T’was two days after Christmas

T’was two days after Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even the kids! The stockings still hung on the chimney with care that Santa had filled just two days before. The kids are now restless, they know for sure, that the holidays will end and school will begin.

I in my boots and jacket to keep warm, see that the storm left the yard to be cleared of leaves that had blown from the trees the night before.

Mom is resting with her feet in the air, is glad that the wrapping and ribbons are no longer near. When all of a sudden, there rose a sound, there go the kids arguing over the Wii! Well that don’t beat all, the leaves will wait as I referee!

This year is all but complete, it’s luster and shine all but worn down. A New Year’s in sight, all fancy and bright, where new goals are in sight like deer stunned in the light!

May this New Year be better than the last, maybe Santa will remember that bribes do count!

Some Beckstrand Happenings in 2008

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Christmas in Panaca

I'll probably get a "nasty-gram" from the editor of the "Lincoln County Record" and I might not for reposting a story from their website, but I do miss Christmas time in Panaca.

Panaca’s Cookie Crumb Trail 

Panaca's first "Cookie Crumb Trail" Christmas celebration was a wonderful start to the holiday season, on Saturday, Dec. 6.  The "live nativity" scene was a meaningful experience, not only to those viewing it, but especially to those who volunteered to take part in it. A big round of thanks to all that participated, and to Dixie Tienken and Beverly Peterson for lining up characters, and to Marty Buschmann, Don Cumming and Pete Peterson for costuming, set design and construction, and sound system. Thank you also to Neldon and Carol Mathews for use of the property, to Matt and Jule Wadsworth and family, and Tina & Ed Welty for use of the live animals ("Bo" the goat made a big hit), and to Raymond Thompson and Kenny Lee for loan of the hay.

Inside the Town Hall, nativity collections were displayed by about 20 different people, with the collection of Caliente residents Marvin & Ruth Richardson taking up 3 tables, and Larry & Renee Hansen's collection taking up 2 tables! Our spirit spilled onto the lawn out front as we decorated the Town Tree with family ornaments, and everyone enjoyed cookies & cocoa, compliments of CindySooz Restaurant, the Panaca Market, the "Y" Service, and the Pine Tree Inn. Thanks also to everyone that brought cookies to share! Merlin Rohde's hay wagon made 3 trips around town before dark, carrying spirit-filled carolers led by Sisters Jernigan and Newitt from the LDS Missionaries.

We also thank Linda Lee, Grayce McBride and Kathy Wadsworth for opening the Panaca Heritage Center for the day, so that people could learn more about Panaca's pioneer heritage. And we could not have decorated the Town tree without the assistance of Panaca town "Maintenance Max" Austgen and "Santa Lee"! And UNCE Extension Educator Holly Gatzke volunteered her entire afternoon, while her family was out cutting their tree.

Yet to come is the Lighting Contest, to be judged on Monday, Dec. 15. Thanks to Lincoln Communities Action Team (LCAT) for the advertisement and support of this fun activity! Next year will be even better!

Submitted  by Barbara Rohde, Panaca LCAT representative
Copyright 2008 Lincoln County Record, Caliente, Nevada

On a side note...
When we moved to Panaca in 1982, just down/up (whatever!) from the family house was this GI-HUGIC pine tree! It must have been at least 4 stories high! Anyway, each Christmas, everybody in town would gather at the tree for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony (it had Christmas lights on it!), with hot chocolate, smores and other goodies and we would all sing Christmas carols, turn on the lights and have a really great time. This tree was sooooo tall, that after the Christmas Lights were turned on, it could be seen from the mountains to the East of Panaca by anyone coming down the highway from Utah and from the rest of the hills around the valley. Well, I think it would have been my Junior year in High School, but a wind storm and I mean storm blew through the valley and this very old and very tall tree was blown over. Thankfully it fell into the street and not on anyones house. It was a sad day for sure. But alas, traditions cary on and the annual Christmas Tree Lighting now takes place (I think it still does) in front of the Panaca Post Office on the main street through town.

Have a Merry Christmas
and a happy New Year!

Scouting - Arrow of Light

It's been a busy month for the Beckstrands in Folsom.

First, Maggie was baptized, then a couple of days later, Kraig received his Arrow of Light! I'm really proud of him and his accomplishments. He even received all but one of the Webelos activity pins as well. He will start Boy Scouts in March when he turns 11 years old. He has even set a goal to get his Eagle Scout award by the time he turns 14.

Scouts reading what each advancement means.

Kraig getting his Arrow of Light award and making the transition to Boy Scouts.

Kraig received a Boy Scout handbook, Boy Scout scarf and slide... Now we'll get his tan Boy Scout shirt!

Kraig, Chandler, and Nick reciting the Scout Oath and Scout Law!

Sandy, Kraig and Mike - Kraigs Arrow of Light awards!

Maggies Baptism!

On November 17th I baptized Maggie. Not much to say here... Pictures can speak for me.

Dad's always making faces... well, we're not ready!

I'm really glad Mom and Dad made it! So was Maggie!

What a group!

Grandma Taylor and Maggie.

Things I've Done

This list is from Karyn’s blog page. I liked it too, so I copied it too!

