Photoshoots?!💥

Hi Everyone!

Lots of news over here 🩵

MY BOOK IS ALMOST DONE!!!!!! My editor and I are wrapping it up. It has an amazing cover, and will soon be formatead beautifully (thank you Brenda Bird!) It will be uploaded to Amazon SOON.

Also, my brother in law started a business! He’s creating and selling hat pins. Click here to see his website. The newest ones coming are rad!

AND! Since my book is done I’m taking on a couple photoshoots.

I have a wedding booked in Newport Beach in June and then I come to Seattle.

Newport Beach: June 9-11

I can take ONE family shoot.

Seattle: June 23-25

I will take FOUR Photoshoots (I shoot purely digital.)

Shoots can take place indoor, outdoor, whatever you want. They will last 45-60 minutes, and cost $300 (payable via Venmo).

Writing has become my favorite pastime. With this book almost out, I hope it’s the beginning of many more—starting with a children’s book my sister and I plan to collaborate on. And, I finally hope to get a podcast or two rolling that have been in the works!

As always, lots of big dreams, and lots more of trying to figure out how to make them happen!

I send my love to each of you, and hope to see you in Seattle 🤍

Christina

sacred ground

As Christ bled from every pore, I find His Father’s response to His son striking. In our Savior’s deepest agony, He poured out His true heart, I can’t do it. It’s too hard. Please take it away. Please don’t make me go through with it.

I recently heard what His Father did not say, “Make sure you’re reading your scriptures and saying your prayers. Do your family history and listen to conference talks. Serve others and go to the temple…” 

I imagined a Father sitting with His son, holding Him, silently near. I felt the space He held, wide open, for His son to honestly express what hurt, what He didn’t like, what He didn’t want to do. I sensed a Father’s stillness, the absent need to fix it, change it, or make it different. He just needed to be there.

I think of the angels who welcomed the extraordinary opportunity to minister to Jesus in His suffering. But what could they do? Almost nothing! They couldn’t make His burden light, couldn’t lessen the suffering, couldn't take His place, couldn't give advice that would make it better. They couldn’t do anything.

Neither did they need to. All that was needed was to be there. To sit. Wait. Watch. Be still. Be near. Be there while He endured the most difficult part of His mortal mission.

Maybe this is some of the most sacred ground we will tread: hearing hearts, honest hearts—the tender feelings not many divulge. 

The angels who accepted that sacred mission became witnesses to their God overcoming His own suffering, and that of an entire world. 

They got to be there.

momentum comes from Jesus

I have a favor to ask everyone: will you please pray for me to finish my book? It has been 3 years. I want to get it out already! I have two children’s books also in the works that I would like out of my head and into whoever’s hands who want them. But I need extra help!

Please and thank you thank you thank you! 

AnnieKate and MayMay,

This mama is full of mortality’s shortcomings, weaknesses, and frailties, but there is nothing of which I am more certain: Jesus Christ and repentance.

The last few weeks I have pondered momentum. 

Where does it come from? How do I get it? 

My recurring thoughts are: come as you are–slow, depleted, with a dead battery, even dead stagnant. It doesn’t matter because momentum comes from Jesus Christ, not works, or goals, or promises. Everything you need and want comes from Him, through repentance.

Culturally we hear “do more, be more, just try. Even if it’s small, do something. Momentum can’t arise from nothing, so start somewhere.”

But what about when I can’t?

One day you may find yourselves like me–crushing it: homeschooling, cooking delicious food, taking care of the baby, doing it all, for a whopping 2.53 seconds! And then, for reasons known or unknown, you find yourselves flat on your face, on the floor, flat as a pancake, no momentum anywhere in sight.

What now? When you lack the strength to get back up, when you don’t even want to, and when you can’t start small, when you don’t even want to, what then?

Consider my life experience and knowledge of Jesus Christ:

Momentum can (and does!) arise out of nothing. 

Momentum can (and does!) come regardless of what we are, or are not, doing. 

Momentum comes from Jesus through our repentance.

Momentum comes because of Jesus Christ, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.

I am not Alpha—my beginning—He is! 

Even my momentum starts with Jesus.

The Savior has perfect momentum! So cry out every woe and difficulty and slipup. Cry out your paralysis. Cry out your pains and frustrations that keep you from being who you want to be and doing what you want to do. 

Girls, never forget! You cry until momentum comes. You cry until you are moving in the direction you want to go. And you don’t stop crying until change and miracles come. This is repentance–crying until change and miracles come (Alma 34, 33, 32). This is repentance— “looking to Him in every thought.” Every, every, every thought, regardless of how good or bad, happy or sad.

Jesus is Alpha and Omega–the beginning and end of everything you wish to be, everything you want to do. When you have nothing to give He puts you in motion, not because of what you’ve done but because of everything He did.

He is Alpha, your kickstart, your jumpstart: a “...connection to electrical power…or another source of current; -- an emergency procedure used when a vehicle's own battery has insufficient power to start the vehicle normally. …a speedy start to (an activity) using the assistance of some external impetus...”

When your battery is dead and you have no momentum, when you don’t even want momentum, repentance plugs you into the source of infinite power, infinite momentum, Jesus Christ.

Don’t get hung up on what you need to do, what you’re not doing, what you think you should be doing. Don’t look to yourself in every thought, “look unto Him in every thought”. Send every thought and feeling and problem to Him, every time it arises (repentance). He will do His work: He will send momentum, miracles, and change, even when your battery is dead and you couldn’t be any more stagnant.

When you start to think of what you’re not, “always remember Him” and all He is. Wait for Him, wait on Him, crying out until momentum comes.

I love you. He loves you most, 

Your Mama

tent doors (but not without some repentance!)

I was about to climb into bed and found myself contemplating if I had done everything President Nelson had asked us to do over the last six months. I know he asked us to study last conference’s conference talks, but I find I always get hung up on 1 or 2 that keep me coming back to them over and over. I asked myself, “Was that enough? Did I do enough?”

I don’t even believe in those questions, yet somehow still find myself asking them. I answered my own questions, “Of course it’s enough. I feel the spirit, I follow the spirit. If I kept coming back to only 1 or 2 talks it doesn’t matter. It’s all enough.”

Then I wondered if I was prepared for conference this weekend (I am so dang excited for it!) and thought of King Benjamin and his people—all turning their tent doors to the temple. Then my study got really good and I saw faith and repentance (it’s always there!)

“And they also took of the firstlings of their flocks, that they might offer sacrifice and burnt offerings…”

My mind raced to 3rd Nephi when the Savior tells the Nephites, I don’t want your sacrifices. I don’t want your burnt offerings—I want your heart.

