Photo Journal of Our Week

A picture is worth more than a thousand words,
so here's a few to fill in the blanks for this past week.

ESPN Zone at Downtown Disney
for Jeremy's B-day

Prop 8 Rally
Stretched Along Orange County Coastline, over 1500 participants
check out more on this video

Our Natural Form of Halloween Decorations

"I call shotgun!" And other things we said as kids

Now that we're both a quarter century old, SarahLynn and I got to thinking about the good ol' days. We said some pretty stupid things when we were kids in the late eighties/early nineties. We only added things that WE said, not things we'd hear on tv. We made this list during dinner and I think it could be added to with some help.

• "First the worst, second the best, third the nerd who ate the bird turd."
• "This is the 90's!"
• "Guess what? -Chicken butt."
• "Ryan and Stacy sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby in the baby carriage. That's not all! That's not all! Baby's playing basketball! That's not all, that's not all. Baby's drinking alcohol. That's not, that's not all. Mommy's in the kitchen, Daddy's in the hall. Baby's in the bathroom peeing on the wall!"
• "That's so rad."
• "Where is it? -Up your butt and around the corner."
• "M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I " (How come we never said anything to help us spell Massachusetts? That's the really hard one!)
  
• "I call shotgun. " (If that seat was already called in the Zavoral home, then you would say: I call seat by baby!)
• "Jinx! Can't say a word 'till I say your name!"
• "I'd like to bear my testimony. I know this church is true..."
• "Dude."
  
• "It's a free country; I can do what I want."
  
• (Say fast) "1,2,3 NOT IT!"
• "Eeny, meeny, miny moe. Catch a tiger by the toe. If he hollers, let him go. Eeny, meeny, miny moe!"
• "I bet you a Slurpee that...."(Jeremy)
• "Do you wanna play shadow?"
• "I'm rubber, you're glue. Whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you!"
• "She started it!"
  
• "You're not the boss of me."
  
• "Can I just say one more thing?" (SarahLynn)
• "You're an MR" (mental retard)
• "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!"
• "Oh sweet dude."
  
• "Duh!"
• "He shoots..he scores!!" (Jeremy)
• "That's so retarded."
  
• "Do we have to?"
• "I'm telling Mom."
• "Who cut the cheese? -Whoever smelt it, dealt it."

Prop 8 Discussions- 3 Profound Videos

I know what you're thinking. "SarahLynn has really become a fanatic about Prop 8." But the truth is that I am passionate about preserving marriage. I realize that many of you are from outside of CA, but I hope you understand what a battle Prop 8 has become out here! Unfortunately, on both sides of the debate, unkind things have been said, people have organized groups to steal posters of the opposing view, and the campaign commercials are running constantly on TV. A testimony that whatever happens will have a huge effect on society. It's up to us to make sure the effect will be positive.

Jeremy and I have not been spared any of the excitement. We've been walking, delivering posters, blogging (thanks for your votes on our poll!), talking with friends, and displaying our own signs. Unlike you wonderful readers, some of our neighbors don't respect our freedom of speech as seen in this youtube clip. On Monday, someone posted a rather unkind note on our window, trying to cover up our Yes on Prop 8 sign. They said that we should take it down. "Just because you are ignorant on this matter does not mean that you have to display it..." Also, my Yes on Prop 8 bumper sticker is mysteriously missing two days after I put it on the back of my car. (Can you imagine what that theft scene must have looked like?)

To my dear neighbors and others that are stealing signs: Please respect our right of free speech. Although we may disagree on Prop 8, I would never dream of stealing your signs or asking you to remove them from your personal property. That isn't right or constitutional. If you have disagreements, why don't you come and talk with us instead of doing exactly what you accuse me and other Prop 8 supporters of--name calling and labeling? To answer your concerns about my supposed ignorance and intolerance, I ask you to watch the following videos.

To ALL my viewers, please watch these videos and let's talk about it--kindly. It would really help if we got comments from both sides, as it often inaccurately appears that more people don't support traditional marriage. Let's get an accurate representation on this issue!

Three Great Questions, Three Great Answers
(If the videos aren't working, you can find them on preservingmarriage.org)
I'm sick and tired of the intolerance and bigotry of religious people...


Won't Prop 8 take rights away from gay people?


Really, what's the harm with same-sex marriage?

25 Year Celebration!!

Let it be known that for the next six days, I am officially 25 years old and Jeremy is only 24. Pretty amazing to be 1/4 of a century old! Of course, Jeremy won't be able to know all the secret wisdom that I've acquired today until next week.

I love birthdays, but not quite in the way that most people do. In fact, most of my pet-peeves have to do with birthdays because of the drama queens out there that can't seem to live with themselves once another birthday roles around. Even more annoying are the people that love birthdays because they expect all their friends to call and do something nice, and if they don't, their life is over. I hate how at a very early age, in many ways we teach that birthdays are a selfish day where everyone is supposed to make you happy. While I gave into that as a child, it has really come to bother me over the past several years, and I think it is the underlying reason for most of the depression experienced on birthdays.

My idea of a perfect birthday is where the birthday person is happy they are alive, says thank you to loved ones, reflects on birthdays past, hopes for birthdays in the future and serves others on his/her birthday.

A birthday is a time to celebrate life!! I mean seriously. The fact that we were not only born at this time on earth, but born in America and into gospel homes is amazing!! What wonderful opportunities life offers us. What an amazing gift mortality is that God has given us! The fact that devils begged Jesus to allow them to posses the bodies of hogs shows how desirous the gift of having a mortal life is!! And that God has given us the power to create life, just as He does, is a miracle!

