Thanksgiving at the Happiest Place on Earth!

Eric & I were empty-nesting this Thanksgiving and were determined not to be Losers! I suggested altruistic options (feeding the homeless, inviting a soldier) but we compromised (?) by celebrating at Disneyland. It's been years since we have been and this was our first venture sans children. There are lots of benefits when there are just two of you - it costs less, you get to move to the front of the line quite often and instead of seeing the world through the eyes of a child, you get to rediscover your inner child.

We awoke that Thursday morning to a torrential rainfall. We were resigned to staying home and being low key about the day, but the heavens parted and we decided we'd drive to Anaheim and see what the weather looked like away from the coast. All the tourists were thinking the same thing because when we got there it was starting to get crowded.

We got our tickets and joined the surging throngs of holiday participants and made our way up the festivally decorated Main Street. Making a snap decision we headed to our right and started toward Space Mountain without any agenda in place. As we jostled our way through the mass of humanity, the crowds parted and I saw a familiar face standing alone. Surprised I said 'There's Clark.' Eric thought I said park and followed my gaze questioningly to see that I actually was pointing at his brother!!! Amidst all of the hubbub, within five minutes of entering the resort we see family! We couldn't have planned a rendezvous better, in fact if we had planned it, I'm sure someone would have been late or missed the designated meeting place. Clark, Christie, Patrick & Olivia had sneaked into California with Christie's family and had decided to keep their visit on the down low since they didn't have time to visit us on the tight extended-family agenda. We spent a few minutes chatting and then went on our merry way.

We enjoyed all of the usual rides and endured the lengthy wait times. We utilized FastPass for several popular spots, but as the day proceeded the lines actually got shorter.

We enjoyed the opening day of the Holiday Parade on Main Street. It was very beautiful and was funner then a ...

We found a short line at Splash Mountain as the sun was setting and figured we'd go for it. As we approached the loading area I altruistically took the back seat because it was wet and I didn't want Eric to be uncomfortable. Big Mistake! I got DRENCHED! Fortunately I had a sweater in my soaked backpack so I was able to change out of some of the wetter clothes. However my jeans were splattered and I spent the rest of the evening trying to dry out! Fortunately there are no embarrassing pictures of me with my pants looking like I wet them.

We enjoyed dinner without worrying about the price or a child's finicky choices. Young Eric's famous Disney story involves leaning over the balcony at the Carnation Cafe and throwing up! His father whisked him away before the unsuspecting people below them could even respond - (fortunately that inner child stayed home!) My greatest fear is that some day we are going to meet some family with the memory of being on the receiving end of this story! Years later family food history repeated when youthful Ben ordered kabobs in New Orleans square and choked on the meat, forcing Eric to do the Heimlich. Within seconds they were surrounded by Disney employees making sure everything was OK & no lawsuits were being formulated! It was funny that as we sat down to eat in New Orleans Cafe, Ben called to wish us Happy Thanksgiving. We enjoyed a laugh at his timing as we reminisced.

We got to all the attractions we wanted including Thunder Mountain, the Tiki Room and the Jungle Cruise. At the appointed time we reconvened at New Orleans Square and found a spot to watch Fantasmic and the nightly fireworks display. As an added holiday bonus we were feted with snow! As a teenager growing up just blocks away from Disneyland, nightly sparkle and distant rumbles are part of my heritage. You could almost set your clock to the 9:20pm fireworks from the resort.

I've included a couple of videos to share the joy of our Disney adventures.

If you haven't done so yet register now for Free Disneyland admission on your birthday in 2009.

Fun & Games

We've enjoyed many varied activities with family and friends this holiday season. I keep waiting for a chance to write more satisfactorily (is that really a word?) but have decided to post pictures and at least enjoy the visuals that go with the good memories. If I never get the written component in place at least I have shared the good times.

Dana Harbor Christmas Boat Parade with Carl & Ivy

The Christensen's and Johnson's headed to Dana Point Harbor for the annual boat parade of lights. The crowd favorite was a yacht with a sound system blasting music & dialog from Ghostbuster's. As we wandered along the boardwalk we encountered Bishop Kirk and Janet Lindahl. Afterwards we took a stroll around the harbor enjoying the lights, people and good company. Then we headed home to enjoy Trader Joe's gingerbread cake and cider.

