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.