A birthday is a time to be grateful for all the wonderful people that have helped make me who I am. I love and appreciate my parents so much. For sleepless nights when I was a baby, for singing and reading to me, for making music for me to dance and sing to, for teaching me to work hard, for living their testimony and being with me in the temple at my wedding. I love my other two parents for doing the same with Jeremy. (Even though they didn't start with him until 6 days after I was born ;-) I love all 4 of my sisters and my 2 brothers and all that they've taught me about life. I love Jeremy. Other than the Savior, there's no one else that has helped me be my best self.

I also want to thank Jeremy for the wonderful surprise trip to see the musical Wicked at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood and the Thai dinner. We both LOVED it. What a great guy, huh?

Birthdays are a time to reflect on the past. Twenty five years is a long time. I've pretty much lived 1/3 of my life. I've learned a lot by living. What's the most important thing that I've learned? That true joy comes from doing all you can and then putting your complete trust in the Lord that your efforts will be magnified, whether the efforts are put toward a test, planning a lesson, a friendship or for forgiveness, the Lord really does come through when I do my part. What is the hardest thing that I have had to learn? That too many people see my enthusiasm for life and for change as a negative thing.

Another thing that I've reflected on is how threatening times have become. Family values and virtue are increasingly being lost to the enticings of the adversary. We've been facing a lot of opposition with prop 8. We put a sign up in our window, and yesterday we found a nasty letter on our window about our position. It's scary to think of what will happen if prop 8 doesn't pass. I honestly cried on the way to work today thinking of the spiritual war that my children will have to grow up in. I'm doing all I can to make the world safe for them, but the reality of it is that righteousness is outnumbered (but not out-powered!).

Most of all, birthdays are a time of hope. A rekindling of life. A re-birth. A new look into the future. More goal making. There is still so much for me to experience! More teaching, rearing children, a masters degree, cheering on Jeremy in his career, traveling, house flipping, teaching the gospel to friends and family, unexpected moves, and hopefully when we're really established, opening my own school.

Hope is why it's fun to make your birthday a day of service. If only to at least do the normal things with a little more pizzaz. My best birthday was the one where I made breakfast for my Grandma and Mom and put surprise notes on my roommates' beds. Today, I worked extra hard nannying my little girls. I took all three of them to the pool on my own and smiled the whole time- even when I had to wash poopy swimsuits and bottoms. Then I enthusiastically went to a prop 8 meeting and made a few more friends!

So my idea of the perfect way to celebrate a birthday is to recognize the miracle of life, have gratitude, reflect, hope and serve. I look forward to teaching my children how to do these things on their birthday, training them to realize that life is what you make it, not what others make for you.

Broadcast on Prop 8

I love this video shown during the broadcast that Elder Ballard asked us to post on our blogs because it shows young people in favor of traditional marriage.

Below is Elder Bednar’s Prop 8 Q&A with institute students, also shown during the broadcast.

To dispel misunderstandings from my previous posts I’d like to mention that at the church broadcast, they told us to do “all that we can” to support prop 8 “in every way possible.” They said “thank you for your money and time.” They gave a week by week outline of what we are to do, including specific hours and ways to walk, call, distribute signs, and get out the vote. While they did not ask for donations to protectmarriage.com, they did refer us to the website and emphasized that all members can participate in some way to support the prop.

Referring to traditional marriage, the leaders said that “we can vigorously proclaim this message…with love” as we blog, chat, twitter, etc. This is what I’m imperfectly trying to do. I’ve made mistakes along the way, but I’m new at making myself vulnerable to strangers, so please forgive me if I’ve offended you. Being bold yet not overbearing is a tricky balance, I must say.

They invited us to this website made by the LDS Church: preservingmarriage.org

If you saw the broadcast, I wanted to know, what were your favorite parts? Here are my favorite parts from the Divine Institution of Marriage published by the Church that Elder Cook read:

“Tolerance, Same-Sex Marriage and Religious Freedom
Those who favor homosexual marriage contend that “tolerance” demands that they be given the same right to marry as heterosexual couples...Tolerance as a gospel principle means love and forgiveness of one another, not “tolerating” transgression.

In today’s secular world, …instead of love, [tolerance] has come to mean condone… Jesus taught that we love and care for one another without condoning transgression. But today’s politically palatable definition insists that unless one accepts the sin he does not tolerate the sinner….”

“How Would Same-Sex Marriage Affect Society?
…Marriage is fundamentally an unselfish act… Same-sex marriage cannot be justified simply on the grounds that it provides self-fulfillment to its partners, for it is not the purpose of government to provide legal protection to every possible way in which individuals may pursue fulfillment.…

…. the all-important question of public policy must be: what environment is best for the child and for the rising generation? …. the legalization of same-sex marriage likely will erode the social identity, gender development, and moral character of children. Is it really wise for society to pursue such a radical experiment without taking into account its long-term consequences for children?”

“The Sanctity of Marriage
Strong, stable families, headed by a father and mother, are the anchor of civilized society….

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has chosen to become involved, along with many other churches, organizations, and individuals, in defending the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman because it is a compelling moral issue of profound importance to our religion and to the future of our society.”

Apple Picking!!

