Just Give

This Christmas season, people have been asking themselves: 

How do you celebrate a holiday when so much has been taken? 

The answer is simple: Just give.

WATCH:

Peace and Stew

Today in church, the three speakers all talked about peace and the primary kids sang "Beautiful Savior."

If there ever was a day I wanted to hear little kids sing, today was it. 

If there ever was a day I wanted to hear people talk about peace, today was it.

The topics and music were picked weeks ago...but I desperately needed those messages today.

Every time a big event happens anywhere in the world, part of me wishes I was there.  

I think about how I would cover it, who I would talk to, the contacts I'd make, and what I would do to make my story different than the others.

I don't think there's ever been a huge story I haven't wanted to cover.

Except this one.

I want nothing to do with it.

It hurts to watch or read the coverage.

I feel for my reporter, photographer, and producer colleagues who have been assigned this horrendous event.  One of them hasn't slept since Friday.  Another says she can't write her script without crying.

Today I've been thinking about the LDS dad who is preparing to bury his six-year-old daughter. He moved his family to Connecticut just a few months ago.  He's my age.

This Facebook page has been set up in honor of his beautiful daughter Emilie.

Today I've been thinking Emilie and the 19 other children.  They were the same age as the primary kids who comforted everyone at church today while singing:

"Jesus is brighter, Jesus is purer...He makes the sorrowing spirit sing"

Fortunately Erica and I have had a busy weekend so I've been able to avoid a lot of the coverage.

In fact, after church, we went to a birthday party!

This is Derek and Melissa.  The missionaries serving in our neighborhood knocked on this fun family's door a few weeks ago.  Now we're all friends!

Derek turned 31 years old today.  To celebrate, he made this MASSIVE pot of Brunswick stew.  If you haven't heard of it, you haven't been to the south.  

There's 10 smoked chickens, pounds and pounds of beef, corn, beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and other yummy things inside this 50 gallon cauldron.

Derek started cooking the stew around 11 o'clock this morning.  For SIX hours, he, and a few others, stirred the pot continually with this boat oar.  They never stopped until the oar stood straight up!

I'm not a big stew fan but both THIS WAS DELICIOUS!  


It was super thick and there was TONS of meat...which I LOOOOOVE!

 
There were about 30 people at the party and the pot was still FULL of stew after everyone had eaten.

Derek scooped the leftovers into these plastic bags and cups for everyone to take home.

We went directly from the party to the church for a Christmas concert and the stew was so delicious that Erica brought it inside.  She found a spoon in the kitchen and went to town!

We've decided we want our next gathering to be something fun and unique like Derek's birthday party.  Who doesn't love getting together with family, friends, and good food...especially if you get to take leftovers?

Oh...and speaking of our next gathering...do all you can to be in Richmond January 9th.  We are having our "Gender Reveal PARTY!"  
  
We don't know what we're having until that morning...and the secret will be unveiled at the party!

More details to come but you are invited!  

**Notice how the font is blue?  Yep...you already know what I think we're having....**

The Last Three Months...

Now you know all the secrets we've been keeping for months.

We won the big deal worth over $24,000.

We are having a baby in May.

We turned down a job in a top 20 television market.

We turned down the big deal worth over $24,000.

We are excited, scared, thrilled, nervous, and happy to welcome a new addition into our family.

Sometimes don't you think God has a great sense of humor?  I do. 

Here's why.

For the past year or so, Erica and I had talked about having a baby.  

We decided to wait until after we visited my mission in Australia and, more importantly, hold off until I got a job in a bigger TV market.  

We also wanted her to make sure the stupid tumor in her back wouldn't create a problem when she became pregnant.

We went to Duke.  Doctors said she needs to have another procedure so we scheduled it.

We went to Australia.  Had an incredible time (obviously!).

A few weeks later I'm at work covering a murder late at night.  Gotta love Richmond.

Erica calls me and frantically says, "COME HOME.  NOW!"

I arrive and see the pregnancy test. 

POSITIVE.

I think it's wrong.

The next day we go to the doctor.

It's right.

We cancel the Duke procedure.

FIVE DAYS LATER I get a random email from a news director in a top 20 market.

He tells me to call him.  He likes my work.  

For three weeks we email or talk on the phone every day.

He offers me a job.  It pays $15,000 more than I'm making now.

Wow. 

Perfect timing for a new baby that's on the way.

God is blessing us.