Am I prepared to give my heart this weekend? Will the Savior have my whole heart as I listen to His prophet and apostles?

King Benjamin’s people brought their animal sacrifices “that they might give thanks to the Lord their God…”

Then King Benjamin asked them, “hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view.”

I hope this weekend our own hearts are filled with the mysteries of God, and with gratitude for the One who gave all. He gave all so my meager, itty-bitty widow’s mite—practically worthless compared to His infinite sacrifice—would always be enough.

I am especially thankful for Him who, in a world that thrives on chaos, sends peace amidst the storm! These days I find myself basking in the overwhelming peace that only comes from the Prince of Peace, regardless of any storms.

My tent door will be facing the temple this weekend (Jesus!) with your tent doors-rejoicing in and worshipping that Lord of Lords and King of Kings, giving thanks with my whole heart.

(watch conference here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/broadcasts?lang=eng&video=21236952928198668460&mode=watch)

All my love,

Christina

fasting and prayers UNanswered?

It’s Saturday evening. 9pm. I’m studying about Jesus, and agency. My thoughts trailed to fast Sunday tomorrow, how worldwide we have fasted twice for relief from the pandemic. Almost two years later have we found relief or are we still “waging war”?

Did the fasts not work? A worldwide church fasted with the prophet! Did we have enough faith? Did President Nelson?

Of course we have enough faith (however much faith we have is enough faith!)

I remembered long-suffering–enduring the suffering until the blessing comes, enduring His timing, enduring the (uncomfortable) change happening in our hearts that makes them softer, gentler, more like His.

A favorite scripture of mine comes from Lehi who shares his heart with his son, “Wherefore, I know that thou art redeemed, because of the righteousness of thy Redeemer”.

We are not redeemed because of our righteousness, our obedience, or anything else we do. We are redeemed because of the Savior’s perfection, the Savior’s righteousness, “redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah” “and in no other way”. 

I am never excited for fast Sunday but repentance works and I find myself excited for tomorrow (plus, I made chocolate cake. That’s worth any sacrifice…), “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free…[then shall] thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward. And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” His promises will come, they always do. His ways, His timing, is perfect.

2 Nephi 2, Mosiah 3, Isaiah 58

Es sábado por la noche. 21:00. Estoy estudiando Jesús y el albedrío. Mis pensamientos se dirigieron a mañana, día de ayuno, y cómo en todo el mundo hemos ayunado dos veces para aliviar la pandemia. Casi dos años después, ¿hemos encontrado alivio o seguimos “librando la guerra”?

¿No funcionaron los ayunos? ¡Una iglesia mundial ayunó con el profeta! ¿Tuvimos suficiente fe? ¿El presidente Nelson tuvo suficiente fe?

Por supuesto tenemos suficiente fe (¡por mucha fe que tengamos es suficiente fe!)

Recordé la longanimidad: soportar el sufrimiento hasta que llega la bendición, soportar Su tiempo, soportar el cambio (incómodo) que sucede en nuestros corazones que los hace más suaves, más amables, más como los Suyos.

Una de mis escrituras favoritas proviene de Lehi, quien comparte su corazón con su hijo: “Por tanto, sé que eres redimido por la justicia de tu Redentor”.

No somos redimidos por nuestra justicia, nuestra obediencia o cualquier otra cosa que hagamos. Somos redimidos por la perfección del Salvador, la justicia del Salvador, "la redención viene en y por el Santo Mesías" "y de ninguna otra manera".

Nunca estoy emocionado por el ayuno del domingo, pero el arrepentimiento funciona y me encuentro emocionado por el día de mañana (además, hice pastel de chocolate. Eso vale cualquier sacrificio…), “¿No es este el ayuno que he elegido? para desatar las ligaduras de la maldad, para desatar las pesadas cargas, y para dejar en libertad a los oprimidos… [entonces] tu luz brillará como el alba, y tu salud brotará prontamente, e irá tu justicia delante de ti; la gloria del Señor será tu recompensa. Y Jehová te pastoreará siempre, y saciará tu alma en las sequías, y engordará tus huesos; y serás como huerto de riego, y como manantial de aguas, cuyas aguas nunca faltan.” Sus promesas vendrán, siempre vienen, y la hora será perfecta.

2 Nefi 2, Mosias 3, Isaias 58

believing = eternal life

Some people came finding Jesus asking, what do we have to do to be like God?

And Jesus says, just believe in me, just believe me. I came so that whoever believes me I will give eternal life.

And they say, ya, but what do you do?

Their culture is so ingrained in them that they cannot just believe Him. They keep coming back to works: His works, their works, everyone’s works. 

Then, when they go on asking about Moses and the bread Jesus says, I am the bread! I give life. 

Still not understanding they plead, give us this bread!

Again he says, I am the bread! Believe me! I give life. I save. I heal. If you come to me, you will never hunger and never thirst. This is why the father sent me: so whoever believes, whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood will have eternal life.

Is it too simple? Has He made it too easy that we can’t understand, let alone believe it, believe Him? Is our tradition so ingrained in us that we cannot just believe? We have to keep asking, riiiight, but about those works?! Am I DOING it, DOING enough?!? 

When can we just believe? 

Do we keep asking like them, wait?! But what works do we do?! What works do we not do?! What works do you do, Lord?! Works works works. 

And then they murmured at Him because He said all of this stuff about believing.

After their murmuring He tells them again, I am the bread! If you come you will have eternal life.

And STILL they misunderstood, STILL had to prod, “how can we eat his flesh?”

What more could he say?! He said it all, “whoever comes I will be in them. Them in me. I will raise them up at the last day.”

It doesn’t matter where we are in our coming. We just come. Wherever we are we keep coming. We are going to make it; we already have.

IT IS THIS EASY!

But it wasn’t enough for the people. He wasn’t enough. They left. 

So the Savior asks his 12, are you going, too?

And what do they respond?! The most beautiful, perfect, glowing words, “We believe you. Thou art the Christ, the son of the Living God.”

It is this easy. We are not earning our way home, “work”-ing our way home, doing our way home.

We are believing our way home. He already did—and continues to do—alllll the rest. 

All that is left for us to do is believe.

(John 3 and 6. And every other scripture in every other book ;))

Algunas personas vinieron a Jesús preguntando, ¿qué tenemos que hacer para ser como Dios?

Y Jesús dice, sólo cree en mí, sólo créeme. Vine para que al que cree en mí le dé vida eterna.

Y dicen, ya, pero ¿qué haces?

Su cultura estaba tan arraigada en ellos que no pudieron simplemente creerle. Siguen volviendo a las obras: Sus obras, las obras de ellos, las obras de todos.