The things in bold are things that I have done.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world (Disneyland as a kid and World when I worked for Philips Semiconductors - they paid for it!)
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo (On my mission - "Because I Have Been Given Much")
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train (rode one from Eugene, OR to San Jose, CA! Had to call Chris and remind him to come and pick me up!)
21. Had a pillow fight(with my kids!)
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping (YES I did! And not ashamed to admit it too!)
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset (saw the sunrise in New York and south of NASA in Florida and the sunset in Santa Cruz while at the Boardwalk)
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance (Got rear-ended one block from home in San Jose on Superbowl Sunday!)
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gave flowers for no reason (I bought them at 7am on my way home from work and was asked what I did to have to buy flowers so early in the morning by another customer. I just said “No reason.” What did you do? The guy didn’t answer!)
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check (Who hasn’t!)
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy (I still have my Snoopy Dog doll! Kraig has it now.)
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job (does a layoff count??)
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle (Dad use to own one when we lived in Vegas. It was a blast!)
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person (does this count if you flew over it in a plane several times???)
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car (I wish it was a new truck, but I got a Mini Cooper instead!)
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper (The picture is in the Church News from General Priesthood when I was in the Priest Quorum.)
85. Read the entire Bible (on my mission!)
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox (I cannot believe Karyn had this one marked! Didn’t you get vaccinated Sis??)
89. Saved someone's life (Long story… Happened while I was a truck driver for C.R. England and Sons. I’ll tell ya some day.)
90. Sat on a jury (almost several times, for some reason the attorneys don't want to keep me!)
91. Met someone famous (I met Pres. Monson just before my mission! He spoke at a fireside in St. George.)
92. Joined a book club (Just to get the free books!)
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Steven Visits...

Yes! You read the tag line right! Steven visited us this past weekend. Well, it wasn't for the whole weekend... my like... "Hey Mike! I'm working in Fresno and I'm flying out of Sacramento some time on Saturday and I was wondering if I can crash at your place!" or something like that!

Fact: Steven WAS working in Fresno on Friday... He said he was just waiting for the movers to get there with some printers so he could make sure the network was working.... and he did do some other stuff to keep everyone thinking he was busy!

Fact: Stevens flight was out of Sacramento on Saturday... around 1pm! I can understand why one would want to be in Folsom... Green... Hilly... Family. I mean all there is in Fresno is... Fresno and no mountains!

The kids were excited to see him Friday night. I think the real reason was that since Steven was visiting, we went out to dinner and the kids like to go out to dinner... then the novelty of having an Uncle like Steven over wore off... until morning anyway!

Oh don't get me wrong... we really like having family visit especially Steven!

The World of Blogging

Have you ever noticed how much time that is spent on sites like MySpace, FaceBook and other social networking sites? I'll tell ya! Too much time! With sites like those and others like "LinkedIn" and "Plaxo", there isn't enough time in the day to keep all of these sites up to date! Well, as of today, I deactivated my "FaceBook" account. Yep, no more wasting time for me!

YA RIGHT!

Now maybe I can keep my blog space up to date with other interesting bits of what is going on in my world.

Never thought it would be this obvious, but...

The following was posted by Daniel Bell on Derrick Beckstrands FaceBook page (hopefully this link works). Permission to re-print here thankfully granted by Daniel. Thanks Daniel!

"I'm glad that Prop 8 passed. I can understand (and indeed sympathize with) those who don't share my beliefs and voted against it. I'm pretty sure that were I not a member of the Church, I wouldn't have supported Prop 8.
But this note isn't really about you guys. Welcome, read the note, comment or question if you like, you're awesome, but you're guests here."

"The really troubling issue, from my point of view, was the section of the Church that actively opposed Prop 8. They have some cognitive dissonance to work through---and perhaps some covenants to remember."

"The foremost complaint I've heard from anti-8 members is that "The Church is trying to take away our agency."

"No offense (maybe you'll take it anyway), but that seems like a very immature argument. I've heard it used to argue against everything from the Word of Wisdom to the BYU Honor Code."

"Did the home teachers storm your house to force you to the polls? Anyone who's served a mission has felt the complete impotence of the Church to force anyone to do anything---and, if they learned, realized that even trying is a bad idea."

"I suppose some might say that the Church is blackmailing them with their temple recommends with the "Do you sustain the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?" clause. Perhaps---if you don't feel like you can oppose Prop 8 and answer "Yes," to that question, then supporting Prop 8 is a condition of entering the temple. But we have to remember that it was never a "right" anyway."

"I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants." (Mosiah 2:21)"

"If God doesn't "owe" us our lives, he certainly doesn't "owe" us temple privileges."

"A few days ago I was riding in my friend's car and we were talking about how hard the mission could be sometimes. A thought surfaced. I don't even remember what the topic was, but the logical equivalent was "I worked really hard on my mission. The Lord owes me."

"The Atonement was a no-strings-attached deal. And so is every act of obedience we perform. We GIVE to the Lord, and receive GIFTS in return. If anyone is in debt, it is not the Lord. And (this is important) nor is the Church---at least not to us."