We decide we'll likely take the job.

So we think about it.  We pray about it.  We try to convince ourselves that it's right.

It's not.

We turn it down.  

Crazy?  Yes.  More like insane.  

It's rare, rare, RARE that a top 20 news director calls you out of the blue and offers you a job.

But it wasn't right.

A few days later "Let's Make a Deal" runs.  

We win big.

Then we get a letter from the CBS accountants saying we owe lots of money in taxes.

We debate whether to take the trips.

We decide to go on one but, when we call to book it, find out the black-out dates are December through May!

Yes.  Six months of black-out dates.

May won't work because little peanut will be joining is.

We turn down the trips. 

We get nothing.  Not one thing.  

Our friend who won $200 at the end of the show walked away with more than we did.  And we won the big deal!

So here we are.

No big deal.  

No new job.

BUT...a baby.

Erica will be a mom.

The best mom.

I will be a dad.

Yep, God is funny.

A baby.

OUR baby.

Joining OUR little family.

Better than a new job.

Better than trips worth $24,000.

Better than THE BIG DEAL.

A baby.

Door Number 3!!!!!!

Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2012 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

I'm horrible at keeping secrets.  Especially when it's really great news.

But now...THE SECRET'S OUT!  And it feels soooo good!

I can't tell you how hard it is not to tell anyone that you won two trips worth over $24,000!  It's a good thing we flew directly from Los Angeles to Australia and had a few weeks to get over the "Let's Make a Deal" high...otherwise the confidential information likely would have been leaked.

A lot of people have asked "behind the scenes" questions about the show...so in case you were wondering:

- We signed a confidentiality agreement stating that if anyone found out anything about the show, we could lose our prize.  Not only that, Erica and I could be sued for ruining the episode because viewers wouldn't have a reason to watch if they knew how it ended.

- We hadn't planned on going to "Let's Make a Deal" until three days before the taping.  Erica and I had 24 hours in LA before flying to Australia...so Erica checked on tickets, found out the Halloween episode was being taped, and we decided to give it a shot.

- We almost went to the show dressed as candy corn.  Instead, Erica and her mom made the cute sock money costume.  My $5 banana costume came from Kmart. (Note: I was wearing Adidas shorts...but they had to be turned inside out so the brand logo wasn't shown).

Elaina is the yellow balloon.  Michael is the green balloon.

- Our good friends Elaina and Michael were in the audience with us.  Michael's brother and friend were also there...she ended up winning $200!  They were dressed as balloons and you can see them behind Wayne Brady during most of the show. 





- Wayne Brady is not very friendly in person.  In fact, he didn't say anything to us unless the camera was rolling.  Drew Carey, on the other hand, was extremely personable during "Price is Right."

- We waited in line about 2-3 hours before the taping.  Once we entered the studio, loud music was playing and producers were on the stage looking for energetic happy people.

- Between segments, Wayne Brady goes backstage.  I think that's when the producers tell him who to pick...because I doubt he saw me and Erica sitting high up in the audience.  

Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2012 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

- We were exhausted when it was all over.  We had been high-energy, yelling, screaming, jumping, dancing for four hours...plus adrenalin was pumping the entire time...we were ready to crash.

- After the show, we went to Universal Studios City Walk with our wonderful friends, had dinner and ice cream...then went to LAX and flew to Australia!

Since the taping of the show, Erica and I have continually talked about how blessed we are.  I don't know why God has given us such a wonderful life...and believe me, I'm not asking for more trials or problems...but we are so fortunate.  It felt inappropriate to celebrate these big trips knowing that thousands of people became homeless during last weekend's storm.

A few minutes after "Let's Make a Deal" ended on Wednesday, the first phone call I got was from a Richmond firefighter.  Lt. Shawn Jones has worked with me on several stories and I was surprised to see him calling.

He congratulated me and Erica and said he wanted to come on the trips with us (wish we could take you all!).

Then he said, "I told my secretary that God is truly blessing you guys.  He gave you the time to go to Australia and he obviously wants you to spend more time together by giving you these trips.  He knows you have a strong marriage and wants it to become stronger.  Remember to praise Him.  He loves you.  He has blessed you."

Lt. Jones, I couldn't agree with you more.  I'm sharing that "secret" with everyone!

Voicemail Upgrade

A few days ago Sprint added the new "voicemail-to-text" feature to my phone.

Now, when someone leaves a voice message, it is transcribed and displayed on the screen.

