I have a camera on my blackberry that I rarely use but I was looking at some of the pictures and I thought they were interesting. The quality is not great - probably because I have dropped it 400 times.

The first picture is of my lovely wife at work. I was in my office and she came in to say hi and looked beautiful as always so I decided to take a picture.



I was driving around and saw this sticker on back of the car and liked the message.





This next picture isn't real clear but what is the story behind LASTWYF...? Guess its better than FIRSTWYF...


This picture is hard to see but when Dad got back from the hospital after surgery Scott and I went over to help and one of the things we did was mow the lawn. We knew Jason was coming over the next day so we made a "J" for him in the grass.

Recently, I have been reflecting on the power of positive thinking and the importance of family and I have come to several conclusions.
First, the power of positive thinking is real. If I embrace it more fully I will live a more full and joyous life. Period. End of story.
Second, a more positive outlook will save my life, literally. I believe stress kills and I have felt its debilitating affects when I have dwelled on the rain instead of the sunshine. That is not to say that this is some magical cure for stress, it’s certainly not. In our modern society stress is as much a part of life as a commute to work or a trip to the grocery store. And there are certainly times when stress inducing events come at us like a freight train and we are helpless as it runs over us. However, we must get up and press forward. If we lay there and dwell on the tragedy and our recent misfortune for so long that we get crushed by another passing train, who is there to blame but ourselves?
Third, I have a choice. I can be positive or negative. Up or down. Short term events may temporarily derail my happiness, but I have a choice. Only I can make the decision to control my environment and not let it control me. We can have positive or negative thoughts occupy our mind. The more positive thoughts we have the less time for the pessimism and despair to creep in and destroy our lives.
Fourth, family, friends and close associates are life’s most cherished blessings. They can provide comfort during times of pain and shelter during seasons of tempest. They can also be the source of joy as they provide perspective and help us see beyond our individual circumstances. Nevertheless, this kind shoulder can quickly wear thin when overused. Those closest to us have their own challenges and difficulties. We must not look to them solely during our storms for refuge but also during our summer of happiness when we can share a kind word and a happy thought to brighten their day. It goes without saying that we need to offer our strong arm of support during times of difficulty for those we love and respect. Their time of trial will come and we have an obligation to be there with open arms to assist. This reciprocation is mutually beneficial and this process renews our commitment to each other and strengthens our common bonds. In contrast, when there is substantial, consistent, and long-standing imbalance in the “caring process” relationships will suffer and resentment can occur.
Fifth, I need to improve my outlook. I believe “always improving” was Elder Wirthlin’s motto and I think I will adopt that.

P.S. A few minutes after writing this I got a ticket for talking on the cell phone without an earpiece. I just laughed at the irony!

My sweet hubba turned 28 last month. As his birthday came it made me think about what a great guy he is. Most people only see one or two sides of this wonderful man but I am lucky and get to see every side. To the nieces and nephews he is fun and silly Uncle Ben who will play with them no matter what bodily harm comes to him. I imagine that his siblings probably still see him as their baby brother. Our coworkers see Ben as the serious quiet guy. Those are only a few parts of who he really is. To Ben, family is number 1 and he will do anything for them. He is this amazing guy who is funny and spontaneous but then knows when to be serious. Ben is one of the smartest people that I know. He has worked so hard at his schoolwork and will be finished with his M.B.A. this summer. I cannot express just how proud I am of all that he has been able to accomplish. Even though he works full time and goes to school full time at night he still finds time to help me with my schoolwork. Ben will pull all nighters or go to bed late and get only a few hours sleep just so he can help me study for a test. Sometime I think that Ben understands Anatomy better than I do. Even with all Ben does he still takes care of my infections and Crohn’s. I tell Ben that most husbands would not do what he does but he does not believe me. This last round of skin infections has been very hard on me. They were very painful and it covered half of my back, my whole right side and parts of my right arm. I could not put the antibiotics ointment on the infections so I had to have Ben do it for me. The infections are staff so Ben cannot touch those parts without gloves on. Every morning and evening Ben has to put his gloves on and administer the medications to the infections. There are about 100 different spots covering my torso that Ben has put the medication on. Not only does he do this but also he does it without complaining or making me feel bad. I know they look very bad but Ben tells me that they are just “beauty marks”. I don’t know about you but that means the world to me. Ben has to deal daily with my sickness and all the problems that come with it but he has never complained to me about any of it. Whenever I have a doctor’s appointment Ben is there asking questions trying to find out anything that will help me. When my mom was sick Ben gave up almost every weekend to spend time with my parents helping them with whatever we could do. I am so grateful that I married Ben. Each day he shows me that I am special and loved. I would not have been able to survive everything that we have been through if it was not for Ben. Ben is my center and my strength. When I am down he holds me up. When I am hurting and sick (and that has been a lot these past few years) Ben does everything in his power to help me even if it is just holding me till it passes. I know that no matter what Ben is going to be there right by my side helping me thru everything. I married my Best Friend. He is my other half. We balance each other out. I could not imagine someone more perfect for me than Ben. These past few years have been hard but they have brought us closer together and I am looking forward to spending eternity with Ben.

