This is my first attempt at writing on our blog but I wanted to add my thoughts about life, namely where we've been, where we're at and where we're going. You will disover that I am significantly more ... let's say descriptive than Carrie. My Mom just calls it long-winded.
When Carrie and I met we were just friends. In fact. I was her friend's, her roommate's "special" friend and by special I mean "boy"-friend. Somehow I convinced her I was worth it and she decided to date me. Never have I accomplished anything so spectacular, that is until I convinced her to marry me. I still think it was all those celestial wife points I earned on my mission. My life with Carrie has shaped me into a more sensitive and loving person.
When Tyler came as our little bounder-present we felt like we were growing up.
Carrie graduated before we were married (does that make her smarter or me I wonder, probably both) and four years after her, I finally graduated. College was more of a challenge for me than it should have been but I plodded along with a steady determination. Often wandering like a lost ship blown from subject to subject and major to major. Choosing Communications: Broadcast Journalism was like finally finding my lode star. Not only did I find something that engaged me and challenged me, I had found my people.
Professors and students alike became mentors, peers, and friends. Because I was working for Wells Fargo, and they would pay for it, I took a class from Dr. Dale Cressman. I was hooked, line and sinker, reeled into journalism. I would eventually take two more classes from Dr. Cressman making him the only professor privileged enough to have me in three of his classes.
He had worked as a news producer before becoming a professor and his passion, combined with the passion and oratories of my other communication professors, inspired me to become at least somewhat like him, and them. A dream formed. I wanted to go into producing and news management and ultimately go on to rule the world, or at least run a news station in a large market.
I practically begged Erin Goff (BYU News Director) to give me a position as an Executive Producer for the Daily News. I would go on begging for the rest of my college career. She had a different plan, for which I am grateful. Together with Joshua Molina, one of the coolest people I have ever met, we would create a new weekly Spanish news broadcast. Erin's directions to us? "It's your show."
We didn't even have a name when we started, just a group of talented and eager journalism students. We accomplished a miracle and Ventana al Mundo was born. People who had magic worked it and we began forming "VaM" into something we all became very proud of. That experience alone taught me many more lessons than I ever learned from the musings of a textbook. Not to say that it isn't important, rather, I compliment those impressive people we worked with for all that they taught me.
During the final years of my schooling I had the added blessing of serving in the bishopric of the BYU 175th ward. At times it was difficult, but we felt the impression to visit the members in their homes. The experiences I had visiting with those wonderful people helped to shape me into a more loving person. I know of no other way to describe it and yet still feel it inadequately described. Charity is the pure love of Christ. It is, I believe, a gift that we can work to attain. To love God's children the way that He loves them.
In my calling I learned from many great men and women. From them I learned that the greatness is in the small and simple things that we do. In my meetings with the bishopric we would laugh and smile and enjoy life. It just seems natural that inspired leaders should be happy, no matter how rocky the road.
As graduation loomed ever nearer we received prospects of a job in Eugene, OR. We were excited but we felt it wasn't for us. With no further prospects we moved forward with faith. Opportunities arose for positions that would and should have been desirable, but weren't because they required me to work on Sundays. I had made the decision that I would do what I must to not have to work on the Sabbath. In my career that meant long years ahead of me working the graveyard shift.
Seemingly out of the blue a blessing happened. In a matter of three days I was contacted, interviewed and offered a position that didn't require weekends or graves. The pay is enough so that I can support my little family and Carrie can stay at home with Tyler. We truly are rich. All along I had been told it wasn't possible, but all things are possible. When we choose to obey in faith we empower God to bless us in love. There is no doubt in my mind that our job offer in Sioux Falls, South Dakota is a direct blessing of obedience to God's commandments.
So we move. As we do, we leave behind many family and friends who we will sorely miss. Some we may not meet again in this mortal life. Many we will.
On behalf of my family I want to tell you first and foremost, thank you. We love you. We shall never forget the lessons that you taught us and the love that you so freely gave us. It is once more with hope that we look to the Savior and His sacrifice and take comfort in the knowledge that God will be with you until we meet again. Whether at Jesus' feet or in some other time. Good luck and may God be with you, my friends.
--Tyson
Halloween got way more exciting once Tyler joined our lives! He got the hang of Trick or Treating really fast: Knock on a door, someone answers and exclaims over how cute you are, then reach in their candy bowl and grab the shiniest piece. The weather was perfect and Tyson even got to come with us for a bit during his break. Tyler's favorite treat was actually a toothbrush - he held on to it for half of the night, refusing to put it in his pumpkin. We had so much fun! 
Practicing for the big day.
