It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...

At 12:30 a.m. I find myself loosely paying attention to Fox News and their election coverage while refreshing CNN.com to see if anything has changed with California's Prop 8. A few minutes ago the "No" group gained a percentage point but lost it again for a current 53%-47% lead in favor of Prop 8. Although I don't live in California, I can appreciate the importance of this proposition and what it means for my family and I.  Two years ago, I would have bet a very large sum of money that a B. Hussain Obama would never become president. In fact I remember telling a classmate of mine that "his name is Obama, that rhymes with Osama, he won't become president and you can take that to the bank!"  I know I'm not the only one eating crow tonight. Bad as it may seem, the result of tonight's presidential election has not hit me as deeply as I expected.  In thinking about the changes that may come upon America and what that means for my family and I, I have come across a talk given by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland entitled "This, the greatest of all dispensations." There are a few excellent points made in his talk, but the one that hit me the most is stated, as Elder Holland specifies, with love and from his heart. He states:

"We must never let fear and the father of fear (Satan himself) divert us from our faith and faithful living. Every person in every era has had to walk by faith into what has always been some uncertainty. This is the plan. Just be faithful. God is in charge. He knows your name and he knows your need. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ - that is the first principle of the gospel. We must go forward. God expects you to have enough faith, determination, and trust in Him to keep moving, keep living, keep rejoicing. He expects you not simply to face the future; he expects you to embrace and shape the future - to love it, rejoice in it, and delight in your opportunities. God is eagerly awaiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as he always has. But He can't if you don't pray, and He can't if you don't dream. In short, He can't if you don't believe."

Without getting too personal, recent experiences in my life have taught me (again) that true happiness is found in the gospel of Jesus Christ and that through faith in Him, we are able to be strengthened, even in times that seem difficult.  Although I may not agree with the next President's political theory or agenda and may be nervous at what uncertainty or change may lie ahead, I am comforted that real certainty is found in the Gospel and I don't have to worry about unwanted change. Although worse times certainly lie ahead, the best do too.  

Prop 8 status - 53%-47% with 49% reporting. I'm proud of those who stood up for this and spent their time and effort to make sure this passes.

Caton