Recently November

Hi everyone! I realize that it's been a while since we last posted any new blogs. We kept thinking that there wasn't anything interesting to write about, and in so doing missed everything worth writing about. Nothing amazing happened. However, life has been continuing on in the Trout household. We offer proof.

This is a picture I caught on my way to campus. I like to think of it as the last gasping breath of fair weather in Utah.

Joe, Christina, JT and I all got to go see Twilight on Friday! We were pleasantly surprised with its quality. Its not amazing, but it definitely was worth seeing. Although, we definitely could've gone without the screaming girls the first time "Edward" showed up.

These are the BEAUTIFUL roses that decorate our kitchen. JT really does try to outdo himself.

Yesterday was BYU's rivalry game against the University of Utah! Go Cougs! Unfortunately, our quarterback spent more time playing for Utah than BYU. Oh well. We'll get em next year. We did have a fun game day party anyways! JT invited over some friends from work and fired up the BBQ. We had steaks, salsa, salad, and chocolate cheese cake! Yummmmm. They were a really fun group to be around. We'll probably be calling them up again in the future.

Veteran's Day

This Veteran’s Day is particularly significant to me this time around because of Jonathan. Although I do have to admit, I was interested in military history long before we ever dated! I’ve recently been trying to figure out exactly what makes the heroes of war such enticing reading. Everyone seems to be interested in a good war story! Lately things have become clearer.

I finally have the answer: heroes. War takes the ordinary among us and puts them in extraordinary positions. War is the worst possible outcome of human relations. It brings devastation, chaos, and pain. It is hard to see the goodness in life when you’re surrounded by so much agony. However, the stories our soldiers bring home provide that goodness we speak. Regardless of the odds and consequences they chose to sacrifice. Some sacrificed only a part of their lives while others gave all their life. In a time of so much selfishness and evil we look to the heroes of the ones fighting on the frontlines of history. Whether the cause they served is agreed with or not, their sacrifices cannot be overlooked.

Earlier this year, while working at Build A Bear, I had the opportunity to meet a wonderful gentleman one morning. He looked to be pretty old and I was impressed that he was walking around the mall on his own. He passed in front of me and decided to stop. He began to share his life with me. He told me that he was a WWII veteran. He pulled his medals out from under his jacket—he always wore them. He pulled old photographs from his wallet—drinking Hitler’s wine amongst the ruins of his bombarded home. I was astonished. This man’s body was filled with emotion as he explained that even talking about it brought the horrible stench of the concentration camps back to his mind—a smell he could not get rid of, the smell of death.

His story is not unique. There are thousands more like him waiting to tell their story. Some—especially Vietnam veterans—have been waiting a very long time for any sign of gratitude from the people they served. I entreat us all to remember and honor those who served this day. They all have given some part of themselves so that we could be whole.
Below I have compiled a few letters from my personal research. Please read them. These people had voices that deserve to be heard. The only two wars I do not have are the Spanish-American and the Iraq war. Yes, I do have personal letter from the latter—but those are for some other historian down the road to post.

June 12, 1779
“Dear Son:
This is the first chance I have had to write you. I am, by the cause of Providence, in the field in defence of my country. When I reflect on the matter, I feel myself distracted on both hands by this thought, that in my old age I should be obliged to take the field in defence of my rights and liberties, and that of my children. God only knows that it is not of choice, but of necessity, and from the consideration that I had rather suffer anything than lose my birthright, and that of my children…
I am, dear son, with great respect, your affectionate father,
Jas. Williams"

Civil War
May 1, 1861
“My dear Percy
…believe the South like yourselves a unit—and thus we shall enter upon this conflict forced upon us—in our faith—and relying upon God to maintain the justness of our causes, fighting manfully for our houses & rights;--and understand my brother that when the olive branch of peace is next offered, it will be extended by other hands than ours.—
Farewell Percy—and however much we may differ on the present issue—let no unkind word escape—to lacerate the heart of the other. Defend the soil of Pennsylvania if you will. Then, you and I will never meet as armed foes;--cross her Southern boundary—with hostile purpose—and we shall face each other—as brothers never should.
Love to my poor, dear old Mother—may God bless & sustain her at this terrible moment.—
Your affect brother
Thos F Drayton”