Just my luck I was locked inside my apartment. This of course happened as I was trying to leave to make it to class, which we were reviewing the material for our first exam covering 7 chapters. When I called Ben did not believe me when I told him that I was stuck inside our apartment and I don’t blame him because it does sound crazy. I ended up having to climb out of our front window and was 30 minutes late to class. And of course I sit in the front of the classroom on the opposite side from the door so everyone saw me come in late. A small piece broke off in the door handle and that was why I could not get the door to unlock.

Wow I did not realize just how much time my Anatomy class would require. I will try and update the blog when I can but I am not sure how often that will be.

I started my new semester at Moorpark College on the 13th. I am taking Human Anatomy, Tuesday and Thursday’s from 6pm to 10pm. It is not going to be an easy class but it is very interesting. We are going to be doing cat dissections in our lab. On the second class the professor brought out two cadavers and I didn’t have any problems. In fact, I actually found it quite fascinating. One side of each cadaver was cut open so you could view the organs, and the professor, who is a doctor, picked up the intestines to show us how little holds it to the body. My class ended up only needing 3 books for the semester, which ended up being $400. It’s truly criminal how much Colleges charge for books. I feel like I will be in school forever. Who knows, I might even still be in school when Andi starts College. With work I can only take 1 class at a time and that is a good thing because I only have hard science classes left. Going to Moorpark College is making me feel really old. I am only 24 but I am going to school with 18 year olds. I feel like that was a lifetime ago. My Mom went to Nursing School at BYU. She never graduated because she ended up marring my Dad. I think part of why I want to go into nursing is because of my Mom. She almost always knew what to do with any medical situation and wanted to help everyone. I have spent a good amount of time in the hospital and I know the dramatic difference a good nurse can make. Also, in my health-challenged family someone needs to have some kind of medical training.

I have never looked forward to the end of a year as I did in 2008. I have learned many lessons this past year.

1. Never Say This Is As Bad As It Could Get – It Will ALWAYS Get Worse
2. Never Think The Year Is Almost Over Nothing Else Could Happen – You Will Be In The Hospital With A Ruptured Ovarian Cyst.
3. Burying Your Mother Is A lot Harder Than You Could Ever Imagine
4. Holidays Are Horrible When You Are Grieving – They Only Make You Mad
5. 2 Funerals 1 Month Apart Really Hard On Your Emotions
6. Just Because Someone Is 89 When They Die Doesn’t Make It Easy

In 2009 I am going to try and see the positive in everything. My Mom would do that. I did not think I was negative but when Ben asked me to name something good that happened in the past year I could not think of anything. I was completely shocked that I could not think of 1 single thing. I had let the bad things that happened cloud my mind. Sometime in the future I will be able to look back at 2008 and see how I grew from all of the trials that happened. I stated writing in a journal again and am trying to write a couple times a week and include something that I am grateful for. I really think it is helping me.

January 10th was my sister’s birthday. She would have turned 33. Sometimes it is still hard knowing she is really gone. I still feel like she is going to walk in the door and everything will be the same. I can’t believe it has been over two years since she died. Ben and I drove up to Bakersfield so I could put flowers on her and my mom’s grave. This was the first time anyone in my family has seen my mom’s headstone. I wish I lived closer to them so I could visit more often. I feel close to my mom and sister there. I like going and just sitting there and talking to them. I am going to try to visit them on their birthdays, anniversaries and mother’s day. This past couple of weeks I have been thinking of all the things that I used to do with Hannah and what she meant to me.

