Just incase anyone is wondering, I love BYU, especially football and basketball, and yet never attended school there!

I have had a few requests to share the following:

The Las Vegas Review Journal approached us about doing an article about our family's story. We were happy to do it, hoping to help others who may be struggling with loss. Notice how well BYU is represented!

http://www.reviewjournal.com/opinion/columns-blogs/ed-graney/year-after-his-death-austen-russell-celebrated-his-family-photos

Last night the local News Channel 3 here requested to do an interview. I was hesitant to do this, but thought if I could lift someone else who was struggling it would be worth it. Notice my BYU shirt!

http://news3lv.com/news/local/one-year-later-family-remembers-son-ran-over-in-driveway

For any of you in the Las Vegas area, Austen's 10th birthday is Thursday May 5th. We will all be wearing jerseys that day in his honor. We are having a birthday celebration at Austen's park (Paradise Point Park) in Henderson, NV on Friday, May 6th. All are welcome.

https://www.facebook.com/Inlovingmemoryofausten/photos/a.849210558497093.1073741829.848367268581422/1019210988163715/?type=3&theater

Last night I listened to a talk by Loren C. Dunn from 1974, titled "Hanging On." I want to share part of it:

"I don’t know all the reasons the Lord tries us in this life, but there are two or three that come to mind. First, I think he wants to know whom he can trust. The Lord found he could trust Abraham because he was willing to offer his own son as a sacrifice if that was what the Lord wanted. Many thought that Zion’s Camp was a tragic waste of time, until it was later demonstrated that the Lord used this ordeal to find whom he could trust. He wanted to know who had roots of faith and testimony that reached deep into the ground and who had such shallow roots that the first wind of adversity would blow them over.

Secondly, the Lord tells us in the Doctrine and Covenants section 122 that adversity came to Joseph Smith to give him experience. There is something about the eternal purpose of life that requires us to meet and experience trial and sorrow as we seek to overcome, for the Lord has told us also, “… for if they never should have bitter they could not know the sweet. …” (D&C 29:39.)

Thirdly, I believe that only through such experiences can a person develop true charity. And I mean by charity the pure love of Christ.

May I say then to those who are now or will be facing deep trials: May the Lord bless you that you may continue to hang on. There is purpose in it all, and he has promised us that the severity of it all will not be greater than we can endure.

And finally this promise from the Master: “And again, be patient in tribulation until I come; and, behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, and they who have sought me early shall find rest to their souls. …” (D&C 54:10.) In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."