Dinner at Aunt Karen's

Aunt Karen invited us to dinner the weekend before Thanksgiving. She was quite the prepared hostess and pre-ordered Prime Rib and the works through Ralph's Grocery Store. When she arrived at the designated time to pick up her food she found that they had failed to place the order. She was livid. We ended up going out to dinner at a great little steak house, but she emailed and followed up with a phone call to Ralph's headquarters with her complaint that they had ruined her dinner party! Needless to say they comped her a lovely Prime Rib dinner and we got two meals for the price of one invite! While awaiting the rescheduled pre-Christmas meal, Cassy Ginn & I helped decorate the house and tree and learned about the German tradition of hanging a pickle in the branches. Karen's is a beautiful glass version.

Spaghetti & More

On Sunday we were invited to the Goodsell's for a lovely meal of spaghetti. (Yum! Eric's favorite) We stuffed our faces, played Christmas Catch-Phrase (women dominated) and the children decorated train cookies and watched funny videos on the internet. We love the fun people here in the area.

I have tons of hilarious pictures of Michael Story making faces and playing with the kids. I'll either post them in a separate entry - or get some good ransom payoff for not posting them!

Eric & Kid Elflings

Eric & Kids Elf Themselves

Check This Out!

Just a silly little something to entertain you during the holidays. Enjoy!

My Christmas Miracle

I had a special spiritual experience in connection with the OCMCO concert on December 3rd. I have had a cough for the past month and had been using Airborne for two weeks which seemed to keep it at bay. But I had a setback last week (Splash Mountain-Disneyland, wet through to the bone for the rest of the night) and was having a difficult time talking and singing. During the final run through the day before the concert I tried some cough suppressants but they were not consistently holding down the tickle in my throat which turned into intense coughing spells, but it was easier to hide behind the bell chorus in the cultural hall and take a quick sip of water to ease the throat. During the dress rehearsal on Wednesday afternoon in the Renee & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall I mostly lip synced to the music. When I tried singing to warm up my voice I started coughing violently and it took a while to get it under control. It's hard to be inconspicuous when you stand front row center in a hall known for its acoustics and have the added bonus of a microphone inches from your head. There's no escape from the 2000 pairs of eyes that will be watching in just a few hours. Sipping water eased the tickle but would not be allowed during the concert. Sucking cough drops was my only solution as the cough syrup was not doing much. My head was throbbing from the pressure and I felt totally spent.

I was totally dependent upon Heavenly Father for a reprieve and support. I asked Eric for a blessing Wednesday morning and in it he promised that I would be able to participate fully. I spent the hour before the concert fluctuating between faith & fear. I believe in a God of Miracles but I didn't know if my learning experience was to sing or to step aside. I didn't want to ruin the experience for others while selfishly moving forward, but I also didn't want to let anyone down including myself. I was physically & emotionally exhausted and sat quietly pondering and seeking solutions. Minutes before the start of the concert fate placed me inches away from the director and I debated my last chance to tell him I was going to sit it out. But in that moment I knew that I would regret not allowing God to bless my life through this experience. Faith & fear can not coincide & I was trying hard to live in faith.

I went on, sucked cough drops throughout, sneaked a water bottle in (which was my just-in-case-can't-use-unless-'choking-to-death'-back up). I sang throughout the evening without a tickle or cough. God heard my pleas and allowed me to participate. I felt His enveloping presence throughout the evening as he buoyed my tired, pensive soul and as he cleared my throat and voice. I was able to talk after the performance and share my experience with my choir friends and family who had been praying for me, today however I have little voice and am coughing again. Nevertheless, last night the windows of Heaven opened to show me Father's love for a desiring daughter who wanted to offer her meager talents in connection with this magnificent event.

Man I feel blessed!

