Same Sex Marriage, A Civil Right?

Today I felt compelled to say something about my stand, about what I believe regarding the issue of same sex marriage.

For the past couple of weeks, I've read blog posts regarding Proposition 8, and the legalization of same sex marriage. There are those who view it at as a civil right, some said its a matter of freedom to choose who you want to marry- and everyone both the religious and civil group should have that freedom to exercise marriage in their own way. 


Is same-sex marriage a matter of civil right?

Way back in 1999, Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley has addressed this issue and this is what he has said:

"Some portray legalization of so-called same-sex marriage as a civil right. This is not a matter of civil rights; it is a matter of morality. Others question our constitutional right as a church to raise our voice on an issue that is of critical importance to the future of the family. We believe that defending this sacred institution by working to preserve traditional marriage lies clearly within our religious and constitutional prerogatives. Indeed, we are compelled by our doctrine to speak out.
Nevertheless, and I emphasize this, I wish to say that our opposition to attempts to legalize same-sex marriage should never be interpreted as justification for hatred, intolerance, or abuse of those who profess homosexual tendencies, either individually or as a group. As I said from this pulpit one year ago, our hearts reach out to those who refer to themselves as gays and lesbians. We love and honor them as sons and daughters of God. They are welcome in the Church. It is expected, however, that they follow the same God-given rules of conduct that apply to everyone else, whether single or married.

I commend those of our membership who have voluntarily joined with other like-minded people to defend the sanctity of traditional marriage. As part of a coalition that embraces those of other faiths, you are giving substantially of your means. The money being raised in California has been donated to the coalition by individual members of the Church. You are contributing your time and talents in a cause that in some quarters may not be politically correct but which nevertheless lies at the heart of the Lord’s eternal plan for His children, just as those of many other churches are doing. This is a united effort.

...We regard it as not only our right but our duty to oppose those forces which we feel undermine the moral fiber of society. Much of our effort, a very great deal of it, is in association with others whose interests are similar. We have worked with Jewish groups, Catholics, Muslims, Protestants, and those of no particular religious affiliation, in coalitions formed to advocate positions on vital moral issues. Such is currently the case in California, where Latter-day Saints are working as part of a coalition to safeguard traditional marriage from forces in our society which are attempting to redefine that sacred institution. God-sanctioned marriage between a man and a woman has been the basis of civilization for thousands of years. There is no justification to redefine what marriage is. Such is not our right, and those who try will find themselves answerable to God...

...We shall go on pursuing the path which the Lord has marked out before us. We shall try to be strong and faint not as we pursue those programs and practices which have been established and maintained through generations of time."

The world is constantly changing, at least let our voices be heard. That is our right. And we have to do something, because somehow what's going to happen will have a great impact on the kind of world where our posterity is going to live. Could we afford to let it just happen when we can do something now? If we want to make the world a better place, specially for the future generation we have to uphold the moral values of our society.

Together with Paula of A-Large Room I say this to you:

" In our society, it is our children, born and unborn, who bear those consequences. Our nation was founded on principles of freedom, virtue and self-sacrifice. We who hold its destiny in our hands today. We, who will determine the world our children will grow up in and inherit, need to embrace all three of those values. Sometimes what I want must be set aside in favor of what my society needs. And right now our society does not need for the meaning of marriage to be further diluted. Marriage, as the life-long union of a man and a woman who will bear and raise the next generation of children, must be preserved. We cannot afford the loss of meaning that will occur if we re-define marriage to include same-sex (and inherently infertile) relationships. We as individuals make choices. We as a society also have a choice to make. We must choose the future. Support America's families. Support America's future. Please vote yes to protect traditional marriage in California, Florida and Arizona."

YES on California Proposition 8 http://protectmarriage.com/
YES on Arizona Proposition 102 http://yesformarriage.com/
YES on Florida Proposition 2 http://www.yes2marriage.org/

She Call's Him Papapa

Hevyn turned 6 months last Oct. 15. She's now a talkative darling. I don't know how she learned it, on her fourth month she first said "mama" while we we're staring at the closet mirror with Winnie the Pooh sticker. She touched the sticker and said "mama"- obviously that's not "mama", but at least she learned now that I am "mama". When she turned 5 months, she became more talkative and seemed to immitate a conversation with us by mumbling (really sounds like she's conversing with us). That's when she learned how to call her father "papapa" in a very sweet darling tone as if saying "helo". Since she's a baby, we're trying to teach her to call him "dada", but this is how she wanted to call him "papapa"....

We co-sleep by the way, and every morning she wakes up she would touch my face and hold my messy hair and say "mama, mama". How sweet, it just feels like heaven to wake up this way. In the afternoon, my dh also takes a nap once he gets home and Hevyn does the same to him, of course he wouldn't be able to sleep. Her sweetness just makes us want to play with her more.

Home is truly a heaven on earth. I couldn't ask for more. I'm grateful for my dear husband who's working really hard to sustain us with our needs. Of course I could choose to work prestigiously as an accountant here. But its truly a blessing to be a stay at home wife and be able to take care of my families needs personally,  see my daughter grow each day and be there for her anytime she needs me.  

72 Hour Kit Haunts Me In My Dreams

My dh is always amazed by how I can remember dreams that I have each night, sometimes I can tell him 3 different dreams I had at the same night. Anyway, for many months I keep on dreaming about calamities happening back in Philippines, sometimes earthquakes, hurricane, flood, etch. And in all of those dreams I'm always left behind carrying 72 hour kit or looking for it. I always tell my dh to help me organize our 72 hour bag in case whatever happens we can pick it up quickly, and he always responds yes but I'm still the only one who ends up organizing it. Maybe its my paranoia why I always dream about it.

Last night I dreamed about it again, there was a fire and the whole city is burning. People are running here and there and as usual I'm carrying our 72 hour bag. I was left behind and I'm looking for my dh and baby who run their way without anything, my greatest worry was that they don't have any food and water with them. There was even one dream when I was pushing a small food storage full of foods and water and some people are asking me to share some water with them because they were'nt able to bring any with them. 

You might be wond'ring that I have a 72 hour bag well prepared... sorry but you are wrong. These are the only things I have in the bag:

• all our important documents in two plastic folders wrapped in plastic bag
• some canned foods, (2 cans tuna, 2 cans sardines)
• 3 bars of chocolate and a pack of dried fruits
• flashlight
• first aid medicines (band aid, alcohol prep pads, paracetamol tablets, ibufropen)

Today I've decided I have to add other things I might as well need:

•  3 pcs baby blankets and some baby clothes, wet wipes and 9 pcs. diapers
• 2 big blankets for the family
• 500 grams corn flakes cereals 
• 2 cans whole kernel corn 
• lighter and candle
• jewelries and some money
• paper, pen, pocket knife and lots of plastic sheets
• disposable dish utensils for 3 days

And together with these I have a 2.5 galoon water we can easily pick at the kitchen.

"Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been counseled to have a food storage and be prepared for an emergency which includes having a 72 hour kit. This kit should be put together in a practical manner so that you can carry it with you if you ever need to evacuate your home. It is also important to prepare one for each member of your family who is able to carry one."

Now I'm worry free and I hope this 72 hour bag won't haunt me in my dreams anymore. I don't know if I've forgotten anything, please leave a comment if you have additional suggestions. Thanks in advance.