The Bulls Are Back in Town

For the first time since the 97'-98' season the Bulls have claimed the number one position in the East. For those of you who aren't sure what happened the last time the Bulls had the one seed in the playoffs.... They won the championship. All year I have said they are a talented enough team to do it. Their chemistry and unselfish play is unmatched in the NBA. Obviously they are young and if they don't get all the way, the future is bright.

I can't say enough about Derrick Rose. If this kid doesn't get the MVP this year I'll throw a fit. He is by far the most improved player and is humble as can be. I have never respected a player as much as him. He works hard and that effort shows on the court. I think the only way you don't like this guy is because he is to good against your own team. I'm biased... I know, but if you know me, you know I am a die hard bulls fan.

My other loyal Bulls fan up here in Logan, Sam, shared this video of D. Rose. Needless to say, it is legit. Take a peek.



I anxiously await getting back to the Chi for the Eastern Conference Finals and then if we can get past Miami the Finals.

Go Bulls!

Bear Down Chicago

A huge game in Chicago Bears history will be going down on Sunday. The Bears will be playing our biggest rival the Green Bay Packers and the stakes couldn't be much higher... A ticket to the Super Bowl. After watching Lupe Fiasco rap about the upcoming game and the Bears only gets me more excited for what is to come. Two talented football teams going at it. Enjoy

The Impact of a Child

I can't help but share a video I've watched everyday this past week. It's easy to feel overwhelmed or frustrated with what's going on in life. Each time I watch this video I lose focus on my own struggles and am humbled by what this young boy goes through.

The story is about a boy named Josiah Viera he is faced with a medical condition called Hutchinson Gifford progeria syndrome. In the video they discuss what this disease is and it's impact. Needless to say it's something that would be extremely difficult to deal with not only by the child but also the parents.

I'm not one to cry much, but I can't help but to be touched when they interview Josiah and ask him...

"What is heaven?"
"It's God," As he raises his finger to the sky, "Heaven."
The interviewer then asks "What do you think Heaven looks like?"
Without a moment to think, that young boy who knows that his time on earth is short says one word...
"Jesus"

I know this isn't the only touching experience of a child recognizing that Jesus awaits them in Heaven, but I can only imagine the impact this video has had on those whose faith in Christ is maybe shaken. To see a young child without hesitation offer his simple testimony of Christ is powerful.

The words of the Savior speaking to a multitude repeat in my mind as I think of Josiah.

"Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

I can only imagine how much better my days would be if I would humble myself and come unto Christ. I'm grateful for children like Josiah who inspire me to be better and help increase my faith. I only hope I might be making progress in the direction the Savior wants. It's hard to know exactly how Josiah comprehended his question, but I imagine in Heaven he knows he will see Jesus and will be "encircled by his arms of love." May we have the ability to remember where we are trying to go when times are tough and that the Savior is there in our times of need.

World Cup Fever

Even though the United States has been knocked out of the World Cup, the World Cup is still legit. This song is tight and inspiring. I enjoyed the song and thought you all might enjoy it as well. One more week of the World Cup and then it's over! You better be watching. Here it is R. Kelly ~ Sign of A Victory

It's Been A Long Time Coming

Over the past few days life has been great. The USA beat Algeria by a last minute goal by Landon Donovan to advance in the World Cup, I also got a hold of the new iPhone after waiting 12 hours.

The most memorable event all started on Tuesday evening when I received a phone call from Jay Wright. Jay was someone I worked with on my mission over 2 years ago. My companion and I were the first missionaries to teach him the Gospel of Jesus Christ and within our first visit I knew he'd one day be baptized. He showed the up most humility and desire to learn more about the Savior and his teachings. His level of commitment to obeying God's commandments was higher than anyone I ever taught on my mission. I remember one night we had gone over to teach him and were talking about his earrings, I asked if he would take them out and without hesitation he did. He went onto say he had been wearing earrings since the 4th grade, over 20 years! That was just one of the many times Jay shocked me with his strict obedience. Jay had made poor decisions earlier on his life with getting involved with drugs and even dealing them, and as a result he has been on parole for the past few years. Being on parole prevented him from being baptized and that was so frustrating for me to see while I served as a missionary.

When he called me Tuesday evening he told me he was being baptized tomorrow. I was speechless for one that he was being baptized and two on such short notice. I had prayed and fasted for this news so many times over the past two years and now it was finally coming to pass. He went onto say that they received the letter from the First Presidency on Monday giving him permission to be baptized. I told him I wouldn't miss his baptism for anything. Wednesday came and off I went to Boise. After 5 hours of driving, I showed up to the church house next door to the temple. As I looked at the temple the thoughts of Jay going to the temple to be sealed with his family flooded my mind. I remembered going through the Twin Falls Temple with them and being in the sealing room with just Jay and his wife. We went to the mirrors and I pointed out to them that their reflection went on for eternity, just like the sealing ordinance. I think it was at that moment Jay wanted nothing more than to be sealed to his wife and kids.