"This isn't just a trivial matter, either. The Lord has made it clear how strict a line we walk here:

"He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad." (Matt 12:30)"

"Some would say that this is a doctrinally murky issue. If it was, it sure stopped being murky when President Monson asked all members to work to support Prop 8. It then became an issue of following the Prophet or not. That one's so non-murky we have a Primary song about it."

"I think I've made my point, but there's one nagging issue I want to address. That is the feeling some might have that I'm being divisive or hateful or contentious---especially in light of that quotation from Matthew. I don't intend to "call anyone out" in Fast/Testimony Meeting or anything equally dreadful. Nor have I advocated that "anyone who doesn't like it can get out," because that's really for their priesthood leader to say or not say (I'm a Family Home Evening Group Leader, which basically authorizes me to make brownies and call on someone for the opening prayer). But I'm not going to stop supporting the Prophet (even vocally) just to make you comfortable."

I love you all.

Okay. I'm done. But here are some quotes that are always good to read anyway.

“I will give you one of the Keys of the mysteries of the Kingdom. It is an eternal principle, that has existed with God from all eternity: That man who rises up to condemn others, finding fault with the Church, saying that they are out of the way, while he himself is righteous, then know assuredly, that that man is in the high road to apostasy; and if he does not repent, will apostatize, as God lives.” ---Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 3:385

“You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may conflict with your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may interfere with some of your social life … Your safety and ours depends upon whether or not we follow … Let’s keep our eye on the President of the Church.” Harold B Lee, Conference Report, October 1970, p. 152–153. (And, for those who are sure that President Hinckley would NEVER have done this...)"

“Even in the Church, many are prone to garnish the sepulchres of yesterday's prophets and mentally stone the living ones.” (Spencer W. Kimball, Instructor, 95:527.)"

President-Elect Obama

To know one in particular...

Apparently you weren't alive during the eight years Ronald Reagan was President. Those were the best years this Nation had ever seen! It wasn't until Clinton took office that things started to go downhill and Bush inherited that mess! Clinton was the one that closed our military down that is preventing the numbers of military this Nation needs to protect its self. It was during the Clinton years that the Nations state of readiness became so complacent, that 9/11 happened during the Bush years. Sure, I admit that during Clinton's watch, the stock market soured to unprecedented heights. Sure I admit that Bush got in over his head the last four years.

Obamas plan will lead to Socialism if the people don't pay attention to what he wants to do. The things he said he wants to do will take an enormous amount of money to accomplish. Where do you think he will get the money to do that? Obama will try to raise our taxes to do what he  thinks he wants to do. Also there is Congress... will Congress actually want to implement the things Obama will want to do? Some, maybe, but I doubt all of it.

there is also the question of where all the money came from that bought, I mean, got him the Presidency. Also, there is this issue with his birth right to be President... the US Constitution says that in order to run for or become President, the candidate must be a US Citizen.

So, the facts are: Democrats have not contributed to the success of our economy (maybe a little), Democrats like to "throw" money at problems, in order to "throw" money at problems... taxes will be raised.

I voted for McCain and I stand by my decision to vote for him. But Obama is President-Elect now and i will do my best to support the laws of the land so long as those laws are for the benefit of and for the people. that's why there is another provision in the Constitution called "Impeachment". That's for the people to use (or try to) when Obama has truly done something that harms this Country.

Peace.

And now... Something completely different!

Many of you know how involved I am with Emergency Preparedness. Well, I went one "step" further last night.

I have taken the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training for the City of Folsom about 2 years ago. Last night (10-28-08) the class graduated their 5th class. There are now about 107 CERT volunteers for the City of Folsom.

I thought I would share a few of my taking a "step" further into emergency preparedness!

The graduating class participates in an emergency scenario. The scenario was a severe earthquake and the victims are in a two story office building. The CERT members are to use their new skills and search through the building for anyone caught in the earthquake.

Here is what happened to me! I was the victim of a crushed foot. When I was "found", I had a chair over my foot near the "bruising". It "was" very painful!

And this is what the CERT team did to rescue me... stopped the bleeding and put a splint around my ankle. It worked too! I couldn't move my ankle at all, but could still wiggle my toes. Naturally, that wouldn't happen, the victim would be in too much pain to want to wiggle their toes!

The team did a really great job at rescuing everyone.

Here are a couple more pictures of "Victims".

This lady had her arm "severed" and her husband was to be in shock and hysterical. He didn't have any injuries, just shock. This means that the two of them are in two different triage sites and he wanted to find her and be with her. When he "found out" about her injuries, he would ask about the "severed" arm... what happened to it and stuff like that. His roll was to leave the area to search for his wife, making the CERT team go and get him and try to keep him calm and eventually "reunite" him with his wife and her arm.

Here are two more victims...

If your community offers a CERT training program, I highly recommend that you participate in the course, if not to help out in the community, the training will provide some insight into what you can do to be more prepared at home when a disaster strikes.

For more information on the web, see my favorites listed here on my blog.

1st Amendment

I like this one too...

Take Courage

Do you think "Samuel the Lamanite" is available to help?

Proposition 8 - Short video

I know that we are all getting inundated with radio and TV adds concerning the election and all of the propositions to be voted on this November 4th.

