" commentary. She told me that she was planning on going on a mission. I told her that I loved future sister missionaries and I would love to hear where she was going! I gave her my number and she agreed.  I didnt think much about it until she came in again, this time with her mom. We all shared a smile and she told me she would call and that she still had my number. Well, Saturday was the day of the call. And guess where she is going? ASL speaking on Temple Square. Yes. You heard that right. Coincidence? Not at all! Tender mercy for both of us? Of course, yes!

Well, thats just a snippet of my blessings - I am in the midst of prop 22 calls - another blessing. I was feeling uninvolved and felt the need to be doing more with the campaign. About  2 days after this prayer and wish, I was asked to be a group leader in this calling campaign the first presidency has issued to the YSA's of CA. Yep, the Lord is good.

My conclusion? Keep on doing what the Lord needs me to do. Also - dont get caught up in the world. Those things are not of lasting value or happiness. Those issues, pleasures, goals, successes, big bucks, hot shots - none of that is really of a lot of substance. The gospel, family, friends and service are where its at!

Shannon 

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Liberty & Tolerance - my thoughts on Prop 8

I wish to express some of my thoughts and opinions regarding my generation, the current world condition and the importance of a yes vote on Prop 8. Most importantly I hope to share my passion and fire to help others take a stand and take action.

Some of the things I say may be considered bold. I wish to be bold as I feel the time for quiet, passive observation is well past.  In any fight, there are sides that must be taken, as sitting in the middle will surely destroy or at least neutralize any impact that middle person may have had on the outcome of the fight. 

I do wish to be clear that I am a tolerant person. I accept all people - no matter their color, gender, sexual orientation, economic standing or religious persuasion. I have friends that fit into all types of categories.  However, I do not tolerate all actions, beliefs or conditions. This is my liberty. This is each Americans liberty - that same liberty our Founding Fathers fought for and the same liberty that was exacted at an excruciating price. This is the liberty to believe how I choose and the liberty to then fight to maintain that belief.

Part 1

Many years ago, Californians gathered together and as a collective voice, voted yes for Prop. 22. This proposition maintained marriage to be between a man and a woman.  Just this year, 4 judges overturned the voice of the people and established prop 22 unconstitutional.  While they have that authority, the decision they made was wrong. Prop 8 gives us, the people, an opportunity to exercise our right and responsibility to vote and reclaim the voice we established with prop 22.

Part 2

Now for the issue these judges overturned. I am concerned regarding this issue.  You should be as well.  The majority of California wants to maintain marriage to be between a man and woman. That was what DOMA and Prop 22 were all about. Many social and religious organizations were and are in support of that definition. There is a minority that wishes for the opposite view. They have that right to feel differently.  But, just as the courts wrongly declared prop 22 as unconstitutional, the opposition wants to wrongly convince us that same-gender marriage is right.

My belief is that marriage is between a man and a woman. Prop 8 would change the California constitution to include that wording.

Currently, those who are in a domestic partnership (homosexual) receive all the same legal, financial (including tax benefits) and social benefits that a married couple would receive.  I am not fighting to change that. There is no added benefit to homosexual marriage, but there are ramifications. With the legalization of homosexual marriage, there are a few major doors that are opened.

 

1. Curriculum in schools would be changed to include a new definition of marriage. Additionally, children would be taught sex Ed regarding homosexuality as early as grade school.
2. Religious adoption agencies could be sued for not placing children with same sex parents – regardless of their religious views. This has already happened in other states and the Catholic Church shut down their adoption agency because they would not comply.
3. Religious tax-exempt status would be challenged and revoked if churches spoke against homosexual marriages or against homosexuality, or refused to perform homosexual marriages. These actions would be considered hate speech and hate crimes.

 

Does this sound right? Does this sound tolerant? A religious organization being sued, or their tax status revoked because they preach their beliefs? This is not tolerance my friends.  This is not liberty. This is injustice!

Please stand with me to support traditional marriage. Please stand with me to support liberty.  A yes vote on Prop 8 will not revoke or hurt our homosexual friends – we will still be maintaining their liberty and maintaining tolerant behavior. But, a no passage will hurt so many people and organizations and will perpetuate intolerant behavior.

We must not be fooled into apathy. We must not be diminished by fear or feelings of inadequacy.  This is our time. This is our fight.  These are not the wars of our fathers, but the current battles of our generation and the outcome will shape our future.  Mark my words, we must do something or we will be neutralized, standing in the middle with our hands to our side.

There is much social talk of global warming, world peace, green energy, social responsibility, finding a cure, stopping violence, bringing our troops home, etc. These are tumultuous times. There is much commotion and much chaos. We can make a difference. If we, the younger generation, stand together we can create positive change. We can make a difference and we must. We must look to our future and bear the responsibility and liberty that is ours.

Please comment on this post and post it to your facebook or other networking site If you support these views.

Thank you & may God support us as we maintain His law of traditional marriage,

 

Shannon Simmons

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Liberty & Tolerance - my thoughts on Prop 8

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