Working Boy

Braxton had an interview with Lagoon last week. Uncle Logan and Uncle Skip hooked him up with an interview outfit. Uncle Logan told Braxton that he was going to look like a "Sexy Bitch!" And, he totally did!!!

Oh, and he got the job. I'll have two working boys this summer. It really is crazy how grown up my babies are getting. I am so proud of them!

My Gay Brothers - Part Two

Earlier this year, I wrote this blog post.

It is about these two right here.

This morning, I began to read social media posts about the LDS Church not allowing children of same-sex couples to be members of the Church until they turn 18. It's all over the place. I'm sure that if another religious entity came out and said something similar, it would be all over the place as well. But, since it's a little closer to my heart, mind, and soul, I can't seem to not notice that it's every where.

This "ruling," has definitely brought forth conversation. Everyone has an opinion, don't they? Some of the posts I have read state, "I hope this makes people get out of that effed up cult." Others have said, "This made me cry." Even others have said, "If you don't know, then don't speak." There is anger, frustration, fury, shock, sadness, confusion, and animosity for sure.

I feel that we all have our right to an opinion. We also have the ability to choose for ourselves. Do we live in the world or of the world? Do we hold to a Gospel that we believe in and continue to support and sustain a Prophet who we love? Do we sit in our circles and bad-mouth people - whether it's because we disagree with the life styles of others, or if it's because we disagree with the First Presidency's ruling? Do we choose to act high and mighty, as if we are better than anyone? Do we choose to love others, no matter what? Do we choose to lift up, hug, smile at, emotionally support those who are hurting, who feel alone?

I have not yet talked to my brothers about this ruling. I do not ever speak for them. I imagine Logan is receiving questions and comments, but I don't even know that for sure. And if he is, he can handle himself. I have no doubt about that. But let me say this - my brothers are sons of God, just as I (a straight, white girl) is a daughter of God. Their worth is no different than mine, or yours. In fact, anyone who sits down and takes 5 minutes to get to know them falls in love with them. They are just that amazing.

I don't know if my brothers plan to provide me with nieces or nephews. That is not my business, just like it's no one's business. But if they do, those babies will be loved just as much as if they came from my straight brothers. Oh my gosh will they be loved!

I don't know the answers to everything. I don't know the reasoning behind the "ruling" given by the First Presidency. I don't know what inspiration they received. But, I do believe that they are good men, called of God, to lead and guide this church on Earth. I do believe that. I sustain them. I love them.

I also love my brothers, oh so much. Because I love them as much as I do, I will defend them to the core. If people don't have anything nice to say, maybe they shouldn't speak. If people think that they are better than anyone else on this planet, maybe they should be humbled. (This includes me! I can be quite the feisty pants!) If people think that other people "deserve" something because they don't agree with them, no one "deserves" anything! No one.

Please be kind. Please smile. Please love. That really is what the fundamentals of the Church come down to.

I Run With New Shoes!

My brothers, Logan and Skip, sent me a gift card. What did I do with it? I got running shoes - real running shoes. They are my first pair of running shoes. I literally tried on every single pair that they had at the store. Josh was so patient with me. He just kept opening boxes and helping me try them on. These are SO good. They have the memory foam in the bottom, which really helps my back. And, they are so cute which is a bonus! I had my first run with them Saturday night and I think we are going to be friends for lots of miles to come!

My Gay Brothers

How is that for a title?! My dear friend, Miss Birdie, posted something on Facebook yesterday that caught my eye. She explained her belief in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and her religious affiliation - that of Mormonism. Then, she explained that she has many, many friends who are gay, lesbian, bi-sexual or transgender and expressed her love for them in an unwaivering fashion. I thought how silly is what that she felt that she needed to do that. Let me explain further. I didn't think it was silly that she did it, I thought it was silly that she felt that she needed to defend both. Many people have said, read, and published words that pin the LDS Church against those people who have different sexual orientations. This is unfortunate, as the true Gospel of Jesus Christ teaches that we shall love one another. (If you didn't notice, I put a period at the end of that sentence). Meet Logan and Skip (Skipper). They are my brothers. Well, Logan is my biological brother and Skipper is my brother-in-law, but we drop the in-law in our family.

Logan is 4 1/2 years younger than me. I was protective of him from infancy. He was THE cutest baby. He smiled all of the time. His blonde hair and blue eyes were irresistable. They still are. He was a chick-magnet. He went on dates constantly. He was in choir and had good friends. When he was around 18, if I remember correctly, he came "out" as being gay. (If you didn't notice, I put a period at the end of that sentence).

Skip is older than I am. He he. Skip is tall and handsome. His smile is unbelievably beautiful. His hugs are warm and safe. His eyes sparkle. His laugh is contagious. He and Logan have been together for eight very happy years. They are good, good men. Oh, do they have hearts of gold. They have helped to financially support the boys and I on several occasions. They volunteer. They welcome people into their circle and nurture them and strengthen them and comfort them. They work hard. They play hard. They love one another in a way that you rarely witness. They are happy, happy people who generate an energy that is so powerful to be around.

My Grandpa Nef told me of a time that was difficult for him. My grandpa works in the Fresno LDS Temple. He was a bit perplexed about the relationship between Logan and Skip. He fell in love with Skip immediately. It's impossible not to! He loves Logan with a love that is unconditional. But, he felt that his religious beliefs must be contrary to the love that his grandson and partner had. He went to the temple president one day and told him of his confusion/dilemna. The temple president said to him that he should continue to love Logan and Skip with his whole heart and that we are very blessed because God knows all. He knows FAR more than we know. He is a just God and He is the one who will make judgements. We need not do that. Ever. Grandpa was so relieved! And, to watch Grandpa with my brothers is to watch true love in action. The moment Logan and Skip walk into a room, it literally lights up and Grandpa is always the first to hug and kiss them. Oh, how he loves them.

A couple of years ago, I explained to my boys that their Uncle Logan was gay and that Skipper was their uncle too. Colton, in his delicious autistic world, went to Skipper one day and said, "My mom said you are gay." Skipper said that his mama was correct. Colton said, "I love you anyways." Skipper smiled and hugged him.

Logan and Skipper, your big sister loves you with an eternal, unconditional love. I love you to the moon and back. I am HONORED to be your sister. I am HONORED that you are the uncles of my five children. My husband loves you. He would drop kick anyone who did anything that might even appear to be hurtful or disrespectful to you. Our children adore you. They learn from you, and I can't think of two better examples of empathy, strength, courage, service, and integrity than the two of you to learn from! I have a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that we are ALL children of our Heavenly Father. He knows us. He loves us. I know, without a shadow of doubt, that we have an elder brother, Jesus Christ, who loves us - enough to die for us. I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that families are forever. My love for you and my testimony of the Gospel are not separate. They are not perpendicular. They are not in competition with one another. They go hand-in-hand. How grateful I am to be your sister and to have the privilege to love you everyday.