Great idea...except my so called "smart" phone doesn't always act so smart.

Example:

My good friend, Andrei, called the other day.  I missed it...so he left a message.  

It appeared as follows:

Hey matt greg david I got everything martin martin my cellphone on that so...I've got time so street the martha I go with in the todd charge...in me tomorrow and this is not show that be great so...give me a callback my cellphone  give me a callback bye.

Uh...okay.  Perfectly clear.

I decided to listen to Andrei's message.  Here's what I heard:

Hey Nate, I got good news.  I got an interview tomorrow at Martin's by Short Pump.  So my job coach is gonna come at two or three tomorrow so I gotta get a suit and a tie.  So I have an interview tomorrow.  Give me a call back on my cell phone.  Give me a call back.  Bye.

Anther example:

The LDS missionaries who live near us called.  

Again, their "voicemail-to-text" message was transcribed as:

Birdie this is maureen service here in the area today called by proper god thomas is monster other mccall and another like 10 we're calling you confirm for form you on the back is more program ed what is intel's of so if you give us a callback as soon as possible debbie greatly appreciate I hope that you...causing some suite story...listen jack well we'll talk to you later all right bye that you sent so.

Hmm.  Interesting. 

I decided I better listen to this one...and here is the real message (relayed in a somewhat humorous voice):

Brother Eaton, this is the Lord's servants here on the earth today...called by a prophet of God - Thomas S. Monson.  Elder McClellan and Elder Watkins.  We're calling you to inform you of the baptismal program and what it entails.  So if you will give us a call back as soon as possible that would be greatly appreciated.  I hope you are covering some sweet story.  Let us know.  We'll talk to you later.  Bye.

Obviously this new phone feature works perfectly.  I rely on those written messages each and every time.

Do you have this feature on your phone?  Does it do the same thing?  What are some funny transcribed messages you've received?

Adversity

Today in church one of our friends, who I'll call Sarah, spoke on adversity.

Sarah is married to a good man and they have four darling kids.  This is one of those families who could be on the cover of The Ensign or Family Circle.

When Sarah was young, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 34.  It had spread to her lymph nodes and the doctors wanted to begin radiation immediately...but there was a problem.

She was pregnant with her sixth child.

The doctors encouraged her to terminate the pregnancy so treatment could be done.  After much prayer, fasting, heartache, tears, and sorrow, she and her husband decided to carry the baby full term.

18 months after the child was born, Sarah's mother died.  She was 36.

Her young husband was left to care for six children.  Oldest: 9.  Youngest: 18 months.

Sarah says her dad did okay for a little while.  He met another woman, who also had kids, and they got married.

Sarah and her siblings were so excited to have a "normal" family again.  They couldn't wait for summer vacations, fun parties, and good times.

Instead, things went downhill.  The house was chaotic.  There was abuse.  There was anger.  Sarah and her siblings would come home from school and, as quietly as they could, tie-toe to their bedroom and hide for hours.

Her dad had a mental breakdown, lost his job, and refused to get out of bed.  

Home was horrible.

At this point, Sarah was a senior in high school.  



She knew two things:

1.  She had to help her younger brothers and sisters.
2.  She had to leave.

The day after she graduated high school, she moved out.  It was heartbreaking to leave her siblings behind...knowing how bad things were.  But in order to help them, she had to help herself.

Sarah moved to Provo and began school at BYU.  Looking around "Happy Valley USA" she thought, "Everyone here has had such a good life.  No one has endured anything like what I've been through.  They are so lucky."

But, as time went on, Sarah quickly learned she was wrong.  Everyone...no matter who they were...had gone through some sort of trial.  Everyone had struggled.  Everyone had suffered.

Every.  Single.  Person. 

Sarah has used her story to remind people that we all go through trials and hard times.  Unfortunately, we will all suffer.

But...we will make it through.  Just look at Sarah.

She has a wonderful family, she's strong in her faith, and she's a strong, quiet example of conquering adversity.

"When bad things happen, do not say God is not keeping his promises to me.  Jesus Christ is not insurance against pain. He is resource in event of pain, and when that pain comes, rejoice that you have resource to deal with your pain." 

Carlfred Broderick

Daisy Award

The other day I got a message from my cousin Amy.  It said:

"Congratulations. I just gave you the 'Daisy Award.'"

Huh?  The Daisy Award?  She told me to visit her blog to find out what she meant.

