Tuesday, December 20, 2011

December 2011 - Bohman Christmas Letter

December 2011

Greetings Friends,
It is hard to believe that it is this time of year again…MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Marc turned 40 this year! He is still pushing drugs for Takeda Pharmaceuticals, feeling lucky to be employed in this increasingly shrinking industry. In addition to his professional work, he has again been busy with scouting as we were able to serve on a Wood Badge training course this summer, volunteering another week at Treasure Mountain Scout Camp with our local boy scouts, as well as a full week of “Family Camp” for Powder Horn training. He is also active in lifting weights and taking pictures with limited spare time which hopefully will increase with the finishing of our basement in the next few months. Marc is becoming an excellent craftsman,
although he wouldn’t want to make it a full time pursuit. :)

Nick is now almost 13 years-old receiving the Aaronic Priesthood last spring in which he takes
his church responsibilities very seriously. He also earned his scouting “Life”award this fall, which is the last one before Eagle. He attended Cedar Badge training last summer as well as serving as a youth rep for a Wood Badge course this fall and is excited to have been selected to serve on Cedar Badge staff for the upcoming year. He is now in the 7th grade and spends part of his day dual enrolled at our local middle school in addition to his virtual classes. He loves anything to do with music and plays a variety of instruments. He is an avid snowboarder and also enjoys
playing baseball in the summer. He is becoming a great businessman e mowing lawns in the neighborhood. He is certainly changing into such a responsible young man who makes us proud!

Jacob just turned 10 years-old and excels in his schoolwork. He is part of a robotics team
putting all that Lego building and science knowledge to good use. :) His robotics team even
qualified to attend the state competition in Moscow, this month. He currently is part of mom’s Webelos den and serves as a leader to his peers. He is the “bomber” skier in the family and during the summer he had fun playing baseball. He has turned into such a great helper and
friend to his siblings.

Emily is now 7 years-old and is also excelling in her studies. She is an avid reader and also started piano lessons this fall in addition to ballet and ballroom lessons. She once again participated in the community performance of The Nutcracker ballet. During the winter months, she also hits the slopes competing with Jacob on speed. She loves to keep her mom company while shopping and is a great help around the house.
Tait will be turning 4 years-old in a few days. He is quite a little charmer and has several older girls who dote on him which makes Nick admirably jealous. :) He is currently working on pre-school in between assisting mom with everyone’s lessons. He also skis with mom, loves trains and duplo blocks between dancing with Emily in princess costumes.
Becky’s days are crazier than ever! However she enjoys her job as wife, mother and teacher the best. In addition to these she also serves in her church, volunteers with the school and works in the community with school choice options groups as well as the scouting programs.
We hope this letter finds you all well, that the spirit of Jesus Christ will fill your hearts and homes this Christmas season and that the New Year will bring you happiness, peace and joy!


Love,
The
Bohmans

Monday, December 12, 2011

Why I'm a Libertarian

Many "conservative Christians" won't be able to see beyond his unkempt appearance or atheism to listen to the words that should echo their same religious beliefs. The following video is of Las Vegas magician and entertainer, Penn Jillette as he discusses "Why he is a Libertarian." He says,
"I believe that your goal, without condescension and without manipulation, is to tell the truth as you see it." He continues by telling that he believes that forcing someone to believe the same as you is wrong. He believes he should be thinking, "what do I believe, what is in my heart and I try to say that." Personally, this video resounds with me as his words make sense to me as a Christian and my own personal study of my faith. He speaks of trust and love for your fellowmen and allowing others to voice their opinions without vehement condescending their belief. In my opinion, that was one of the intended uses our founders had for the 1st Amendment in speaking our beliefs (religious or otherwise) without the government or others opposing your viewpoint. When we truly listen to others, we can work to come to the best ideology while creating maximum freedom. In all reality, we were suppose to speak and debate more than legislate, regulate or mandate. Currently, many in our society work to posture PC opinions but works in secret piety with government (through voting) to force individuals to think and live according to a deemed "experts" belief. The idea that we work to create maximum freedom is what attracts me to the Libertarian Party as I see both within our two party system working to essential create the same thing, which is control and power of the people's lives. The argument comes with who gets that power as both in their arrogance think they are better qualified to be that controller.
Several years ago, I was struggling with my own political beliefs as some of the "conservative" politicians that I had supported had made decisions that went against the Republican party's platform. Not to mention, that the candidates that party was backing had records that were definitely NOT conservative. It took much searching, studying and pondering for me to come to the conclusion that I was arrogant to believe that my voting on conservative issues and candidates were no different than a liberal voting on issues that would essentially halt my religious or parental practices. It all goes back to control, who you think should have control. My personal belief is that we are free agents to ourselves and our actions, as long as they don't infringe on other's freedom, the people make the best decisions for their own lives.