we lost a good man

i was saddened to hear the news of the passing of elder joseph b. wirthlin today. i really enjoyed his talks, and the gentle,loving spirit he carried about himself. he truly exemplified Christlike love and was a great example to us all. i really appreciated the fact that he played football back in the day at the university of utah . and i'll never forget the story of how he could have cheated his way into the endzone for a game-winning touchdown...but he knew he hadn't made it in and remained just short. in the heat of competition that had to be a very tough decision...but he made the absolute right one...integrity triumphs over victory.i can only hope i woulda done the same. i also loved his sense of optimism. i love how he said that no matter how dark friday may get, sunday will always come. so indeed, come what may...and love it.

thanksgiving

well it is the week of thanksgiving...a most wonderful time of the year. i love it. there's the three great f's....family,food,and football. the weather begins to turn a bit cooler. the christmas season that i love begins to kickoff...it's really no wonder that it's timmy duncan's favorite holiday. so i was reading my favorite talk this morning...elder dallin h. oaks' the challenge to become. he speaks of how most of our real growth comes from the times of hardship and challenge.i certainly witness of this principle and know that it's how we respond to adversity that matters. yet we have the promise that no matter how dark friday may get...sunday will always come. i love that. so it got me thinking about how i'm grateful for the challenges i've faced in my life,for they've helped me to become the man that i am...and they've helped me realize who the man is that i hope to be someday. so i'm thinking about being grateful...and i decided that seeing as how i'm fixin to celebrate my 27th thanksgiving, i'd list 27 things i'm grateful for. here they are:

• my Savior Jesus Christ
• the Book of Mormon
• living Prophets and Apostles
• the Spirit
• the Temple
• a mighty change of heart
• my family
• my heritage
• my country (United States of America)
• my home (the great state of Texas)
• my mission
• tim duncan,manu ginobili,tony parker,david robinson,gregg popovich,michael jordan,steve young,mack brown,vince young,colt mccoy
  
• 4 glorious 'ships from the fellas ('99,'03,'05,'07)
  
• university of Texas football
• friends (real ones and the tv show)
• good books
• tex-mex,steak,and other delightful foods
• funny movies
• country music (and all other types of good music)
  
• my shoes
• a good run on a crisp,cold winter morn
• the hot shower that follows that run
• Christmas time
• the feeling of competition
• cowgirl boots (seriously...very nice)
• those who've sacrificed so much for my country and my religion
• love,hope,joy,peace

comment if you actually read this far...longest post ever? good times y'all.

TGIF

so TGIF hasn't meant this much to me since i was a young fella lookin forward to homemade pizza, some pop, and full house/family matters on the telly. but i tell y'all what i am thrilled that it's friday. happy weekend to all. may it bring us spurs victories, a texas tech loss, and good times.

solid

well i finally got a job...today is day one for me at washington mutual. hopefully it won't be too painful. can i just say that it's been a good run being a waste of space since coming home from the mish back in january...you might say that this is back to the real world for me. but i reckon it is good to have a little responsbility in life.(and some $) but i suppose even a working man has good times,so it's all good. how bout this last weekend though? now that was some good times. kicked off w/ the food olympics,which were solid.(even though i under-performed)...then the fellas got a gritty win against the rockets.solid. i awoke saturday morning to a rousing game of football.(once again,i under-performed) then i enjoyed watching my texas longhorns demolish the kansas jayhawks.solid. i enjoyed a quality meal w/ family at alamo cafe on saturday night,always good times chillin w/ the fam. sunday was solid,more chillin w/ the fam...plus throw in a niners victory and you'd think i'm set. but then the fellas up and beat the kings for our first winning streak of the season! maybe i'm beginning to catch my break eh? this weekend was good times. solid.

America...the land of the free,because of the brave

well since i was a little dude i've always had a fondness for all things military. i do consider myself pretty patriotic and today, on veteran's day, i wish to honor the many brave men and women who have sacrificed much to serve our country. from the sacrifices made by our forefathers to achieve independence, to those today who are serving in iraq and afghanistan, i honor the patriots who have defended and are defending the freedoms we enjoy. i recently finished watching "band of brothers" which shows some of the challenges of E Company (Easy Company), 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment,101st Airborne Division during the europe campaign of world war 2...they went through quite a bit. i think a chosen generation really did carry our country through that tough time. i am humbled when i think about the many who have given all for the cause of this great nation that i love. i am proud to be an American. may God bless Her always.