I did...and found that I need to share seven unusual or weird things about myself.  

The "rules" say I need to link this back to the giver (Amy) and pass it on to three other bloggers.

I usually don't participate in forwards or surveys...but because it's Amy, here I go.

1.  I take two showers a day.  I've done this ever since high school.  It was vital on my mission in humid Australia...and it's neccessary now in humid Virginia. 

2.  I am a clean freak.  I hate clutter, my desk is organized, I like to do the dishes, and I don't mind cleaning the bathroom or vacuuming.  

My desk

  

3.  I don't like cake...which is a little weird because I have a huge sweet tooth.  I would rather eat french fries, a donut, a piece of pie, or a candy bar than have a piece of cake.  There is one expection: Ukrop's yellow cake with chocolate icing. 

4.  When I was young, I begged my parents for a dog.  For years I asked for a dog.  I also asked them to go camping.  Now I can't stand dogs and hate camping.

5.  My favorite TV show of all time is "I Love Lucy."  As a kid, I watched it every summer afternoon at 1.00 on channel 13.

6.  When I was a sophomore at BYU-Idaho, I studied 70 of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's talks and wrote a one page paper on each.  It changed my life.  Years later, I met him and told him about the project.  He said, "Oh, you poor soul.  You deserve a week at the beach after that torture."


7.  I wish I could go bare foot or wear flip flops everywhere.  I hate wearing shoes.  One day, when I was about 13, I went on a long run without with my cousin Amy...and didn't have any shoes on.  My feet were black!  In Australia, I was barefoot or wore flip flops every single day.  It was awesome.  I also think shorts and T-shirts should be acceptable business attire.

So....now that you know seven random things about me, I pass "The Daisy Award" to....  

Chelsea - my crafty, fun sister-in-law.
Elaina - our Jamba Juice, "Let's Make a Deal" friend.
Allison - my New York, kick-ball-playin' cousin.  


Congratulations!

Ann Romney

Yesterday Mitt Romney's campaign called our newsroom and asked if Nate Eaton was available to do an interview with Ann Romney.

Uh...yes. 

I then learned that while Erica and I were in Australia (more on that in a later post), the campaign called and asked if I wanted a one-on-one with Mitt Romney AND Paul Ryan. 

Seriously.

I have no idea how they knew who I was or why they asked for me.  I often meet politicians and other workers from both the Republican and Democrat parties...so maybe someone put in a good word for me?  Who knows.

Now...I want to make it clear that I am NOT making a political endorsement here.  If I was offered a chance to talk with President Obama, Michelle Obama, or Joe Biden, I would jump at the chance.  Any reporter would...and I've requested interviews with of all them.

But today was about Ann Romney.

She held a rally in Northern Virginia and we met her at a hotel before she flew to New Hampshire to meet Mitt.

We arrived an hour early and Secret Service swept our stuff.  Three other channels from Washington DC were there...but we were the only station from Richmond.

We were each given five minutes - not a second longer.  The interview was done in a Marriott conference room.  The man who set up the lighting is the same person Steven Spielberg uses to light his movies!  

I was the last reporter to talk with Ann and, as we were setting up, I asked her if she remembered my sister, Emily, and her husband.  They were in the Romney's LDS Church ward in Boston.  

Ann immediately knew who I was talking about and I thanked her for hiring Ben after he lost his job a few years ago.

There were about 10 people in the room with us - including Ann's hair and make-up person, several members of her staff, and at least two Secret Service officers.

Our conversation began and at exactly five minutes, Ann's aide stood up and said, "Thank you very much, Nate."  

My photographer Dustin and I had photos taken with Mrs. Romney and her team left to board a plane!

I had two pages of questions prepared for Ann but only got to ask four or five.  I could tell she was pretty tired and, as she was leaving, I asked about her health.  She responded that she was exhausted and the campaign was taking a toll on her - she doesn't get a day off until November!  I can't imagine having that schedule.

If you haven't seen it, check out my interview below and let me know what you think.

Tying the Knot

Right now I'm sitting outside Starbuck's in American Fork, Utah.  Not many places in American Fork have free internet service...but I found one spot that does!


I'm in the Beehive State for a friend's wedding.  This morning Chris Morales and his best friend Becca tied the knot in the LDS Mt. Timpanogos Temple.