Here's is a short 6 min video about the ramifications if Prop 8 fails in California. Before I give the internet address, the California State School Superintendent says that California schools will not and do not teach homosexual marriage in school. While that may be true in some locations, it is not true in Massachusetts where gay marriage is already legal. In Massachusetts, parents are not given any notification at all about what is being taught to their children when it comes to gay marriage. Since gay marriage is legal in Massachusetts, the schools there do teach gay marriage and the gay lifestyle as early as kindergarten. If this isn't indoctrination into something that is morally wrong, then what is.

Please view this video and pass it along to those you know in California and encourage them to vote YES on proposition 8 on November 4th.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1815825713

So, as you can see from the video, if Proposition 8 fails in California, then things will change. Schools will teach (if they don't already) that being gay is ok and that being gay is normal. Also, now here's the big one... Parents will not have a say in what is being taught to their children. Parents will not be able to tell the school(s) that they (parents) do not want their children to be taught that it is ok for gays marry.

I am a parent and I will have the last word when it comes to what my children are taught in school, even to the point of taken them out of school and teaching them myself at home.

Protect our children, protect the sanctity of marriage and vote YES on Proposition 8.

Proposition 8 - In Plain English

Here's a short video that talks about Proposition 8, the Sanctity of Marriage amendment to the California Constitution.

Please let your friends and family in California know about this important proposition and ask them to watch the video and remember to vote on November 4.

Sanctity of Marriage

The Connecticut Supreme Court just trampled on the law and common sense, voting 4-3 in favor of same-sex marriage. The four arrogant justices who engaged in judicial activism, forgetting their oaths of office, ignored common sense, the will of the people of that state and its Governor’s position.

Of course, the media is ignoring this story - and the Governor of Connecticut is publically backing down on her pro-marriage stand!

I signed a petition urging Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell to take a stand for marriage.

Please go here to sign the petition to protect the sanctity of marriage.

http://www.libertyaction.org/296/petition.asp?PID=18442005&NID=1

I've been tagged....

Thanks a lot Karyn! This is what you get for tagging me!

4 things I love about my wife...
1. Likes to go on drives with me
2. Lets me watch NASCAR
3. Snugly
4. Great teacher

4 movies I can see over and over...
1. Blazing Saddles (not enough ‘Yiddish’!)
2. Office Space
3. Ferris Bueller's Day Off (Kraig likes to watch too!)
4. Breakfast Club

4 TV shows I watch...
1. CSI (The one in Vegas…)
2. Numb3rs
3. Bones
4. Scrubs

4 places I have been...
1. Orlando
2. Memphis
3. San Antonio
4. Seattle

4 people who email me regularly...
1. My MBA team
2. My Parents
3. My buddy Jim from San Jose
4. e-Magazines

4 favorite foods...
1. Peanut M&M’s (do they count as a food?)
2. Spaghetti
3. Chicken
4. Hamburgers

4 places I want to visit...
1. London
2. Hawaii
3. Alaska
4. Toronto

4 things I am looking forward to...
1. Graduating with my MBA
2. Retiring
3. Kraig going on his mission
4. Seeing my kids get married

4 people I tag...

Everybody has been tagged!

Like my bio says... "Its hard to write about oneself!"... Unless your Steven! My sister Karyn says on her blogg that I've been tagged... what's up with that?? Is this like the "letter" that got passed around in Jr. High...

Question 1: Do you like me?
Question 2: What is your favorite color?
Question 3: Who is your favorite teacher?

Remember those? I do... I think I even passed one around to someone once upon a time! ;-) So I will wait and see what happens next.

Hurricane Season!

For those that live within the Huricane Season, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) created a new "widget" for those that have to deal with huricanes. The widget will allow you to gather information about "How to Prepare" and "How to Find Missing People". There is even a link for those that wish to donate to relief efforts.

Please take a minute and familiarize yourself with the links. You never know when you might need to use them.

Religious Liberty

I have received a couple of comments from one person regarding the post "Six Consequences If Proposition 8 Fails in California" claims that the list is false especially when it comes to our Religious Liberty.

One of the items in that list talks about the "Catholic Charities in Boston". This group was forced to end it's adoption program because they have refused to place children in a same-sex residence. This program is 103 years old and because Massachusetts courts enforced a law that says the Catholic Church of Boston cannot do this.

Also, a similar case happened here in California! and the poster that says that the law suites wont happen are happening. How can the Six Consequences If Proposition 8 Fails in California be false??

Just to prove that the claims are false and unfounded, heres the link to the Washington Times Editorial that talks about this. If you don't believe what I write, then at least do your own research!

Oh, for those of you that are reading this, this same poster in his own blogg and here, claims to have posted a comment by a writer who is LDS and that our Tithing is being used to support Proposition 8. He obviously does not understand what Tithing is for. Tithing is for the building and maintenance of LDS buildings such as Temples, Chapels. Tithing is NOT used to support political activities such as Proposition 8, it never has and never will be! Sure I've heard my Bishop ask the congregation to donate to support Prop 8 either by using a tithing slip and indicate what it's for or donating on-line at the Support Prop 8 web site. The monies collected at church in a tithing envelope will be passed to those that are working on Prop 8.

