What Color is Silence?

This past week, I was discussing my new stake assignment with a friend, Alan. Alan is a FANTASTIC example of a member-missionary. I told him of how scared I get opening my mouth to share the gospel. I let a great opportunity go last week...sort of. I can contact this person again, but I fear I let the ideal situation slip through my fingers. Alan responded: "Sometimes silence isn't golden. Sometimes it's yellow (as in 'cowardice')." He then quoted D&C 60: 2-3:

2 But with some I am not well pleased, for they will not open their
mouths, but they hide the talent which I have given unto them, because
of the fear of man...
3 And it shall come to pass, if they are not more faithful unto me, it shall be taken away, even that which they have.

These words had a great impact on me. I will be a better missionary.

Beautiful People

This is soooooo true. I'm thankful for the beautiful people in my life.

"The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen."
— Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

The Little Girl Who Has Me Wrapped

Here's Lilee on her 6 month mark. I love the way she's looking at me. She has made our home so happy, and so complete. For years, when we'd be heading out the door, I'd do a head count and I'd always remark, "It feels like we're missing someone." Well, this is who we were missing.

Help with Casting!

Okay, our reality show got picked up for two more episodes, and maybe...maybe 18 more! The first two have yet to leave post-production, so this is a good sign. Here's where I need you help. Please contact me if you know of someone who used to be in the Army, who now has an interesting/exciting career. These people need to be under 40 and somewhat "camera friendly" (a.k.a. easy on the eyes, un-troll-like, arm candy, bonny, fetching, comely, etc.), and willing to be on TV for one episode. The executive producer asked me to have him pictures by Tuesday, April 28. Please help! Thanks.

Name for TV Show

I'm currently co-producing two pilot episodes of TV reality show (actually, it's more of an infomercial) that will air on MTV, Spike and Fuel. This project was created by Ricky Schroder and is funded by the U.S. Army. It will showcase prospective ARMY recruits as they shadow enlistees in their Army careers. The prospects will then shadow the enlistees' civilian counterparts in their army-trained careers. The idea is to boost enlistments by illustrating how exciting Army careers can translate into even greater civilian jobs. At the end of the episode, the prospect will sign the papers to enlist - or, he/she will decline. If the pilots bring favorable results, the Army will order an entire season. Shooting begins a week from today in Ft. Carson, CO - one of 4 locations. Here's the dilemma - the show has no name. The names chosen by the production staff (Recruit, and G.I. Jobs) have been used by other productions, so, to get the names insured against intellectual property claims will cost a fortune - the deductible to use Recruit is $50,000. One name being thrown around is Boots to Suits. We'd like a larger pool of names from which to choose. Time is of the essence. Can you help me out? If the name you submit is actually used (contingent upon you being the first to submit such), I'll treat you to an egg-salad sandwich from this amazing deli here in downtown Phoenix. What?? You're insulted by the offer?? Don't be. The sandwich is life-altering and we're over budget. So, give it a shot. If your name is picked, I'll see that your name is in the show's credits under "THANKS TO:"

Update: PLEASE keep them clean so that I can post them. Also, "Up Your Rear with an Army Career" won't work for obvious reasons.

Book Recommendation

I just finished reading a book titled The Inevitable Apostasy and the Promised Restoration, by Tad R. Callister (brother of Elder Douglas Callister of the 1st Quorum of the Seventy). I thought I knew a lot about the apostasy - nope. Buy, borrow or steal a copy of this book. It was quite an education. What happened to Christ's teachings, His church and its members after His and His apostles' deaths will make you sick. The "Church" that was left over perverted and twisted everything sacred. Those changes in doctrine, church discipline and ordinances are well-documented and received scrutinizing and disapproving commentary by historians and bishops in the subsequent early centuries; they were wholly aware that the church of Christ had vanished. This book will strengthen your testimony and improve your dialogue in this area. GREAT book!

Kindness Matters

Years ago, my wife put a sign in our kitchen that reads: Kindness Matters. Many times I have reflected on the profound message of that little sign. Today, I learned that the seminary students in one of our church buildings applied this eternal principle. Here is an excerpt of the email I received this morning from a stake leader. Notably, I omitted names to preserve the privacy of the students and to allow the focus of this story to be on missionary work and the fruits of kindness.

Brother Haught, all year the seminary teachers at the ______ building have been establishing a friendly relationship with the bus driver who takes the kids to [their high school]. The teachers physically go outside and wait with the kids, say hello to the bus driver, etc. He has commented to the teachers periodically about the great kids who ride his bus, and how he enjoys driving them because they are friendly, well-behaved, respectful, and well-dressed. The last day of class before the Christmas break, all of the teachers contributed items for a gift-basket, and each of the students signed a big card to give to the bus driver for Christmas. The report I received was that the driver was thrilled and got teary-eyed when they gave it to him.

