Scott Chester

I really enjoyed sleeping last night and didn’t not want to get up this morning. Nonetheless, I managed to make it to work ontime after sleeping in an extra 45 minutes. I went over to the Rodriguez’s for dinner (as usual) tonight and then came home and watched Made of Honor again. This was part of the makeup for missing our anniversary the other day.

I was supposed to go to Disneyland with Melissa tomorrow, but it looks like that isn’t going to happen. I’m thinking about continuing to take the day off and just get some things done that need to be taken care of. I have some errands I have been needing to run, I could use some time to put forth to prop 8 and I also need to make up a shift in the temple. I’m thinking I could accomplish a lot of those things tomorrow.

I had an amazing time at the temple this morning. I was stopped in my tracks twice today by things that seemed especially beautiful. The light coming into the celestial room was amazing for at least an hour. I totally just had to stop and ponder. I looked at the designs being made on the floor from the light shining through the windows and so much more. The flowers up on the fourth floor atrium also caught me today. They just looked especially beautiful.

We had a meeting about Prop 8 tonight. The church wants us to make 500,000 calls between now and the election to try and gather more voters. It seems like a large task and I am starting to get burnt out on it.

I really tried to get to bed by 10 tonight, but Batch had me look into some things on the webserver that aren’t working quite right. I really don’t understand why this is so much work - every other server I’ve ever seen has been configured essentially the same with all the apache pieces put together. It seems like everyday that is something new that needs to be installed.

Looks like this will be another night where I will be getting less than six hours of sleep. I can tell it is really starting to get to me. As much as I have enjoyed staying up late talking and so forth, I really enjoy the inside of my eyelids! I was trying to get to bed early tonight, which I guess is good since I’m getting to bed at my normal time. Unfortunately, I have to get up at 4 o’clock in the morning.

Today was pretty quiet in the office. It seemed like I was able to get a lot done and I started working on clearing off my desk. Tonight was pretty crazy. I met Cynthia at the house for some cheesecake and then went home teaching with Kenny. We only got to visit Chris and then went to the Rodriguez’s for Adam’s “mission call.” The mission president has asked him to come serve with his son for the final three days of his mission. What an amazing opportunity! That so awesome!

So I probably took the marriage thing a bit farther than necessary today and sent Cynthia an anniversary present. I sent some flowers to her work in the short period she was there today.

(Picture from craftjuice.)

Cynthia and I went to the open house for the San Diego Temple Presidency tonight. We both thought it was a fireside for the incoming presidency, but it was an open house for the outgoing. We were expecting a big spiritual uplifting and instead got cookies. Now, I know what you’re thinking. Spiritual uplifting or cookies? Definitely the cookies, right? Well, sometimes it just isn’t what you expect.

In any event, this guy sat next to us who was hilarious. We had some chit chat and of course, he thought we were married. I guess the serving on different days and lack of rings didn’t clue him in. Cynthia and I kind of looked at each other and I think decided to go with it. At least he didn’t ask any questions we had to make up answers for. It might have been bad to lie at a temple function.

Well, in my usual fashion, I’ve let this get carried away and we’ve been continuing to play this up. We don’t have anyone to even play it up to anymore, but we have decided that today is our anniversary, our first anniversary that is. Because I’m a slacker and didn’t get her a present, I’m going to have to get working on that. it looks like the typical first year gift is stationary, so we decided on address labels - with my address because I pay the bills. Of course, I still have to make up for missing the anniversary and will do that later this week with cheesecake and a movie. Isn’t she amazing? How forgiving of her! She really is a winner! How did I get so lucky?

I guess we need to continue to work on our cover story if this is going to work out.

Another night I’m up past 1 in the morning? Are you kidding me? I don’t even think there is a stretch to blame this one on Melissa either. We went down to the Haunted Trail at Balboa Park tonight. Other than the long waiting and no parking, it was pretty good. I wasn’t scared, but was startled a few times. Mandi was freaking out though and I was pretty much attached to her side the entire time. Melissa, her sister, was attached to the other side firmly. We made Melissa M. and Krystal lead the pack. Krystal kept saying things like “oh hi” to the guys when they tried to scare her and I was just cracking up. Melissa M said at one point no me gusta dolls and the girl replied back but we me gusta you! That’s was pretty good.

Today was kind of crazy. I’m looking forward to a relaxing Sunday now. I got started with some laundry this morning and then Melissa Davis and I went up to Lake Elsinore to pick up some money and then went to Bed, Bath & Beyond to get a present for Jim & Leisha’s wedding, which we then drove straight to. It was a little different attending the wedding in the chapel. We then had some break time at which point I took Melissa home and came home to finish up my laundry and grab a bite to eat.

The reception was good other than I didn’t know many of the people there and it was a bit warmer than I would have liked. I came home and tried to break my website for a while and then it was off to the trail.