Crystal and Steve are our best friends here in HB. On Saturday, they showed us all the back country here in So Cal. We enjoyed apple donuts, coldness, apple samples, a funny old man that knew everything about apple growing, long talks, apple tasting, apple picking, finding a squished fox, watching little kids, being silly, getting lost, trying to play lacrosse with our apples and apple picking sticks that have a catcher at the end of them, losing Scott and Stacy, listening to a really bad banjo band, and singing the Johnny Appleseed song. Did you know he was an actual person? He had a different name though. It was a very fun day, and now we're really in the spirit of Autumn time! Thanks Lineberrys!!

Join All the Candidates in Supporting Traditional Marriage!!

This is something the reporters have conveniently left out of their evaluations of the VP debate. Granted, they changed the order of Palin's remarks in this youtube, but it actually makes more sense this way. I hope that we can all admit how Americans truly value traditional marriage.

This entry is for NON-Californians!! That's right YOU, out there in Provo, Las Vegas, Charlotte, Longmont, Philadelphia, Ft Collins, Seattle, DC, Queens, and good 'ol Austin Minnesota--even you. We are desperate for your support on Prop 8 here in CA. If you missed my blog entry called Prop 8, A Different Kind of Missionary Work, please read it.

Here's the quick background: The proposition is to put in the CA consitution these words: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid and recognized in California." 61% of CA already voted yes to this in 2000, but some San Fran judges decided to overturn the righteous voice of the people. If we vote yes, then we are saying again that we agree with this statement. Jeremy and I are voting loud and clear with Obama's, McCain's, and most American's view on traditional marriage: YES on 8!! Unfortunately, the polls are saying that it's 50/50.

So, if you aren't a CA voter, don't think you are off the hook on this issue!!! You can vote on this issue on our blog poll just to the right of this post. Also,
Our precinct (92646) is asking for all family and friends from outside of CA to help donate to the Yes on Prop 8 campaign. Please consider the following reasons why you should go to ProtectMarriage.com and donate to the campaign:

• You'll feel great knowing you are an active citizen and standing up for what's right.
  
• The prophet has asked all church members in CA to "support the proposition in every way possible," (Church broadcast Weds evening), which our local priesthood leaders said means donate $ to the cause. So since you're my friend or relative and most likely LDS, that practically makes you a CA citizen.
• Same sex domestic unions in CA already receive all the benefits that married people have. That goes for life insurance, hospital visitations, EVERYTHING.
  
• If people don't vote yes on this proposition, then your state may follow CA's lead in legalizing gay marriage. And if it isn't the state you live in now, it might be one you move to later.
  
• Even Obama and Biden support traditional marriage. So if you think you're better than them, you better get moving with supporting it.
  
• Massachusetts has already allowed gay marriage. As a result, all adoption agencies that don't allow placing children in gay marriage families are deemed unconstitutional. This means that LDS Services' right to perform adoptions in Mass is threatened. Catholic Charities has already had to withdraw their adoption agency from the state. This cannot happen in CA or any other state. Especially since Jeremy and I want to adopt (and may even have to) someday. Article Source
  
• Most states, including CA and Mass, teach according to their constitution. Mass already teaches in pre-school that there is no difference between gay marriage and traditional marriage. This will be true for CA and your state if prop 8 does't pass. VIDEO Source Article Source
  
• Help defend my rights and your rights to freedom of religion. I want to attend a church that believes in traditional marriage without it being charged unconstitutional. Churches and organizations in CA and other states have already been to court because they were pressured to marry and/or medicate same-sex couples despite their religious beliefs on gay marriage.
  
• When you watch thisYes on 8 commercial or this Yes on 8 commercial, you can tell your family that you helped pay for it.
• Elder Ballard said to Jeremy's Dad and all of the other Bishops in Sacramento this truth three weeks ago: “The issue of whether this is winnable or not doesn’t matter. We stand with the Lord Jesus Christ, and if we do what he wants us to do, he will smile upon on our efforts. The only acceptable marriage union in His plan is between a man and a woman.
  So, whatever happens at the end, whether Proposition 8 passes or fails – We stand for the Lord."

Thanks for joining our efforts by going to ProtectMarriage.com and clicking on the giant "donate now" button!! And if not, then at least participate in our voting poll to the right of this post.

SPAM and a Sandy Eggo

This week has been awesome!! Highlights involved serving samples of SPAM at the LA County Fair and a day trip to Sandy Eggo (San Diego).

Every year, the LA County Fair includes a SPAM cook-off where brave citizens attempt gormet meals with SPAM. While the judges taste and rate each dish, Hormel sales representatives serve samples of SPAM and handout SPAM t-shirts, pins, and food. Jeremy and I were on a team of four people preparing and promoting the samples. We cooked SPAM Terryaki served with rice.

It was actually really good. Here's the simple recipe: Buy SPAM. Open it. Cut in chunks. Put in skillet with terriyaki sauce and chunked pineapples. Heat until SPAM is crisp. Serve over rice. Enjoy!! (If you don't have terriyaki sauce, a nice alternative is soy sauce and brown sugar).

In payment for our catering services, we got into the fair for free and spent the day enjoying dog shows and magic shows. I figured out how the magician did his "mind tricks" while I was on stage with him as the guinea pig for some of his acts. It was cool.

On Saturday, we went to San Diego. The romantic date began with our first time in the San Diego Temple, which marks the 16th temple we've been inside as a couple (that means we average a different temple every 6 weeks that we've been married)! We went to the coast and explored tons of choral tidepools and found a baby starfish! After a little nap, we went to the Petco Park to see the Padres play against the Pirates. We got in free with some tickets that were found sitting on a bench.