We would like to first thank all those who attended Kathy's funeral and showed your support. We would also like to thank the Relief Society of the Huntington Ward for putting on an incredible luncheon. Setting aside one unfortunate talk, the funeral was an altogether fitting and beautiful tribute to a wonderful woman. I hope those that were able to attend came to know this special person a little better. She truly had the image of God engraved upon her countenance, and like the Savior, she went about doing good, gladdening hearts and lifting the burdens of others. In short, she has been an example to all who have known her. To say she is greatly missed would be the understatement of the world. She is truly loved and we look forward to a joyful reunion in a much happier place.

The next day, Saturday November 8th, we had a grave site service at Greenlawn Cemetery in Bakersfield. We appreciate Wendy and Tom for hosting us over the weekend.

After a nearly two-month hiatus from blogging we're back in the game. We will catch up on the remaining events of 2008 in the next few days and return to our previous rate of posting. I guess it was the thought of recounting some of the difficult events toward the end of the year along with the hectic nature of the Holidays that precluded us from keeping the blog up to date. We hope to have many happy and positive experiences to write about in 2009.

Today started out okay. It’s Friday and I was really looking forward to the weekend. This was my first week back to work since Mom’s passing and I am all caught up with work. Then about noon I heard a loud noise coming from outside but I paid it no attention and went back to work. About a half hour later my boss’s dad came in and asked if I had a red car. I said that I did and then followed him outside to find my car covered under a few large branches. The largest was about 12 inches in diameter. Once I saw the car I immediately called Ben. He was out of the office and as my hands were shaking and my emotions rattled I tried to explain what happened. But he didn’t seem very concerned. In fact he thought I was exaggerating…until he saw the car! He told me later that I made no sense on the phone and all he understood from our conversation was that I needed him to come to the office right then. Well, Ben got there and handled the arrangements for me and then had to dash off to see a periodontist and left me with the tow truck and rental car. To make matters worse Ben found out what we had feared. He has an infection in his second “Haiti” tooth and that one has to be extracted and an implant and crown put in its place like the other “Haiti” tooth. Today was a very expensive day! I now have another reason for keeping Ben around besides as my trash man, vacuum man and pest control guy. Reason #4: he is my take control when I’m having a breakdown dude. I love you Ben!

I do keep you around for more than 4 reasons but not everything is for public consumption....OK, Ben wrote that!

Last Christmas Esther and her siblings wrote letters of tribute to Kathy and enclosed it in a nice book. We knew it would be our last Christmas with her and we thought she would enjoy this gift more than anything. I included a letter as well and thought I would include it here so that it is contained within "our record." She is a true angel and the best mother in law any man could ask for. Her only complaint in life was that she could not do more. I saw the Bishop, home teachers, friends, and neighbors come by to visit with the intent to provide service to her but inevitably she would turn the tables and ask what she could do to lessen their burdens and make their life sweeter. I remember once hearing a talk by President Faust where he voiced a terrible transgression that he had committed. It was one that he had regretted all his life. If I remember correctly, when he was a young boy his grandmother had asked him to bring in logs for the fire and he had refused. That was the big transgression for him! I remember thinking, boy I'm in trouble!! But, this is the kind of life Kathy lived. Her purity, faith, endurance, testimony and positive attitude are examples to everyone.

Kathy

I know that you will love and cherish this book that your children have so diligently arranged for you. They have done it because they love you with a love that is complete and full in every way. In short, they have developed charity for their dear mother. The genesis for their development of this most precious gift, the gift of charity, is you. They have observed you daily and seen “that you work no hypocrisy before men.” They have followed your example of true Christ like charity and now can lay claim to that gift as well.

In the three years that I have know you I have witnessed your vibrant and heartfelt testimony of the gospel and your charity for others. Your example has reminded me of my Mission President who during a particular zone conference charged us with developing an unimpeachable testimony. The day I heard that counsel I set a goal of developing that unimpeachable testimony of which he spoke. Although I know that I have much work to be done to achieve that goal I can look to you and see that it is possible.

I know that my entrance into the life of Esther and the speed at which are relationship progressed toward a Celestial marriage was a surprise, perhaps a shock to you and Gary. I recognize that you had some valid concerns about my capacity to provide for Esther and care for her when her Crohn’s flared up or when another random ailment afflicted her. I didn’t quite understand why you would have those concerns at the time because I knew we were living the commandments, looking forward to a Temple marriage, and that I would do anything and everything to ensure that Esther was well provided for and happy. However, I think I understand a little better where those concerns originated and I can see the trust and faith that you have placed in me to care for your precious daughter. I appreciate that confidence, and I can assure you that she will indeed not want for love and the necessities of life.

