Talk: Manitou Incline hike, Repentance and the Character of God,

 This is my talk given in the Water  Tower Branch: 

I did a tough thing this summer.  Wayne, Bob, Diane Lake, and I climbed the Manitou Incline.  Have you ever heard of it?  I hadn’t either, but it’s a strenuous hike in Manitou Springs, Colorado, at the base of Pike’s Peak. 

The Incline has 2744 steps straight up to the top. The steps are made mostly of railroad ties. Some steps are like half a railroad tie, and some are up to 3 railroad ties high…so not regular steps.  It’s a mile hike of vertical feet… a staircase straight up a mountain.  Only four out of every 10 people who start this hike actually finish it. It starts at 6,000 feet above sea level and finishes over 8,000 feet.  So breathing can get difficult.

We started out strong.  1, 2, 3 steps, 200 steps, then 1,000 steps.

Because it's a slow hike, there is plenty of time to meet and talk to people on the hike. One such person we met was Jesse. He did not look like your typical hiker. He weighed 340 lbs (he shared this information) and was determined to do this hike six steps at a time. That's exactly what he did.  Six steps, then stop on the trail and breathe, then six more. He did it in bite-sized pieces, and it worked. I was impressed by his perseverance and optimism.  

1,500 steps

There are a couple of places on the Incline that you can bail out and not have to reach the top. You can quit.  I tell you, I considered it. It was hot- so hot. The temperature hovered around 100 degrees.  Our clothes were drenched with sweat.  We rationed out our water, and mandarin oranges never tasted so delicious.  At one point, I was only able to take three steps and then catch my breath and take three more.

My brain was encouraging me to quit, thoughts of... "What's the big deal?  No one cares if you do this.  You don't need to prove anything.  You need to be in better shape to do this. This isn't fun. This is too hard."   I had to talk to my brain instead of just listening to it.    I had to tell my brain “that I wanted to be here, that I was grateful to be able to do this, that my body wasn't in pain, and that sometimes it's cool to do hard things.”

1,800 steps

The negative thoughts persisted and returned again and again.

 This hard hike took a lot of talking to my brain, and not just listening to it.  I told myself I could do it.  I told myself if Jesse could do it, so could I.  I told myself I was grateful for a body that could hike.  I told myself what a glorious view and what a lovely day it was.  I told myself this is not a race, just do it at my pace and don’t compare myself to others. All of these thoughts kept me on the Incline moving onward and upward.  2,400 steps.

2,744 steps!

When you reach the top of the incline, everyone who has already accomplished this cheers for you.  We cheered for Jesse and many others who came after us. I felt really proud to have accomplished such a hard hike.

Our time on earth is a lot like this hike.  We all experience the same path, but not all with the same degree of difficulty or carrying the same things in our backpacks, or we have varying things that weigh us down.  

Today, I would like to speak to those of us who want to give up. To those who sometimes feel that this life seems to be working for everyone except me. To those who have failed again and again and think that God is disappointed in me.  To those who wonder about repentance and forgiveness. To those of us who continue to make the same mistakes over and over, who think God could never love me.

I’m basing many of my remarks today on Sister Runia’s talk from April’s General Conference. entitled, “Your repentance doesn’t burden Jesus Christ; It brightens His joy.”  And step #2 in the 12-step addiction recovery program

It's extraordinary to me how thoughts in our heads sound like truth, just because we are thinking them.  But really, thoughts in our heads come and go just like clouds in the sky… and we can latch on to them and believe them or not.   Many negative thoughts that go through our heads are from the adversary trying to bring us down.

We all have this in common– negative thoughts in our heads that try to get us to leave God’s path. They tell us to stop trying, to give up.

Satan knows just what to say to us to get us off the path. To get us to feel shame about our mistakes and not want to repent.

Here’s the truth:  We don’t stay on the path by never making a mistake.  We stay on the path by repenting every day.

When I was younger, the word repent seemed very scary to me.  Something I wanted to avoid at all costs, so I did my best to obey and try to be good all the time, so I wouldn’t have to repent. I hid a lot of things from my parents, as well as from myself. I thought I had to be perfect for God to love me.  I didn’t want God to be disappointed in me.  