The concert was wonderful. The venue was sold out weeks in advance. Two days before the concert Segerstrom opened up additional seats that were situated above and behind the choir loft which they rarely do and they sold out as well. The music was beautiful, the children's choruses cute and well rehearsed and O Magnum Mysterium was incredible. I'm hoping that I can get a copy of the audio or video recording to relive the beauty of the evening.

Our next concert is on Saturday March 21st. We're doing Leonard Bernstein's Chichester Psalms and Overture to Candide along with Rachmaninoff's Piano Concert No. 2, 'riveting' African-American spirituals and Easter selections. The directors are really excited for the new music. Me? I am a clueless neophyte of choral music so it's all a learning experience that I love!

Temple Message Shared

This was forwarded to me from our friend Ed who is working in Afghanistan. It's amazing that it went around the world and then returned to us in California. It was written by a person who works at the LA Temple and brings that peace that surpasses all understanding back into our world. Heavenly Father is aware of our needs and meets them in His way.

My dear family, brothers and sisters, friends and leaders:

My heart is overflowing with joy and gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His tender mercies and mighty miracles in our behalf. I just have to share this with you. As most of you know, I am a Temple ordinance worker and work the morning shift in the LA Temple every Saturday. Today, I had the privilege of translating Sister Martz-the new assistant Matron's-message during our devotional. She started like this "The prophet Joseph Smith said that no unhallowed hand would be able to stop this Work from progressing. These past few weeks when mobs have combined and armies have gathered against the saints, the Lord has protected His house". She went on to say that those, like her, who were inside the Temple when mobs were surrounding it, did not realize how scary and terrifying this looked on TV to the rest of us, because inside the House of the Lord all was calm and there was peace abundant. After Proposition 8 passed, the Temple began receiving threatening calls and mail from those opposing it. They were warned that more than 5000 people would come to the Temple and burn it to the ground, and stop its work.

The first Thursday when the mob came, the new LA Temple President called the Salt Lake City Temple Offices for instructions. He was instructed to call the local police and to insure the safety of those attending the Temple by closing the gates. The assistant Matron said today, that it was a tender mercy from the Lord that the mob chose that Thursday to come since they had only one person coming to receive his own endowment that day, which he received in time to leave before trouble started. The LAPD and the FBI responded quickly to the Temple Presidency's summons and patrolled the grounds and kept the mob from entering the same. Most of them had never been there before and expressed their surprise at how beautiful and peaceful all around was. They were invited to come back during the Christmas season to see the lights and they promised they would.

On Thursday, November 13th, Sister Campbell, a secretary in the Temple, was opening the mail and upon opening a large manila envelope found inside a smaller one. When she opened this one, a white powder flew all around her desk. She thought this could be related to the demonstrators and feared the worst-ANTHRAX. She contacted the President, who in turn called the Salt Lake City Temple office again for instructions. The FBI, the LAPD, and even the SWAT teams were once again in the grounds to investigate, and the Temple once again had to close from around 11:30 AM to 5PM. They closed the gates and were instructed to keep all the people there wherever they were found at the time. Those in the parking lot had to remain in the parking lot. Those entering the Temple had to remain in the first floor and those already upstairs were taken to the Celestial Room.

Then, the miracles began to happen: A brother serving as a recorder that day is a Microbiologist by profession and used to deal with hazardous substances every day. He was the first to say the white powder in the envelope was only talc, and put everyone at ease. Then the sister coordinator upstairs was impressed to call upstairs to the sealing area, and said "They said we can't go down but no one said we can't go up, and I have many people in the Celestial room with their ceremonial clothes on ready to work. Could they do some sealings?" As it happened, there were four sealers present that day and they ran four sealing sessions non stop while the Temple was closed. Downstairs, someone else thought to invite those in the Lobby to do some initiatories, which they promptly did for all those hours too, brothers and sisters alike. Among those waiting in the parking lot there was a large group of young men and women with their leaders who had come to do Baptisms for the dead, and who waited patiently all those hours and decided when the Temple was reopened to go ahead and fulfill their assignment instead of driving back home. The Temple reopened in time for the 5:30 PM session.