So, if you don't want your tax dollars being used in the courts to fight for what is morally wrong, vote YES on Proposition 8 this November. Either way, your decision will be based on what you believe to be true and not on what someone else thinks you should vote.

Six Consequences If Proposition 8 Fails in California

Here I am again promoting Proposition 8, the Protect Marriage Act here in California.

Have you ever heard the saying, something to the effect of that California is usually the first State to pass/fail something controversial, that what ever the outcome is in California, then the rest of the Nation follows? Well, consider the following if Proposition 8 fails in California, the following will most likely happen in the rest of the Nation:

1. Children in public schools will be taught that both traditional marriage and same-sex marriage are okay.

The California Education Code already requires that health education classes instruct children about marriage. (§51890)

Therefore, if the definition of marriage is changed, children will be taught that marriage is a relation between any two adults. There will be serious clashes between the secular school system and the right of parents to teach their children their own values and beliefs.

2. Churches will be sued if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings that are open to the public. Ask whether your pastor, priest, minister, bishop, or rabbi is ready to perform such marriages in your chapels and sanctuaries.

3. Religious adoption agencies will be challenged by government agencies to give up their long-held right to place children only in homes with both a mother and a father. Catholic Charities in Boston has already closed its doors because of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts.

4. Religions that sponsor private schools and which provide housing for married students will be required to provide housing for same-sex couples, even if it runs counter to church doctrine, or lose tax exemptions and benefits.

5. Ministers who preach against same-sex marriages will be sued for hate speech and could be fined by the government. It has already happened in Canada, one of six countries that have legalized gay marriage.

6. It will cost you money. A change in the definition of marriage will bring a cascade of lawsuits. Even if courts eventually find in favor of a defender of traditional marriage (highly improbable given today’s activist judges), think of the money – your money, your church contributions – that will have to be spent on legal fees.

And think of all the unintended consequences that we cannot even foresee at this time. Where will it end? It’s your children, your grandchildren, your money, and your liberties. Lets work together to protect them.

I am for Proposition 8, the Protect Marriage Act. To find out more about this California Proposition, please see http://www.protectmarriage.com/.

My buddy!

 

Since everyone seems to be posting pictures of the past, here's one of me with my son Kraig. It was taken in 1999 and Kraig is almost 1 year old. Back then I could always count on him meeting me at the door when I came home from work. I'd be lucky to get him to do that now!

Time flies don't it. Our families are growing up. Sometimes I get a little misty-eyed when I think about what the future holds for my children... College for everyone ad Kraig going on a mission. But all in all, I think we are still kids at heart.

And since I'm feeling nostalgic, here's one I know no one has ever seen before!

 

Yep! That's me on the far right on the day I entered the mission field, the California San Bernardino Mission. Prior to this, I spent 3 weeks at the MTC (Missionary Training Center) in Provo to learn the discussions. The rest of my mission pictures need to be scanned before the negatives fade on me.

I dare my readers to post a missionary picture like this (and you know who you are!).

Keep the faith!

If you havn't already, please sign this petition:

http://www.libertyaction.org/r.asp?u=10042&PID=17910101 

Prop. 8 - California Marriage Amendment - Please sign the petition!

California Attorney General Jerry Brown just announced that
even if Californians pass the marriage amendment, he will not
apply it to the thousands of homosexual marriages that are taking
place right now.

Essentially, Brown says he will ignore the amendment and say
it doesn't apply retroactively!

This is on top of last week's outrage when Brown manipulated the
descriptive language of the amendment in a blatant attempt to
defeat the measure.

Homosexual activists like Jerry Brown are intent on destroying the
family. And the media is in full support!

          Imagine if a conservative government official announced
          that he was going to ignore a constitutional amendment...
          or had manipulated an election ballot to favor conservative
          ideals. The media would be calling for him to step down
          immediately!

 + + Action Item: Tell Brown and the Pro-homosexual Activists,
                  "Enough of this Nonsense!"

A few days ago we launched a petition to stop Jerry Brown's latest
effort to destroy marriage. 

Please go to this link and sign the petition:

http://www.libertyaction.org/r.asp?u=10042&PID=17910101 

Again... the media is ignoring this issue. They do not want politicians
talking about marriage. What Brown has done these past two weeks should
have created an uproar and his resignation, but the liberal media is
giving him a free pass.

Only you and I can stop this outrage! If this proposition does not pass,

then you can expect other states to follow California and allow even more

homosexual marriages.

It takes people like you to stand up and say NO!

Please sign the petition at:

http://www.libertyaction.org/r.asp?u=10042&PID=17910101 and have your

voice heard too!

Thank you for your faithful support of Liberty Counsel, and your
prayers on behalf of our nation.

How to measure a flag pole... the Texas way...

Ray & Bubba (Texas mechanical engineers) were standing at the base of a flagpole, looking up.

A woman walked by and asked what they were doing.

'We're supposed to find the height of the flagpole,' said Bubba, 'but we don't have a ladder.'

The woman took a wrench from her purse, loosened a few bolts, and laid the pole down. Then she took a tape measure from her pocket, took a measurement, announced, 'Eighteen feet, six inches,' and walked away.

Ray shook his head and laughed. 'Ain't that just like a woman! We ask for the height and she gives us the length!'