What I’ve come to know is that God is never disappointed in me or you, and I was distancing myself from God, waiting to be clean enough or perfect enough before I went to the Savior. This distancing was hurting me.  I was confused about God’s plan of repentance.

Repentance isn’t plan B.  Repentance is the PLAN.  Repentance means to change and to turn back to God.  And how many times in the scriptures are we told that we can repent and turn to God…70x7– which is really forever.  

That’s what he wants from us – to turn to him, to connect with Him.  To connect with his commandments and to keep doing this over and over again throughout our lives. 

 Imagine that when the Lord says “Repent, Repent ”…what he is really saying is “I love you.  I love you.”  Picture Him pleading with you to leave behind the behavior that is causing you pain and to step out of the darkness and turn back to His light.

Sister Runia reminds us that, “The invitation to repent is an expression of God’s love for us.  Saying yes to that invitation is an expression of our Love for God.”

We don’t stay on the path by never making a mistake; we stay on the path by repenting every day.

And when we are repenting, God forgives without shaming us, comparing us to anyone else, or scolding us because this is the same thing we were repenting of last week. He’s excited every time He hears us pray. He reaches us in our reaching. He delights to forgive us because to Him we are delightful.

Why is it so hard for us to believe this? 

Satan, the great accuser and deceiver, uses shame to keep us from God.  Shame is a darkness.  Shame feels very heavy. Shame is the voice in your head that beats you up, saying, “What were you thinking?  Do you ever get anything right? You're so stupid.  No one loves or cares about you.”

We all make mistakes…. Big ones, small ones.  We can feel guilt about these and make things right, or we can feel shame.

Guilt tells us we made a mistake. Shame tells us we are our mistakes.  You may even hear the adversary say, “What does it matter? Why try?  You are too far gone. God doesn’t want you.”  OR as he told Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, “ Run, Hide!”  Satan does everything in his power to keep the heaviness inside us, telling us the cost is too high, that we will lose everything, that it will be easier if this stays in the darkness, removing all hope.

Satan is the thief of Hope.

My friend Si Foster has been to India many times to help in a Leper Colony there.  Leprosy is alive and well in many places throughout our world..  It’s not just an old-time disease in the Bible.  Si washes feet, holds decaying hands, applies fresh Band-Aids, sings, smiles, cooks for, and looks into sad eyes,  trying to help these people feel a little bit more loved, cared for, and watched over. She is a great example to me of charity.   There is still a lot of shame wrapped around Leprosy. When people get leprosy, it first shows up as tiny white dots around the collarbone. The incredible thing about leprosy is that it can be cured with a pill if it is noticed in time– this pill only costs $1.50. But because Leprosy is a disease filled with shame, when people first have the signs, they don’t seek help. They hide it. They’re too ashamed. So face cavities fall in and fingers, and skin, are gone before they come out of their shame-filled darkness and ask for help. 

Why do we keep so much of our shame buried? Why don’t we ask for help? Because that voice in our head tells us no one would understand. That people will turn away from us, that it’s embarrassing.

Here’s what I KNOW to be true:     You are not the negative voice in your head or the mistakes you have made.  You may need to say that out loud many times in the mirror.  “I am not the negative voice in my head.  I am not the mistakes I have made. I am a child of God."

So when this negative talk happens,.....Talk back to your brain, don’t just listen to it, just like I did while hiking up the Manitou Incline so I could keep on going.

God offers us a remedy for Shame.  “ Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn of me… For I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”  Matthew 11:28-29

I promise that the minute we turn to God and bring our mess, our brokenness, and troubles to Him that He is immediately there. The shame stops.

 Alma 34:31–

“Yea, ….. if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you.”

Jesus Christ is forever brighter than the darkness of Shame.  He would never attack our worth.  Learning about the character of God, we know He would say something like, “I love you. Turn to me.  Let’s do this together. Just keep trying.” He is not belittling, mean, or degrading.  He is uplifting. 

Jesus Christ is hope.

Sis. Runia shared this great visual in her talk.  So watch closely. Imagine that this hand represents worth. This hand represents obedience.  Maybe you woke up this morning, said a prayer, and had a desire to let God into your life.  You smiled at a stranger. You’ve made good decisions and are treating people around you well.  Or maybe things haven’t gone so well.  You’ve struggled and failed to do those small, simple things that make your life go better. You lied.  You’ve made some decisions you aren’t proud of.