The next day when recording the ordinances, they discovered that they had performed 2000 sacred ordinances on Thursday, only one less than the day before when three stakes had been visiting the Temple. Once again the assistant matron reminded us of the words of the prophet Joseph Smith, "No unhallowed hand can stop the Work from progressing..."

But, this is not all, a prophecy was fulfilled also. When the new LA Temple President was set apart by President Uchtdorf of the First Presidency, he received a blessing and these words were pronounced: "The time has come for the LA Temple to come out of obscurity and become an Ensign for Righteousness to the world under your presidency." The pictures of the Temple have been shown on TV, newspapers and the internet, not only in this country but worldwide. People of other
faiths have called and sent letters to the Temple thanking the Church for defending marriage and protecting the family, and commenting how impressed they are by how beautiful and majestic the Temple looks . One minister of an African American church, who by his own admission had harbored ill feelings against the Mormons before said " I am impressed by your integrity and Christ like behavior, and even if I am not ready to consider you my brothers and sisters in Christ, we can be first cousins!".

I asked the assistant matron if I could share her comments and she said to go ahead. I can only add my own testimony that I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has the power and authority of God on earth. God Lives and Jesus, His only Begotten Son and our Savior is coming soon to redeem His people. I am grateful to know this and I pray we stand firm, steadfast and immobile while the prophecies of the signs before His Coming are fulfilled. "Be not afraid, only believe." He has said, and also " What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." I testify that this is true and testify it in the Holy Name of Him Whom I strive to serve, even Jesus Christ. Be faithful and safe is my humble prayer.

Your sister in Christ,
Patricia H. Arnazzi

Letter to a Friend

I recently received a letter from a friend informing me that he was voting No on 8. His reasoning was based on his desire to accept all people without judgment and was written with love for his friends in the Yes on 8 camp. There was a response from a mutual friend that outlined her beliefs on why she was voting Yes - basically that a word she knew to mean something specific was being usurped and compromised. I felt a need to respond as well but was uncertain what to say. During the night I awoke and received the following words to share. In respect to their privacy I have edited out names:

M**,
I, like A**, love you for your boldness in sharing your reasoning and admire the compassion you have for all mankind.
I have thought long & hard during the course of this struggle and gone through the same mental exercises in determining how I feel about this Proposition. I love the poem Desiderata by Max Ehrmann – ‘Go placidly amid the noise and the haste and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.’ Like many Americans I fluctuate between the ‘live and let live’ attitude and the ‘whatever’ mindset that is the greatest freedom we enjoy in this country. But the phrase without surrender seems to haunt me. Do I go along to get along and surrender my values as the price to pay?
I truly accept and empathize with others. I look at the word marriage and think, like Shakespeare ‘a rose by any other name’ – what does it matter what we call it - civil union, domestic partnership, marriage? I’d prefer my many gay friends be in committed relationships.
For me, what it first and last came down to was that I believe Heavenly Father knows best and He is the one who defined the term and set the rules. And thirteen years ago, foreseeing the path Satan would take to lead his children astray, He inspired a Prophet to clarify His position through the Declaration on the Family.
And astray, or away, is why I’m voting Yes. Because that’s what this has come to mean to me. If we move away from God’s holy, eternal definition of marriage we move away from Him. We can be tolerant and loving and accept our brothers and sisters for choosing other paths, but ultimately those choices will lead them and others farther away from true, lasting happiness.
Fair is the term that Dianne Feinstein uses in her Vote No ad. But fair is a relative term. Many times you set a rule or standard to protect your children, only to hear them whine & complain ‘That’s so NOT FAIR!’ To their limited understanding, that’s how it may appear. However, you in love and with more knowledge know that (*one son*) is too young to drive and (*another son*) is too young to drink. Because you love them you set boundaries whether they understand the reasons or not.
As a society we have set standards on marriage. Originally those standards were God-given. Over time they have been incorporated from religious reasons to moral, societal, traditional and legal boundaries. There are many forms of love – not all warranting or deserving of marriage designation: Parent-child, brother-sister, cousin-cousin, pet-pet/lover, groups of people. Last week in Japan a man launched a campaign to allow humans to marry cartoon characters because he prefers a two dimensional world. Again how do we define fair?
To me, voting yes acknowledges the God given agency to choose to live in domestic partnerships and receive all the government benefits, while at the same time allowing me to stand up for the more significant issue of family. The most important eternal unit is family. It’s interesting that Satan has worked long and hard to make his final battle strike at the very heart of the Kingdom of God. We come from a family with a Heavenly Father and Mother and brothers and sisters. Ponder on the love you have for your own children and then imagine it through Heavenly Father’s eyes. He sees us with even greater love, compassion and clarity and wants only the best for each of His children. He doesn’t want any of us to settle Esau-like for a ‘mess of pottage,’ when he has a feast planned.
My feeling about working on the Yes campaign, as challenging as it has been, was to educate others to quietly go along in their non-confrontational ways, being at peace with all men while at the same time giving courage to voters to step inside the voting booth and know that how you vote is between you and God. No one else will know. I think that’s the time to come to terms with how you stand, and ultimately where you stand and with whom you stand.
I know there are some who may be voting Yes on 8 for other reasons – there are those who are homophobic, some who abhor change and some who see a decline in societal standards. I’m voting Yes because I want to stand with God. And though that may make me appear intolerant and sets me up to the finger-pointing mockery of Lehi’s large and spacious building crowd, I know that I don’t stand alone. And the crowd I stand with includes others who have been persecuted for standing for truth.
And I’ll live with that…
I love you M**. You’re a good person and I know that God knows your heart and your intent. May you find peace and joy in this life as you exercise your God-given agency to choose how you see fit.
Take care & God Bless

