NYC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[New York, NY]

Oh me oh my was last weekend a dream!? I feel like it never happened, honestly. It was so magical being there during the Christmas season. I am kicking myself I forgot my Canon so these iPhone photos will have to do. Personally, I am kind of grateful I forgot it because I really wanted to just be there - with Adam & the Andersons -

rather than be snapping pictures every moment. Sometimes I get too caught up in distractions around me that I forget to enjoy what's right there beside me. I forget about the one who continues to hold my hand & look into my eyes as we step into the unknown. It is scary to think where we will be, what we will do with our lives but that fear escapes as I realize that we get to do it together. Travel, move from place to place, have kids, learn how to become parents, go through hardships, grow old, spoil our grandchildren, travel some more & one day leave this earth.

All of that we get to experience together.

 How scary can that be? Knowing that I always have him to lean on.

I hope that we never forget who we have.

Whether that be our siblings, parents, children, animals, spouses, or the Savior,

we are never alone.

 

"There is not one of us but what God's love has been expended upon. There is not one of us that He has not cared for & caressed. There is not one of us that He has not desired to save, and that He has not devised means to save. There is not one of us that He has not given angels charge concerning. We may be insignificant & contemptible in our own eyes, & in the eyes of others, but the truth remains that we are the children of God, & that He has actually given His angels - invisible beings of power & might - charge concerning us & they watch over us & have us in their keeping."

President George Q. Cannon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

we are all the same

 

[Alexandria, VA]

 Somedays we feel like we need to write. It doesn't matter what exactly one chooses to write about,

 but that point of the matter is what everyone has something they need to say. 

I believe that the most therapeutic exercise is writing because it allows you to listen to yourself.

 It feeds my Spirit to hear truths that I have confidence in.

I also believe the brain is the most powerful muscle of the human body. In one second, we have the power to fall as prey to the delusion that everyone's life is happier, more productive & more popular than ours because of that detrimental "like" button.

 We live in a world in which social media is constantly bombarding our minds via facebook, instagram, twitter, blogs, snapchat, & pinterest -- which distort our views of reality. Every single day, we are faced with words, photographs, pieces of peoples lives that are illusions which have the effectiveness to change our self confidence & self worth. The consumption of media into our minds create ideas of comparison, jealousy, envy, & resentment that do not need to be there.

This inundation of perfection unconsciously blinds us with negative emotions.

But the truth is that everyone is out there struggling, battling, carrying the same doubts, confusion and loneliness you & I do. Everyone is simply trying to figure out how to control, understand & change in order to create a peace of mind & of heart.

So why do we let ourselves become the victim of this? Why do we let negativity bring us down so

 much that we no longer feel good about ourselves & the world we live in?

Minds have the power to choose if they want those ideas to linger or to get out.

 Minds have the ability to create, inspire & strengthen others; but also have the weakness to tear you apart, spit on you, & make you believe you are alone. 

The truth is we are all seeing the world through a different perspective but ultimately having the same experiences. Maybe next time when you feel those thoughts creep into your mind, you will have the strength, the power to catch yourself & remember that we are all the

same.

 

 

 

 

we either make ourselves

m is e r a bl e

or we make ourselves

s tr o n g 

. . .

the amount of work is the

s a m e

.

 

 

 

PS. this photo was taking in Paris, France

circa 2011

Hello December

 

 

 

 

 

[Alexandria, VA]

Ok...so we are a little excited about Christmas. But let's be honest, who ISN'T?! Lights, trees, christmas  music, food, gifts, family, fireplaces, reindeer, hot cocoa, fireplaces, books, snow, every possible Christmas movie (favs: Grinch, Elf, Christmas vacation, home alone, polar express...), decorations, pie, shopping, Christmas cards, holiday cheer, the list could seriously go on & on...but you get the point.

Our sweet little baby tree was born on December 1st, 2013. She has beautiful lights, loves water/sprite, smells good & is still in process of becoming a women. Every chance we get, we turn on She & Him Christmas Pandora station (yes Pandora is so yesterday but it works for us). I am so tempted to listen to it during work because I feel like I can never get enough & December goes by waaay to quickly. Tomorrow night we are excited to go see the Christmas Carol at the Ford's Theater for date night & this weekend we are heading to NY with the Anderson's to do some more Christmas festivities! It really is neat celebrating the holidays as a married couple. I feel like there is so much more energy & gratitude in me because I get to enjoy it with someone I love. Not that I don't love my family, it is just different. There is an ounce of understanding of how someone could love another human so so much & want to give their life for them. It helps me to see how much our Savior loves everyone of his children. This season is a time to celebrate His birth & the joy He brought to the world. Without Him, I am nothing. I hope we all can embrace the true meaning of Christmas & soak all of it in.

 

because Christ walked such a long,

lonely path

u t t e r l y   a l o n e

we do not have to . . .

 

Jeffrey R. Holland