Where is your worth?  Has this hand moved at all?

Your worth isn’t tied to obedience.  Your worth is constant; it never changes.  It was given to you by God, and there’s nothing you or anyone else can do to change it.  Obedience brings blessings that is true.  But worth isn’t one of them.  Your worth is always “great in the sight of God.” No matter where your choices have taken you.  

We are all on the same earthly hike, but we all have varying degrees of difficulty as we climb to the mountain top.  Our Savior is the only one who truly knows the difficulty you are experiencing.  He’s felt it.  He knows if you are trying.  He knows the baby steps and big steps.  He knows your failings and discouragement. He knows. 

So don’t you want a relationship with the one being who truly gets you, who knows your heart and how hard you're trying?  

Why do we wait so long to repent, to turn to God, who loves us more than any other?  Why would we run from the only being who’s able and willing to help us become what we were created to become?  

Coming unto Christ is saying, “Will you help me?” with hope and assurance that His arms are extended to you always. 

Even though we don’t have perfect obedience yet, we can try to have “affectionate” obedience now.  Sister Runia explained that, “Affectionate obedience means choosing to keep His commandments and try again and again because we love Him.”

Elder Rasband reminds us, “'A saint is a sinner who keeps on trying.' God cares a lot more about who we are and who we are becoming than about who we once were.  He cares that we keep on trying.”

So on those days when you feel that voice telling you that you aren’t worth much, that you should hide in a dark room and isolate yourself. I invite you to turn to God in your mess, to be brave and believe in Jesus.  Bask in HIS  Light.  Work on your relationship with Him. It’s not too late. It’s never too late.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said this…."However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don't have or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love."

Heaven isn’t for perfect people; it’s for people who choose Jesus Christ again and again. 

I believe Angels cheer for us when we do this, just like we were cheered when we reached the top of the Manitou Incline. 

I testify this is true…the Lord loves us and wants us to remember our worth, to get out of shame, to repent and turn to HIM, again and again.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Politics-- ugh

 A MAGA influencer, Charlie Kirk, was shot and killed at the UVU campus this week.  It was shocking to see.  And so sad to consider how divided we are as a country.  

Charlie Kirk has some pretty harsh rhetoric regarding women, people of color, those of different sexual orientations, immigrants, those who are not Christian ( particularly regarding Islam) etc...  He was a self-proclaimed white supremacist.  He cloaked all of this under the guise of being a follower of Jesus Christ.  

I'm not saying that all that he said was wrong-- but his approach was meant to be divisive and to inspire shock.  He condemned empathy.  He loved to debate anyone and anything. His was a brand, and it wasn't for me.  

What happened to him was abhorrent, and I do not condone it in any way.  He was a Child of God..just like me...just like our President....And I didn't agree with most of the things that came out of his mouth.  I found them very hateful.  The biggest thing that contributes to political violence is hate speech and the rhetoric of politicians and influencers after the event.  But....Political violence does not solve any of our differences.  Political violence only promotes more political violence. 

I appreciated 4 of our past US Presidents coming out and saying political violence is bad.  We live in a country of free speech, and we can disagree with each other and not have violence.  I agree with this.  But our current President continued to stoke division, blaming the left and only the left for any kind of violence...which is just so ridiculous. Both Democrats and Republicans have been targeted. Trump stokes political violence. 

I don't consider myself on the left.  I consider myself pretty much centric and hold beliefs on both sides.  But regarding the "left," I support much stronger gun control, more resources directed towards mental health, and a strong stance on the separation of church and state.  I also feel that in some ways, the left embodies more of a Christian approach in the areas of loving our neighbors, helping the poor, welcoming refugees, and being inclusive.  Those are just a few. 

On the more "right" side of things, I'm an advocate for religious freedom ( for all religions, not just Christians), pro-life/choice( though that whole topic is so complex), and better fiscal responsibility.  

And we shouldn't be asking if the shooter is left or right?  It doesn't matter. He was a screwed up 22 year old with a gun.