Wowsers! It’s after 1 in the morning and I wasn’t even out doing anything tonight! I came home after work, made dinner and watched Made of Honor. Larilyn has been wanting to see it for some time now, so I got it in a few weeks ago and just haven’t had an evening to watch it. Melissa and I discussed last night that tonight could be a good night. I texted Larilyn this morning and she said it would probably work even though she already had other plans. Well, Melissa invited Michelle and Michelle said something to Larilyn, so naturally I got in trouble for proceeding with plans before it was even known if Larilyn could come. I guess I was just hoping it would all work out or I would have watched it twice.

After the movie Larilyn made Cheesecake, so that took a few hours and then Michelle kept showing us funny things online. Next thing you know, Geoff is coming home and that’s when we know we’re up too late!

I just got this message on facebook. I have not confirmed any facts, but if it is true, I believe this is another sign of the persecution that will continue if prop 8 were to fail. We need to pass prop 8 to ensure religious freedoms and not open another can of worms.

I just received an email about protests outside the Oakland Temple that are interfering with and intimidating temple patrons. The local police are not responding well, so we need to appeal to a higher authority.

The protests are regarding California’s Proposition 8, which would define marriage as between one man and one woman.

Regardless of where you stand on the gay marriage issue, no one should be able to interfere with our temple privileges though disruption and intimidation. Please join us in praying for an end to the protests and the strengthening of the Church members in the Oakland Temple District.

Please spread the word by passing this on…

So these two cats from next door, kittens actually I guess, that Maegan found shortly after I moved in have been around a lot lately. I keep telling her that they miss her. They will follow me into the house, into my car, etc. They really need some love and companionship. One of them ended up in my garage tonight and was just purring up a storm when I went out there to let him out. Are they not getting any love at home? I wonder if they are even ever allowed in the house cause it seems that they are out roaming around all the time.

Normally I’ll bring whoever follows me in and then send him back out the front door. Tonight I decided to let the little guy hang out for a while and watch CSI with me. He was right at my heels the entire time I was going around the house and once I got on the couch was just right at home. He kept trying to do something to my face though and he was drooling all over the place.

Work was pretty busy today and then I went up to President Mattson’s to take a look at his home theater. I need to help him with some final wiring things, but it is coming together nicely. The house is amazing!

Institute at the Dowden’s tonight was kind of a small group - and it ended up being people who weren’t there last week, so we got to do a repeat which was great.

This is a great article listing many of the things we have already seen in Massachusetts regarding gay marriage. This is about freedom, and that is why we need to vote YES on Prop 8 to protect our religious freedoms established centuries ago.

How same-sex “marriage” affects Massachusetts
Anyone who thinks that same-sex “marriage” is a benign eccentricity which won’t affect the average person should consider what it has done in Massachusetts. It’s become a hammer to force the acceptance and normalization of homosexuality on everyone. And this train is moving fast. What has happened so far is only the beginning.

I have been so exhausted lately I haven’t had a chance to write. Monday night I went to dinner and FHE at the Lee’s and was there until after 9. I was up early on Tuesday for the temple and then decided to ditch work. I just wasn’t feeling like going into the office Tuesday afternoon for some reason. After I stopped to get Pumpkin Spice doughnuts (Krispy Kreme) and some strawberry lemonade (Cheesecake Factory) there wasn’t going to be much time spent in the office anyway.

The temple was interesting Tuesday morning. I continued demonstrating at the veil for the most part of the day. I served as a patron in initiatories for a while as well. I felt really close to the people I was serving as proxy for this time. It was really touching. When we had some sisters from Idaho show up who wanted to do baptisms, I got to officiate in those ordinances as well. They didn’t bring any priesthood with them, so I was able to baptize them and I was happy to have had the opportunity to assist them.

I spent some time around the house and then went over to the Dowden’s. Maegan and I went and got some Pinkberry with Megan and then ran into Lauren S. Well, actually, Lauren nearly ran Maegan and I over as we were walking around trying to find a mailbox. After that I had a meeting to go over perfect home teaching districts. We were at the church until after midnight, but I feel that we were getting good work done.

I spent most of the day today playing behind computer monitors. I had six of them going for most of the day installing software on new machines and so forth. We went to Claim Jumper for Mandi’s birthday and then had cake at the Dowden’s. Melissa had a little problem with the candles, but the cake was delicious.

Maegan’s little black cat has been around a lot lately. This morning he wouldn’t let me leave at all and I was nearly late to work. He jumped in my car and when I would put him out he wouldn’t get out of the way. I was so nervous I was going to run him over so this went on for almost ten minutes! He’s been running up to me every-time I come and go lately. I’m trying to convince Maegan that is because he misses her and she needs to come around more.