Words of an Apostle

"Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions. President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had 'never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life. '"This is hard doctrine, but it is particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ. . . . Your discipleship may see the time when such religious convictions are discounted. . . . This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions. "Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened....Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel. There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was, till then, unconscious of itself. Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves, 'summer is nigh.' Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat."

--- Elder Neal A. Maxwell

SATURDAY'S WARRIOR OR SATURDAY'S PACIFIST?

I have always been a peaceful person. I have no problem seeing both sides of an argument and trying to understand where the other person is coming from. I can look at so many of these political contests and see what appeals to people from both perspectives.

I mention this because I have been in the company of people who can't. And to listen to their dogma is draining. To question them and to try to help them understand that no one is pure evil is taxing and to help them try to work & play well with others can be like spitting in the wind. You end up with slime all over yourself!

Which brings me back to the title of this entry. Back in the 70's Doug Stewart & Lex de Azevedo wrote a musical play entitled Saturday's Warrior which had to do with the idea that we live in the last days. It was a high school favorite with my LDS friends. Listening to our well worn LP's over and over we memorized all the lyrics and went to see it performed numerous times in Pasadena and other locations as new companies were formed. We would act out all of our favorite scenes and take turns playing Jimmy, Pam & Mack. Years later, when my children were young a new video version came out and a new generation became committed fanatics. They loved it because it was one of the few Sunday activities allowed involving the TV! But they also felt the eternal truths portrayed.

Today it hit me though that the title includes more than the reference to the timing of the last days, it also includes the condition we will face in these challenging times. Living here in California during the battle over Proposition 8 I have become acutely aware of the Warrior status that is being required of me. And I have had to shift from my peace-loving, accept everyone without pre-conditions attitude to having to stand up for the truths revealed from God to a Prophet. I have struggled with making phone calls to voters, feared my car would be keyed because of a bumper sticker and worried that every honk is a one-fingered salute. In addition I have not wanted to put people on the defensive as I sought to share my feelings about this important issue.

But I hear veteran benefits are great! And just as earthly vets get points on jobs and home loan ops. I'm hoping this battlefield time earns me a little more equity on that mansion in heaven....