As I walked into the church I made it into the room where his baptism was being held and saw Jay. He jumped out of his chair and ran over to me, embraced me and sobbed. I can't describe the joy and happiness I felt for Jay at that moment. This is what Jay had desired so badly for the past two years and now he could finally be baptized. The service for the baptism was powerful, as talks were given and songs were sung. Jay was baptized and then received the gift of the Holy Ghost.  I was overcome with the spirit the whole meeting, Section 18 of the Doctrine and Covenants continually pressed my mind of how great of joy I was experience because of Jay repenting.

I can't be prouder or happier for Jay. He has spent the last two years waiting patiently to be baptized and he lived the gospel the best he could. He showed what it really means to endure and to press on even when times seem hopeless. I'm grateful for his example, it inspires me everyday to keep pushing or as Elder Holland taught "to kick when you don't want to kick". The Lord does bless us and tests our ability to exercise patiences. By realizing all the blessings he will have in store for us one day will make it much easier to do what he asks of us now. That is why we have to seek his will and not our own.

The Goodwins

A year ago from today was a memorable day. I was able to see my dear friends Buster and Karen Goodwin sealed in the temple for time and all eternity. My first encounter with them dates back to December of 2007, when I was serving as a missionary out in Enterprise, Oregon. Buster was baptized at age 8 but never went to church so he was as close to a non-member as you can get. While Karen never had investigated the church. All their lives missionaries and members of the church would try to reach out to them, but they were never interested in meeting or getting involved with church. For some reason the first week I get into the area they decided to start taking the missionary lessons. What made this situation even more unique is how spread out the area was. They lived about 40 miles from Enterprise, so every week when we'd go out to teach we could count on an hour drive through some of the most beautiful country I've ever seen.

I was fortunate enough to spend 6 months out in Enterprise to see Buster and Karen come full circle in the gospel. They showed true devotion to the church by each Sunday driving an hour to and from Enterprise to attend church. I can remember that Sunday in April when I thought Karen may never go through with being baptized as doubt and fear clouded her thoughts. We met with Buster and Karen right after to church to discuss if Karen wanted to stick with her baptismal date, despite not feeling completely confident that she should go forward. I remember offering one of the most fervent prayers I've ever given pleading for Karen to receive answers and have confidence that being baptized was right for her. It was only a few hours later I received a call from Karen saying she had received answers to her prayers and was ready to move forward with her baptism. I can still recall the excitement and joy I felt as Karen made that commitment on the phone that day. So on April 19th, 2008 I was able to baptize and then confirm her a member of the church.

And now that you know all the energy it took to get Karen baptized, you'll understand why it was so special to be able to go to the temple a year ago with Karen and Buster to serve as a witness to their sealing in the Idaho Boise Temple. My experiences with them strengthened my testimony and always invite the spirit when I reflect on those times. I truly saw the Lord's hand work in their lives and mine own. I love the Buster and Karen and their ability to live the gospel has been incredible. I was able to see them sealed in the temple 3 days before I completed my mission, it was by far the best way I could ever imagine finishing my mission. Thanks be to God for allowing me to be an instrument in his hands and to have seen many miracles moving forward his work.

Goodbye Vinny

Today was a big day in the world of Chicago sports. Chicago Bulls coach of two years Vinny Del Negro was fired. Even though he led the Bulls to back to back playoff runs and coached one of the most memorable playoff series in NBA history against Boston in 2009; we won't see him on the Bulls bench come fall. Now a lot of credit to Vinny's coaching success could be attributed to having all-star point guard Derrick Rose and one of the most improved players in the league Joakim Noah, but he does deserve credit in developing these spectacular college athletes into quality NBA players. Big thanks and best of wishes to Vinny Del Negro.

Chicago demands the best, if you don't produce good results you might as well leave town. Who will coach Chicago next season? Unlike the past decade no one wanted to come coach Chicago because of their lack of talent. The difference now is you have a young team full of talent between Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, Joakim Noah and with summer free agency, a good shot at having an all-star like Dwayne Wade, Joe Johnson, or Chris Bosh. Personally there a few guys that come to mind that I would like to see coaching the Bulls. (Avery Johnson, Maurice Cheeks, or Byron Scott)

Of all the people available could we maybe see Avery Johnson who led a team to the NBA Finals back in 2006? He seems like an ideal candidate. The Chicago front office scares me. Within the last 10 years we've made terrible trades, had less than spectacular coaches and done little with our high draft picks up until 2008 with Rose. Let's hope they can get it right this time around. We are closer than ever to bringing rings back to Chicago.