Today, [one of the seminary teachers] called me and said that the driver wanted to ask her some questions. His first question was asking why we don't have a cross on our church building, and do we believe that Christ died on the cross? [The seminary teacher] explained that we do believe he died on the cross but that our focus is on the Atonement and Resurrection (she went into more detail). He then said that now that he understood that, he wanted to know if she had any materials she could give him about our church, saying that he wanted to know more about the church that could produce the great kids who ride his bus. [The seminary teacher]got his information and is going to have the missionaries contact him. She is also going to give him a "For the Strength of Youth" pamphlet tomorrow. Isn't that a great story?!!

This email made my month! I am so blessed to work with the seminary program in our great stake. The examples of these students bring to mind a favorite scripture - Matthew 5:16: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glory your Father which is in heaven.

Lilee at 9 weeks

She's finally smiling...and it's not gas!

Arizona Cardinals

Each year I take my boys (and Hannah, sometimes) to the Arizona Cardinals' Training Camp. We usually take pictures with the players in the mornings, have the pictures printed off at lunch, then have the players autograph them as they're coming in for the afternoon practices. It's a blast. I'm so excited that the Cards have made it this far. Here are some of the pics from the past few years:

Here, QB Matt Leinart is throwing a pass to Matthew (notice Matthew's

outstretched arms on the left). I printed off this picture and Matt Leinart

signed it later in the day. He wrote: "Matt, nice catch. Matt #7."

Garrett is in the foreground with his trademark smile.

Here's WR Larry Fitzgerald signing a framed 8X10 for Hannah while Hunter waits to have his football card signed. Larry is always very cool about signing. You have to wait him out though. After practice is over, he takes 500 passes from the receivers' coach. He stands 10 feet away, with his back to the coach, and when the coach says "hike," the coach throws the ball, hard! Larry, with his feet firmly planted, simply rotates his upper body and catches the ball a half second before it hits him in the chest or face. This takes a while, so whoever is still around when this is all done gets great photo ops and autographs.

Here's Garrett and WR Anquan Boldin. While eating at the Buffalo Wild Wings near our hotel, the hostess seated these receivers next to us. While other people were going up to them to get autographs, Garrett called the waitress over and had her bring hot fudge sundaes to their table. One of them asked who sent the desserts. When she told them it was Garrett, they called him over to their table and talked to him for a while. Garrett paid for the desserts with tip money he made from selling corn on the side of the road near his dad's house in Thatcher. Garrett works at the corn stand every summer and makes great cash.

Larry Fitzgerald and my buddy, TJ, waiting for our cars after a Suns game. Larry is very laid back and, again, always so cool to take pictures and sign autographs. If you can't tell, he's my favorite player on the team and in the NFL. The man leaps out of the sky to catch the uncatchable ball. He's a freak of nature and worth every penny they pay him.

While on the subject of the NFL, here's Matthew running alongside his NFL hero, former Cowboys QB Troy Aikman. Here, Troy asked, "How's it goin', kid?" Matthew was speechless. Notice that sweet Super Bowl ring on his finger.

Summer & Lilee

Our friend, Melanie, took this picture of Summer and Lilee a few days ago. I love this picture! My sweet wife puts up with all my antics and supports me in all my ventures. She is such a wonderful wife and terrific mother. Lilee has completed our family; she's what we've been missing for years.

Lilee's Blessing Dress and Shoes

Our friend, Tiffani, made these shoes...

and this beautiful dress. Notice all of the hand-stitched areas on the collar and the sleeves. She is amazing! We've secured her to make Hannah's, Rylee's, and Lilee's prom dresses, as modest ones are extinct. Tiffani, you outdid yourself on this pretty dress.

Lilee's Blessed Day

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to bless my sweet daughter, Lilee. It was a special day that brought old friends and family together for several hours of storytelling, visiting and the consumption of groceries. We had the luncheon right after sacrament, so the people in our ward were left hungry and cold. Sorry, but we had many family members who wanted to eat, visit and get back on the road. In Lilee's circle were: her grandfathers, Ric and Butch; her maternal great-grandfather, Ron; her uncles, Blue and James; her home teacher, Greg; her bishop, Bishop Rolfe; the 2nd counselor in the stake presidency, my doctor and family friend, President Nally; my dentist and dear childhood friend, Eric; and our friend, Jeff. Jeff's wife, Melanie, took some beautiful pictures of Lilee in her blessing dress, a dress made by our friend, Tiffani. Tiffani is extremely talented; she can make anything so quickly, and make it look like it was purchased in a shop in Milan. Lots of family and friends came for the blessing. It was great to see them all. Lilee is a very special girl. She came to earth in a time when the world is seemingly replete with iniquity. Yet, she came to gospel-loving home, where she'll be taught to love the scriptures and her Savior. She has already blessed our home immensely. My wife is a saint. If you know me, you know that she must be quite patient. She is so amazing. She's an incredible cook, wife, mother, sibling, aunt and friend. Most importantly, she laughs at my stupid jokes, though she has heard them 150 times. She'll be translated soon. Lilee must have been pretty special to be sent to Summer. Conversely, Lilee must have knocked over an old lady in the pre-existence to be sent to me. Our friend, Melanie, took the picture of Lilee in the antique suitcase.