Scriptures Bless Our Lives

I was just getting ready to go to the Yes on 8 Call Center. I had some extra time before I needed to leave and decided I'd read my scriptures. (ACAD-32 years next January 7th!) Anyway I am reading in the Doctrine & Covenants and today I opened to section 99 & read the short 8 verses (thinking of all the elders I shared the directive with as they approached the last few weeks of their missions - thou shalt continue proclaiming my gospel until thou be taken.) But then I decided to read section 100 and these verses are so applicable to my assignment tonight - speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men; For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment what ye shall say. The scriptures truly are written for our day with insights to bless our lives.

Bicycle Built for Five

I was at breakfast with my friend Alice at a trendy Utah eatery named Eggs In The City. As we were finishing our meal I glanced out the window and above the shrubbery I saw a row of bike helmets coast to a stop. I could see a papa helmet, three baby helmets and then a mama helmet go by in quick succession. I thought wow they're traveling awfully close to each other. As we paid our bill and walked out the mom and children were coming in. The reason they could be so tightly gathered had to do with their mode of transportation.

We visited with the dad who told us how he was able to score on this rare bike. What do you think? Wouldn't you love a bicycle built for five too? This Wikipedia article gives additional insights and lists manufacturers of tandem bikes.

Parenting Issues

Here's a good link from a knowledgeable source The American College of Pediatricians. Seems like a good idea to get some expert advise in the dialog in regards to our most precious asset, the children entrusted to our care.

Spiritual Energy from the Holy Ghost

"When we invite the Holy Ghost to fill our minds with light and knowledge, He 'quickens' us, that is to say, enlightens and enlivens the inner man or woman. As a result we notice a measurable difference in our soul. We feel strengthened, filled with peace and joy. We possess spiritual energy and enthusiasm, both of which enhance our natural abilities. We can accomplish more than we otherwise could do on our own. We yearn to become a holier person."

Keith K. Hilbig, "Quench Not the Spirit Which Quickens the Inner Man

Quote of the Day

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.
- Herm Albright

Getty Museum with the Aunts

I went to the Getty Museum with my two Kremer aunts-Karen and Mary Ann. On Thursday there was a fire near the Museum which is off the 405 Freeway near downtown LA. but today there were no residual effects and the place was brimming with life. There was live entertainment in the courtyard and lots of children's art activities because it was family day. It was the first time the aunties had been and they were overwhelmed with all of the galleries. We were able to visit the painting galleries in the south & west galleries as well as the photo gallery in the west gallery and a new exhibit of cartoon & caricature drawings. We also caught the Bernini exhibition which closes tomorrow. I think when the Turks came in August we caught the opening week of that special exhibit. We also enjoyed all of the outdoor gardens and listened in on the architecture tour. The Getty can be visited every day for a month and still have places that are unexplored.

Heavenly Father's Love for Us

I liked this quote that came in my Daily Gem email:

"Sometimes the greatest love is not found in the dramatic scenes that poets and writers immortalize. Often, the greatest manifestations of love are the simple acts of kindness and caring we extend to those we meet along the path of life."True love lasts forever. It is eternally patient and forgiving. It believes, hopes, and endures all things. That is the love our Heavenly Father bears for us."

Joseph B Wirthlin, "The Great Commandment"

Tracking Contributions & Votes

Backers and foes of a November ballot initiative to ban same-sex marriage are raising millions of dollars across the nation. Consultants had predicted each side would bring in $15 million by election day--figures surpassed by early October. Tracking the money has an interactive map found on this LA Times website. You can roll over the counties to see amounts raised so far and the vote the last time a gay marriage ban was on the ballot, Proposition 22 in 2000. It's interesting to see the percentages in each county from the 2000 vote. Check out the link.

YES ON 8 Sign Event

Twenty five committed citizens exercised their rights of free speech by waving YES ON 8 signs during rush hour Tuesday night. We saw plenty of thumbs up and heard horns and yes there were occasional negatives as well. But all in all it was a positive experience and I felt like there are many people out there who are Traditionalists and just need encouragement to know they're not alone. So many people have felt guilted into silence or acquiescence because they didn't want to seem intolerant. The more we quietly speak up the more people will realize it's OK to have an opinion and to stand for something. Then when the time comes to step into that voting booth you can vote with confidence in your moral choice.