Kathy, I want you to know that I love you and deeply appreciate the generosity and kindness that you have shown me.

Love,

Ben

Christmas 2007

One of the consequences of working full time and carrying a full load of MBA classes is that you are up at all hours of the night and morning studying and working on homework, projects, presentations etc. Tonight, or this morning, depending on your point of view, it has been a blessing since I have been able to follow the Prop 8 election results. As it stand right now at 3:15 am the Yes is at 52% with 86% of the vote counted. We have received over 4.7 million votes and counting. At this point I feel comfortable enough to call this election for our side. This has been a hard fought win and all those that supported Yes on 8 are true Patriots. I will share more of my thoughts and feelings about the difficult journey and our powerful victory later. Right now I'm going to bed where I'm sure all of you are now.

Katherine Marie Burns Steffens, 61, daughter of William Dewey and Martha Otania Burns, was born April 21, 1947 in Dallas, Texas and died October 29, 2008 from interstitial pulmonary fibrosis at her home in Temple City, California.

She attended WH Adamson High School in Dallas, Texas and Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She own and operated the Steffens Family Day Care for over 25 years. During this time, she cared for hundreds of children throughout the San Gabriel Valley. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and devoted herself to serving her church, community, and neighbors. The last years of her life were dedicated to family history research.

She is predeceased by her daughter Hannah Steffens and father William Dewey Burns. She is dearly remembered by her husband of forty years Gary Steffens, son Ethan Steffens of Temple City, daughter and son-n-law Rachel and Chris Freeman of Laguna Hills, California, daughter Mary Steffens of Washington, DC, daughter and son-n-law Esther and Ben Williams of Thousand Oaks, California, mother Martha Patterson Burns of Austin, Texas, brother William Burns of South Jordan, Utah, sister and brother-in-law Delene and Mark Harrison of North Hollywood, California, and Kenneth Burns of Austin, Texas. She is also missed dearly by many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and neighbors.

Funeral services will be held, Friday, November 7, 2008 at 10:00 AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 6249 North Kauffman Avenue, Tempe City, California. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis, 1659 Branham Lane, Suite F, #227, San Jose, CA 95118-5226; www.coalitionforpf.org; (888)222-8541x704.

Burial and dedication of the grave will be Saturday, November 8^th at the Greenlawn Mortuary and Cemetery in Bakersfield, California where her daughter, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law are resting.

Last Christmas my siblings wrote letters of tribute to my Mom and enclosed it in a nice book. We knew it would be our last Christmas with Mom and we thought she would enjoy this gift more than anything else we could think of. This gave me an opportunity to do my best to put my love and admiration for my Mom in words. At this time I cannot even begin to write a tribute to my Mom but the words from this letter best capture my love and my tender feelings for the most wonderful woman in the world, someone I know simply as Mom.


