The Man In The Cowboy Hat

The Man in the Cowboy Hat

This is an inspiring story about overcoming adversity and a commitment to helping others.

The man in the cowboy hat in this photo's name is Carlos Arredondo. Carlos was at the Boston Marathon with his wife handing out American flags to runners. He lost a son to a sniper bullet in Iraq in 2004 and a second son to suicide a few years later - a depression triggered by the ...death of his brother. Carlos now spends a significant amount of his time on peace activism and working with vets coming home from war and was at the Marathon to hand out flags and inspire people.

Carlos does not having any medical training but when the blast went off, he ran towards the danger, jumped two fences and found the now-famous man in the wheelchair on the ground, both his legs blown off, and suffering from severe shock and critical wounds. He got him into a wheelchair and pinched the man's artery closed with two of his fingers (you can see him doing so in the photo). Because of Carlos, this man is alive today, having had surgery earlier today to remove both of his legs.

This man is a hero and deserves to have his name shouted from the rooftops. This man who lost so much still threw himself into the frenzy of panic and saved another guy's life. The world needs more of us to follow his example.

(I put this on to document when I print it out.  I will write more about the Boston Marathon Bombing later, but wanted to get this posted so I don't forget.)

Piggy-Tails

 

Ainsley with her first piggy-tails!

Barely there, but there never-the-less.  That counts!

Started with tears and then in the end she decided she liked them after all.

 

(Nice to see what Josh would've looked like had he been a girl.  Haha!  Except she has her mama's beautiful twinkly eyes.)

The Debate Continues as it is brought to the Supreme Court

Proposition 8 has been attacked since the election in California a couple of years ago.  The adversary will not let it die--as we knew would be the case.  It has now been brought before the national Supreme Court for them to rule on.  The last few days have been heated in the media throughout the nation.  Christine has been faced with it a lot in school, especially considering it is her senior year and she has USGovernment and Econ classes during this particular debate.  She has had to stay strong pretty much alone on the topic during class.  It is interesting to me how much influence a teacher can have in persuasion.  So many of her classmates will form their opinions from what they hear in their classes.   At any rate, here is a beautifully given statement on the matter by the church.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the following statement through a spokesman following the delivery of a petition by the Human Rights Campaign (broadcast quality video (.mov) and audio (.mp3) is available for media use. A YouTube version can be viewed or embedded here) :

My name is Michael Otterson. I am here representing the leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to address the matter of the petition presented today by the Human Rights Campaign.

While we disagree with the Human Rights Campaign on many fundamentals, we also share some common ground. This past week we have all witnessed tragic deaths across the country as a result of bullying or intimidation of gay young men. We join our voice with others in unreserved condemnation of acts of cruelty or attempts to belittle or mock any group or individual that is different – whether those differences arise from race, religion, mental challenges, social status, sexual orientation or for any other reason. Such actions simply have no place in our society.

This Church has felt the bitter sting of persecution and marginalization early in our history, when we were too few in numbers to adequately protect ourselves and when society’s leaders often seemed disinclined to help. Our parents, young adults, teens and children should therefore, of all people, be especially sensitive to the vulnerable in society and be willing to speak out against bullying or intimidation whenever it occurs, including unkindness toward those who are attracted to others of the same sex. This is particularly so in our own Latter-day Saint congregations. Each Latter-day Saint family and individual should carefully consider whether their attitudes and actions toward others properly reflect Jesus Christ’s second great commandment - to love one another.

As a church, our doctrinal position is clear: any sexual activity outside of marriage is wrong, and we define marriage as between a man and a woman. However, that should never, ever be used as justification for unkindness. Jesus Christ, whom we follow, was clear in His condemnation of sexual immorality, but never cruel. His interest was always to lift the individual, never to tear down.
Further, while the Church is strongly on the record as opposing same-sex marriage, it has openly supported other rights for gays and lesbians such as protections in housing or employment.
The Church’s doctrine is based on love. We believe that our purpose in life is to learn, grow and develop, and that God’s unreserved love enables each of us to reach our potential. None of us is limited by our feelings or inclinations. Ultimately, we are free to act for ourselves.

The Church recognizes that those of its members who are attracted to others of the same sex experience deep emotional, social and physical feelings. The Church distinguishes between feelings or inclinations on the one hand and behavior on the other. It’s not a sin to have feelings, only in yielding to temptation.

There is no question that this is difficult, but Church leaders and members are available to help lift, support and encourage fellow members who wish to follow Church doctrine. Their struggle is our struggle. Those in the Church who are attracted to someone of the same sex but stay faithful to the Church’s teachings can be happy during this life and perform meaningful service in the Church. They can enjoy full fellowship with other Church members, including attending and serving in temples, and ultimately receive all the blessings afforded to those who live the commandments of God.
Obviously, some will disagree with us. We hope that any disagreement will be based on a full understanding of our position and not on distortion or selective interpretation. The Church will continue to speak out to ensure its position is accurately understood.

God’s universal fatherhood and love charges each of us with an innate and reverent acknowledgement of our shared human dignity. We are to love one another. We are to treat each other with respect as brothers and sisters and fellow children of God, no matter how much we may differ from one another.

We hope and firmly believe that within this community, and in others, kindness, persuasion and goodwill can prevail.

Old Man's Surf Beach

In tribute to Eric Billings, a large group of his friends gathered for one more time together to honor him at the Old Man's Surf Beach.  They rode out, held hands in a circle, splashed, dropped their leis into the water and paid a fitting tribute to Eric.  The man with a smile larger than life.  Eyes so kind with a spirit to match.  He was always the first one to defend someone and to forgive. 

