We got this link from a friend (thanks Mark) and find it pretty interesting. A man asks people on the street who contest they support Obama if they agree with his political views...but they are actually McCain's.
Many of you may have seen this, but we watched it at Dyana's family's place tonight and thought it was definitely worth watching. We also received this email about the same sex marriage issue in California. It is imperative we all vote for righteousness. It is a little scary to see where the country is headed if we don't take a stand and draw the line somewhere. 50 years ago some of these issues wouldn't have stood a chance. The line keeps getting pushed back. If we don't stand up for it now, who knows where we will be in another 50 years.
Vote for Righteousness
Proposition 8
Sorry for the political posts. We should have some more pictures of the house soon. :)
I thought I would venture out and create a post with a little different twist. As Dy and I were watching the presidential debate the other night, we both expressed general frustrations with the process. While it is great to have each side share their views, I get so frustrated with the 2nd grade name calling that goes on. Rarely do they actually answer the questions posed and it seems to be more about the bad the others are doing rather than the good ideas of their own. Having worked for a public policy think tank for a couple years, I definitely appreciate all of the time public servants put in...and most of their intentions. But I still have a hard time with antics that go along with politics.
While I tend to lean towards one candidate, I have not entirely made my decision yet. While Obama tends to be very polished as a speaker and presenter (which I agree is an important characteristic for a president), he seems to spend most of his efforts ripping on the current administration and trying to tie McCain to it all. However, last I checked most all of that legislation is voted on by congress controlled by Obama's party. In fact, many of his votes in the Senate are in support of the very pieces he rips apart. It sounds to me like he often is trying to just say what will best get him elected and not what we need. I do get leery about McCain's age and he definitely isn't as smooth an orator as his counterpart. Although their views are different, his personality is too much like Bush's...plus, what is the "Maverick" campaign about. Should we elect Mel Gibson instead? I also don't like his *health* plan as much as Obama's. However, I do like his experience and feel he and Palin would bring sincerity and integrity to the Whitehouse.
The point of the post is not to create a debate or argument about the candidates, rather to see what some of your thoughts are about the election/debate process in general. I am opposed to those who blindly vote straight party tickets. I get annoyed by people who are so polarized and irrational in their views they don't listen to a word you say (i.e. - environmentalists and PETA). To be honest, my vote is largely influenced by simple integrity and sincerity.
If you have any comments about the process I thought it would be fun to see your thoughts. Most importantly, though, I am grateful for the right to vote and for a country that really is a great place to live. Too often we forget the freedoms we are blessed with and such a positive overall quality of life we live. Be sure to get out there and exercise your right to vote on November 4.
Here are the latest pictures of the house. The framing is almost done. It sure is nice to be able to see some shape to the house. Notice in the first picture the microwave for lunch. Kind of funny.
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It appears things will start moving pretty quickly now. It doesn't hurt that we have really been on them when things weren't getting done, too. Since there isn't as much building going on, they expect us to be in possibly by Thanksgiving time. That would be great.
We enjoyed a date night with Colors on Saturday. They had their second reunion concert at the Sandy Amphitheater. Although Dy doesn't know them too well, Brett enjoyed a few of memories of the good ole days from college. As expected, we even saw a few people we knew from Utah State and Turnberry. Since the Dave Matthews concert was ultimately canceled, we figured this would satisfy our concert fix for the summer. Good times!
So after nearly three months of paperwork and permits, we finally have a hole for our house. They dug the hole and are on there way to getting our house built. They still say they will meet a December 7 deadline. We hope to be able to be in and somewhat settled for Christmas. Exciting times!
Dyana and her sisters took a trip down to Ensenada Mexico with an organization from Utah called Family To Family Humanitarian Expeditions. (www.ffhe.org) For 7 days she lived at an orphanage help build some very humble homes for a few very grateful families. It was a great experience that really helps you to be grateful for what you have. Some of the upgrades we badly want as we build our home seem less essential now. It was an experience of a life time to feel the spirits of those less fortunate than us, but see how happy they were. Material possessions don't bring happiness. Dyana learned that God, family and love are what make a happy people. She fell in love with one family in particular.
The Hernandez family consist of 3 children and the parents that lived in a humble 8x12 foot box built from plywood a roof built out of tarps and scrap metal and plywood floors covered in dirt. One light bulb and no running water. ( unless you count a hose coming out of the out house up the hill running water.) Our expedition felt somewhat like extreme home make over. Our group arrived at the house and started to unload the materials to double their house in size. The father and mother came out with tears filled in their eyes. They were not given any information prior to our arrival that they were selected to be a part of our project. The words the father said next were so moving. He said, I have prayed for months to God to know what I should do next for my family. You are angels sent from him to answer our prayers. Over the week the FFHE group grew to love the Hernandez family. We filled Backpacks with crayons, coloring books and stuffed animals. Everyday we arrived the two young boys filled with joy showed us what they had colored that day. The stuffed animals accompanied them to church and other social functions. Nevertheless tears were shed at the last day when the Brick walls were in place to double their house in size. Although we didn't speak the same language we shared our thoughts through broken language, smiles, tears, and hugs. They are children of God just like each of us. 
Dyana loved to play with the children. She sang songs, played soccer, painted fingernails and toes and even let an orphan Jose paint her toes. Everyday was filled with hard work and labor, but in the end was so rewarding. We left 2 families with new additions, an elderly lady with a retaining wall to prevent water and mud from flooding her house and several orphans with smiles on their faces. 
One night during our Points to ponder moment- a group member made a very interesting thought. He said it's easy to serve the people in Mexico because their needs are so obvious. You can see that they need a better home, better blankets, more food and clothes. It's easy to meet these needs because they are so easy to recognize. But, we have people around us who have needs-that aren't as obvious-yet they still need that love and attentions. I have made it my goal to find those who are silently suffering and be an angel and answer their prayers here in my home town.
Although the week flew by, Dyana was happy to put her feet on US soil and be grateful for the freedoms we enjoy living in this great land.
Well, my wife left me for 10 days to spend time in Cali with her brother before heading down to Ensenada, Mexico to live at an orphanage for a week. She is going down with some of her sister in a group. Part of the time they will spend building a home, playing with kids and other stuff. Since I really don't know the details, I will just let Dy blog about it when she gets back.
We haven't been apart for this long before since before we started dating. I think this morning it hit both of us that we are going to miss each other more than we thought. It will be fun to see the pictures and hear the stories when they get back.
Meanwhile, I feel like I am a bachelor again. If I can work out the work schedule, I may head up to the Uintas with a friend, do a little golf, study for my fantasy football draft next weekend, get a few things done around the house (ok, apartment - but not for long), and watch a bunch of Olympics.
Kind of a lame blog, but it had been a while so I figured we would get an update on here so people know we are still alive.