And now for a taste of things to come! If opponents of Prop 8 can’t even be tolerant of our signs promoting Prop 8, are they going to be tolerant of our beliefs next month? I think not. This just shows me that we don’t even need to look at what’s happening in MA or kids going to a lesbian wedding on a field trip. This is totally a taste of the intolerance that we will be treated with if prop 8 fails.

VOTE YES ON PROP 8 TO PROTECT MARRIAGE AND PROMOTE TOLERANCE!

YouTube - Where’s the Love? — Yes on Proposition 8 (Prop - Yard SIgns

I’ve just been so exhausted lately I haven’t had a chance to write. Thursday went well with class and so forth. I tried the Twin Cities Grill Thursday night. It was really good and well worth the wait. I’ll definitely going back there. It wasn’t cheap, but it was good. I had a delicious steak for a little less than one would pay at Ruth’s Chris. I managed to miss the first few minutes of CSI back at the hotel and then kept getting interrupted during it. I also watched whatever weird show was on after CSI and then just about fell asleep on the couch.

Friday morning went well as we tried to wrap things up with the class. I passed the written exam and now just need to complete my project. I made it to my flight ontime and it was another full one. I was kind of hoping it would be oversold and they would be looking for people to bump, but of course it never happens when I could actually take a later flight. I sat next to a woman who was coming in on vacation for a week with her daughter and we talked for a while. I eventually decided to try and get some work done, but it was just too hard with the laptop. I then started watching Amazing Grace, but only got about 30 minutes into it before I was asked to cease and desist for landing.

LA Traffic actually wasn’t that bad coming back home as it only took me about two hours once I got to my car. It did take me an hour to get from the gate to my car which is a joke. Nonetheless, I’m sure in this case it was better to take the direct flight than having a layover somewhere else along the line.

It turned out that something was wrong with the recording of the Price is Right, so we didn’t get to see Krystal. One of her other friends apparently has it recorded and is going to transfer it to DVD for her though. I was really looking forward to getting home to see it, and was quite bummed that we couldn’t watch it.

I woke up super early Saturday morning and couldn’t sleep. After playing on the computer for an hour or so I decided to go back to sleep. When I got up the second time I enjoyed a bowl of Crispix and then watched a few things off the DVR before I got started with cleaning the house. I was thinking about going to the temple to makeup for Tuesday, but realized I just had too much to do. I did make it down for the baptisms though. We were way short on people, so I’m glad I went and am very thankful for the help we had from others last night as well.

After the temple, the group that wanted to come straight home decided they wanted to stop at In-N-Out to grab something quickly. I mentioned that if we were going to do that, we should go to Fuddruckers and I got everyone on board. That probably happened because when we got there two people ordered something other than a hamburger which they clearly couldn’t have gotten at In-N-Out! It was apparently homecoming for Mira Mesa or some other area schools and they thought we were there for Homecoming since we were somewhat dressed up. Brother Clark asked me if I was class of ‘08 and I just laughed and said yep! I just want to know what the two of us guys were doing wit the three girls.

My counselors finally got called and set apart today. It will be huge having their help and I’m hoping we can figure out who our secretary is supposed to be and then we can really get this home teaching thing whipped into shape. It sounds like we aren’t going to be swapping the hours, so we will be stuck without the guys from mission prep. It sure would be nice to have them, but I guess we will just deal with another challenge.

President and Sister Clegg spoke today. Other than President going way over, it was good. He spoke about sexual morality, coming clean using the atonement and damaged goods. He relayed a story that hit me about a missionary who was planning on marrying his girlfriend after he returned. Shortly after he left she got into some trouble. After she left the other guy and went through the repentance process with her bishop she was pronounced clean again. This elder though didn’t see it so clearly. He had saved himself for her and he thought she was damaged goods. President Kimball (?) told him that he just didn’t get it. She has been made clean through the atonement, her sins have been forgiven. Yet, this elder struggled with that as I expect many do.

I went over to the Dowden’s tonight to post Mandi’s video of us trying to swallow cinnamon. Maegan also challenged me to a game of Blockus. I had never played before and didn’t do so well. I tried to get Cynthia to help me, but Maegan kept coming up with reasons she couldn’t. Eventually, Maegan gave up and everyone worked to finish off my pieces as best we could.

And the no on 8 people like to argue that we are taking away their rights. I offer that it is quite the opposite and that in fact the legalization of gay marriage will take away our right to make decisions regarding the teaching of our children.

This is a sad story about the intolerance of others. I really don’t think it is fair for anyone to call supporters of Prop 8 intolerant of gays. This is exactly why we need to support this measure and ensure that the term marriage is protected. Otherwise we will continue to be treated with intolerance for our traditional beliefs.

Protect Marriage - Yes on 8 » News

Love the sinner, hate the sin.