First Vision

In the spring of 1820, Joseph Smith went into the woods near his home to pray. Specifically, he was worried about which church to join, and which church was correct. What followed is one of the single most important events in all of recorded history! God the Father, and his Beloved son Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph in a vision. 

It has now been 200 years since, and I share the message that God loves all of his children and has a vision for each of us. Just as He listened to Joseph's prayer in 1820, He listens to you and yearns to speak with you through the Spirit. No matter your religion or place in life, he will listen!

20/20 Vision

Each New Year's Day, millions of people sit down and make a list of "resolutions" - things they would like to change in their lives, in hopes of a better year to come. Sadly, most resolutions don't make it past the month of January. We have a vision of the future, but for whatever reason, we just can't seem to follow through with our changes or improvements. Eating healthier and losing weight are some of the first resolutions to fail. We want the change to happen, but lack the patience or fortitude to move forward. 

Do you feel a lack of direction in your life? Have you fallen in to the trap of procrastination? "There's always tomorrow to start." But what if, as Garth Brooks sings, tomorrow doesn't come? The time to improve is today!

20/20 vision is when you can see perfectly, without the aid of glasses, contact lenses, or laser surgery. With this being the year 2020, will we be able to see clearly the changes we need to make, and follow through? As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, my resolution is to follow the counsel of our prophet, Russell M. Nelson:

"My dear brothers and sisters, I promise that as you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions - every day. I promise that as you ponder what you study, the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life. I promise that as you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day."

It is not my purpose to try and convert you to these teachings and beliefs, but hopefully as you read throughout the coming weeks and months, you will gain a better understanding of what has made me who I am today.  

Layton Temple Updates

On July 19, 2019, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced the location of the new Layton, Utah Temple, which will be built at the corner of Oak Hills Drive and Rosewood Lane.

On October 8, 2019, the church released and exterior rendering showing the planned design of the Layton, Utah Temple. 

McAllen Texas Temple!

Last night President Nelson announced that a Temple would be built in McAllen, Texas. Having lived in the Rio Grande Valley for five years, my heart is filled with joy. I have no doubt that there is a flood of tears of joy in South Texas. 

Many faithful Latter-day Saints are what is referred to as "valley locked", meaning because of their immigration status they are stuck in "the valley" between the Mexican borders and the check point about 100 miles to the north of the border. Because there are no operating temples in the valley, many faithful individuals and families have been waiting for years to make covenants in the temple and be sealed with their families. Many have passed through the veil still waiting.

The years of sacrifice and hope filled prayers are not in vain. Even for those who are able to make the 4 1/2 hour drive to the Temple in San Antonio, this is still a huge blessing. It shows that our Heavenly Father does listen to prayer, and the Temple will stand as a monument to the faithful sacrifice of these saints.

Old Man

With the passing of Richard "Old Man" Harrison on June 25th, my bucket list will never be
complete.

In previous blog entries, you can see that I was able to meet Rick, Corey, Chum, Antoine, and even "The Beard Of Knowledge". I'd always hoped to meet the Old Man on a future Las Vegas visit, but I'll at least have memories of all the times he made me laugh while watching Pawn Stars. His interactions with Chumlee were classic. When I visited with Chumlee last October, he was late for the event and someone called him on it. His response? "Old Man ain't here, so I can't be late."
Even with all the animosity between them on TV, even Cum has an empty space in his heart right now. Rest In Peace, Old Man!

Did He Really Say Layton, Utah?

During the Sunday Afternoon session of the 188th Annual General Conference, President Russell M. Nelson announced the construction of the Layton, Utah Temple. Being it is April Fools Day, and the way he smiled, I thought he was kidding. But it is no joke, Layton Utah is getting a Temple!

Fly Eagles Fly!

After so may years of disappointment and heartache, I only wish my grandfather had lived long enough to see this! The Philadelphia Eagles are Super Bowl Champions!

I watched in 1981 when Ron Jaworksi, Harold Carmichael, and Wilbert Montgomery came close. Randall Cunningham couldn't get over the hump. Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens broke our hearts in 2005. Year after year, one heartbreak after another. Then along comes Carson Wentz, and us always hopeful Eagles fans have something to cheer about. But as always seems to be the case, good fortune didn't appear to be on our side when he tore his ACL, and the 11-2 Eagles turned to Nick Foles. Nick had complied a 15-9 record with the Eagles previously, but had lost his only playoff game in 2013. Taking over for the injured Wentz, he finished the season with a 2-1 record, giving the 13-3 Eagles home field advantage in the playoffs and a first round bye. On January 13, 2018, the Eagles defeated the Atlanta Falcons 15–10, in the NFC Divisional playoff game, with Foles completing 23 of 30 passes for 246 yards. This was the Eagles' first playoff victory in nine seasons. On January 21, 2018, the Eagles defeated the Minnesota Vikings, 38–7, in the NFC Championship, with Foles going 26 of 33 for 352 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Vikings were 3-point favorites with the league's top-ranked defense entering the game. 

In Super Bowl LII, Foles completed 28 of 43 passes for 373 yards, 3 passing touchdowns, 1 receiving touchdown and 1 interception, and was named the MVP of the game.

I alternated between emotions throughout the game, laughing at Tom Brady's mistakes, anger at missed calls, excitement when Nick Foles became a receiver and caught a touchdown pass! Then as the final seconds ticked away, I was jumping up and down and bawling my eyes out. Literally so happy I cried... and cried. Finally, I knew what it felt like for my team to win the big one. Super Bowl Champions!