Entonces, cuando siguen preguntando de Moisés y el pan, Jesús dice: ¡Yo soy el pan! Yo doy vida!

sin entender suplican, ¡danos este pan!

De nuevo dice, ¡Yo soy el pan! ¡Créame! doy vida. Yo sano. Yo consuelo. Yo salvo. Si vienes a mí, nunca tendrás hambre ni sed. Para esto me envió el padre: para que el que crea, el que coma mi carne y beba mi sangre, tenga vida eterna.

¿Es demasiado simple para nosotros? ¿Lo ha hecho demasiado fácil que no podemos entender, mucho menos creerlo, creerle? ¿Nuestra cultura y tradición está tan arraigada en nosotros que no podemos simplemente creer? Tenemos que seguir preguntando, claro, pero ¿sobre esas obras? ¿Lo estoy HACIENDO, HACIENDO lo suficiente?

¿Cuándo podemos simplemente creer?!

¿O tenemos que seguir preguntando como ellos preguntaron, espera? ¡¿Pero qué obras hacemos?! ¡¿Qué obras no hacemos?! ¡¿Qué obras haces, Señor?! Funciona funciona funciona.

La gente le murmuraron a Él porque Él dijo todas estas cosas del creer.

Después de sus murmuraciones Él les dice de nuevo, ¡Yo soy el pan! Si vienes tendrás vida eterna.

Y TODAVÍA entendieron mal, TODAVÍA tuvieron que insistir, "¿cómo podemos comer su carne?"

¡¿Qué más podría decir?! Él lo dijo todo, “quienquiera que venga, yo estaré en ellos. ellos en mi. Yo los resucitaré en el último día.”

No importa dónde estemos en nuestra venida. Solo venimos. Dondequiera que estemos, seguimos viniendo. Lo vamos a lograr; ya lo hemos logrado!!

¡ES ASÍ DE FÁCIL! Solo creemos.

Pero no fue suficiente para la gente. Él no fue suficiente. Se fueron.

Entonces el Salvador le pregunta a sus 12, ¿tú también vas?

¡¿Y qué responden?! Las palabras más bellas, perfectas y resplandecientes: “Te creemos. Tú eres el Cristo, el hijo del Dios Viviente.”

Es así de fácil. No nos estamos ganando el camino a casa, “trabajando” para llegar a casa, haciendo nuestro camino a los cielos.

Estamos creyendo nuestro camino a casa. Ya hizo, y hace, todo lo demás.

(Juan 3 y 6. Y todas las demás escrituras en todos los demás libros;))

Just Jesus

My three beautiful girls,

Damion stopped me in the store tonight raving about the cashew sour cream I held in my hand, the juicery he owns in Layton, his favorite kimchi on the shelf, and “Taron Johnson who plays for the Bills, #24, is my best friend!”

I had just wrapped up a writing zoom seminar and was thinking about the books I’m writing, why I’m writing them. When the conversation about food and healthy gut biome ended, of course my mind continued the conversation (KLOVE had been cranked in the car and I was rocking out to Promises), “I’m writing books…religious books…” Then wondered, are they religious? Are they Christian? LDS? How do I categorize the books I’m writing?

In my experience, once something is labeled it gets murky. Then when I try to describe it it is constrained to “that thing”.

I started attending the temple every week again (it’s been two weeks ;). A best friend and I meet there, sit in the celestial room, discuss things on our mind, in our hearts. I feel revelation beginning to flow again. I have more questions and subsequently feel more answers.

And so continued my trail of thoughts. …writing an LDS book puts it in a box—an LDS box. Writing a Christian book puts it in a Christian box.

I’m writing Jesus books, no box.

Maybe sometimes even the church gets between us and Jesus.

Maybe the church is just a vehicle that gets me to the temple, and the temple is a vehicle that gets me to Jesus.

Girls, I have one wish for you: don’t get caught up in the myriad of voices at home, at church, anywhere. Go find Jesus—preferably in His house. He will tell you everything you want to know.

I love you more than you love me, your mama

Mis tres hermosas chicas

Damion me detuvo en la tienda esta noche delirando sobre la crema agria de anacardo que tuve en la mano, la compañía de jugo de que es dueno en Layton, su kimchi favorito en la estantería, y "Taron Johnson, que juega para los Bills, # 24, es mi mejor amigo ! "

Acababa de terminar un seminario de escritura por zoom y estaba pensando en los libros que estoy escribiendo, por qué los estoy escribiendo. Cuando terminó la conversación sobre la comida y el bioma intestinal saludable, mi mente continuó la conversación, "Estoy escribiendo libros ... libros religiosos ..." Pero pensé, son ellos religiosos? ¿Son cristianos? ¿Cómo categorizo ​​los libros que estoy escribiendo?

En mi experiencia, una vez que se etiqueta algo, se vuelve turbio. Luego, cuando trato de describirlo, se limita a esa categoría, y no se puede pertenecer a ningún otro.

Empecé a asistir al templo todas las semanas de nuevo (han pasado dos semanas). Un mejor amigo y yo nos reunimos allí, nos sentamos en el salón celestial, discutimos las cosas que tenemos en la mente, en el corazón. Siento que la revelación comienza a fluir de nuevo. Tengo más preguntas y siento más respuestas que vienen de los cielos.

Y así continuó mi rastro de pensamientos. … Escribir un libro de la iglesia lo pone en una caja. Escribir un libro cristiano lo pone en una caja cristiana.

Estoy escribiendo libros de Jesús, no caja.

Quizás a veces la iglesia se interpone entre nosotros y Jesús.

Quizás la iglesia es solo un vehículo que me lleva al templo, y el templo es un vehículo que me lleva a Jesús. Él hace todo lo demás.

Niñas, tengo un solo deseo para ustedes: no se dejen atrapar por la miríada de voces en casa, en la iglesia, en cualquier lugar. Ve a buscar a Jesús, preferiblemente en Su casa. Él te dirá todo lo que quieras saber.

Las amo más de lo que me aman a mí, tu mamá

love and light unmatched

My beautiful girls,

You will never have more power to dream and do and become then you will bound to Christ through covenant. He wants nothing more than to give you all the priesthood power you need to reach your brilliant potential. He has endowed you with infinite gifts, power, and light that can only increase as you co-create your life with Him, the Master creator. As you learn to submit your will to His, He will fill you with His perfect love and infinite power. Hand in hand with Him, the mark you leave on the world, on His children, will “grow brighter and brighter until the perfect day”.

