Grandpa Frank

Monday night my grandpa died.


He was 88-years-old.  He's been in relatively good health over the past few years but about a month ago he got sick and never bounced back. 

Grandpa Frank (he's why I'm Nathaniel Frank) is quite a man.  He served in World War II, has six kids and 18 grandchildren, and worked as a pharmacist until he was 86.


When I was a teenager, my grandpa got a season pass to Seven Peaks Water Park every summer.  He was the only 73-year-old who would show up four or five times a week and go down the tallest, scariest slides over and over. 


He introduced me and my brothers, sisters, and cousins to Nintendo.  He would play Super Mario Brothers late into the night and conquered all eight levels countless times.

I always loved going to Grandpa's house...especially if I got to sleep over.  He'd let us stay up really late, eat lots of junk food, and take us swimming at the Scera.


Grandpa Frank loved history, Ponderosa, the gospel, and golfing.


He was very generous.  Every year I got money and a new outfit for my birthday.  So did my siblings and cousins.


Before I left on my mission, he gave me $500.  It paid for my bike.  He continued to support me every month while I served in Australia.


I have so many memories of my Grandpa Frank.  Perhaps my favorite happened a year ago this week on my wedding day.

I was so happy Grandpa Frank was in the temple.  During the ceremony, Elder Bednar had Erica and I stand up and look in the reflecting mirrors.  He asked our parents and grandparents to come and stand behind us.


Elder Bednar explained that we come from generations of strong men and women who sacrificed for us.  He reminded us of our ancestors and those who have gone before.


As we looked in the mirrors, I glanced at my Grandpa Frank.  I pictured my Grandma Jan standing beside him.  She died in 1985.  27 years ago.

I can't imagine living without my wife for nearly three decades.  


On that special day, as I was just beginning life with my beautiful wife, I thought of the day my grandfather would again be with his eternal partner.  I thought about how much he must miss her.  I imagined the joyous reunion that would happen when they would be together again.   


Monday night, as Erica and I enjoyed our first wedding anniversary, my Grandpa Frank and Grandma Jan were reunited.  


One year to the day of that special moment in the temple, as Erica and I celebrated our eternal marriage, my grandparents celebrated theirs.

Read my Grandpa's obituary here.

The Good Friday Miracle

Yesterday an 18 ton jet crashed into an apartment complex. 


No one was killed or seriously injured. 


It's being called "The Good Friday Miracle."


The Navy jet was flying at least three times the G-force of the fastest roller coaster you've ever been on.

The student pilot and his instructor knew something wasn't right.  They experienced a "catastrophic engine failure" right after take-off...so they dumped 8000 pounds of fuel and parachuted from the jet at the last possible moment.

The aircraft smashed into five apartment buildings around noon.  Massive flames and plumes of smoke filled the air.  At least 40 units were destroyed.

No one was killed or seriously injured.


"The Good Friday Miracle."








I got to Virginia Beach four hours after the wreck happened.  I had seen video and pictures of the scene before I arrived...but was speechless when I saw it with my own eyes.

I was stunned when I learned only seven people (including the two pilots) received "minor" injuries and they were all quickly released from the hospital.

The first person I interviewed was Patrick Kavanaugh.  

This former Navy EMT has suffered FIVE heart attacks, has severe back problems, and is in poor health.


He heard the crash and explosions...then looked outside and saw one of the pilots lying on his back deck!  He ran to help and likely saved the man's life.


Here's his riveting account of what happened:





I have never covered something of this magnitude that ends in such an amazing way.  


No one killed or seriously injured.


"The Good Friday Miracle."

Coincidence? I think not...

Today we found out Erica has to have another surgery to take care of a nasty tumor-like mass growing in her back.


She had the same procedure last May.  The doctors injected the "vascular malformation" with a chemical designed to shrink the mass.  


Since then, it's grown...so in two weeks we'll go back to Duke University.  The doctors will again inject the blob and hopefully get the stupid thing to stop growing!


We're grateful to be just a few hours away from some of the best specialists in the country.  We're thankful to have health insurance and, more importantly, family and friends who care so much about us.


Still, it stinks.  Poor Erica does NOT want to go through another surgery...and the doctors can't guarantee the mass will go away.  Vascular malformations have minds of their own and they grow when and where they want.


Today's appointment came less than 24 hours after one of our dear friends was in a near fatal car accident. 


Sunday night it snowed in Richmond.  Monday morning April left for work, hit black ice as she entered the interstate, and her Toyota Camry slid under an 18-wheeler.  


She was trapped inside her car for nearly an hour.  Rescue crews had to cut the vehicle in half and bring in the jaws of life to get her out.  It was the worst snow-related accident in Central Virginia this weekend.


It is absolutely, without a doubt, a miracle she wasn't killed, decapitated, or paralyzed for life.  


Still, it stinks.  She's in the ICU with a fractured pelvis and has a very long road of recovery ahead.


Tonight, as Erica and I began the two hour drive home from North Carolina, we decided to have our daily scripture study.  Lately we've been reading inspired talks given by living prophets.  (You can too - click here)


Erica pulled the talks up on my phone and found the next one on the list. 