What can I say about my Mom? There are not words to adequately describe how I feel for you and how I love you. But I will do my best. Well, here goes… Growing up I always knew that you were there for me no matter what. If I was hurt or sick or just needed someone to talk to, you were always there for me with comforting words, healing hands and a willingness to listen to things both trivial and eternal in nature. Although going through the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments for Crohn’s disease was excruciatingly painful and tried me to my very core, I would not change a thing if I was able to go back in time. I would do it all again without hesitation because this disease changed the course of my life and my relationship with you for the better. It afforded me countless special moments and memories with you that never would have occurred otherwise. I consider these most precious experiences to be tender mercies from the Lord because they gave me the faith and inspiration to keep on going. I knew that my mother loved me and would be there for me and that was enough.
At a time when most teenagers are rebelling and seeking independence from their parents, I was drawing closer to mine, especially you. You were always so giving with your love and with your time. I remember many instances when you would stay up all night with me during a flare up. You would hold my hand, rub my stomach and comfort me as only you could. Then, on little or no sleep you would be the mom to the “little people” who loved and adored you so much. After the babysitting kids were gone it was time to make dinner, help me and the other kids with our homework and tidy the house. I truly don’t know how you did it all. You were, are, and will always be Superwoman to me. You would serve and give of your time, talents, energy, and love to everyone never asking for anything in return, and rarely having a moment to yourself.
As I have become older my admiration and love for you has only grown. You have always been the center of the family, our core, our heart. I have always known that I had the BEST Mother in the whole world but you are much more than that, you are my dearest friend. I know that I can turn to you when I need someone to talk with, someone to cry with or someone to laugh with. When Ben and I were married it was a difficult for me to leave you. I had always had you near and it was a difficult transition. However, that transition was made easier since I worked nearby and was able to spend a few hours almost every day together. That really helped me adjust to be married and not living in my childhood home. Marrying Ben and moving to Van Nuys was the first time I ever lived anywhere else but my home with you. It was at that point that I realized just how little I knew about being the homemaker. I often had helped you in the kitchen but I had never made dinner all by myself or planned and prepared a meal for guests. I didn’t know what to do when Ben and I came down with various bizarre medical conditions. But you were there with comfort and guidance to walk me through any and every situation. I knew that I could call you and ask you any question without feeling ignorant or embarrassed. You were and are my How-To book.
Mom, you are the bravest person I know. I am amazed at what you endure and how you endure it. You never complain but maintain a positive attitude no matter what is thrown your way. I have so much to learn from you! Your life has been one devoted to serving, uplifting and helping others. In short, your life has been the life of a true Saint, a selfless Saint. You have embodied and exemplified a life full of Christ’s love, charity. I cherish our memories together and commit to following your example of love and service, for I know that by following your example I will be following the example of the Master. How wonderful it is to have the knowledge and sweet assurance of the eternal nature of families. I know that whatever happens on this earth, we will one day have a glorious reunion in our Father’s home above never to be separated again.

Love Eternally,
Esther
Christmas 2007

Esther and I attended the Yes on Prop 8 rally in Camarillo on Sunday. Since we had never attended a political rally before this was a new experience. We had never even contemplated attending a political rally before but when we heard about this we knew we had to be there. I can't see us going to a particular candidates rally but this is different. This is a cause we feel passionate about. This is a righteous cause, and one where we have the rare privilege of receiving and heeding a direct request from the prophet. I have heard it said that this "is our handcart experience." However, I feel this is only perhaps the first 10 feet of that long journey. Getting back to the rally itself...We had a good crowd there although we probably should have had more. I'm not sure how many but I would say at least several hundred people were in attendance. This large billboard truck was a huge thrill to the crowd and the Protect Marriage Committee. It took everyone by surprise especially the MC of the rally. I'm not sure who was responsible for its appearance but it was great to see. As it drives around hopefully the message will get across to those who sympathize with our cause that "YOU ARE NOT ALONE." You are not alone in the fight to protect children from activist judges, immoral policies and practices, and the homosexual agenda.

This is a picture of the rally's MC and the Protect Marriage bus. The MC, the local Baptist Pastor and a Catholic Priest from a local Catholic School did a phenomenal job. I don't have the names since I wasn't taking notes. I was busy clapping, yelling and chanting "Yes on 8!", "I Do" etc. The Baptist pastor "called" out those ministers and pastors who either oppose or are too cowardly to actively support Prop 8. He said what was a sin in the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament remains a sin today and any minister or pastor who says otherwise is "lying." He said they were lying to themselves and their members because God established marriage and its proper order long ago and "God is not going to change his mind." The Catholic Priest said that he often hears people complain about the separation of church and state with regard to Prop 8. He said that his reply is something like this. "I know. I don’t know why the state is getting involved in a church issue."

Here is another picture of my beautiful wife. Jaimee and Mike were there and you can see Mike in the background with his bald head glistening in the sun.


A picture of the rally as we were leaving. You can only get a very rough idea of the number of people there from this picture. ABC Channel 7 news was there as was the Ventura Country Star. The L.A. Times was probably there and perhaps others but I didn't see them.


After the rally many stayed and waved signs. We were on our way over to Esther's parents and Esther took this picture as we were driving off. There were perhaps only 4 or 5 people on the street waiving No signs before and after the rally. It was nice to see so many children enthusiastically waiving home made Yes on Prop 8 signs in the air.

I found this on www.wethesavers.com. It is sponsored by ING Direct and I really liked it. This is our financial pledge to each other. Although #2 doesn't yet apply.

OUR DECLARATION OF FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE.

1. We will spend less than we earn. Saving a little out of every dollar we bring home is the foundation of independence. Without it, we can’t build equity in our home, we can’t invest for the future, and we can’t be ready for challenging times. We promise to pay ourselves first, always.