Bainbridge, Chenango County, N.Y.
Aug. 10, 1864
“My Dear Mrs Lynch,

I read in the paper the death of Mr. James Lynch, in the Army of the Southwest and in Gen. Hooker’s Division; who fell nobly daring, at the front of the Great Conflict at Atlanta, pierced by nine balls, five of which went through his heart.
I fear, nay I feel almost sure, it must be your dear husband—and that God in his mysterious Providence called you to bear this great bereavement. My dear friend—it is God’s Sovereign will—and we must bow in submission when our own time comes, or the time of those we love, and must still hold fast our faith in Him. “Though he slay me yet will I trust in Him!”
It must ever be a comfort to you to recall your husband’s words, how he said that we were in the hands of the Lord, and that no one of us knew where danger lay—that he had been safe in the midst of desperate battles, while his near friend, and connection had died by an accident at home.
…And I pray that His Consolations may abound; and that you and your dear children in Your affliction may find your Saviour to be indeed a very present Helper, strengthener and Comforter, and very near to you.
Believe me most truly
Your sympathizing friend
Samuel Roosevelt Johnson.”

*I don’t have anything from the Spanish-American War as of yet.
WWI

“Dear Reverent:

Here I sit in my little home on the side of the hill thinking of the little church back home, wondering how you are getting along. Don’t think I am down-hearted because I am writing you, but it’s a queer thing I can’t explain, that ever since I volunteered I’ve felt like a cog in a huge wheel. The cog may get smashed up, but the machine goes on, and I know I share in the progress of that machine whether I live or die, and that seems to make everything all right. Except, perhaps, when I lose a pal, it’s generally one of the best but yet it may be one of the worst. And I can’t feel God is in it.
How can there be fairness in one man being maimed for life, suffering agonies, another killed instantaneously, while I get out of it safe? Does God really love us individually or does He love His purpose more? Or is it better to believe he makes the innocent suffer for the guilty and that things will be squared up some day when those who have escaped suffering here will suffer, and those who have suffered here will escape suffering. Sounds rather calculating, doesn’t it, and not a bit like the love of a Father.
What I would like to believe is that God is in this war, not as a spectator, but backing up everything that is good in us. He won’t work any miracles for us because that would be helping us to do the work He’s given us to do on our own. I don’t know whether God goes forth with armies but I do know that he is in lots of our men or they would not do what they do.
Do write me and let me know how the church is getting along.
Remember me to all—especially The Altar Guild, and tell them to “carry on” the war work. My motto is “carry on”. So here’s good-luck to all.

Yours Sincerely,
Pvt. Walter T. Bromwich
Company A 6th U.S. Engineers American Expeditionary Forces”

WWII
April 3, 1933
“Darling…

Theresa, dear, why don’t you write me sometime more intimately about yourself, what your opinion on things is, what you think about, what your interest are, anything at all so that I can feel I am closer to you when I read your letters, something that will reveal you yourself, in all your charm and sweetness, just say anything at all as long as it concerns you and I will love it…
Recently I have cultivated a taste for poetry, a sure sign that I have become a mere shadow of my stern self and now am as sentimental and love-smitten as all the fellows I used to laugh at in former years. Keats and Shelley are my high-brow recreations now and fine fare they are too…
Speaking of the Bible…perhaps if Hitler read some of its valuable sayings he would be a wiser ruler than he is destined to become.
…There I go veering off at a tangent. I am grateful to this letter indeed because it has caught my interest and made me lose sight of my own mood, blue as blue can be, of an hour ago. I think I feel better now May my slumber be as peaceful as I hope yours will be tonight…so with a tender caress…goodnight. Alex” (Alex Goode)

The Korean War
8 May 1952
“My Dear Little “Bubba”—

Tomorrow you will be four years old—but when this letter reaches you your birthday will be past. Daddy wishes he could have been with you to help you celebrate—maybe next year when you are five Daddy will be there. Anyways, I hope your present came in time. And I hope you will enjoy looking at your books and having Mommie read them to you…
While Daddy is away I want you to eat all of your big man food so you’ll be ready to fish with Daddy when he gets home. And I want you to take care of Mommie now that Daddy is away. Will you promise to be a good boy? I know you will.
Daddy will write again later—when he gets to Japan. God bless you and “Sissy.”
Daddy loves you so much.

