AIDS in AFRICA

In honor of AIDS DAY DECEMBER 1


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Before AIDS was an epidemic it was mentioned by one of the apostles of the Church at in 1987.

"I speak next on an item of great delicacy. I pondered much over whether it should be discussed in the leadership meeting last night or whether it should be discussed in this general priesthood meeting. I concluded that the subject is of such widespread concern and that some knowledge about it is had so generally, even by boys and girls of the deacons’ age, that I might properly treat it here. I do so with sensitivity for the nature of the subject.

There is a plague of fearsome dimensions moving across the world. Public health officials are greatly concerned, and everyone else should be.

The Surgeon General of the United States has forecast an AIDS death toll of 170,000 Americans in just four years. The situation is even more serious in some other areas of the world.

AIDS is a commonly fatal malady caused primarily from sexually transmitted disease and secondarily from drug abuse. Unfortunately, as in any epidemic, innocent people also become victims.

We, with others, hope that discoveries will make possible both prevention and healing from this dread affliction. But regardless of such discoveries, the observance of one clearly understandable and divinely given rule would do more than all else to check this epidemic. That is chastity before marriage and total fidelity after marriage."

Aids in now known and accepted world wide as being an epidemic, especially in AFRICA.  That is why when the apostles talk they are talking not just to members, to the everyone. They are not just speaking to America, they are speaking to the world. 

What did Gordan B. Hinkley say in 1987? Chasity before marriage and total fidelity after marriage. Simple. It wasn't use a condom. 

How does the world deal with the epidemic?
1. Get TESTed. Don't worry about the stigma that you will have once you tested positive.
2. DONATE MONEY. It cost 6.5 million to help combat AIDS, TB and Malaria in 2009. 

What they don not mention, because maybe it is too late. Don't have sex. And if you do, make it your wife! We are just at the clean up costs now, becaus the storm has already hit. But, education young women is one of the biggest things and the order of helping them is:

1. Teach Chasity
From there it would end. But if not: 
2. Get tested
3. Hope people donate money so you can get help.

Here is the other problem: Women do not have a say: Men are not Faithful:

In some societies, women have few rights within sexual relationships and the family. Often men make the majority of decisions, such as whom they will marry and whether they will have more than one sexual partner. This power imbalance means that it can be more difficult for women to protect themselves from getting infected with HIV. For example, a woman may not be able to insist on the use of a condom if her husband is the one who makes the decisions.

Marriage does not always protect a woman from becoming infected with HIV. Many new infections occur within marriage or long-term relationships as a result of unfaithful partners. In a number of societies, a man having more than one sexual partner is seen as the norm.

“Ladies just because you are married doesn’t mean anything. I actually thought that I was safe and I was sick”

Gingerbread Cookies

Yes, I was a good mom and made gingerbread cookies with her, even though I knew she would have more fun playing in the bucket of flower and wouldn't eat them because they are gross. Whatever, it was fun!

Marissa wanted to make gingerbread children after reading Jan Brett's book "Gingerbread Friends".

The skittles were for eyes, some obviously ended up as a cyclopes. 

La Familia Pictures!

Thanks Aunt Leslie!!

Happy Halloween

Hi Cyber world, We are accepting Utah as our home state. It took a little while and with a little bit of doubt that it could happen. But it did. I am happy to report that Trader Joes, SLC, is moving along, but I did see a postponed opening on the news (not from my husband). Isaac is trucking along in High School and accepting the Beetdigger label. He had come up with a fun shirt that says, "Please Digga'"I am quite proud of him! Jaida is enjoying life, especially since a hair melting. If a girl is ever having a bad day, taker her to get her hair done. It solves all! Kaylin is stressed as ever, but don't worry, she made it to school today just like she does everyday and it always turns out fine. Landon is Landon. A successful flag football season and t0o many interceptions to count on my hand! Marissa. Well, she is funny. Lately she had been observing other families and asked me in Costco, "Mom, am I always going to be brown (pointing to her leg) like this?" An honest, yes, and I love your brown skin! SWAK I continue writing my book. Yes, I said it out loud. 42,000 words and almost done. Please cross your fingers I can get published! Erman is continuing his endeavor with Trader Joes. He experiments once in a while on the trax. It is fun to not have to sit in traffic. Until next time, hopefully it won't be a years.

What is PDA? and What the heck is a Utah Mormon?

Public Display of Affection= PDA

Utah According to the Ivins'.... Apparently, Utah middle schools and high schools have way less PDA. "There is, like....NO PDA at school" High school student "Yeah, there isn't any in Middle school either." Middle school student