I am full of gratitude that we get to learn to love as He loves. Love, Your Mama

Mis hermosas chicas,

Nunca tendrás más poder para imaginar, hacer, o llegar a ser de lo que tienes atado a Cristo a través de los convenios. Él te ha dotado de infinitos dones, poder y luz que a medida que co-creas tu vida con Él, el Creador, solo puede aumentar. Él no quiere nada más que darte todo el poder del sacerdocio que necesites para alcanzar tu brillante potencial. A medida que aprendas a someter tu voluntad a la suya, serás lleno de Su amor perfecto, y la marca que dejas en el mundo, en Sus hijos, sin fin.

Tu Mamá

I am closing my photography business. I have cameras and gear for sale (Canon 1V, Sigma 24mm 1.4 for Canon, a Sekonic L-508 light meter, leather camera strap for two cameras…).

All pic-time picture galleries will close in two months. There are coupon codes all over the Pic-Time galleries for 55% off anything you order (anyone can use them.)

PLEASE DOWNLOAD ALL YOUR PICTURES BEFORE JANUARY 1. EVERYTHING WILL BE DELETED FROM PIC-TIME.

THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME TAKE YOUR PICTURES. I HAVE LOVED ALL OF IT!!!

Happy holidays!

All my love,

Christina

MayMay-cita

May Marielle Judd came Jul 20th around 3am (I think ;))

She is a dreamboat and we do nothing but swoon over her (well, there’s not a ton of swooning every 2-3 hours all night, but during the day she is perfection in baby form.)

There is radio silence over here while we maul our baby, and get back into homeschool and extracurriculars, but I did want to share something I was part of this morning:

My friend, Tracy’s, The Thy Neighbor Podcast.

This is our 37 minute chat, where I bare the things of my soul regarding faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, and why suffering.

These are my favorite topics in the entire world. This podcast is full of my rambling, emotion, and deeply imperfect communication skills, but if you listen, I hope you hear the Savior talking to you, more than either of us.

My love runs deep for Him, His mercy, His grace, His priesthood power that He sends to everyone who wants it.

Here are the links to listen:

Podbean: https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-iunr2-1115f98

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7z0CPJhWynJQmD09MQb4s1?si=YwKTuFcnSiOpgCGBC2AINw

iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thy-neighbor-podcast/id1445335496?i=1000539839295

Stitcher: https://listen.stitcher.com/yvap/?c=sharelink&af_dp=stitcher://episode/87819587&af_web_dp=https://www.stitcher.com/episode/87819587&deep_link_value=stitcher://episode/87819587

All my love for each of you. I do have letters to write soon - especially to our newest MayMay, who I still cannot believe we get to call ours.

Love, Christina

Faith - No Matter What

Our lesson in relief society today was on President Nelson’s talk, “Faith to Move Mountains.”

I was thinking about how our faith always has to be placed in Jesus Christ, in His will for us. My faith is not in a miracle I seek, not in a priesthood blessing I received, not in my goals, desired outcomes, or my works...

My faith, belief, and trust is always in Him, and is manifest in my staying near Him no matter what happens - staying bound to Him through covenant when all does not go as hoped or planned. 

These thoughts led me to a few other thoughts: Christ had perfect faith in His father, perfect faith - he couldn’t have had any more faith!

But even His flawless faith could not ward off mortality’s suffering: people wanted to kill him at every turn; He was constantly trying to get His closest friends to see who He was and what he had come to do; He eventually walked into a garden and endured the most pain any being would or could ever experience, directly after which He was arrested, beaten, and tried in the most unjust trial in the world.

If that wasn’t bad enough, He was then hung on a cross while those He came to save celebrated His death. 

He had perfect faith and still everything went seemingly wrong. 

…but actually it all went right. 

There was always a plan, always a planned resurrection, always sure promises. 

The Savior chose to endure everything that would “go wrong” to win the final prize of being given all power to right every wrong for the entire human family. 

This is my faith: I hang on, through everything that goes wrong, trusting Him “with the utmost assurance” that He is actually making everything more right.

Nuestra lección en la sociedad de socorro hoy fue el discurso del presidente Nelson "Fe para mover montañas.”

Estaba pensando en cómo nuestra fe siempre debe estar puesta en Jesucristo, en Su voluntad para nosotros. Mi fe no está en un milagro que busco, ni en una bendición del sacerdocio que recibí, ni en mis metas, resultados deseados o mis obras ...

Mi fe y confianza están siempre en Él, y se manifiesta en mi permanencia con Él sin importar lo que pase, permaneciendo unido a Él, a través de mis convenios, cuando todo no sale como se esperaba o estaba planeado.

Estos pensamientos me llevaron a otros pensamientos: Cristo tenía una fe perfecta en Su padre, una fe perfecta; ¡no podría haber tenido más fe!

Pero incluso su fe impecable, no significaba que su vida fuera fácil: la gente quería matarlo a cada paso; constantemente enseña y trataba de que sus amigos más cercanos vieran quién era Él, y porque vino; finalmente, entró en un jardín y soportó el mayor dolor que cualquier ser podría experimentar, solo para ser arrestado inmediatamente después y juzgado en el juicio más injusto del mundo.

Y luego, después de todo eso, fue colgado en una cruz mientras aquellos a quienes había venido a salvar celebraban Su muerte.

Tenía una fe perfecta y todo salió aparentemente mal.

Pero en realidad todo salió correcto, bien!

Siempre hubo un plan, siempre una resurrección planificada, siempre promesas seguras.

El Salvador decidió soportar todo lo que “saldría mal” para ganar el premio final de que cada “mal” se corrigiera, para Él mismo y para toda la familia humana.

Esta es mi fe: me aferro, a pesar de todo lo que sale mal, confiando en Él “con la mayor seguridad” de que Él realmente está haciendo que todo sea aún más correcto.

Suffering + Let God Prevail + Covenant Promises

So much to say: 

We moved to Utah! Happened kind of overnight.

Another baby girl is joining this crazy parade end of July!

I have some travel plans that recently popped up: Mesa, AZ March 24-29; Palo Alto/San Francisco, CA April 9-11; Seattle, WA April 23-25, and back to Palo Alto, CA August 13-15. If you would like a photoshoot, spots are very, very limited as this pregnant body moves slower than normal. Click here to book.

And lastly, after the wedding in Palo Alto in August (seeking second shooter, anyone interested?), I will be closing down photography. It has been the most beautiful run — I have all of you to thank for it! I will downsize all my gear, only hanging on to a few things for personal use. If anyone wants anything it will be for sale just in time for fall shoots!

My website will be given a tiny makeover to reflect the things in my heart - more writing, more pictures of my life and family. And just as every decision that has led me to this point, it feels so good, so peaceful, so right.