Chris and I met over eight years ago at BYU-Idaho.  I was the activities director in our college ward and Chris was on the committee.  We planned parties, dinner's, carnival's, and the ever popular "Super Sunday Spud Supper Spectacular."  (It was Idaho, after all...and ever meal needed a potato.)

Notice how there are very few
"normal" photos of me and Chris.

Through the years Chris and I have become really good friends...even though we come from completely different backgrounds.


I was born into the LDS faith, raised by two parents in Utah, have two brothers and two sisters, and am the most awkward white-boy dancer you'll ever see.


Chris joined the Church when he was a teenager, was raised in L.A. by his mother who emigrated from Guatemala, has one brother, and his dance moves will knock your socks off (as will Becca's.  They're having a dance party at their reception...it lasts until midnight!)


Chris is one of those guy's that becomes your best friend the moment you meet him.  Everybody loves him...because he loves everybody.  

With our crazy friend Melinda at the Lehi rodeo.

After Erica and I scheduled our wedding, I learned Chris had law school finals that same week.  It was his last year of law school and I knew it would be impossible for him to come...but he insisted he would not miss our wedding.

Lunch with Chris and his mom at Cafe Rio.

True to his word, he spent a lot of money and time he didn't have to fly in and join us.


When Chris was 13, he met two LDS sister missionaries.  They taught him the gospel and he was baptized.  A year later, his mother and brother joined the Church.  


As with every Mormon, they were assigned a home teacher...who visited them at least once a month.  He made sure they were doing okay, helped them with challenges, and became one of their best friends.

Another typical photo.

Six years later, Chris was sitting on an airplane at LAX about to leave for the Missionary Training Center.  It was September 11, 2001.  Of course his flight never left...instead, he walked off the plane and his home teacher drove him 13 hours to the MTC.


Today that same home teacher was a witness during Chris and Becca's marriage ceremony.  It was beautiful, special, and awesome!  I wish Erica could have been here to witness the whole thing...but she's on her way to Pennsylvania to celebrate at her cousin's wedding reception.

I can't wait to see what happens with Chris and Becca.  They are both incredible people (my brother and sister-in-law have known Becca for years) and the synergy between the two of them is explosive!


Congrats to two of our best friends...from two of your best friends!

A Dark Night

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'

To this day, especially in times of 'disaster,' I remember my mother's words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world."

Mister Fred Rogers

Summer Fun

I am currently sitting on a plane bound for Florida.  I'm on my way to a journalism seminar at the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg. A grant paid for the entire conference and although I can't say much now, I will definitely blog about it when it's over. 


I'm using an iPad to write this and it took 15 minutes to type that first paragraph. If there are errors in this post, you have been warned. Also...this flight has wifi and I just won a free inflight internet session on the "welcome" page. Problem is I can't log onto my email to claim the prize without paying for a session...so thus the purpose of the prize is defeated.  (note: I am posting this from the hotel) 


This summer has been super busy...and it's about to get busier. Why? Because Erica and I are going to Australia!! We are so excited! I served my LDS mission in Queensland and can't wait to go back. We are going to visit Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, and Cairns. Erica has been studying up on fun things to do and she's convinced me to scuba dive with her at the Great Barrier Reef! We leave in about a month. 

Wind damage at The Diamond ballpark

The roof of a house sitting on top of power lines.

In other news...You've probably heard about the crazy storms we've been having. Within six days we had two tornadoes and a massive wind storm. Of course I was sent all over town chasing down the damage.  










Between one storm and another, we attended two of my co-workers wedding. Daryl and Rasheema jumped the broom and it was a beautiful ceremony and fun reception! 

The happy couple!

With our good buddy Ronnie.

With the most famous man in Richmond - Mr. Juan Conde.

Erica and I had a great 4th of July. After a fun BBQ at Aunt Chrissie's, we visited the outlet stores to stock up on eBay inventory (profits since Sept: nearly $5000). 

We ended the day with Kristen, Kyle, and fireworks at the Flying Squirrels baseball game...where it was 95 degrees, 100% humidity, and no breeze. 

They know me all too well at the Diamond.

Did we tell you that Erica started a garden on our back deck? We bought a mini pool and planted lettuce, snap peas, cucumber, flowers, and tomatoes. The plants are started to shoot up...we just hope the heat doesn't kill them. 

So, there you have it.  Our summer so far.


Before I sign off, here's a report I did last week that will make you smile. Both of these families live at my apartment complex and I think you'll find their story is incredible.