New Mexico-way more PDA. Hand holding, sharing soda...etc. New Jersey- everyone was back together or found new love after summer. Just seeing who was with who was part of the first day back to school. Utah...no PDA. Things that make you say...hmmm? According to 2 random high school students that are NOT mormon, "Mormon girls are weird. They, like, don't talk to you if your not Mormon. Whatever, the guys are cool, it's just the girls." What I am amazed at is that the kids knew who was Mormon the first day and who wasn't. It was like part of the everyday conversation of, What religion are you? How did religion come up? Mormonism is such a part of Utah, that it just came up. Some were more "active" than others, some had left the church because a husband left the wife, others went because their mom made them. It is the same everywhere, there are just more Mormons here, so we get to know who the "inactive" are, where as, in another state, we may never know that Sally used to be Mormon. Odds are Sally isn't though. So, there is a term I would like to address here, "Utah Mormon". There are many ideas and everyone I have asked knows what I am talking about. LDS Living- a magazine- recently had an article, "What is a Utah Mormon." click here to see the article http://ldsliving.com/story/68795-ldsl-blog-what-is-a-utah-mormon Here is a list from the article: * A Utah Mormon has an ignorance or naiveté about the world around them. (eehh...I am not so sure about this one. Maybe they are referring to the Homeschool Mormons?) * Utah Mormons are nice and well-meaning but not able to comfortably hack it outside of heavily LDS-populated areas. (I think they think they can, but do not totally agree.) * They tend to stick to their own and are critical of people or situations that are different; they tend to cling tightly to Mormon culture (as they understand it). (TRUE) * Utah Mormons feel more educated on Church procedure and culture and can’t help but share such knowledge with those in other areas. (True) * Utah Mormons take the Church for granted and are not able to develop as tested or strong a testimony as those who are laboring in the “mission field.” May be true for some, but is true for any person in any part of the world. (Side note: Using the term “mission field” to describe anywhere outside of Utah is a huge pet peeve of mine. It is time we all realized – everyone lives in the mission field.)

Here is my observation and conclusion after talking with numerous people and observing: * Judgmental-Mormons do not let their children hang out with just anyone, they have to be a member, and a good one. Therefore, this is part of the second and third one from the LDS living list, they are uncomfortable around those who are not Mormon and cling tightly to Mormon culture Two types of Mormon Culture: 1.(shorts to the knees, modest, no body piercings, no tattoos, no pre-marital sex, or foreplay -there is nothing wrong with Mormon Culture

Can Petite Women Wear Long Shorts? | ClothingTutor.com (clipped to polyvore.com)

2. Mormon culture to the extreme (shorts to the knees, modest- nothing tight, no body piercings,no tattoos, no tank tops, gasp when some one wears shorts too short, looks at the shoulders of one who wears a tank top, snickers at their piercings, and can't help but put their input as to why Pre-marital sex is wrong, and wonders why in the world someone would get a tattoo of that there (referring to the "tramp stamp")of course

I said two, but there is a third, unfortunatly. This type of Mormon can be called the rebound effect. They are live in fear of being the #2 type of Mormon. In the fear, they actually become everything a Mormon is not, or a Jack Mormon. There are few #1 type, one mostly sees #2 and #3. So There you have it. What a Utah Mormon is and what it is like living in Utah. So far, so good. The neighborhood is great. Not everyone is Mormon, as I expected. The one's that are not Mormon have already said, "Well, what ever the sisters can't do for you in the ward, we are here for you." Thanks...I think. That leads to another question? Who would I ask first for help, a friend or sister in the ward? Another blog post. As for my good ol' friend in New Jersey... I would have always asked her. BFF's are the BEST!

As for our "Utah" ward, they are wonderful. I would have to ask though, What is the deal with the "rat tail"? I had to explain to my 10 year old what that piece of hair was hanging in the back. There was every kind of "rat tail" in the ward ie.... side, back middle, upper right, and braided rat tail. Ugh...every time I look at it I can't help but think that a rat tail is so out of place in the twenty first century, like a BYU fan at a University of Utah Fan Fest. So, out of place. Here's to living in Utah. We will see what will come, but as for me and my house.....oh.. you know the rest.

The BFF's Wedding

Abby is my BFF...I love her almost as much as my hubby. She and I have helped each other through thick and thin and I dedicate this blog post to Abby and Augie. I was so thrilled to be able to go to their wedding. First, because I love Abby and second because I am so happy for them, and third it was at one of the most extravagant resorts I will ever go to...The West Baden Resort in French Lick, Indiana. So we agreed to accept the invitation to indulge in dinner at the West Baden Resort.

The Wedding was picture perfect. They united two of the most beautiful families in a most adoring way possible. She has three kids and he has two. The now have a family as big as mine! FIVE KIDS! Who would have thought Abby!

The running theme on the wedding invitations was the Mosque in Turkey. I will have to get more information from Tuvey or Fika on this.

We were welcomed to the Resort with the Welcome packet and schedule of events. In my hotel room was a welcome bag with goodies and then at the Rehearsal dinner I received a bridesmaid bag with more goodies and a beautifully wrapped gift from the bride for all bridesmaids. Bracelet and earrings.

My favorite part of the Rehearsal dinner was the bag that her cousin sent in because she was unable to attend. Inside the bag was a galore of memories about Abby. She had to explain each item and tell the story behind it. We learned a lot about Abby and her obsession with shaving and applying deodorant at every rest stop on trips to California and Xanadu!

They enjoyed and chatting like kid do in the veranda with cocktails!

It was fun to have the kids back together!

Marissa and me, Jessica. At the end of cocktail hour Augie surprised Abby with a song. It was to the theme of Micheal Jackson's, The way you make me feel. She was surprised, jumping up and down. He sang like a pro and everyone joined in for the theme...

Wedding Celebrations

Everyone enjoyed breakfast in the restaurant. And then they were off to Paris... Au revoir