This Will Brighten Your Day...

I don't normally watch American Idol...but if every singer on the show has a story like this, I'd never miss a second.

Stop whatever you're doing for the next four minutes and watch this.  It will make you feel better.



"What kind of a guy would I be if I walked out the moment she needed me the most?"

Oops!

Do you ever have one of those days where you feel a little off?  
When you aren't functioning 100 percent?
When you're in your own little world?


I had one of those days today...
and all of central Virginia knew it within seconds of beginning our evening newscast!!

A Flood of Emotion

When I was 19 years old I moved to Queensland, Australia.  I went to serve a mission for my church.  


For two years I knocked on doors, volunteered at local organizations, taught lessons, met with strangers, painted fences, mowed lawns -- all in an effort to save souls and spread a message of peace, hope, love, and charity.  


For 730 days I worked the hardest I've ever worked in my life...and over time, a special place in my heart was carved out for the people of Queensland.  


I came to love them in a tender way that I can't describe.


This morning I woke up, opened my laptop, and saw this on the front page of Yahoo:

Severe rains have flooded and washed away a large part of my mission.  At least 22 people are dead and 3500 are homeless.  Electricity has been shut off in a lot areas and many have nothing to eat.  


And it's not over.  Weather conditions aren't supposed to improve until at least Saturday.








I didn't realize how horrific it really is until I saw this video:



This week my heart is in Brisbane.  I love all you strong Queenslanders.  I miss you.  Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you.  

Change is a Comin'...

Since graduating high school, it seems I've lived my life in one or two year stages.


One year Ricks College.
Two years LDS mission in Australia.
One year until Associates Degree.
Two years until Bachelors Degree BYUI.
Two years reporter contract in Idaho.
One year reporter contract extension in Idaho.
Two years reporter contract in Virginia.


Now it's time for another stage...actually, two HUGE stages.

In April, we're getting married:

How exciting!  A brand new journey together and many more decades of decorating our Christmas tree! (Erica was the mastermind behind the decorations and it turned out amazing!)


After Erica and I get married, we'll probably leave Richmond and move to a bigger city.  In TV news it's best to work your way to the top as quick as you can...and we are both ready for new challenges and adventures.


As we look for a new place to live, I'm sending a demo reel of my work to stations across the country.  


What do you think?  Would you hire me?  Where should we move?  What cities should we consider?