It was by far the nicest baseball stadium we've ever been to. I couldn't get over how metro and modern, yet traditional and classy the place was. They had real restaraunts, restored 1900 buildings as part of the arena, a giant sandbox by the outfield for kids to play in, a wiffleball field for families and kids, and a park area where families played catch while watching the game!

Since we scored pretty good with free gas, free temple trip, free lunch, free aquatic exploration, the cheapest parking in town, and a free game, we splurged on dinner by getting two soft drinks instead of water and burritos instead of hot dogs!! After the Padres won, the stadium treated us to a free firework show to top off the romantic day. It was soooo fun!

We're in the Top Ten!

Just thought everyone should know that BYU has climbed up the polls to the #8 position in college football (according to the latest AP poll). They're 4-0 this season and have the longest winning streak in the country. They beat UCLA 59-0 a few weeks ago, too. Now sports writers are paying some attention to our conference and maybe we'll get a game or two on national tv or something. Now all we need to do is give food poisoning to the other seven teams ranked ahead of us and we've got a shot at the national championship.
~Jeremy

I'm Hired!!

Patience and prayer always pays off! Our planned profit for the month of August after bills, savings, and trips was $17, so Jeremy and I are thrilled that I now have two part time jobs!! My first job is with Garden Grove Unified School District as a substitute three days a week. So far, that has been fun. All the schools in CA have hallways outside, which reminds me of the schools in Thailand. Oh the memories!!

On Tuesday, I subbed for a second grade class and one little boy melted my heart. At recess he held my hand and jabbered on and on about his trip to Disneyland. When he told me about the space ride with the movie to make it feel like you are in outer space, he said "And do you know what?! We really went into outer space!" Another kid said "Nuh-uh." To which he replied "Yes sir! It was REAL!" Then he talked about Tinkerbell in the parade. "I think she lost her pixie dust because I saw a big wire coming out of her back." I got a chance to talk with the teacher and she said he came to school on Monday with a new hair cut. "What a great hair cut," she told him. His reply: "I had to have it to get the bugs out, but my dad said not to tell ANYONE!"

My second job is nanny-ing for a family at church that I met last week (more prayers answered). They have a two year old daughter and 9 month twin girls. I will help their mother, Brooke, two days a week. So far it has been a blast. Riley is a little peanut, and the twins are opera singers in the making.

And one final note of good news. I got TWO emails from some of my sweetest 5th grade students. They said they missed me "SOOOOOOOOO much" and wished that I'm still their teacher. What a rewarding feeling!!! (and an answer to prayer that I did some good) Even though I've got some great temp jobs, my heart still aches to be teaching full time. But I'm confident that more prayers, patience and enjoying the opportunities I have now will get me through until we're settled down in Minnesota.

Eight-Legged Visitor

For Labor Day, our parents from Colorado came to visit us!! It was their first trip away from home since my Dad retired this summer at age 54! Highlights of their visit included: fancy restaurants for EVERY meal except on Sunday, expensive golfing (very fun and pretty), boogie boarding with the best waves and low tide, I sang at church and my neighbor came with us, bike riding along Huntington Beach, nice long chats, games, piano playing, Crystal Cove and Laguna Beach.

When the tide was low on Monday, we went back to Crystal Cove to see the sea anemonies and crabs. Guess what unexpected visitor we saw?!? An OCTOPUS. It was 2 ft away from Jeremy, and he actually was standing next to it for almost ten minutes and didn't even know! It was brownish red and very camoflaged. The head part was the size of a nerf ball and it of course had eight tentacles, about 1 ft long each, but they were coiled up a bit so I'm not totally sure about their real length. We saw it sleenk under the rock when a big wave came by. It hung on under the rock and slowly crept two of its tentacles around the rock to feel what was going on. It looked like an alien! Jeremy touched it's suctions and said it pulled on his finger really hard. Of course, we didn't have the camera. But now Jeremy and I can say we've seen a real octopus in the wild!!

Prop 8- A different kind of Missionary Work

Knock, knock, knock....

Creeeeeek. (An over-weight, bearded man scowls from behind his door).

Jeremy: Hi, we're walking the precincts today to encourage people to vote on Proposition 8. My wife and I live nearby.
Guy: Oh, hi. (He steps closer to us and lets his dog out to lick our hands)
SarahLynn: Have you heard of Prop 8 before?
Guy: Uh, a little. Which one is that again?
Jeremy: It's the proposition about protecting marriage.
Guy: Oh really? What's wrong with it?
SarahLynn (trying not chuckle): Well, back in 2000, 61% of California voters said that they wanted a law that said "Marriage is between a man and a woman in the state of CA." Recently, some San Francisco judges said that the law wasn't constitutional. So now we want to help put in our state constitution to say that "Only marriage between a man and a woman is recognized in the state of CA."
Guy: Oh yeah. I'll vote for that. You know it says that in the Bible.
Jeremy: Yeah, we feel the same way. Would you be willing to put a sign in your yard about it?
Guy: Well, I don't know. I don't want any tootie frooties gettin' mad and comin' to my door.
Jeremy: Ha, ha. Okay. Do you have any other registered voters in your home?
Guy: Well my wife, she agrees with me, but she doesn't vote much, ya know.
SarahLynn: Well, it's going to be a really close vote, so we encourage both of you to vote this fall about it.
Guy: Don't you worry, dear.
Jeremy: Thanks for your time!
(After the door closes, Jeremy and I give another high-five to each other. Still, no one that has said they disagree!)