Now, on to my favorite things…

On Sunday I had some thoughts while sitting through the opening song at church. As I thought about faith and repentance the way I have (re)learned it over the last two years - removing all culture and tradition from the terms - I thought of what faith unto repentance (as Alma calls it) has to do with “Let God Prevail”. I believe the terms are 100% synonymous.

Repentance is about hearts, not works (bible dictionary), and it is suffering that brings us to a place where we are finally able to say, “Fine, here’s my heart. Everything hurts. I’m broken, a complete wreck. But here is my heart, in all its pieces, do with it what you will. ‘Thy will be done.’” My thoughts wandered to Hebrews 2, 3, 4, and 11 where the Savior was made perfect through the things He suffered, and so are we. So when our lives unravel, feel too much to bear, the suffering isn’t bad, it’s just the only way He can get us back home. The suffering is necessary for our transformation, by our faith (trust) and repentance (giving our hearts to Him.)

I realized we are not just “trying to be like Jesus”. We are trying not to be who we were. The Savior wants to turn us into who we were always meant to be, and suffering is a necessary part of the process, just as it was for him, “Please remove this cup from me, please remove this cup from me. It’s too hard. It’s too heavy. I don’t want it. Nevertheless, not my will but thine be done.” I, Christina Judd, believe that the changes He makes to our heart, to our physical body, come in the suffering. And I believe it’s impossible to be made whole (perfect) without it. Repentance is about hearts, not works.

As the opening song continued a list came to my mind of people who let God prevail: Nephi let God prevail and wandered in the wilderness for 8 years suffering so much he couldn’t write it all; Mary let God prevail and watched her son suffer and die on a cross; John the Baptist let God prevail and was beheaded; The Savior let God prevail and was spat upon, beaten, and suffered “more than man can suffer even until death” while bleeding from every pore and paying for the sins of the very people who bruised and beat him; Alma and Amulek let God prevail and they were beaten, thrown into prison, and watched innocent women and children burn. While continuing to let God prevail they could not intervene.

President Nelson invited us to Let God Prevail in the last general conference, and in the same breath invited us to make a list of all the promises Christ has made to covenant Israel. If we let God prevail, we have to remember every promise made to us because things are likely to get rough. Maybe not on purpose, but not on accident either…

As my understanding of faith unto repentance and suffering has deepened over the last couple years, I finally understand how joy and happiness fit into this “plan of happiness.” 

If we are meant to suffer while in mortality so we turn our hearts to Christ (repent) so He can heal us, change us, and make us whole, how does one have joy?!

Because joy is not in my circumstance, goals, accomplishments, or planned outcomes.

Joy does not have to do with me.

My joy is in Christ — His goals, His accomplishments, His outcomes for me. My joy is in what He has done, and will continue to do through me and for me, forever. 

My joy is in Him.

I can endure a lifetime of suffering and faith and repentance because I know who the Savior is and I trust Him. One day He will stand in front of me. I want know Him as my covenant Father who was not trying to torture me, or make me aimlessly suffer! I want to know and trust and believe that He knew all along what it would take to make me new, whole, complete — who himself chose to suffer (though sinless) so He would know me in my suffering. I want to know Him as merciful and kind and generous. I want to recognize Him as the one who carried my loved ones and myself through our mortal suffering because He loves us, and as the one who wanted us home and was the only one who could get us there!

Without the Savior and His covenants life is a series of unfortunate events. With Him it’s a manicured training ground comprised of all the (hard but) necessary things that are meant to draw us to Him. I learn over and over and over again, if I give Him my heart - be it happy, sad, sinful, angry, furious, hurting, offended, addicted, confused, doubting - if I let God prevail, He will always take care of the rest.

I love you all, Christina

Hay mucho que decir:

Nos mudamos. A Utah! Pasó como de la noche a la mañana.

¡Otra niña nos viene a finales de julio!

Tengo algunos planes para fotos que aparecieron recientemente: Mesa, AZ 24-29 de marzo; Palo Alto / San Francisco, CA del 9 al 11 de abril; Seattle, WA, del 23 al 25 de abril, y de regreso a Palo Alto, CA, del 13 al 15 de agosto. Si desea una sesión de fotos, las manchas son muy, muy limitadas, ya que este cuerpo de embarazada no se mueve tan rápido como de costumbre.

Y por último, después de la boda en Palo Alto en agosto (buscando otro fotógrafo para ayudarme, ¿alguien está interesado?), cerraré mi compañía. Ha sido la carrera más bonita, ¡tengo que agradecerles a todos! Reduciré mi equipo, solo me aferraré a algunas cosas para uso personal. ¡Si alguien quiere algo, estará a la venta justo a tiempo para los photoshoots en otoño!

Mi sitio recibirá un pequeño cambio de imagen para reflejar las cosas en mi corazón, más escritura, más fotos de mi vida y mi familia. Y al igual que cada decisión que me ha llevado a este punto, se siente tan bien, tan pacífica, tan correcta.

Ahora, a mis cosas favoritas ...

El domingo tuve algunos pensamientos mientras escuchaba la canción de apertura en la iglesia. Mientras pensaba en la fe y el arrepentimiento de la forma en que lo (re)aprendí durante los últimos dos años, restando toda la cultura y tradición de los términos, pensé en lo que “la fe para el arrepentimiento” (como lo llama Alma) tiene que ver con “que Dios prevalezca”(porque creo que los términos son 100% sinónimos).

El arrepentimiento se trata de corazones, no de obras (diccionario bíblico), y el sufrimiento nos lleva a donde finalmente podemos decir: "Bien, aquí está mi corazón. Todo duele. Estoy roto, un completo desastre. Pero aquí está mi corazón, en todos sus pedazos, haz con él lo que quieras. 'Hágase tu voluntad'”. Mis pensamientos vagaron hacia Hebreos 2, 3, 4 y 11, donde aprendemos que el Salvador fue perfeccionado a través de las cosas que sufrió, y nosotros también. Entonces, cuando nuestras vidas se desmoronan, se sienten demasiado para soportar, el sufrimiento no es malo, es la única forma en que nuestro Salvador puede llevarnos de regreso a Su hogar. El sufrimiento es necesario para nuestra transformación (a medida que tengamos fe, confianza y arrepentimiento, que entreguemos nuestro corazón a Él).

No solo estamos “tratando de ser como Jesús”. Estamos tratando de no ser quienes alguna vez fuimos, diferentes versiones de nosotros mismos. El Salvador está tratando de transformarnos en quienes siempre fuimos destinados a ser, y sucede a través del sufrimiento, tal como sucedió con él mismo: “Por favor, quítame esta copa, por favor quítame esta copa. Es muy difícil. Es demasiado pesado. No lo quiero. Sin embargo, no se haga mi voluntad, sino la tuya.”