I believe our country is being hijacked by recent Supreme Court decisions that include the 2010 decision that money can be poured into political campaigns...that it equals free speech.  And the recent 2024 decision about how Presidents can't be held accountable while in office.  I disagree strongly with these. This is how and why Trump continues to get elected and lawsuits don't affect him because he has a ton of money and anything he does while in office, he can get away with.   It makes it so the people with money continue to govern, lobby, win elections and keep us all divided.  It makes the biggest difference in our country not left vs. right, but the rich- elite vs. all of the rest of us.   If we could recognize this we could all come together.   

James Talarico - a candidate out of Texas said this... and it really rings true to me. "I am tired of being pitted against my neighbor.  I am tired of being told to hate my neighbor. People across the political spectrum in this country are hungry for a different kind of politics, not a politics of fear, not a politics of hate, not a politics of violence, but a politics of love.  A love that can heal what's broken in this country."

Go Utes!

 

We went to our first home game for University of Utah– they beat Calpoly– it was a wipe out and we got a little rained on in the first quarter…but the fun part was watching the band!  Andrew is having a great time playing the trumpet. They do a little field show before the game starts, and then play in between almost every down, and then do half-time…it’s really almost 3 hours of constant music. It’s impressive.  

Where is ANDREW?  ..... He colored himself a little more yellow in both of these pics.  

I stayed dry.... Wayne got drenched.   BUT, I needed to stay dry because of my hair.  I didn't want to do it again for church in the morning.  He was a good sport.

Cabin on Labor Day

It’s always great to get away to the cabin….but this time Wayne has brought up his Solar generator– so it is silence when we use that. No noisy generator is a game-changer. ANd he brought up a Starlink satellite system and TV monitor so he and Monson can watch all the football games this weekend.  Including the Utah game against UCLA. – Utah won and the game was AMAZING! 

                                      

We got to the cabin with Wayne and I, Monson, Tayla and Elsie Friday at dinner time.  It seems like everyone had the same idea to get outta town for Labor Day weekend…so traffic was a mess.    Lady got covid and was home from school most of the week, and we are waiting for a negative test to bring her to the cabin, so Lexi stayed back with her and they came up on Sunday.  Landon and Sophia were supposed to come up as well, but Sophia also has Covid and feels crappy.   COVID is definitely going around right now. 

 Elsie walked into the cabin and kept saying over and over, “Is this even real?”  She was so excited..then she  said, “Somebody pinch me.” She’s a hoot. Elsie and Tayla LOVE playing games– so we have done that most of the day, along with walks to the rock throwing place. We sing songs as we walk to the rock throwing place.... the same songs I sang when my kids were little.

Wayne took up his chain saw and his fishing stuff..  That was all fun for him too. We had a momma and a baby Moose hang out by our cabin most of the weekend.

We played TONS of games!  Monson’s family is a game family so that’s awesome.We hung out by the fire pit and roasted hot dogs and smores and sang, "We are the Cabin singers."

We love the cabin, but always make sure others know that it’s a cabin, it’s rustic, there are single lightbulbs with no light fixtures etc…but there are two workable bathrooms, and a good kitchen, and a generator that powers it all.  We’ve been coming here for 30 years.  

I loved coming to the cabin when our boys were little…it was easier then, no schedules or Sunday church callings, so easier to get away.  Things have definitely changed up here… More cabins, more people, no more grass in front of our cabin, since Grandpa Welch died.  He used to come up every week to water etc…   but we still love it.

Cole Reunion

We had an awesome Cole family reunion at Butters' pool on Monday… so many were able to attend. Because we weren’t together at Bear Lake this year, this was our time together.  I was finally able to meet Nelson and Andrea’s darling 4-month-old baby Lily.  Brad and Karen are so great to share their pool.  Nelson was the grandkids favorite person because he would do cannon balls and splash everyone.  

 

First day of School!

 

Grandkid game night for August was awesome.We had our 6 youngest ( Sophia at her mom’s and Andrew with UofU band camp). Who knows if I’ll ever get these two teenagers back to game night?  The littles really adore them.  We walked to the park and played.  On the way there, they got 50 cars to honk at them by pumping their arms.  They are thrilled and cheer with every beep.  Wayne picked us up and we got ice creams or slushies from Arctic Circle or Maverick.  Then, games at our house.  We play a garbage dice game..and George just loves it.  He feels so big cuz he can play!  No cards in little hands to deal with.  George won a round, I did and Tayla did.  It was fun.  I told them a Dark Dark night scary story….and they LOVED it. 