The prophet has asked, and we are following. It's been amazing to see the overwhelming support for protecting marriage here in our HB neighborhoods. Everytime I come home from walking, I feel energized and joyful, the same way I do when I come home from Enrichment or helping the missionaries. That's another testimony to me that what we're doing is right!

But some people have said they aren't sure about walking door-to-door to get support for Prop 8, or that they aren't so sure about the church taking such a strong stance on protecting marriage (notice that the focus is about protecting marriage, not about people with same-gender attractions). To those who doubt whether or not we should be doing this, I say: Where is your faith?! Our prophet, Thomas S Monson, has been told by God to ask that we do this. Where is your testimony of the prophet and of God's Plan?!?!

I use to think that if people wanted to have same-sex marriage, then they should have that right. It's not my business. But when I went to the temple and prayed about it, it was made very clear that God separately created man and woman for a divine purpose- to multiply and replenish the earth, which is the main purpose of intimacy, and the power to procreate is a sacred gift given to us to use only in the bonds of matrimony as husband and wife. Homosexuality is not in His plan, just like murder, pornography, alcohol, swearing and drugs are not in His plan. Although we have agency, this does not justify sin. People don't have a right to participate in sexual immorality without facing Heaven's judgement. And since immoral behavior has negative effects on society and families, it IS my business. I can certainly condemn this sin and vote to keep it out of society without condemning the sinner. Tolerance is to offer love to all people, not to condone all that people do.

For those who struggle with same gender attraction, my heart and the hearts of our church leaders go out to them. I know that our Saviour has prepared a way for them to be healed of their problem so they can have joy in participating in a proper marriage. Our church provides much help and support to these people and their families.

If you are still unsure about supporting marriage between a man and a woman, or if you are afraid to talk with people about supporting Prop 8, I invite you to get on your knees and seek God's will concerning marriage. Once you have a firm testimony that marriage is ordained of God and that it should only be between a man and a woman, you won't have any reason to fear the philosophies of men. You will be able to follow our prophet's request with love and boldness. You will have strength to fight the unpopular battle.

There are some mormons forming groups and saying they don't agree with the Church's stance on marriage. I am disappointed in their pride and lack of faith. Don't become one of them!! This is exactly what happened in Alma 53 when some of the members broke away from Captain Moroni. It is the beginning of the fulfillment of prophecy that the Saints will lose faith and rely on their own understanding, which will lead to the time when our constitution will hang by a thread because of our own wickedness.

If this proposition doesn't pass, it will be because of our lack of faith. Teachers will be required to teach tolerance for same-sex marriage in all CA schools (including pre-school). Also note that currently same-sex domestic unions in CA already benefit from ALL the rights that married people have.

We must defend the truth! Get out there and talk with people! If you live in CA, donate your money to the cause because the prophet and your bishop have asked you to!! Don't worry about the "tootie-frooties" that probably won't come to your door arguing about your sign. They are in the minority and they don't have God backing them up! "Who's on the Lord's side, who? Now is the time to show!!"

To learn more about Prop 8 go to protectmarriage.com (see our website list)
If you want to read the Church's teachings about marriage, read The Family- A Proclamation to the World (also in our website list)

My Parable of the Flower

I finally sent this story to the editor of the Ensign, one of the magazines for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We'll see if they ever publish it. Let me know what you think!

Parable of the Flower

By SarahLynn Zavoral

I once had the opportunity to work with people from all walks of life that seemed very different from my own. As I sought the Lord’s will to know how I could serve and work with them, I had a very clear dream. The message I took from it is one I will never forget.

In the dream, I found myself with a group of friends touring a museum. The guide led us into a courtyard where a vase of unusual looking flowers sat on a table. With some solace, the guide informed us that these flowers were special. “When you smell this flower,” he whispered, “it can tell whether you love it or not.”

What a peculiar thing for a flower to do, we thought. With a bit of cynicism toward the guide, a man from our group marched up to the flowers. He stooped down and took a hasty sniff. “I can’t smell a thing,” he announced. “What a wasteful flower, it doesn’t even smell.” Immediately, the flower began to wilt, to which the man became more annoyed. “What a stupid flower! It can’t even last a few moments of someone smelling it!”

Quietly, another man from the group stepped toward the flower that had just wilted before our eyes. He embraced it and gently held it to his nose. “Wow, this flower has the most beautiful fragrance!” Immediately, the flower opened its bud. “And look!” the gentleman cried. “It’s starting to grow again!” He sniffed again and assured us that it smelled wonderful. The flower continued to grow from its wilted state.

Others in the group, including myself, rushed to get a closer look. The flower was magnificent! As life was restored to the flower, colors of the sunset bathed its intricate petals. Pollen wisped throughout the bouquet, and water pearls seemed to rise out of the buds. The fragrance was like fresh honey suckle, and with every graceful whiff that we took from it, the flower grew more beautiful and more fragrant. Soon, its beauty was more remarkable than we had ever seen!

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the first man who smelled the flower. He was alone in a dark corner with one of the flowers from the vase. Unlike the ones I had smelled, all life from his flower was dried up. As he furiously beat at the flower I could hear him say, “What a worthless piece of nature. I don’t understand how everyone is so impressed with you and can love you! You’re no more special than an ugly prairie weed!”

