What started out as a fun idea and a funny sounding word has now become a living reality and testament to the awesomeness of my wife. She just kept egging me on the whole time. Therefore, we're proud to announce our latest basement enterprise and new chocolate line: GirdledBelli's chocolate!

Compare to the real (and unrelated) deal:

The prophesies foretold by modern prophets in the Proclamation on the Family relative to the consequences for the deterioration of the family sometimes seem much more probable in my lifetime and likely to ensue much sooner.

Again, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has become involved in the moral issue marriage and same-sex marriage. The debate is heated in California, where a new ballot measure (Proposition 8) is slated for vote in November. This effects and outcome of this debate, subsequent vote, and law are not isolated to California. This moment is recognized as important by proponents of both sides of the issue, as it will set a precedent for what will follow.

Well, what was largely felt as the writing on the wall was finally announced as fact today. The ICS (Information and Communication Systems) Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by whom I am employed, is moving the whole department to a new office in Riverton, Utah.

Any specifics?
- This was announced publicly today.
- This option was presented to the First Presidency of the church, and they gave the final approval. It seems like the right thing to do.
- The building is in the South Western corner of Bangerter Highway (about 13000 S. 3700 W.)
- The building is an old Intel building.
- The church now owns the building
- The floors are being built out for our spaces.
- The first move-ins from our department will happen around the middle of 2009.
- Move-in's should end about the end of 2009. (all estimates)

Today, the Presiding Bishop, Bishop Burton came to make the announcement with our CIO and take questions. It was fun having the Bishop there. He is a very humble, courageous, and personable man. The prospect of the move is exciting. It was also inspiring to hear Bishop Burton speak about the globalization of the church and our place in helping move forth the kingdom through technology in ways that we have yet dreamed about. The Lord's work is grand!

Since we have been married, I have discovered my new favorite fruit juice. It is Ruby Red Grapefruit Tangerine from Sam's Club. Well, it's a Sam's Choice drink, but we get it from the newly designed Walmart.

It was fantastic when we learned that a new temple was going to be built in Rexburg, Idaho. It was very exciting to see some of the early renders showing what the temple was going to look like. It's now been completed for some time. April and I were able to go through the temple with some of her family for the open house and then return the week after the dedication to go through a temple session there. It was beautiful. I found a fun time-lapse video of its construction compiled from photos taken from a BYU-Idaho webcame here.

Last night, we went to a party with April's coworkers and the school that was down South by a new development in Salt Lake called Daybreak. The community layout features a new temple: The Oquirrh Mountain Temple. It looks very close to the Rexburg Temple in its architecture. It's a great style. I love the temple!