Bubba and Ray are currently working for the government.

Find your Niche in Specialty Wards

This came into my email from my Dad's cousin Dennis...

Most Sunday mornings, you'll find me on a pew in the Rosecrest 1st Ward chapel. It's where I'm supposed to go to church. Lucky for me, it's also where I want to go. Technically, Mormons don't have a choice.

For church, we're bound by the geography of the ward. We worship where we live. The only time Mormons can switch wards without also contacting a Realtor is when we attend specialty wards. For example, I went to a Spanish-speaking ward in West Jordan for a while.

Specialty wards allow members with specific common needs to worship together and support each other in their exclusive part of the Lord's vineyard. There are (or have been) lots of LDS specialty wards, including singles wards, college wards, deaf wards, ethnic wards and wards. OK, I made up that last one. There are even seasonal 'snowbird wards' in places where Mormon RV owners congregate. I talked it over with my friend (despite a restraining order) Ken Wallentine. We think the specialty-ward idea needs to be improved on in our ever-changing and increasingly divided culture.

For example, there needs to be a late ward, a ward Mormons who are perpetually late for church could attend and not feel bad about dragging their herd in 15 minutes late. The only problem with a late ward would be showing up late for a meeting that was supposed to start late in the first place. Eventually, you would end up with a ward that ran out of time before it started. 'Welcome to the Tardy 3rd Ward, brothers and sisters. We will close now by singing hymn No. 145.'

Given the high birthrate among Mormons, I thought about the need for maternity wards. Except that we already have those. They're called student wards.

A Star Trek ward might do well. The bishop would preside from 'the bridge' instead of the stand. High-council Sunday would be referred to as a 'Klingon Sunday.'

Harley riders congregate to the exclusion of just about everyone else. Why not an LDS biker ward? White shirts and neckties go well with black leather.

Ken really wants to attend a concealed-weapons ward. He says church would be a lot more interesting if real personal risk were involved in disagreeing with a lesson.

There could be a texting ward for teenagers. Bear your testimony with your thumb. In 25 years, they'll all belong to carpal-tunnel wards.

At the less-active ward, maybe there'll be a meeting and maybe there won't.

Testimony meeting in an anger-management ward might be interesting. Nobody's going to sleep through, 'Hey! I know the church is true, you stupid #*&@s!'

A big hit would be the MLM ward, also known as a ‘Gadianton robber ward’. With all the financial scamming that goes on in this culture, it would be nice to have them in one place for a three-hour block.

I think a Democrat ward is a good idea, although in Utah the best we could probably hope for is a Democrat branch.

Wadda-you-know!

It's a new month! I won't be the one to remind folks that the middle of 2008 has just arrived! OOOPPS!

I'm at the Incident Command Post for the Indians and East Basin Complex fire. I'm here to baby-sit the OES's giant satellite telephone. I thought I would have fun, well, I am kinda... but's its soooo boring! Hot! and Dusty! Oh well, I hope to learn a few things that will help me with my future. There's so much going on here it's hard to describe it to you. I pictured tents for the leaders, but I get here and their are trailers... with A/C! I have got to push the OES to get a couple of trailers for us too!

Well... more later... I think I'll read the new Ensign I brought with me....

Paradise, CA

Here's a picture take this morning, 6/24/08 of the sun rising. It was taken at 8am and looking east in Pleasant, CA...

Well, my stint providing internet access at a Local Assistance Center for Butte County is coming to an end. The fire situation isn't getting any better though. The state has named 10 fires their priority and the protection of life and property is the priority. Most of the 30 some odd fires are just going to burn for a while and as the BLM does in Nevada, manage the fire. Well, the fires around Paradise and Chico are the priority. The inversion layer is starting to lift and now aircraft are starting to fly water drops to these fires. But that means that the wind is starting to pick up and that means the fires will just spread faster.

Fire Support

As you all know, California is having, I think, the begginnings of the worst fire season. Right now (6-24-08), there are about 30 fire events going on in California. 90% of those are in Northern California! Last week, the Humbolt Fire was finally contained. The Humbolt Fire took place between the City of Chico and Pleasant Valley, CA. After the fire is out, recovery can begin and today I am in Oroville, CA at a recovery center where residents affected by the fire can come and fill out paper work to get their lives back in order. Tommorrow, I will be at Pleasant Valley to do the same thing. My job is to provide phones and internet connection to the various local, county and state agencies that help fire victims get back on their feet. So, I bring up the State OES OASIS satellite trailer that will provide the phones and internet for folks.

Here in Oroville, things are pretty slow. The OASIS trailer has been here since Sunday and I will be at the other site Wednesday and Thursday. The folks in charge of the recovery center think that there will be more folks since Paradise Valley was part of the fire. I don't know why they set up in Oroville, but thats for the politicos to hash out!

I'll post more later with some pictures too.

TTFN!

Fish!

