Journey with us back to the summer of 1988. On July 4th that year Elisa and I had our very first date. She asked me out after waiting several months for me to get the hint that she was interested. Our first date was a barbeque in “The Forest,” the wooded backyard of the McKinlay’s who lived next door to Elisa. We skipped out on the fireworks opting to watch the Sylvester Stalone arm wrestling movie, “Over the Top.” Something…
“The Story I Most Consistently Create Will Be The Story To Most Consistently Come True. I Will Intentionally Create A Beautiful, Powerful, And Wonderful Story Of Greatness!” This you’ve just read is my Personal Promise Proclamation. You see it every week at the end of every Monday Morning Boost. Today, it’s time to bring it front and center. CREATING OUR STORY Creating our story is an intentional focus. It starts first with what consumes or occupies our thoughts. As Gandhi and…
Miracles can be grand. And they can be very small. Whatever end of the spectrum, each miracle will be powerful when we choose to receive and then allow them to have an impact in our life. We have experienced the grand miracles, such as the beautiful healing I had from cancer that defied the expectations of medical professionals. We’ve also experienced the minor, and today was one of those. Elisa and I had one of those normal life experiences where…
FOR THE GOLD STAR FAMILIES By Les Patterson Upon the altars of Freedom Their lives young and Old Willingly given as a lasting Sacrifice By the courageous and the Bold In honor and eternal Memory May we forever never Forget If not for their sworn Allegiance Each of us would face the Threat We stand today in solemn Honor In frigid weather or sweltering Heat Even in pristine and ideal Conditions Our circumstances can not be Beat We live today…
“An incredible perspective on what power and influence a single person can have on your life. So many gems in this conversation.” This is how Nick Smith and Ryan Morris introduced the latest episode of their show, “Wake Up With Giants TV.” It was my honor to be their guest Sunday morning as we explored the impact a single person and a single story can have on your life. In the episodes, I share a few stories from my life…
Kristine Marie Jensen is my second great-grandmother on my father’s mother’s side. She was born July 23, 1847, in Denmark. She migrated to America in 1863 and crossed the plains with a group of Mormon Pioneers. In preparation for last week’s “Red Edge Live Pioneer Day” special with renowned LDS historian and storyteller Glenn Rawson, Elisa did a little research on her history for me and discovered an account of her miraculous journey across the plains Kristine was a young…
It took incredible faith for the Mormon Pioneers to make their arduous trek across the plains. Every footstep Every moment Every journey The same is true for each of us. It takes incredible faith to make our arduous trek through life. Every footstep requires faith. Every moment demands patience. Every journey necessitates fortitude. When the going gets tough, we step up to the occasion. We pull ourselves up by the bootstraps. We step into our confidence. Even when it’s hard….
Will you listen to an “Uncomfortable Conversation With a Black Man?” It’s a valid question… Uncomfortable conversations, no matter the subject, are difficult to hear even if you are not an active part of the conversation. Such is this conversation. I shared in last week’s Monday Morning Boost my journey with those of a different race, from childhood through high school and the army and into adulthood. Several of you shared a little of your journey, both the struggles as…
I used to think it was important to not see another person’s color or race. I think differently today. Over the years I have come to realize it’s important to see color and race. And I’ve learned it’s crucially important to talk about color and race. Asking questions and having conversations creates understanding, builds connections, and allows relationships to form. Listen. Love. Care. MY STORY WITH COLOR & RACE I only recall seeing very few black people while growing up…
As you enjoy your Independence Day festivities, in whatever manner you are able to celebrate this year, I encourage you to remember to Stand for the Flag. This year being void of many traditional activities, Standing for the Flag can take on many forms. Here are a few suggestions: Fly the Flag on your home or in your yard – Many youth groups will do this in neighborhoods for fundraising projects. Share stories of those in your family who have…