Mientras continuaba la canción de apertura, me vino a la mente una lista de personas que dejaron que Dios prevaleciera: Nefi dejó que Dios prevaleciera y vagó por el desierto durante 8 años sufriendo tanto que no pudo escribirlo todo; María dejó que Dios prevaleciera y vio a su hijo sufrir y morir en una cruz; Juan el Bautista dejó que Dios prevaleciera y fue decapitado; El Salvador dejó que Dios prevaleciera y fue escupido, golpeado y sufrió “más de lo que el hombre puede sin morir” mientras sangraba por todos los poros, pagando por los pecados de las mismas personas que lo magullaron y golpearon; Alma y Amulek dejaron que Dios prevaleciera y fueron golpeados, encarcelados y vieron arder a mujeres y niños inocentes. Mientras continuaban dejando que Dios prevaleciera, no podían salvarlos.

El presidente Nelson nos invitó a dejar que Dios prevalezca en la última conferencia general, y en el mismo discurso nos invitó a hacer una lista de todas las promesas que Cristo ha hecho al convenio de Israel. Si dejamos que Dios prevalezca, debemos estar listos para recordar cada promesa que se nos hizo porque es probable que las cosas se pongan muy difíciles ...

A medida que mi comprensión de la fe hasta el arrepentimiento y el sufrimiento se ha profundizado en los últimos dos años, estoy comenzando a comprender cómo el gozo y la felicidad encajan en este "plan de felicidad".

Si estamos destinados a sufrir mientras estamos en la vida terrenal, para arrepentirnos - a unificar nuestros corazones con Cristo - para que Él pueda sanarnos, cambiarnos y sanarnos, ¿cómo se puede tener gozo?

Porque la alegría no está en mis circunstancias, metas, logros o resultados planeados.

La alegría no tiene que ver conmigo.

Mi gozo está en Cristo: sus metas, sus logros, sus resultados para mí. Mi gozo está en lo que ha hecho y seguirá haciendo a través de mí, y por mí, siempre.

Mi gozo está en Él.

Puedo soportar una vida llena de sufrimiento, fe y arrepentimiento porque sé quién es el Salvador y confío en Él. Un día Él se parará frente a mí. ¡Quiero conocerlo como mi Padre de convenios quien no estaba tratando de torturarme o hacerme sufrir sin propósito! Quiero saber, confiar y creer que Él siempre sabía lo que era necesitaría para hacerme nuevo, completo, perfecto, que él mismo eligió sufrir (aunque estuvo sin pecado) para que Él me conociera en mi sufrimiento. Quiero conocerlo como misericordioso, bondadoso y generoso. Quiero reconocerlo como el que nos llevó a mis seres queridos y a mí misma a través de nuestro sufrimiento mortal porque nos ama, y ​​también como el que quiere que regresamos a Su casa, y que Él era el único que me podría llevar hasta allá.

Sin el Salvador y Sus convenios, la vida es una serie de eventos desafortunados. Con Él, es un campo de entrenamiento bien cuidado que contiene todas las cosas (difíciles pero) necesarias para atraernos a Él. Aprendo una y otra y otra vez, si le doy mi corazón - ya sea feliz, triste, pecador, enojado, furioso, herido, ofendido, adicto, confundido, dudando - si dejo que Dios prevalezca, Él siempre cuidará del resto.

Los amo a todos, Christina

día siete

Day 7. The last day of the #givethanks invitation.

Besides a Savior who binds us together, these people are my most important things. Family is the only thing of any value in this world, and the only thing that carries lasting value in the world to come.

These people redirect my gaze to what is most important; they remind me to realign with what - and who -matters most. Because of them I want to hear Him! more clearly and more frequently. I need the power Jesus wants to send to each of us; I hope they always want to want His power, too.

Being mom brings out my best and my worst, but I am confident that was the plan from the beginning. Family is where we create space for “bests” and “worsts” while continually putting one foot in front of the other, together.

Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrated today. I wish you peace, gratitude, and the happiest of upcoming holidays!

Love, Christina

Día 7. El último día de la invitación #givethanks.

Además de un Salvador que nos sella juntos, estas personas son lo más importante para mi. La familia es lo único de valor en este mundo y lo único que lleva un valor duradero al mundo venidero.

Estas personas me devuelven a lo que es más importante, me recuerdan en que debo concentrarme y realizarme con lo que más importa. ¡Gracias a todas estas personas estoy aprendiendo a escucharlo! con mayor claridad y frecuencia.

Ser mamá lleva a luz lo mejor y lo peor dentro de mi, pero estoy segura de que ese fue el plan desde el principio. La familia es donde creamos espacio para coda uno de los "mejores" y los "peores" momentos, pero a pesar de eso seguimos adelante, juntos.

Feliz Día de Gracias a todos los que celebraron. ¡Les deseo toda la gratitude y felicidad!

Christina

día seis

I’m thankful for light in all (His) forms…

Doy gracias por la luz en toda (Su) forma…

día cinco

“And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.” I am thankful for truth - eternal, unchanging - and that every seeking heart finds it.

“Y por el poder del Espíritu Santo conoceréis la verdad de todas las cosas.” Estoy agradecida la verdad: saber que es eterna, que no cambia, y que todo corazón que busca la encontrará.

día cuatro

I’m thankful for repentance, that I get to dump my true heart, my honest heart, on the altar (at all times and in all places) and let the Savior do the rest.

Estoy agradecido por el arrepentimiento, por poder arrojar mi corazón verdadero, corazón honesto, en el altar (en todo momento y en todo lugar) y dejar que el Salvador haga todo lo demás.

día tres

I am thankful the Savior has not left us on this earth without a latter-day Moses, Abraham, Noah. I cling to the Savior’s invitations and promises that come through His mouthpiece on earth, President Nelson, “Sisters, let us not just endure this current season. Let us embrace the future with faith! Turbulent times are opportunities for us to thrive spiritually. I promise that as we create places of security, prepare our minds to be faithful to God, and never stop preparing, God will bless us. He will ‘deliver us; yea, insomuch that he [will] speak peace to our souls, and [will] grant unto us great faith, and … cause us that we [can] hope for our deliverance in him.’”

“As you study your scriptures during the next six months, I encourage you to make a list of all that the Lord has promised He will do for covenant Israel. I think you will be astounded! Ponder these promises. Talk about them with your family and friends. Then live and watch for these promises to be fulfilled in your own life. …as you choose to let God prevail in your lives, you will experience for yourselves that our God is ‘a God of miracles.’”

“I bless you to be filled with the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ. His peace is beyond all mortal understanding. I bless you with an increased desire and ability to obey the laws of God. I promise that as you do, you will be showered with blessings, including greater courage, increased personal revelation, sweeter harmony in your homes, and joy even amid uncertainty.”