Daddy” --Captain Molt Shuler

The Vietnam War
Feb. 14, 1968
“Dear Mom and Dad

Hi folks, Well I am sorry I havent wrote to you in quite a while, but if you been listen too news you could pretty well figer out. Sigon was hit heavy and we were to. So they have been keeping us busy during day and night. We were mortared last night and about 4 days ago. Two of the fellows in the Company were wounded but nothing to serious. Now don’t you start worrying about me I am O.K. a little nervos but O.K.
I am not worried that much anyway I been reading the Bible off and on and it helps a lot. I think God is protecting me as much as he can….Mom I don’t know if I should tell you this or not, but I have to tell somebody and I can’t tell Linda because she would worrie to much, and I think you might be able to take it better than her. I think I might have killed a person but I am not sure, we were fired at and I seen some men running with rifles so I opened fire on them and one of them fell to the ground. I just pray to God for forgiveness.
It shook me up quite a bit but I am feeling better now, because we went out to where I seen him go down. We found blood but nobody. I am glad of that…I just hope you can forgive me.
Love
Butch
Your Son in Vietnam
P.S. Write as often as possible mail call is all I have to look forward to.”

The Gulf War
“Dear Lynda:

Thanks for the birthday card and the pictures! It got turned around in the mail system and so I did not receive it until I had been back at work for a few days. I guess Ishould back up. On the 2nd of April we finally left Saudi Arabia…My sister and mother met me at Camp Pendleton at 3:00 am when I returned. Wow, what agreat homecoming! They had my apartment all decorated up and had already filled the refrigerator for me. I have been relaxing since then….
Thanks again for the card. I did have a good birthday but I am now over the hill (just kidding!)…Please call me if you would like to.
Warmly, Steve”

If you would like the rest of the stories or would like more, I suggest picking up a copy of Grace Under Fire by Andrew Carroll.

Just for a quick laugh

I just wanted to give everyone a quick something to smile about: JT walking our cat. Aren't they cute together?

Ward Not-So-Party

Yay for Halloween! Today was our ward Halloween party...or at least we thought it was! Halloween decorations? Check. Creepy music? Check. Kids in costumes? Check. Adults in costumes? Negative. We pulled into the Church parking lot only to find that we had more in common with the 2 year-olds than the adults! It was disappointing after all our hard work. I bought a perfectly good white shirt and cut it up for my costume! I'm proud to say that I did a good job because you almost can't tell, but that's not the point! We were really looking forward to some real Halloween time fun. We decided to head home and change into normal clothes after a brief photo shoot on the lawn. At least passing cars had some fun. We actually caused traffic to slow to a stop as people cheered at us, gave us the thumbs up, and leaned out of car windows! We have now become "the place" to drive by if you want a laugh.

JT and I didn't stick around at the party for that long. We chose to go on a date instead. Zupas and The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2! Zupas was yummy, as always. However, the movie was enough to drive us crazy! The movie itself wasn't all that bad. In fact, I quite enjoyed it! What I will NEVER EVER EVER do again is sit in a room with that many women again! There were 3 guys in the entire theater! Girls were calling out to each other, giggling, whispering, talking, crying, ooohing and aaahing...etc. THEN--get this--they clapped! The movie ended and there was applause! It was at this point that JT and I had had enough of this and without a word we simultaneously gathered up our things and took off. I have never been more embarrassed by my own gender. It was just so.....my little pony-ish? There is a reason I have always been better friends with guys.

The evening has ended and all in all, it wasn't a bad day! Things never got boring to say the least. There may also be an upcoming battle! Zach may never get his sword back. Uncle JT has fallen in love with it after his victorious conquest in the Battle of Sea World! I feel a smackdown coming on and my money's on Zach!

Political.....ness

This year's presidential campaign has stirred no small controversies. From last names to health, we've seen attacks on just about everything. The candidates seem to have the mistaken impression that smearing their political opponent will grant them justification in the eyes of Americans. While watching the final presidential debate not long ago, JT and I were surprised to find both candidates acting childishly while vying for the most prestigious office in arguably the whole world. McCain was so upset that he could not wait most times for Obama to finish his statement, and Obama's condescending laugh was enough to drive someone crazy. Well, if the candidates wanted a reaction out of the American public, they got one. Too bad it's the wrong one.

I am alarmed at the number of Americans who simply choose not to vote. Reasons like "I don't like either candidate", "I can't decide", or "neither of them deserves my vote" abound. These reasons are not reason enough to abandon the principles of our democratic republic. Our government isn't perfect, the nation isn't perfect, and the people are definitely not perfect. It is unfair to then decide that imperfection is justification for apathy. This country is not perfect and will NEVER be unless its citizens make the effort to change it--that requires participation. We have the blessing and opportunity to vote in America. For those of the LDS religion, we also have a religious duty to uphold and support the laws of the land. Are we supporting our country when we ignore its basic tenants that have been provided as safeguards to our freedom and Constitutional liberties? People live and die to protect this country and what it offers. What better way to honor them and the country we love than to exercise the rights they have provided? More and more I begin to believe that civic duty is dead. Thank goodness for those out there who prove me wrong!

