Introducing Alex

Fact: Two wrongs don't make a right, but three lefts (at 90 degree turns) do.

So I guess I'll just kinda tell y'all what this blog is going to be about.  First I'm going to begin every post with some fact, some may be funny, others may be interesting, and some might just be completely random.  Now most people know Alex Hoffman as the social guy who is friends with everybody, the sports nut, and guy with a quick and witty sense of humor.  I'm hoping that people may get to better know the Alex Hoffman who loves to make others smile, the one who is always willing to lend a hand, the devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and the man who (despite his love of being super social) likes to take time to himself and reflect on life, religion, people, the world, and whatever else comes to his mind.

Well today is Valentine's day.  But for me it is, and will always be, something even more.  4 years ago today I began the greatest journey that I have encountered to this point of my life.  On February 14th, 2008 I was set apart as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  The 2 years that followed was a time of great growth in my life.  When I returned home I may have looked nearly identical as to how I looked when I left and I may have had the same sense of humor and personality quirks that define who I am, but nonetheless I was a changed man.
I had learned to care for the needs of others before my own.  I had learned how to take care of myself and live on my own.  I had felt the joy of helping others make decisions in their lives that brought them great happiness.  I had felt the agony of seeing people fall into the depths of despair and hopelessness.  The Alex that returned home was still the same Alex, just upgraded... perhaps you could say it was Alex version 2.0.
I'm forever grateful for the experiences I've had in life up to this point, for the changes that I've made in myself and have helped make in others, and for the opportunity we all have everyday to make a difference (in our own lives or that of others) for the better.  I guess you could say that I'm working on Alex v 3.0 daily, there are still some upgrades I'm trying to install, but progress is definitely being made.