“What will happen as you more intentionally hear, hearken, and heed what the Savior has said and what He is saying now through His prophets? I promise that you will be blessed with additional power to deal with temptation, struggles, and weakness. I promise miracles in your marriage, family relationships, and daily work. And I promise that your capacity to feel joy will increase even if turbulence increases in your life.”

Estoy agradecido de que el Salvador no nos haya dejado en esta tierra sin un Moisés, Abraham y Noé de los últimos días. Me aferro a las invitaciones y promesas del Salvador que llegan a través de Su portavoz en la tierra, el presidente Nelson: “Hermanas, no solo aguantemos esta temporada. ¡Abracemos el futuro con fe! Los tiempos turbulentos son oportunidades para que prosperemos espiritualmente. Prometo que mientras creamos lugares de seguridad, preparamos nuestras mentes para ser fieles a Dios y nunca dejamos de prepararnos, Dios nos bendecirá. Él 'nos librará; sí, de tal manera que [hablará] paz a nuestras almas, y [nos] otorgará una gran fe, y ... nos hará que [podamos] esperar nuestra liberación en él ".

“Al estudiar las Escrituras durante los próximos seis meses, le animo a hacer una lista de todo lo que el Señor ha prometido que hará por el pacto de Israel. ¡Creo que te quedarás asombrado! Reflexione sobre estas promesas. Habla de ellos con tu familia y amigos. Luego viva y esté atento a que estas promesas se cumplan en su propia vida. ... cuando elijan dejar que Dios prevalezca en sus vidas, experimentarán por ustedes mismos que nuestro Dios es 'un Dios de milagros' ".

“Te bendigo para que seas lleno de la paz del Señor Jesucristo. Su paz está más allá de todo entendimiento mortal. Te bendigo con un mayor deseo y capacidad de obedecer las leyes de Dios. Les prometo que mientras lo hacen, recibirán una lluvia de bendiciones, que incluyen mayor valor, mayor revelación personal, armonía más dulce en sus hogares y gozo incluso en medio de la incertidumbre ”.

“¿Qué sucederá a medida que escuchen, escuchen y presten más atención a lo que el Salvador ha dicho y lo que Él está diciendo ahora a través de Sus profetas? Prometo que será bendecido con poder adicional para lidiar con la tentación, las luchas y la debilidad. Prometo milagros en su matrimonio, relaciones familiares y trabajo diario. Y te prometo que tu capacidad para sentir alegría aumentará incluso si las turbulencias aumentan en tu vida ".

día dos

(we have been up since 3am and are now in a hotel where I cannot upload my latest photos to this post! For those of you here for the photos (Jenna, xoxo) I’m sorry ;))

Repentance is about hearts more than works.

Today I am thankful for a Savior who makes our hearts one with his - not by our works, rather by our trust in Him that turns us to Him. He in turn makes our hearts one with each other.

Faith unto repentance is more like faith unto oneness.

El arrepentimiento se trata de corazones más que obras. 

Hoy estoy agradecido por un Salvador que hace que nuestros corazones sean uno con el suyo - no por nuestras obras, sino más bien por volvernos hacia Él y escucharlo - para que Él cambie los corazones que sean uno con Él y todos los demás. 

La fe para el arrepentimiento tal vez podría ser mejor dicho: la fe hasta la unidad.

día uno

I am thankful for the constant influence and whisperings of the Holy Ghost - the yeses and the nos - and the journey through learning to accept, but mostly give thanks, for both.

Doy gracias por los susurros constantes del espíritu santo - los si y los no - y mi viaje de aprender a aceptar, pero mas de todo de dar gracias por los dos.

President Nelson issued an invitation yesterday morning in this 11 minute video that was translated into ~35 languages and shared with the entire world. His message about gratitude included an invitation to share something, or someone, we are thankful for on social media, every day for 7 days, using the hashtag #givethanks so “all families of the earth [will] be blessed.” My testimony runs deep that the Savior fills us with power as we follow the prophet. He said, “Counting our blessings is far better than recounting our problems.”

Love and gratitude to each of you. xo

gozo aumentado - increased joy

I spent hours glued to the TV the other night. But as I sat curious about outcomes, the overwhelming thought pressing on me was, “Do I spend this much time and energy focused on the Savior of the world, who I so anxiously await?”

When I woke the next morning I left my phone on airplane mode so I could hold onto the feeling of peace that permeated my space. I felt at peace with everything - our lives, world outcomes - and thought, “no unhallowed [woman, man, pandemic, or election] can stop the work from progressing.”

There is only One who saves individuals and families, nations and worlds.

No one gives peace like Jesus gives peace, and nothing matters more than my relationship with Him, my focus on Him, my strength in Him, my testimony of Him, my love for Him, and continuing in faith in Him and repentance.

What an incredible time to be alive - in the latter end of the latter days. Because of Jesus Christ I increasingly find myself basking in knowledge, light, hope, priesthood power, and confidence even when my circumstance remains unchanged.

I hope we find President Nelson’s promise and testimony growing in us - that our joy (Jesus!) will increase regardless of what happens outside of us.

This is why Eve could say, “and the joy of our redemption” as she walked into storms and thorns after leaving a pristine, placid place - where not much went wrong, but not much went right either.

What a truly amazing time to be on earth, to be alive, to know the Savior, to testify of Him - the only one with any power to rescue any of us.

I love each of you; thank you for being here. I wish you a magnificent holiday season!

Love, Christina

Pasé horas pegada al tele la otra noche. Sentía curiosidad por los resultados de la elección, y también apoyaba a un candidato, pero los pensamientos abrumadores que me apremiaban eran: "¿Dedico tanto tiempo y energía a concentrarme en el Salvador del mundo, a quien estoy esperando?"

La mañana siguiente cuando me desperté, dejé mi teléfono apagado, queriendo aferrarme a la sensación de paz que sentí adentro y al rededor de mi. Me sentí en paz con todo - mi familia, los resultados mundiales - y pensé, "ningún profano [mujer, hombre, pandemia o elección] puede detener el progreso del trabajo".

Solo hay Uno que salva a individuos y familias, naciones y mundos.

Nadie da paz como Jesucristo, y no hay nada más importante que mi relación con Él, mi enfoque en Él, mi fuerza en Él, mi testimonio de Él, mi amor por Él, y continuar en la fe en Él y en el arrepentimiento.

Qué tiempo tan increíble es estar aquí vivos, a los finales de los últimos días. Gracias a Jesucristo, me encuentro cada vez más disfrutando del conocimiento, la luz, la esperanza, el poder del sacerdocio y la confianza, aunque mi circunstancia no haya cambiado.

