Happy Groundhog Day

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this morning.  Six more weeks of winter.  Although we haven't had much of a winter here.  It's been very mild.  No snow at all this year.  So I guess we get six more weeks of mild weather.

Happy Groundhog Day everybody!

College Football Picks Season Results

1. Clint 33
2. Rex 34
3. Lisa 43
4. Tammy 57
5. Michael 71

Scores were determined by each person's place each week being added up.

Congrats to Clint for winning the college football picks this season.  Thanks to everyone who participated.  It was fun.

Bowl Game Results

1.  Rex -16 tiebreaker 67
2. Tammy -16 tiebreaker 43
3. Lisa -17 tiebreaker 49
4. Michael -20 tie breaker 49
5. Clint -21 tie breaker 54

actual tiebreaker 66

President Eyring Quote

I got this quote in my email today.  It's a good reminder of what mortality is all about.  Life is hard.  Keep trying.

That's my two cents.

“The Lord proves us ... to strengthen us. That proving does not come in moments of ease or comfort. It comes in moments when we feel stretched beyond what we thought we could bear. The Lord teaches that we are to continue to grow and never tire in our efforts, that we never give up, that we keep trying.” Henry B. Eyring “Proved and Strengthened in Christ,” general conference, Oct. 2025, Gospel Library

34 Years

Today marks 34 years since I started my full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on January 15, 1992.  Best decision of my life.  It was hard, but well worth it.

To me, missions are a microcosm of mortality.  You leave your family and everything familiar to embark on an intense learning experience with many trials, but also much joy.  You go to an unfamiliar place– for 18 months – not knowing anybody but you're given a mission president and companions to help you along the way.  It's like starting a completely different life.  Completing your mission is like graduating from mortality and going home.  At least that's the way I see it.  Looking back on my mission brings back many fond memories, but also much growth and many trials.  Just like mortality.

I imagine we will look back on mortality, when it is over, in much the same way that I look on my mission.  We will be glad it's over but also thankful for the experience.  And we'll be extremely grateful for the opportunity and for everything we learned and for the growth we experienced.

It's hard to believe that it's been 34 years since my young 21-year-old self entered the MTC (Missionary Training Center) and started my mission.  On one hand it seems like a lifetime ago and on the other hand I remember it like it was yesterday.  Life is funny that way.

Some pictures from my first area – Zephyrhills, Florida.  February 1992.

I consider it a great privilege to have had the opportunity to serve a full-time mission for the Church.  And I'm so thankful for the opportunity and experience.

That's my two cents.

Just a fun fact – Today also happens to be what would have been my maternal grandmother's 99th birthday.  I started my mission on her 65th birthday.   She died in 2004 at age 77.  Happy birthday Grandma Sabin.  RIP.