A little more than 24 hours after his death, I walked into the High Council room for our Stake Council meeting.  The high councilors had placed long-stemmed flowers tenderly on the table where his place was on the council.  A few loving notes along with them to their brother in the gospel.  My chair that morning was on one side of his place.  It was quite emotional for me. 

Billing's Funeral

Today was Eric's funeral services.  We have lost a great man and heaven has gained one.  I will never forget when he portrayed Orrin Porter Rockwell in a vignette during a youth conference down at O'Neill park during the church's sesquicentennial.  He had his guns down there with him and I was convinced from the moment we arrived at his scene that we had been transported back into time.

Dear sweet Daren!  There are no words to say.  Know how much we love you and the kids.

No Pinching for Veronica Jayne!

 

Veronica had THREE different outfits to choose from on St. Patrick's Day!

There would be no pinching on this little leprechaun!

 

Cute as can be.  Adrianne made her headbands/flowers.



Eric Billings Death

Bicyclist Eric Billings Struck and Killed by Car In Mission Viejo

March 16, 2013

 

Mission Viejo – Early Friday evening, Eric Billings was struck and killed by a car while riding a bicycle.

Santa Margarita Parkway, just north of Los Alisos Boulevard, across from Trabuco Hills High School

The accident happened at around 6:45 p.m. on Santa Margarita Parkway, north of Los Alisos Boulevard and south of El Toro Road. The 54 year old Rancho Santa Margarita resident was riding his bicycle in the bike lane when he was struck by a vehicle.
The driver who hit him, 39 year old Hast Fakhrai-Bayrooti, was in a 2003 Acura. Fakhrai-Bayrooti stayed on the scene to cooperate with police as it would have been against the law to the leave the scene of the crime.
Our condolences go out to Eric Billings family, his wife Darin, their children and grandchildren.

A bicyclist was killed Friday evening after being struck by a vehicle near Trabuco Hills High School.
Eric Billings of Rancho Santa Margarita died at the scene of the accident, according to the Orange County coroner, which listed his time of death as 6:48 p.m.—the same time the Orange County Sheriff's Department received a 9-1-1 call.

Billings was 54.

According to Lt. Jim England of the OCSD, Billings was believed to be traveling alone southbound on Santa Margarita Parkway between El Toro Road and Los Alisos in Mission Viejo.

He was struck about 300 yards south of El Toro Road by a southbound 2003 Acura driven by 39-year-old Hast Fakhrai-Bayrooti, according to Lt. Joe Balicki. The speed limit on that section of road, which includes an uphill grade until leveling off near the high school, is 50 mph.

England said preliminary information indicated alcohol did not play a role in the accident.

“This is an ongoing investigation,” Balicki said, adding that it was not immediately known if Fakhrai-Bayrooti was cited or arrested.
Billings was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and owned a small contracting company,

Senior Year Lacrosse Begins

First league game against Trabuco Hills Mustangs last night.

Christine played a great game in goal.

Senior year!

White Smoke.

New Pope for Catholic Church

We think this is a great example of interfaith partnership. The First Presidency of the LDS Church has issued the following statement to Pope Francis:

"On behalf of the leadership and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we extend our warmest wishes to His Holiness Pope Francis and pray he will feel the peace of the Lord as he serves as pontiff of the Catholic Church.

"...We have been honored and pleased as our two faiths have worked together on issues of faith, morality and service to the poor and needy. We value the relationships that have been formed in these joint efforts and are grateful for the good that has been accomplished.

"We look forward to pursuing together, as the Apostle Paul wrote, all things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report (see Philippians 4:8)."

Road Shows 2013

Were 'on the road again.'

The Road Show road again!

 

First performances were last night.  It finishes up on Saturday evening.

Ward cast party is tonight, with the stake party the day after.

 

Road Shows are 'drama', literally in every sense of the word.

In the end, I think the good drama out-weighs the bad.

 

Here is what the local paper had to say:
Putting together a show with an original script, music, and choreography with almost 400 youth is quite an undertaking. Santa Margarita Mormon Road Show 2013 does just that. Asking each of the seven wards or congregations to write a 12-minute musical skit that teaches a moral is all part of the fun. Thursday, February 28^th and Friday, March 1, 2013 at 7pm Road Show 2013 opens to the public free of charge at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 30522 Via Con Dios in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA.
Mormon Road Show 2013 has seven short 12-minute shows back to back for an evening of song and dance. Each musical skit tells a short humorous story with a message teaching the audience to be honest, get an education, share the gospel of Christ, or give service. Road Show 2013 is following the advice of the current LDS Prophet of the Church, Thomas S. Monson. He says, “I am an advocate for such events. They enable our youth to participate in something they truly find unforgettable.”
Crystal Hicken, Head Road Show Director, explains, “Unlike a traditional show there are no auditions. All you have to do is show up and we have a place for you.” Pat Brokaw, Santa Margarita’s Stake Young Men’s President, explains, “Each ward has only about 10-11 rehearsals to get everything ready before show time. The number one reason we are doing this is for the kids and they absolutely love it. It is strengthening our youth and teaching them to be better people.”
Road Shows are all part of the Mormon tradition. As Mrs. Hicken says, “Road shows unite youth, leaders, and congregations. At the very end of road show, you’re going to see a big smile on everybody’s face.”

Go Live Oak Canyon Ward!

Grandkiddies Stats

John at 3 years (November 21):  34 lbs.

Ainsley at 9 months (October 31):  16.13 lbs.  26 3/4 ". 45cm head.

Veronica at 4 weeks (November 1):  9.8 lbs.  21 1/2".

Hannah:  have to look that up again!