Waiting upon the Lord: Thy Will Be Done


Within a few minutes, Erica read these words:


"I have often pondered, Why is it that...all the faithful Saints have trials and tribulations, even when they are trying to do Heavenly Father’s will? Why is it so hard, especially for them?"


How is it that, out of the 40+ talks we have or will study, this one happened to be next...on a day we so desperately needed to hear it?


It's because God often sends us these "tender mercies" to remind us He loves us...even...no, ESPECIALLY...when life is tough.


We know April will recover and be back to her normal self soon.  If anyone can face challenges with optimism and faith, it's her!


Erica is going to take her surgery like a champ!  I'm proud that she's such a strong woman and continually remains happy and upbeat...even though she's in a lot of pain.


Tonight, some of the last words Erica read as we finished our studying, were these:


"Every one of us is more beloved to the Lord than we can possibly understand or imagine...


God knows your sacrifices and your sorrows. He hears your prayers. His peace and rest will be yours as you continue to wait upon Him in faith."  

New York, Anderson, and a Missing Wallet

Wow!  I can't believe I haven't posted yet this year.  I've been meaning too...but nothing too exciting has happened.

Until last week.

Erica and I went to New York City for a few days!  

The Statue of Liberty on a nice January afternoon.

We had a great time and returned home exhausted because we were so busy.

We did the typical tourist things (Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Chinatown, 9/11 Memorial, etc.), ate some delicious food (including a fun dinner with cousins Peter and Allison), and saw three Broadway shows (Sister Act, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and Phantom of the Opera).  Erica has always wanted to see Phantom on Broadway so it was a dream come true!

Rockefeller Plaza - see the ice skaters?

One of the unique parts of our trip was seeing a taping of Anderson Cooper's new daytime talk show.  I don't think we'll ever forget the experience.  Not because of the show but because of what happened AFTER the show.

Some background.

We arrive a few hours before the taping and stand in line.  We wait, sign waivers saying we won't sue if we end up on TV, go through security, and are escorted into the studio...where a worker strategically seats each and every person in different spots (Erica and I sit together but they specifically tell her to sit on the end of the aisle).

After being warmed up, Anderson comes out and the taping begins.  It lasts a good 90 minutes (obviously a lot will get edited out as the show's only an hour)...then he shoots a 10 minute webisode.

Following the websiode, Anderson announces he normally takes questions from the audience but they're short on time as they have to tape a second show.  He asks that we leave the studio immediately so they can begin.

Erica and I make our way down six floors of the Lincoln Center as we talk about our flight home...which is set to leave in a few hours.

I casually ask Erica if she has her phone.  

She replies she does, then says, "Do you have my wallet?"

I feel my coat pockets.  No wallet.

I feel my pants pockets.  No wallet.

I check inside my coat.  No wallet.  

She checks all her pockets.  No wallet.

It's gone.

Horrible news...seeing that we have to catch a flight in four hours.  Obviously you don't get far in an airport without photo ID (unless you're my cousin Peter who was able to get through security with using his scriptures as ID).

We start to panic and know we only have a few minutes before the taping of the next show begins.

The audience is getting ready to go upstairs to the studio so we run over to a worker and tell him the situation.  He calls upstairs to another worker - who searches the studio and calls back with the news that the wallet is not there.

We ask if they can look again.  He tells us to go back upstairs and meet with up with another employee.

As we take the elevator up, we both silently pray that the wallet will be found.  Erica starts to get a little teary.

We get to the top, the door opens, and one of the workers asks Erica why she's crying.  She tells the man our predicament and and asks if she can check the restroom to see if she left it in there.

He says she can and, as we both walk toward the bathroom, a random usher directs us into the studio. 

We walk in, turn to our right, and see Anderson Cooper holding Erica's wallet!!!!

Just kidding....wish that was true!!!

We actually see one of the audience coordinators walking toward us with Erica's wallet.

It had slipped behind her seat as she got up to leave and because it's a quite small, it was tough to spot.

I can't describe how grateful we felt!  

What would have happened if we didn't realize it was missing until we got to the airport?

What if Anderson had started to tape the second show and we couldn't get back in the studio?

What if another audience member had picked it up and took it home?

Fortunately none of that happened.  Instead, it was found...and God reminded us once again that He answers prayers.

Everyone on Anderson's staff was so helpful and kind.  You could tell they were very busy getting ready for their next show...but they took really good care of us (plus I think Erica's tears helped!).

Anyway, here are some pictures from our trip.  You can see more on my Facebook page.

Oh, and the Anderson show we attended airs this Tuesday (2/7).  They seated us in the "lots of TV face time" area and I asked a question during the taping.  Not sure if it will make it on the final show...but it should be interesting to see.

One of my role models - FNC's Shepard Smith

Times Square - this place is always packed with people.

No - we didn't see the musical...but if you want the book, I'll send you one for free!

It was a cold day but he's gotta make a living.

A real hot dog from a real New York hot dog cart.

It was Chinese New Year so there were dozens of parties all over Chinatown.

Full roasted ducks. Yummy!

Our favorite New Yorkers - Peter, Allison, and baby Sydney.

Nick Jones stars in "How to Succeed in Business..." It was our favorite show.

Robbed by teenage girls after the show.

We stopped at the M&M store in Times Square and had our M&M personality test.  Erica's "cream."  I'm "light purple."