And now they are ready for school:

Alfie 6th grader

Andrew first day at University of Utah

Sophia Jr at Viewmont High School

Poppy 2nd grade

Lady 2nd grade

Tayla 4th grade

Elsie Kindergarten

George - Preschool

Desert Island - apology

I need to have compassion for my 7th grade self and apologize to 7th grade Michelle B. for being part of a group that embarrassed and humiliated her. 

I don't know why this memory is coming up for me..but I need to write it down and wrestle with it for a bit, so I can move on.

I remember the summer before 7th grade at Millcreek Jr. High-- it was a big change and I was trying to find my way, at the same time, there was a group of boys and girls in my home ward who mostly got along, but didn't really fit together. (We prided ourselves on our ability to get rid of Sunday School teachers-- being so noisy and rude and one even cried.  We loved it when the teacher quit and we got a new one to work our terrorizing on....so nuts!)

I remember going to Carolyn C's basement to play some games and hang out with boys and girls together.  It was one afternoon and we were in Carolyn's basement, which looked like the Brady Bunch home. We played spin the bottle- and dared each other stupid stuff, and some psychology game..then Carolyn said, " Let's play Desert Island."  She picked Michelle out of the group to be the first one to play.  I didn't know what Desert Island was.  She told Michelle she was stranded on a desert island and told her to lay on the floor, and she put a blanket over her.  We all looked with anticipation about what would happen next.  There were a lot of giggles in the room as we all circled the blanket.  Carolyn said, "Ok, you are on a desert island and it's soooo hot.  What are you going to take off?"  We giggled more and made awkward eye contact.  Michelle took off her socks and poked them out of the blanket.  Carolyn said, "No, Michelle, that's not right...what do you take off first?  It's sooo hot."  Michelle said she didn't want to play anymore, and Carolyn told her to be a good sport.  "Okay, Michelle, what are you going to take off? It's really hot!"  Carolyn then silently mouthed to all of us..."She's supposed to take off the blanket...she's so dumb." Now we were all in on it.  

Michelle moaned a bit, sounding like a scared animal, then her shirt came out of the blanket.  I remember feeling sick inside, and some of the boys "woo-hooing."  It was awkward, and nasty and I didn't know how to stop it.  I wanted to fit in.  Michelle said she was done. Carolyn insisted we go on. Finally, Sharon T. bundled Michelle in the blanket and took her out of the room to help her.  The game was over.  Michelle was crying nervously.  We all said, "Michelle, you're so dumb.  Just take off the blanket not your clothes!"  We laughed and tried to make it all okay, but my stomach hurt and I went home and straight to my room, I felt so ashamed. 

I remember my mom asking me how was Carolyn's house?   And I told her it was fine.  I vowed to be kinder and more compassionate from then on.  I wish I had done what Sharon did..and helped her.

It's amazing to me, even with an awesome mom all of the things I didn't share with her. And I wonder at all of the things my kids didn't share with me.  Learning to be a good human can be hard.

Monson ankle miracle?

 Monson hurt his left ankle the end of June.  He was playing church basketball and went out to save a ball and twisted his ankle and instant pain.  His ankle swole up immediately.  He was wearing ankle braces since 8th grade when he first had ankle issues.  He went to the doctors and they took an X-ray and told him his Achilles was partially torn along with other 1/2 torn tendons and he needed to stay off of it for 4 weeks..then they would x ray again and see if surgery was needed.  This was so sad for him.  He got a scooter and tried to be a good sport about it, plus it really hurt.   

Monson had two big trips in July-- 1 week in Bear Lake and then 2 1/2 weeks in upstate Michigan...he would have to do all of this now with zero weight on his ankle...on a scooter..kind of helpless for many things including carrying suitcases, packing, going up and down stairs etc..   He's not able to get in the lakes  ( easily, cuz of sand) and was just so disappointed.  Wayne got him a peg leg to wear instead of the scooter halfway through the Bearlake vacation..and Monson adapted to that perfectly-- which helped him go up and down stairs easier and not have to wait for people to help him.  