Espero que disfrutamos de la promesa y del presidente Nelson: que nuestro gozo (¡Jesús!) seguirá aumentándose independientemente de lo que suceda fuera de nosotros.

Por los mismos razones Eva pudo decir “y el gozo de nuestra redención” mientras ella y Adán caminaron hacia tormentas y espinas después de dejar un lugar prístino y plácido - donde no mucho salió mal pero tampoco salió bien.

Qué momento verdaderamente asombroso estar aquí en la tierra, vivos, conociendo al Salvador, testificando de Él, esperando que venga en toda su gloria - El Único que posea el poder para rescatar a qualquier de nosotros.

Los amo a cada uno de ustedes! Gracias por estar aquí. Espero que pasen el día de gracias, la navidad, y el ano nuevo con todos los que amen, y que tengan paz y el amor de Cristo siempre.

Con todo mi amor, Christina

expectativas perdidas - unmet expectations

*** If you know anyone around Phoenix or Gilbert, AZ, Palo Alto, CA, or Los Angeles, CA and would like to share These travel dates with friends, in community groups, or on social media I would be so thankful! Here are my upcoming travel dates:

Arizona Oct 22-24

Palo Alto Oct 30-31

Los Angeles Nov 13-15

I can take 1-2 more shoots in each location.

Website

Pricing

The other night, a good friend laughed saying 90% of her problems stem from missed expectations. That night, in my scripture study, I read the story of Abinadi and all I saw were what could have been unmet expectations.

As a background, King Noah was not a good guy. He had many wives and concubines, caused his people to commit sin, and taxed them practically to death to maintain his lifestyle according to "the desires of his own heart."

Abinadi, a good guy, lived in King Noah's pueblo and the Lord sent Abinadi to tell everyone to believe in Christ and repent (of course).

Abinadi preached the greatest message of all time, and naturally, they wanted to kill him. Two years passed and Abinadi again, this time in disguise, returned. They captured him and took him to King Noah to be killed. But King Noah and the priests first questioned him, specifically asking about scriptures they, as priests, did not understand. Abinadi must have spent hours conveying the most beautiful and brilliant message about the Savior, quoting Isaiah and Jesus in a masterful testimony. He reminded everyone that Jesus Christ would live and die for every one of us. That He loves us! That He helps us! That He knows our pain and heartache and answers prayers and will give us power and bring us home — only to be sent to the dungeon for three days. When the priests brought Abinadi back King Noah said, "We have found an accusation against thee, and thou art worthy of death."

Abinadi was burned alive.

I wonder what went through Abinadi’s mind!

I wonder if he asked himself what he did wrong, if he felt guilty no one listened. I wonder if he felt like God should have chosen someone else for the job. I wonder if he felt he failed.

I don’t think he thought that. So why do I?

My self talk would have immediately spiraled downward, "That didn't go as planned. I followed the spirit! I did what I was told! I was full of power! Did I misunderstand the revelation? Does Jesus love me? What went wrong?"

But when you and I read that story, we see - we know - everything went right.

Abinadi’s last words were: "Oh God, receive my soul."

“No matter what happens to me let God prevail. The Savior has not forgotten me. Let God prevail. He's in charge; I am His. Let God prevail. He will fight my battles. Let God Prevail.“

What does Abinadi (and Alma who was converted then had to run for his life to hide from the guards who hunted him!) teach me? When it all seems to be going wrong, it might actually be going right; and it’s one more opportunity for me to prove that no matter what, more than I want anything else, I first want God to prevail in my life.

Problems do not always mean things are wrong or broken. A situation can be hard, insane even, and still there could be nothing more right.

La otra noche, una buena amiga se rió diciendo que el 90% de sus problemas surgen de expectativas perdidas. Esa noche, en mi estudio de las Escrituras, leí la historia de Abinadí y todo lo que vi fueron lo que podrían haber sido expectativas incumplidas.

Como trasfondo, el rey Noé no era un buen tipo. Tuvo muchas esposas y concubinas, hizo que su pueblo cometiera pecado, y los gravó para mantener su estilo de vida según "los deseos de su propio corazón".

Abinadí, un buen tipo, vivía en el pueblo del rey Noé. El Señor envió a Abinadí para decirle a todos que creyeran en Cristo y se arrepintieran (claro).

Abinadí predicó el mensaje más grande de todos los tiempos y, naturalmente, querían matarlo. Pasaron dos años y Abinadí de nuevo, esta vez disfrazado, volvió a predicar. Lo capturan y lo llevan al rey Noé para que lo maten. Pero primero el rey Noé y los sacerdotes lo interrogan, específicamente sobre las escrituras que se supone que ellos mismos conocen como sacerdotes. Abinadí debe haber pasado horas transmitiendo el mensaje más hermoso y brillante sobre el Salvador, citando a Isaías y a Jesús en un testimonio magistral. Cuando terminó, lo enviaron al calabozo durante tres días. El rey lo trajo de regreso y dijo: "Hemos hallado una acusación contra ti, y eres digno de muerte".

Abinadí fue quemado vivo.

¡Me pregunto qué pensó Abinadí! Si fuera yo, habría pensado: "Eso no salió como estaba planeado. ¡Seguí el espíritu! ¡Hice lo que me dijeron! ¡Estaba lleno de poder! ¡¿Hice algo mal?! ¿Olvidé algo? ¿Entendí mal la revelación? ¡¿Jesús me ama ?! ¡¿Qué salió mal?!"

Pero cuando usted y yo leemos esa historia, vemos y sabemos que todo salió bien. ¡No había nada más que Abinadí pudiera haber hecho!

Garantizado, Abinadí estaba más lleno de fe y arrepentimiento que yo, sus últimas palabras fueron: "Oh Dios, recibe mi alma". Me pregunto si pensó, no importa lo que me pase. Deja que Dios prevalezca. El Salvador no me ha olvidado. Deja que Dios prevalezca. Él está a cargo; Soy su. Deja que Dios prevalezca. Él peleará mis batallas. Deja que Dios prevalezca.

Y eso es solo Abinadí. ¡Todavía está Alma, el sacerdote que sintió el Espíritu Santo y se convirtió! ¿Cuáles eran sus expectativas? ¡Estoy siguiendo a este profeta! ¡Sentí el espíritu! ¡Dios me dijo que esto estaba bien! Pero tuvo que correr y esconderse para salvar su vida mientras el rey lo perseguía diciendo que "estaba incitando al pueblo a rebelarse contra él".

Ser fiel y arrepentido no es el camino fácil. Pero con un pequeño cambio de paradigma, cuando todo parece que va mal, en realidad podría ir bien.