It's been about a year now since we got our pets... fish! No, no huge puppy as big as Harlene or small and feisty has Karyn's cat... plain old ordinary fish. Actually, we have gone through about as many as we have now over the year. We have a 10 gallon tank and today we replaced 1 dead and 1 dieing with 4 new ones. Go figure! It gives the kids something to look at and they are quite calming when you just want to look at something that isn't demanding anything from you. They do have their own personalities though... they know that when the light is turned on in the morning, it's time to eat! Kinda like a bunch a kids... open a bag of chips or start cooking hamburgers and they come running! Kraig even has started to come over and see what I have when I open a soda can! We certainly know how to train our kids.

Beckstrands Gather in Panaca

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Changes to Blogg

Well, I took down the music player today! I figured that you all have heard enough of my music tastes. I guess I took it down too because it's something else that has to be maintained and updated once in a while and things like that take time to manage. With everything else that has to be done to manage a blog, the music player is one less thing to worry about.

Anyway, did ya get to see the pictures from my trip to Panaca yet? I posted some at Webshots (user name Shambuck23) and on my FaceBook account. If you do not have a FaceBook account, let me know and I'll send you an invitation. I posted pictures of my family there. In order for you to see them, you have to have a FaceBook account and be one of my friends!

TTFN!
(Thats "Ta-Ta-For-Now", Tigger says that in Winnie the Pooh!)

Pictures from Panaca

Well, I've started posting pictures from my recent trip to Panaca, NV. There is a couple of slide shows below that are from the trip. I bet your wondering where the pictures are of the family! Well, they are on Facebook.com! Here's the link http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=24807&l=2d50c&id=630082884 I have also posted the pictures from the slide shows below on Webshots and here is the link for those pictures http://community.webshots.com/user/shambuck23 There are many other pictures on Webshots that you might enjoy also. I'm keeping the family pictures on Facebook until I can figure out another way to show them in a slide show here on my blogg. I know there is something out there, but I havn't taken the time to look. If you know of a good blogg slide show product, let me know.

The Middle of Nowhere!

Well, Panaca isn't really in the middle of nowhere... Austin, NV is! LOL! Katie and I went out and spent the weekend in Panaca to be there for the blessing of my newest niece, Ella. Grandpa (dad) performed the blessing while mom and dad (Mark and Tammy) watched. This was also the first time in as many years that all the sibs were together.

Dad wasn't fast enough for the camera! Here's the other...

Chris and Harlene (cousins) also came down from Utah to visit. Chris and Karyn took us down Rainbow Canyon to go hiking around the canyons looking for petroglyphs. Katie took some pictures of what we found. I think it's a miracle that they have survived this long.

Katie and I also spent some time in St. George and Las Vegas. Katie enjoyed the time spent with her Dad... well, she said she did anyway!

Time Flys!

I just realized it's been a month since I posted anything! My first post was to see how long this would last... since Karyn started she's been doing better than I am! Well, she does have younger kids than I do, so alot happens in her home that doesn't happen in my home... any more!

The kids are getting excited for the end of school. Kraig, Maggie and Katie finish off the shcool year next week. We didn't tell them that they will start school sooner next year! that's what happens when you finish school early!

I'm still in school. I'll be half way through my masters program in a couple of months. I can't wait for that to end! I know why I don't keep up with this blogg... I have to do soooo much writing for my classes that I don't want to write any more! No... I won't stop the blogg! It's nice to see what the rest of the family is up to.

TTFN!

SHARKS WIN First Round!

The San Jose Sharks have won the first round of the Western Confrence playoffs! They played against the Calgary Flames and won 4 games out of 7 last night at HP Pavillion in San Jose.

Their next challenge will be 7 games against the Dallas Stars starting this Friday in San Jose. The Sharks will play 2 games at home then travel to Dallas for 3 games. Hopefully the Sharks will keep their heads on the task ahead and pull off several wins against Dallas.

The Sharks have done reasonably well against Dallas during the regular season, but when the playoffs begin, it's a whole new season.

You can catch the Sharks on satellite this Friday and Sunday at 7pm. You'll need to check your listing for channel, but it should be 449 or 419 if you have Dish Network.

GO SHARKS!

CA OES OASIS

Every once in a while I get asked what do I do when I volunteer my time with the California OES. Well, this is one thing that I do. It's called OASIS or the Operational Area Satellite Information System. Basically it's a portable telephone with a really big antenna and on wheels. During forest fires or other emergencies, like the Southern California Wild Fires from last October, the OES will send this out so that the incident command post has telephone and internet access. The system has 24 phone lines and has internet capabilities. Unfortunately, the internet speed will slow down when their are more users accessing the internet.

For the most part, the volunteers for the CA OES wait for the official start of fire season. I bet you didn't know that California had a fire season. Yep, it pretty much takes the place of the end of fall and most of winter. So in California, those two 'natural seasons' are replaced with fire season. So we spend the 'off season' doing show and tells and fixing things on the OASIS trailers.

When fire season does start and we are called out to provide communications, we get to see some really nice country..

Get to know the 'neighbors'...

But the sleeping accommodations are a little to be desired...

But all fun aside, it's something that I enjoy doing even if I don't get paid for doing it. If you every find that you want something else to do, volunteer and help your community. I suggest a good place to start is to find a local CERT or Community Emergency Response Team. Your not committed to any monthly meetings, just go through the training and be ready to help out in your community when an emergency happens. And if your 'adventurous', why not get your Technicians Ham Radio License while your at it!

