It's been a minute since I last posted. My wife and I just got back home from the West Coast. It was a much-needed healing trip. As much as I love watching sunrises from mountain peaks, I think I love sunsets by the ocean with my wife even more.
We've been married for almost 32 years, but we've known each other for nearly 45. Like every marriage, ours has had its share of ups and downs. Through it all, we've learned to reason together and work through difficulties. We still are learning. However, we stay committed during the good times and the bad, in sickness and in health, and for the richer, or for the poorer. I truly believe that until we master those skills in our own marriage—listening deeply, understanding each other, and finding common ground—it's hard to reason together and resolve conflicts effectively with anyone else.
Grateful for the journey and for my wife who's been by my side through it all.
Here are a few photos from our trip:
Sidenote:
There was a solar eclipse yesterday, February 17, 2026. This eclipse coincided interestingly with the Lunar New Year, marking the start of the Year of the Horse (specifically the Fire Horse, a rare combination that occurs only every 60 years). This year symbolizes energy, freedom, forward momentum, bravery, speed, independence, endurance, and vitality.
Today, February 18, 2026, is a remarkable convergence of significant religious observances across different faiths. Today marks the beginning of Ramadan for many Muslims (with the first full day of fasting often starting today or tomorrow depending on local moon sightings) and Ash Wednesday for Western Christians (Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, and others), kicking off the season of Lent.
Ramadan:
Fasting during Ramadan commemorates this revelation and serves as a time of spiritual renewal, heightened devotion, self-discipline, gratitude, and empathy. From dawn to sunset observant Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking, and intimate relations. The fast isn't just physical—it's meant to foster self-control, avoidance of sin (like gossip or anger), extra prayer, charity, and reflection. It builds compassion for those in need by experiencing hunger and thirst.
Ash Wednesday:
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent in Western Christianity, a 40-day period (excluding Sundays) of preparation leading up to Easter, commemorating Jesus Christ's resurrection. It emphasizes repentance, humility, and the need for reconciliation with God. The day draws from biblical themes of penitence (e.g., ashes and sackcloth in the Old Testament as signs of mourning or turning from sin) and Jesus' 40 days of fasting in the wilderness.
This overlap on February 18, 2026—right after the annular solar eclipse and coinciding with the Lunar New Year—is quite unique, highlighting themes of renewal, reflection, fasting, and spiritual focus shared across these traditions, even as their specific meanings and practices differ
A few quotes:
"The restoration points to eternal marriage as man’s glorious destiny. The restoration also began to make eternal marriage in the image of God again possible. Therefore all the elements of the gospel point back to marriage as God’s final purpose for mankind.
The gospel is all about marriage and family. The creation was for Adam, and creation was “not good” until Eve was given as a spouse and helpmeet for Adam. From this simple account of man’s origin, we see everything from the stars above to the world itself led inexorably to the marriage of Adam and Eve. As a couple, the two were “the image of God".
Is your marriage in the image of God? Is there godliness about the way you and your spouse interact? Would angels see the image of God in your relationship? These are not just noble notions to be attained in the afterlife, but describe what marriage could and should look like. Is the glory of God within your marriage? “The glory of God is intelligence, or another words light and truth."
excerpts from Preserving the Restoration
...
"The most important marriage skill is listening to your partner in a way
that they can’t possibly doubt that you love them."
....
"In a marriage, both people can be right at the same time, and both people can be wrong. Remembering this is essential for good communication."
....
"When we listen, understand, and respect each other’s ideas,
we can then find a solution in which both of us are winners."
....
"The goal is to have a conversation in a way so that
you can have another conversation tomorrow."
...
"Many marriages would be better if the husband and the wife clearly understood
that they are on the same side."
....
"Learning to communicate in marriage isn’t solved by applying a magic potion
—it’s a path of discovery. ... You’re now both part of a team and you need to proceed
through the rest of your married lives as a team."
Here are a few photos from our trip:
Sidenote:
A Combination of four events this past 24 hours:
- A SOLAR ECLIPSE
- THE LUNAR NEW YEAR
- RAMADAN
- ASH WEDNESDAY
There was a solar eclipse yesterday, February 17, 2026. This eclipse coincided interestingly with the Lunar New Year, marking the start of the Year of the Horse (specifically the Fire Horse, a rare combination that occurs only every 60 years). This year symbolizes energy, freedom, forward momentum, bravery, speed, independence, endurance, and vitality.
Today, February 18, 2026, is a remarkable convergence of significant religious observances across different faiths. Today marks the beginning of Ramadan for many Muslims (with the first full day of fasting often starting today or tomorrow depending on local moon sightings) and Ash Wednesday for Western Christians (Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, and others), kicking off the season of Lent.
Ramadan:
Fasting during Ramadan commemorates this revelation and serves as a time of spiritual renewal, heightened devotion, self-discipline, gratitude, and empathy. From dawn to sunset observant Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking, and intimate relations. The fast isn't just physical—it's meant to foster self-control, avoidance of sin (like gossip or anger), extra prayer, charity, and reflection. It builds compassion for those in need by experiencing hunger and thirst.
Ash Wednesday:
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent in Western Christianity, a 40-day period (excluding Sundays) of preparation leading up to Easter, commemorating Jesus Christ's resurrection. It emphasizes repentance, humility, and the need for reconciliation with God. The day draws from biblical themes of penitence (e.g., ashes and sackcloth in the Old Testament as signs of mourning or turning from sin) and Jesus' 40 days of fasting in the wilderness.
This overlap on February 18, 2026—right after the annular solar eclipse and coinciding with the Lunar New Year—is quite unique, highlighting themes of renewal, reflection, fasting, and spiritual focus shared across these traditions, even as their specific meanings and practices differ
Footnotes;