Suddenly, I realized that the insight from the museum guide was true. The flower really could tell who it was loved by, and it responded differently to those who did and didn’t see its worth. I thought to myself, still dreaming, how similar this is with the way we treat people.

The next morning, I knew how I was to work with the people I was serving. I recommitted myself to live the council given to us from our Heavenly Guide in D&C 18:10, “Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.”

How to Enjoy Marriage

Tomorrow is our two-year wedding anniversary!! We highly recommend being married. In fact, we're surprised that more people aren't getting married these days. Marriage is such a great thing! Already we've experienced a lot of joy from learning and growing together.It was my turn to plan our anniversary celebration, so I took Jeremy to a seafood restaraunt on Newport Beach, and after dinner, he was kidnapped by a Gondola Company. We went on a gondola cruise throughout the port while the sun set. We had baggets, sparkling cider, chease, salami, a gondolier and Italian music. Jeremy was really surprised by it all and actually liked it a lot.
Here's our thoughts on how to enjoy marriage:

• Eat off of the same plate while you watch TV.
• Take pictures of each other. It helps boost his/her self esteem.
• Learn something new to keep impressing your spouse, like playing the piano.
  
• Say "I love you" every time you think it.
  
• Pretend you're in a musical together while you make dinner or get ready for the day.
• Let her wear your clothes.
• Let him watch sports. To make him even happier, pay attention to what's going on, and then you can bring up something about LeBron James just when the time is right.
  
• Sleep as close to each other as possible.
• Occasionally send an email to your spouse about how good looking he/she is.
  
• Order an inexpensive gift like a book to come in the mail for no reason.
• Dance for each other. Make up your own music.
  
• Dance with each other. We find that on the beach is the most fun.
  
• Talk about how much you love Jesus Christ.
  
• While she's working on the computer, quietly walk up to her, give her a passionate kiss, and then quietly walk away--if she let's you.
• Put on something unexpected before he gets home from work.
• Sing the same voice parts to the hymns at church.
• Listen to every detail of her day and then remember it when she brings it up later.
• Watch the sunset together as much as possible.
• Go to bed early. Go to sleep late. ;-)
  

Here's our glam shots to show how HOT we think the other is!

Hermit Crabs, Family Smiles, and Food

I took Katie and Matt to Crystal Cove near Laguna Beach. We got to explore a bunch of tide pools. There were thousands of hermit crabs, hundreds of sea anemones, dozens of sideways walking crabs, several fish and one enormous sea slug. Make sure to click on our slideshow of Katie and Matt's Visit to see all that we did to entertain them.We drove Matt and Katie back to Jeremy's parents house in good ol' Sac Town. It's nice that we don't have to pay one penny for gas because Hormel gave us a company car to use however we want. It's the pimpinest Dodge Charger you've ever seen! My favorite part of the 8 hour drive was having Katie read the play Pygmalion to us. Jeremy says it was his least favorite part. He felt like Katie was yelling in the back seat, but he obviously can't tell the difference between noise and dramatic articulation.

It was Grandpa Davidson's birthday this past week, so we had a party. Don't worry, Jeremy took the opportunity to market as many free Hormel products as he could. The grub from Hormel included natural choice ham, beef wrangler's hotdogs, and for Sunday dinner with the Zavorals, Loyd's shredded beef sandwiches and snack trays.

I love being with family! The Davidson's always make me laugh so much. Not to mention they are great examples of staying strong in the gospel. Grandpa had a bunch of scar wounds from his latest fishing trip. I love how he is still really active, following in Grandma June's footsteps. Next to this picture of Grandpa's battlewound he wanted this caption: "The fish got away." He got injured while trying to get the fish in from the line!
We had a fun time visiting with the Zavoral family, too. Judy made the yummiest angel food cakes ever! This is us with Grandma Ginny, a real trooper.

Are you Type A or Type X?

"Get ready for a momentary intoxication of THRILL!" This is what we heard for a solid hour and forty minutes as we shuffled in line to ride the newest roller coaster at 6 flags Magic Mountain: X2. Make no mistake. This ride was designed for type X extremists with a completely vertical 200 ft drop, 76 mph turns, rotating seats, real fire flames and deafening music.

I was terrified to go on it. When I was young, I loved roller coasters. Heck, I've even been sky diving! But for some reason I've become a total nut case about riding roller coasters. It might be a combination of 1) too much stress with anticipating the first gigantic drop and 2) fear of breaking my jaw from screaming too loud. Silly fear, you might say, but I have my reasons.

So after the stress from the Goliath, Viper, Batman, and Riddler's Revenge, I was ready to throw in the towel. But Katie and Matt, our little sister and brother who are visiting us this week (what a blast it has been so far!) found a sign for X2.

The ride experience begins when you first step in line. As we zig-zagged our way to the loading zone, we were entertained by giant plasma TV's showing people doing crazy things--type X things. All the latest music was being played and we were surrounded by tattoos, abnormally huge earlobes, and skin-tight zebra pants. I suppose these were the true characteristics of those who are type X, as the posters throughout the line kept telling us.

