Anyone want to go hunting? How about Spencer?

Spencer's Answer...

So, Garyn was asked to attend Prom with a boy she has been friends with this past year. His name is Spencer. Little did he know what he was getting himself into! Work your way through this blog site to find your answer S-P-E-N-C-E-R.



Good luck.

Maddie "Ball" Landrum

Maddie has shown a lot of passion for basketball and has convinced me for weeks now to spend any open time practicing bank shots and dribbling drills with her. As the video attests, it has paid off. Watch out Burley Bobcats here comes your future star.

Go Maddie.

Maddie Belle... clown dance

Maddie and a few of her little friends decided to do a ballet performance at their school talent show. It might appear that Maddie was lost a few times but she informs me that she was right and another girl kept messing up so it caused her to have to "adjust". I think they did a great job for a few short practices. Enjoy. She is far left.

Celebrate 24 years...

Wendy and I just celebrated our 24th anniversary last weekend. I offered to fly her to NY to see a broadway play and walk around the city or to come to Utah to tour temples. She chose wisely for the tour was wonderful!

What a way to celebrate with your eternal companion! We began Friday morning doing initiatory work at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. Then, onto the Jordan River temple for Sealings. And we finished Friday by doing a session in the Draper temple. WOW! Standing on the edge of the temple property you have a stunning view of the valley and an amazing view of majestic mountains above. From this vantage point you can see 3 other temple sites. In fairness, the SL temple isn't visible to the eye but the larger downtown building are. Wow!

Saturday morning we met Britney and did sealings for hours in the Provo temple. It was very spiritual. Having Britney there to stand in as proxy daughters was wonderful and something I will never forget. We then enjoyed a meal at PF Chang's and yes, Wendy go the great wall!

We are a blessed family and cherish our time together. I hope I can stick around for 24 more! Love ya sweet.

Oh Maddie Belle...

That girl never fails to make me laugh. Tonight, Wendy and I returned from our date to learn that Maddie lost a tooth. She has been on a saving spree and has been quite disciplined to her father's appreciation. So, I gave her all the change I have saved lately. Counted out it was almost $5. She was certainly happy.

So, as we were sitting here she goes, "Dad, when I am ready to go to college you will have gotten rid of the rest of the kids. And maybe you will get a good business and you will be an old man that makes a lot of money and I will be able to use my money how I want to cuz you can help me in college."

She has it all planned out! Gotta love her.

My trials seem so small...

First, I could not be more impressed with Garyn as I am today. Like a flood gate suddenly opening I had an overwhelming sense of seeing my little girl become a mature and strong young woman. I could only hope to bear a testimony as heart felt and in tune as she did today.

We went to Utah for the baptism of Caleb Livingston, our nephew and cousin. It was a nice day. However, on the drive home we received a difficult phone call. My good friend, Aaron Munn, called to let us know that cancer had once again returned to attack his wife Amy. This time, the prognosis is not good. She previously had stage 4 skin cancer that was successfully treated with stem cell and lifestyle. It appeared she was free of the cancer and had a new lease on life. This past summer they made their goal of going to the Temple. We were fortunate to be there and witness their eternal bond and having their 2 little girls sealed to them. It was beautiful and spiritual.

Aaron told me that he had just left Amy at Huntsman for a 2nd test and opinion. Just before Christmas she was teaching primary and couldn't get words to come out properly. Through MRI they determined that she has a golf ball sized tumor on her brain. They are giving her a few months to live. I asked Aaron how he and the girls are doing... his answer was touching.

He said, "Mike, thanks to you and others like you our family grew closer to God this past 2 years and even though this is horribly difficult, we are much more prepared to handle it now than we ever were". He went on to tell me that he can't imagine having to deal with it prior to going to the Temple and having a better understanding of eternity.

Today, Garyn shared her feelings. She recognizes how small her trials are and how fortunate she is to have the blessings in her life that she does with a healthy family. She expressed how comforting it was as we received this difficult news to be driving past 7 Temples along the Wasatch Front.

My friend and his little family will have a very difficult year this year. My year will likely be much much easier. I feel selfish knowing that. I hope I can stay focused on the positive things and not find myself feelings sorry for trials. I wish there was more I could do. My prayers and yours will have to be enough. May he and his little girls be comforted. May my friend Amy be at peace and know God loves her.