TTYL… The California Fire Season officially starts in a couple of months!

Panic at The Disco!

Cathi will soon have her 16th birthday and the one thing she asked for was to go see the band "Panic at The Disco" at the Warfield in San Francisco. So, the dutiful dad that I am, purchased tickets to see them. During the purchasing and "Dad will you take me to San Fran to see them" did I find out that there were actually going to be 4 bands at one concert!... Phantom Planet, The Hush Sound, Motion City Soundtrack and Panic at The Disco.

	Yesterday was the eventful day and the first stop of the Honda Civic Tour, Panic at The Disco at the Warfield. In the program that was handed out, Phantom Planet wrote the theme song for "The O.C." called "California". They played that last night and sounds pretty good. They also opened for Elvis Costello and others. They are from L.A. and I think they will do quite well
	We started out at Fisherman's Wharf and the sea lions...
	Alcatraz Island...
	And San Francisco...

I actually had a good time myself except for standing for 4 hours at the Warfield. I had never been to the Warfield before and was surprised how small the venue is. But then again this is San Francisco and unless the building goes up then there isn't much space to go wide.

Cathi and I also saw the new movie "21". If you haven't seen it yet, I'm not going to give it away! But you'll like it. It has a twist at the end that you may see coming about half-way through the movie.

Ttyl!

The Music Player

The Music Player has a few of the songs that were played at the concert Cathi and I went to in San Francisco. Hope you enjoy them.

April 2008 General Conference

Well, it's that time of year again for the LDS church to broadcast General Conference. I look forward to hearing from the Prophet and the other leaders of the Church bear their testimonies of the Savior, Jesus Christ and his atonement and sacrifice for us.

I have gotten into the habit of traveling to Salt Lake City almost every other year now for the past several years to go to the Priesthood Session of Conference and at least one other session on Saturday. This year I didn't go. Last year I went and took Cathi and a nephew of mine to SLC to see conference. (That's Steven for the use of your couch!)

Most folks spend time watching all of conference on TV then look forward to reading the conference talks in the Church Ensign. I tend to wait until the Ensign comes out to really delve into conference. Yes it is wonderful to hear and see the Prophet and the other church leaders on TV, but I prefer to read their remarks and be able to go back and ponder those words.

The Parents Return!

Tomorrow, April 1, my parents will officially have 23 days until they return from the South Pacific. For the last 18 months, they have been serving a mission for the LDS church in the Marshall Islands. In fact, the mission is brand new and was formed about 6 months before they left. My former Stake President and High School principal at LCHS in Panaca was called to be the new mission president. The only reason why my parents went on this mission was that Dad was asked by (what do I call him... Mr. Bleak or Pres. Bleak?? OH WELL!) Pres. Bleak to come and serve with them. Church headquarters actually told the Bleaks to ask who ever they wanted to to come and serve with them. I think my parents were the first ones they asked! Turns out, I was in Panaca before Dad and Mom left and told Dad that as soon as he gets down there, Pres. Bleak will ask him to be is assistant. That's exactly what Dad has been doing the past 18 months, serving as Pres. Bleaks assistant. Anyway, Dad and Mom leave the Marshall Islands in 23 days. They will arrive in Las Vegas on the 23rd of April. Due to the fact that the Marshall Islands are a day ahead of the U.S., they will arrive in Vegas at the time they LEFT the Marshall Islands! Kinda cool eh!

Here's a picture of the group with an Elder who is from Fallon.

Everyone is excited to see Dad and Mom come home.

This is actually their second mission for the church. The last one took them to the other part of the world, to South Africa. There, they were assigned to the Johannesburg Area Office and lived in Cape Town. Dad also served his mission in Cape Town during his younger days AND his mother, my grandmother was born in Cape Town. While they were on this mission, they taught the people there how to do their genealogy and Dad had many reunions with people he met while a young man.

We might be able to convince Dad and Mom to stick around for a while before going on yet another mission. I don't know how long that will last.

TTFN!

Another JibJab of the Beckstrands!

I've had a request to post my other JibJab, the only problem is that there is one child missing... Cathi! She didn't want to be in a JibJab, but it doesn't matter anyway... there were only 5 characters for this one... On with the show!

Don't send a lame Holiday eCard.
Try JibJab Sendables!

Jib Jab - Dancing

Here's a JibJab video with me, my son Kraig and my nephew
Mike T.

Enjoy!

Don't send a lame eCard. Try JibJab Sendables!

Emergency Preparedness Video

I'm giving a presentation this Sunday in church about Emergency Preparedness. This video was shown on our local NBC station about a year ago. Please take the time right now to begin to prepare for an emergency. It doesn't matter what the emergency may be, be it a flood or earthquake or even being unemployed or sick. This video pretty much sums up how most of us are prepared and I'm far from being totally prepared.

My little sister is to blame!

I just got a notice that my little sister Karyn has started 'blogging'! Good Grief! I've been meaning to give it a go too. Besides, think of it as a virtual journal for your kids and family to enjoy. Since I enjoy being on the computer and looking for new and inventive ideas, I might as well get in the craze of 'blogging' too. So, here's my ump-teenth-time at keeping a journal!