2. We will use our home as a savings account. Besides shelter and comfort for our family, the role of a house in our financial life is to build equity. We will have a healthy down payment when we buy. We’ll choose the mortgage that lets us pay down the principal fastest. And then we’ll leave that equity safe where it is instead of spending it on things that don’t last.

3. We will take care of our money. It’s not enough to have money in a bank. We will put it where it will grow. We’ll keep track of it. And we’ll check every account we have every year to protect ourselves against fraud or escheatment.

4. We will defend our credit worthiness. Good credit is going to be precious in the years to come. We will pay our bills on time. We’ll borrow only when we need to and in amounts we can comfortably pay back. And then we’ll do just that.

5. We will ignore unsolicited credit card marketing. We decide when we need a credit card, not some marketer. And mostly, we probably don’t need another one at all. We won’t even open those solicitations. We’ll shred them.

6. We will know the cost of borrowing. The interest lenders charge us is real money, too. When we buy a mortgage or finance a purchase, we’ll figure out what that interest is really going to cost in dollars, add it to the purchase price, and ask ourselves if it’s still worth it.

7. We will invest for the long term. Futures are built out of patience and prudence, not luck. We will not put off being a saver because we think there’s a lottery win in our future, in Vegas or on Wall Street.

8. We will take care of the things we have. We work hard for our money, and it’s disrespectful to waste it – or the planet – by treating our possessions as disposable.

9. We will remember what matters. We are not the things we own. If we have to spend and spend on bigger, more impressive things to keep up with our friends, then they are not our friends at all.

10. We will be heard. Our representatives in government and the corporations we deal with need to know that we are paying attention. If we’re silent, we’re accepting the status quo, and the business practices that got our country into this situation will continue. We are not going to accept that.

Pledged this day, October 25, 2008, our personal Financial Independence Day.

Ben and Esther

I sent the following email today to every email address I have with the exception of family, other church members, professors, and business clients. I wanted to especially contact those that were not of my faith and those in my age group that may be inclined to vote no. I bcc'd each email address to protect their privacy. I have not received any feedback from the dozens of people who received this email but I hope it will give people a reason to take a closer look at Prop 8 and the severe consequences failure of this critical ballot measure could entail.

I am a believer in showing tolerance to others, but for some reason tolerance only seems to go one way. Those whose core values differ from those that oppose prop 8 are frequently labeled bigoted or hateful. Those that support Prop 8 only ask that you review some of the consequences of Prop 8 not passing and make up your own mind. I respect those that have differing beliefs and I believe I am entitled to that same respect. Four unelected judges have overturned the will of 61% of the California electorate in overturning Prop 22. I believe that judicial activism of that sort is dangerous. Again, please review the following 6 consequences and make up your own mind. Prop 8 does not take way any civil rights that homosexuals now enjoy under the California Legal Code. Remember, tolerance is a two-way street.

Thank You.

Six Consequences If Proposition 8 Fails

1. Public Schools. Children in public schools will have to be taught that same-sex marriage is just as good as traditional marriage. The California Education Code (§51890) already requires that health education classes instruct children about marriage. Therefore, unless Proposition 8 passes, children will be taught that marriage is between any two adults regardless of gender. There will be serious clashes between the secular school system and the rights of parents to teach their children

their own values and beliefs.

2. Churches. Churches may be sued over their tax exempt status if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings 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. Adoption. 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 already closed its doors in Massachusetts because courts legalized same-sex marriage there.

4. Private Schools. Religions that sponsor private schools with married student housing may be required to provide housing for same-sex couples, even if counter to church doctrine, or risk lawsuits over tax exemptions and related benefits.

5. Free Speech. Ministers who preach against same-sex marriages may be sued for hate speech and risk government fines. It already happened in Canada, a country that legalized gay marriage. A California court recently held that municipal employees may not say "traditional marriage" or "family values" because, since the legalization of same-sex marriage, it is "hate speech".

6. Litigation. It will cost you money. This change in the definition of marriage will bring a cascade of lawsuits. For example, some cases already lost: photographers cannot now refuse to photograph gay marriages; doctors cannot now refuse to perform artificial insemination of gays even given other willing doctors. 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 – that will be spent on

such legal battles.

And think of all the unintended consequences that we cannot foresee at this time.

Where will it end? It's about your children, your grandchildren, your money, and your civil liberties.

www.protectmarriage.com