Every now and then, we could here the ominous click, click, click, as the X2 slowly cranked its way to the top of its deathly drop. The threats became more unbearable as we got into the loading chamber. Mysterious voices were sneaking through the loud speakers: "X2......Is everybody in?... It is surely about to begin.....X2......" I was petrified. Why did people want to do this? Matt did his best to console me, but I had too many worries. What if I got brain damage from all the twists and turns? What if I was too skinny for the ride's straps? (I almost fell out of the Tower of Terror when I was 13 because there was 6 inches between me and the lap bar)

Everybody loved the ride. I, well, I didn't really have an opinion because my eyes were sealed shut for the entire thing. I survived, and that's what mattered. It's weird, though. I couldn't even tell when the giant drop was. Blind people must get really bored by roller coasters.

Of course, Matt, Katie and Jeremy wanted to go on it again. I figured it wouldn't be too bad. If I didn't die with my eyes closed, it would probably be just as safe with my eyes open. We stood in line for another hour and fifty minutes. Tired of all the Type X advertisements and movie clips, we passed the time by playing Guess My Number. Katie and Matt are really good at that game!

Whoah. With my eyes open it was a whole different experience. Scary. Thrilling. Confusing. Hot when the flames shot out. Noisy. A lot like flying.

But I still like sky diving better. It's funny, really, because sky diving seems more type X than a roller coaster, right? Wrong. Sky diving is less scary because there are no mysteries about what's going to happen. You know that for the whole time you are going nowhere but down.

So I guess sky diving equals type A and roller coasters equals type X. I'm proud to be type A. What are you?

The Woes of Being Unemployed

Well, Jeremy is doing great with his career, but I've basically been shooting the breeze out here for the last two months. Yeah, I've got my Sing Me English project, a new calling at church, and a bunch of goals to keep me occupied. But without a job, things have been pretty solitary-- and at times depressing-- for me. Needless to say, it is a little weird being a stay at home mom without actually being a mom. My biggest decision lately has been whether I should watch TV or read a book before I go to the pool. I do a lot of blogging, email, bill paying and cleaning. (I never realized how much laundry two people can create in a week!)

Although not having accountability to anyone was a luxury the first week or two, I'm getting antsy to have a real job. But not just any job, I want to be doing what I am passionate about, what I spent 5 years in college for. I want to be bringing joy to children with music and the arts. I feel the same way I did last summer: stuck...waiting...until we're in a more permanent position.

I'm going to be a substitute teacher once school starts. It should be interesting to get a taste of education in CA. But it's VERY frustrating knowing that I will only be here in HB for 6 months. The next destination is also temporary before we will finally make it to Minnesota permanently. It feels like it will be forever before I can be a real teacher again.

I've got to trust the Lord that this fast track career plan for Jeremy will pay off in the long run. Right now, it's a good test of my faith and patience. Most of the time I feel like I'm not doing anything to improve others' lives, and that is SO frustrating. I know I have a lot to offer the world and that there is so much I can be learning out there, but it's harder to do that when we're only somewhere temporarily. Often, I find myself dwelling on this past year of teaching and wishing that I could still be with those students. They were so wonderful! When this happens, I have to tell myself to look forward. If I was able to create great experiences during my 3 months in Minnesota last summer, then with the Lord's help, I can have twice as much joy serving here. The challenge is finding such opportunities where I can get paid at the same time!

Earthquake!!!

*** Things in quotes are comments that were actually said by TV reporters yesterday.
TV Reporter: Good afternoon, America. Today is July 29. Only a few moments after lunch "We witnessed a torrential seismic event here in Los Angeles." I'm with SarahLynn Zavoral of Huntington Beach. Sarahlynn, did you feel the earthquake?
Me: Yeah. I heard rumbling and thought that the people in the apt above me were going crazy, but then I remembered that we are on the top floor! Next, I thought that a large cart was being pushed down the hall. But then the furniture started tinkering and I felt motion right under me. I realized that I was in an earthquake!
TV Reporter: What did you do? "When we felt the quake, we were terrified. I had to look around the newsroom to see what others were doing." Were you scared?
Me: Well, I'm a teacher, and this past year I taught a science unit on plate tectonics and earthquakes. So I knew exactly what to do. I sprang from the couch and stood in the nearest doorway. My heart was pounding, but I wasn't necessarily scared. I did think for a moment, "If this is the Second Coming, am I ready? Yeah, I said my prayers and read the bible today, so I should be good."
TV Reporter: Well, that's good news. How long did the shaking last? What did it feel like?
Me: Some reporters say that it lasted for 30-40 seconds, which is actually a really long time. No offense, but I think they're exaggerating. The shaking probably lasted less than 10 seconds. I would say it felt like a very bad wind storm was shaking the house while a big party of people were dancing around up stairs. Then it died down and I felt gentle rocking, like being on a lake boat.
TV Reporter: "Now, we're trying to get in contact with the city fired department about what efforts are being done to stop any fires or fix broken electricity lines." What damage occurred in your home?
Me: Well, you have to remember that even though it was a 5.4 earthquake, LA is 30 miles west of the epicenter in Chino Hills. And all of the buildings in Southern CA are specifically designed to withstand earthquakes. The biggest damage I witnessed was a small picture on the piano that fell over. Have you heard any reports of injuries or damage to buildings?
TV Reporter: Fortunately, we have not. But "experts say that this was a strong siesmic event. It is the first major earthquake since 1994. We aren't used to being jerked out of our socks like we were." I'm glad to hear that you are safe. How is the rest of your family and friends?
Me: Actually, my husband was in San Diego for the day and didn't feel a thing. He's really bummed that he didn't feel it.
TV Reporter: Well, thank you for your time, Mrs. Zavoral. As you can see, it was a "very tragic event" for the people in LA. I'm reporter Exag Gerater. Back to you, John!