Along the same train of thought, I am so excited about the tremendous response to Prop 8 in California! It is a landmark piece of legislation. JT and I both have many friends who oppose this amendment. We respect their opinions and understand that this is dear to their hearts. However, we choose to take a stand voting yes. We believe that marriage is solely between a man and a woman. It is the basic unit of society. We cannot control what others choose to do with their lives and accept that. However, we can control the definition of family and marriage. We want our children to grow up in the same, well...hopefully it's a little better, society we did. We urge everyone to vote to protect marriage and family this November. A second reason to vote yes is education. The no campaign says that they are not campaigning for gay rights education. However, this is wrong. The education of our children is inevitable if Prop 8 is defeated. Homosexuality will be taught in our elementary schools without our consent or right to protest. The San Francisco mayor and schools have already demonstrated this by taking an elementary class to a lesbian wedding for a "teachable moment". This isn't just about free expression of love. It's about changing our society and indoctrinating our youth. We will have NO choice when it comes to our children and a lifestyle that we oppose. That, more than anything, is unacceptable. Please protect the institution of marriage and the childhood of future generations by voting YES on Prop 8!

Flu Shot

I finally did it! For the well-being and safety of all adorable little children (specifically named Zach of course) I allowed someone to stab me. Well, they stabbed me with a flu shot. Not nearly as dramatic as just saying I was stabbed. I almost forgot all about my apointment too! JT and I jumped out of bed in our extremely good looking pajamas and dashed to the health center. When the shot lady (for lack of a better title) came in, she looked at JT and asked what he was in for. He replied that he would take whatever she had lying around and smiled that cocky grin of his. She was not amused. Luckily, he was allowed to stay. She gave me the shot and it was the least painful one I have ever gotten! Usually I start crying in anticipation and then get worse afterwards because I'm a big baby. I didn't even have time to let the tear ducts start up! It was awesome. She said I was a big girl since I didn't cry and allowed me to pick out a lollipop. I would definitely recommend the entire experience!

Living It Up

We have been taking full advantage of our time here! I'm really happy to see how active we are. There's no reason to not enjoy it! So what exactly have we been up to?
1. BYU football games
It was soo much fun to attend a football game again! JT, of course, was a lot more excited about the sport aspect of it than I was. I love the excitement and the cheering. The only thing I'm not a fan of is halftime. It's a waste of time. I'd rather have the game continue. We kept sitting in the wrong seats. People asked us to move twice before we finally found our seats! I felt bad for all the commotion we caused.
2. General Conference
My uncle gave us tickets to Sunday evening's General Conference session! We were really grateful and excited to go. We asked two friends and a roommate of theirs to go with us. The social aspect of the trip left much to be desired. Everyone was very tired. However, being back at Conference was fantastic! We were in our seats a little over half hour ahead of time. I was telling a friend about my desire to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing "Lead Kindly Light". He sighed and told me that I probably wouldn't get my wish since that song was sung in Priesthood session. I was pretty disappointed. I can't tell whether it's the words or the melody I love more. Anyways, just as I finished expressing my disappointment, the organ began softly playing it! I was speechless! I know it's silly, but it meant a lot to me. JT says his favorite part of Conference was the humor in the talk on marriage by Elder Nelson.
3. Family
We have LOVED spending time with Joe, Christina, Zach, Lacie, and Stephen! After all, there's no one more important than family. We have fun playing with Zach and the parentals or watching Gossip Girl marathons (the latter is soley a Kasaundra-Christina activity--JT wouldn't be caught dead). Even though I'm ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED of shots, I'm going to suck it up and get a flu shot. That's for you Zach. Lacie and Stephen have been fun to spend time with too! We for sure thought they had good (insert eyebrow wiggle) news to tell us when they invited us to dinner the other night. We were wrong, but I'm glad we got together anyways. I hope they feel free to call us anytime they feel the need for Brick Oven!

Other than that we just have future plans like snowboarding, skiing, driving through the canyon to watch the leaves turn, and attending BYU's Homecoming Spectacular tomorrow night! Yay! Things are turning out to be so much fun!