This helped him a little, but still there was so much he couldn't do.

Monson got home and went back to the doctors the beginning of August.  The doc was surprised his ankle was still so swollen and ordered an MRI-- looking toward surgery for sure.  The MRI happened and all that was wrong was a small tear in one tendon and a bit of arthritis. No surgery. WHAT!?!  Did Monson even have to go through this "no walking trauma" all of JULY and be so miserable....or did a miracle healing take place?  

I say tell the Miracle healing story.  It's healthier and keeps you in a place of gratitude and wonder instead of anger and being ticked off at the doctor for not taking an MRI sooner. 

Monson is doing physical therapy now for 6 weeks.  

We are the stories we tell....so tell a good one.

Alaska Cruise

Our Alaska cruise was excellent!! We traveled on Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Sea.  It's gigantic and has rooms for 4,900 people.   Traveling with Tami, Rob, Mark and Jill is delightful…very easy– we all like to do the same things. We played pickleball, did karaoke, walked the track, chose stairs over elevators most of the time, spent time in the Solarium-in the pools and hot tubs. Ate a lot of soft-serve ice cream cones.

Enjoyed and shook our heads in confusion at all the shows and the live music. Participated in the different cruise games- trivia etc… and ate A LOT!  

We enjoyed eating at the dining room and getting to know our waiter and trying all of the different types of food…sometimes ordering as many as 4 appetizers and 3 main courses.  We were disappointed with the desserts on this boat.  They need to work on this, but otherwise the food was good…including the almost 24-hour pizza that’s available.    

 

We loved getting our picture taken by all of the photographers on the ship…not to have a serious one, but to pull faces, and shift our bodies in an effort to make the photographer laugh.  IT was a hoot…even if they didn’t laugh, we laughed a lot! 

Our group was NOT afraid of participating.  Wayne, Rob, Mark and Jill participated in the Pickleball tournament with Rob and Wayne making it to the semi-finals.  Mark and Wayne participated in the Ping Pong tournament – both got out in the first round. Wayne was beat by an over-80-year-old with a wicked spin.  Jill and I did Karaoke many times!  We sang at the piano bar and sang through the shows. We played a ton of games– mostly Kanasta, cards and marbles and  10-2-8-ohcrap!  

Rob was at a low stool at the piano bar..so he did this right next to the piano player and cracked the guy up.  It was so funny. 

 Our excursions were good as well.  We stopped in Juneau, Alaska, and did a whale watching boat tour along with going to  Mendenhall glacier and walking around.  We saw a lot of whale tails… no real whale breaches..but many tails– that was cool.   

Most photographed building in the USA.  10,000 snaps a day.  It was a gentleman's club built in 1898

 and you had to climb Mount  A and Mount B to qualify.

We stopped in Skagway for a railway ride to the top of the mountain… white trail/Yukon passage with incredible views- and then shopping around the town.  

 We got to go with the cruise ship up a Fjord to see the Dawes Glacier.  The day was sunny and glorious weather– The fjord up to the glacier was gorgeous…with blue skies and sunshine.  And so many little blue ice chunks floating in the water.

 We stopped in Victoria, B.C. for a city tour.  This city is gorgeous– so many flowers everywhere. 

I was here in 2011 with Monson's choir tour.  His choir sang in that Government building, it as really cool.

Wayne found a piano on the beach at Victoria so he played "the entertainer" in tune and outta tune, like he does.

One of the best parts for me was getting our room upgraded from an inside room with a virtual window- to a balcony room!  Totally worth it!  The guy whose room we took over ( we don’t know if he also got upgraded or if he cancelled last minute) –well,  we got his room and his Royal Caribbean perks– a blanket, and ice cooler filled with Diet cokes, and a drink thermo and cup set.  We got gorgeous sunset pics and full moon pics off our balcony.

I packed totally wrong for this cruise– too many long-sleeved, warm clothes– and not enough sunny weather / cool type clothes.  We thought it was going to rain every day– but we missed all of that.  Just a few misty sprinkles.  Tami, Jill and I got matching shirts and sweatshirts…and the boys got matching baseball caps. We can’t believe we forgot to make cruise shirts before we left– we saw many family groups on board wearing something like that.