Vacation and Wedding in DC

I went to Washington DC this past week to be at Megan Mitchell's wedding!! (now Megan Bassatt) Megan, Janae and I lived in a college apt for two years after we became friends at the BYU dorms. I also got to see Kisha, who was my dorm RA and friend at BYU, too. Her son Nathaniel is so adorable!!

Highlights of the trip:

• Civil War battlefield in Manassas--amazing what our country endured at that time
  
• Falling asleep with baby Nathaniel in my arms
• Seeing all the green, green, green!! No wonder people called this New World the Promised Land
• Laughing at all of Kisha's stories and impressions of people
• Realizing that grandma Sharon loves the baby cartoons more than Nathaniel
  
• Being in the temple with Megan for an endowment session--so neat to enjoy the sacred truths of the gospel with a close friend
• Dipping my feet in the water fountain at the sculpture garden
• Singing the preamble to the constitution while waiting to see the original constitution at the archive building
• Walking and walking and walking from monument to monument
• Singing "I'm just a bill on Capital Hill" from School House Rock while being on Capital Hill
• Being at all the American places that I taught my students about
• Lounging on the grass overlooking the DC monuments, talking with Janae and Megan
• Remembering how great America is
• Helping decorate for the reception
• Drama from offering unwanted help with the table centerpieces (one of the aunt's took things a little too personally)
• Witnessing the stresses of wedding planning. Megan, did you know that a bunch of boys were playing soccer in the reception room Sat morning?
  
• Getting lost with Janae
  
• Being bored while waiting for things to happen with wedding preparations
  
• Sneaking to Walmart with Janae to get more supplies for decorations
• Losing Megan's car keys in Walmart
  
• Getting lost with Janae again- too many trees to tell where the heck we were
  
• Going to the wrong church
  
• Helping Megan get ready
• Freaking out about being late to the temple because the tom-tom GPS had us going to two places. We do not recommend the tom-tom GPS
• The beautiful temple marriage
• Helping Megan in the Bride's Room
• Pampering Megan in the outside heat while taking wedding pics
  
• Gorging on yummy reception food
• Seeing Megan so happy
• Remembering my own wedding and missing Jeremy
• Wrapping the groom's car with saran wrap and writing fun messages on the windows
• Getting lost with Janae by following the wrong car to Kisha's house. We ended up following a car that pulled over as if to let us pass. When we pulled up alongside to see if it was still Kisha, the freakiest man in a black hoody with big eyes and a sucken face glared at us. We screamed and sped away. It took forever to get back to Megan's apartment without a GPS or Kisha's phone number.
• Almost locking our luggage in Megan's apartment
• Playing "guess my number" with Janae
  
• Discussing opinions about adoption with Kisha, Isaac and Janae
• Staying up late
• Enjoying a surprise breakfast made by Kisha- yummy bacon!
  
• Seeing how extremely attractive Jeremy is when he picked me up from the airport

Jeremy had to stay home and work. While I was gone, he told me some highlights he had:

• Hormel meals for 6 days in a row
• Endless Sports Center
• Being able to leave clothes on the floor without getting in trouble
• Golfing
  
• Having the boogie board all to himself
• No Sarahlynn Hair to clog up the shower drain
• No accessories in the shower to accidentally knock off the rack
• No one to tell him to take out the trash
  
• No fresh vegatables or fruits with dinner
• No one to have fun with
• No one to talk to while he ate or worked around the house
• No home-cooked meals
• No beautiful smiles and funny dances to greet him when he came home from work
• No one to cuddle with at night, not even the stuffed turtle 'cuz Sarahlynn took that, too
  
• No one to play jokes with
  
• No one to say "I love you" to every five minutes

I suppose Jeremy got the short end of the stick on this one! It's great to be back in Huntington Beach with Jeremy, my one true love. But I must admit that I LOVE the East Coast and hope to live there someday.

That's right, I sell SPAM

Me: "Hi there I'm Jeremy with Hormel Foods. I got a chance to take a look at your store and I found a few opportunities for you on aisle three. Do you have a minute I can talk with you about it?"
Grocery Manager: "Uh, uh, I donno, uh."
Me: "Habla Ingles?"
Grocery Manager: "No."

Yeah that's my job. I drive around to small independent grocery stores all over Los Angeles and try to get more Hormel products in their stores. Since I'm the new guy they don't trust me to go to headquarters yet, so it's more about learning the products and how grocery stores work right now. Eventually I plan on ending up at the corporate offices in Minnesota doing brand management. But for now I struggle to communicate with Spanish speakers (I served my mission in the states, English speaking), and all sorts of Asian languages. I've got 153 stores to call on every six weeks so I get around pretty quickly. Where was I last week? I started out in Long Beach, went to Compton, Inglewood, and South LA, then to Hollywood and Burbank. There's a ritsy chain out there called Gelsons that I go to where they've got cafes and fancy olive stores.
Fridays I go to the sales office in Irvine to do planning, training and product testing. Last Friday we tasted seven different brands of bacon, then I took the rest home and had bacon for breakfast, BLTs for lunch, and...well, SarahLynn wouldn't let me eat bacon again for dinner.
So it's not the most glamorous job, but it's definately great experience for me on my way to the marketing department in Hormel. And I get all the bacon I can eat.