“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.
Girls, tonight was too much. You were a bunch of kook-a-laccas, both on cloud 9, giggling like my regular gaggle of girls — plenty of Princess Elena and pork-and-chive dumplings does tend to bring out your best...
Late at night, when daddy is at school, I have to decide if we will read our scriptures together. I usually opt for a prayer instead (if I’m lucky) but tonight I mustered some strength to read. Plus earlier today I talked with multiple friends about similar scriptures and was hopeful about sharing my favorite truths found in a favorite chapter.
In 2 Nephi 2 Lehi preaches faith and repentance and eternal life loud and clear: you are imperfect so the law condemns you. You cannot save yourself by what you do because it is not perfect. Because of that you can only be saved by the merits and mercy and grace of the holy messiah; you are redeemed because of Jesus’ righteousness and perfection.
I asked you, who can go to heaven?
You said, we can.
I said, no, we can’t. The only people who can live with God again are people who never sin.
Annie, you asked, What is sin?
I said, fighting with Kate. Arguing. Screaming at mommy...
Then I asked, did Jesus sin? No. He was the only one who lived perfectly, so he is the only one who can go back to live with God in heaven — but because He was perfect and paid for our sins, he can take us in!
I said, he can take us back to heaven if, every time we sin, we say, “I’m sorry I was fighting with Kate. Will you please forgive me?”
So we practiced saying sorry, you two laughing your heads off and rolling on the floor. And then, Goosie, after a whopping 92 seconds, you were ready to be done, so you ever so kindly offered to pray.
In all seriousness you said, “Heavenly Father, I forgive you for your sins. Thank you for the great day we had. Thank you for the good day we had. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen”
I just don’t think the lesson could have gone any better than that. Though it does seem a vast improvement from your former prayers, “Thank you for our sins...”
There is no shortage of character in this world with you around.
Seems my kickoff to teaching true doctrine without trace of culture or tradition is starting strong!
And I just cannot wait to see where it leads us...
Chicalindas, esta noche fue mucho, lo tuve que anotar. Eran un montón de kook-a-laccas, riendose y burlandose. La princesa Elena y albóndigas tienden a sacar lo mejor de ti ...
En la noche, cuando daddy está en la escuela, tengo que decidir si leeremos las Escrituras o no. Por lo general, opto por una oración (si tengo suerte) pero esta noche reuní algo de fuerza para leer. Además, hoy hablaba con varias amigas sobre escrituras similares y tenía la esperanza de compartir mis verdades favoritas que se encuentran en un capítulo favorito.
En 2 Nefi 2 Lehi predica la fe y el arrepentimiento y la vida eterna en voz alta y clara: eres imperfecto, por lo que la ley te condena. No puedes salvarte por lo que haces porque no es perfecto. Por eso solo eres salvo por los méritos, misericordia y gracia del santo mesías; eres redimido por la justicia y perfección de Jesús.
Las pregunté, ¿quién puede ir al cielo?
Annie, dijiste que nosotros podemos.
Dije que no, !que nosotros no podemos! Las únicas personas que pueden regresar a Dios nuevamente son las personas que nunca pecaban.
Annie, preguntaste: ¿Qué es el pecado?
Dije, peleando con Kate. Discutiendo. Gritando a mami ...
Entonces las pregunté, ¿pecó Jesús? No. Él fue el único que vivió a la perfección, por lo que es el único que puede volver a vivir con Dios en el cielo, pero debido a que pagó por nuestros pecados, ¡puede llevarnos a nosotros!
Dije que El puede llevarnos de regreso al cielo si, cada vez que pecamos, decimos: "Lamento haber estado peleando con Kate. ¿Me perdonas, por favor?
Así que practicamos, ustedes dos riéndose y rodando por el suelo. Y luego, Goosie, después de la friolera de 92 segundos, estabas listo para terminar, así que tan amablemente ofreciste orar.
Con toda seriedad dijiste: “Padre celestial, te perdono por tus pecados. Gracias por el gran día que tuvimos. Gracias por el buen día que tuvimos. En el nombre de Jesucristo, amén ”
Simplemente no creo que la lección podria pasdo mejor que eso. Aunque parece una gran mejora de tus oraciones anteriores, "Gracias por nuestros pecados ..."
No hay escasez de carácter en este mundo contigo.
¡Parece que mi comienzo para enseñar doctrina verdadera sin dejar rastro de cultura o tradición está comenzando fuerte!
Y no puedo esperar para ver a dónde nos lleva ...
I spent a few days studying the Topical Guide topic: Mysteries of Godliness. Learning truth for myself feels like the greatest blessing (next to the sealing covenant) that comes from the Restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ; maybe the most beautiful mysteries are never shared over a pulpit. Because the priesthood “key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the knowledge of God”(1) is back on the earth, everyone is at liberty to seek, study, pray and find - be given, gifted! - whatever truths they need and want.
I have been seeking diligently to understand mercy, grace and law and this is some of what I have learned:
The law condemns every person who does not live a sinless (completely perfect) life(2).
We only return to the presence of God “through the merits and mercy and grace of the Holy Messiah”(4).
I compared and contrasted what the law does and does not do for me:
What do Commandments not do?
Get me to any degree of glory(5).
Cleanse me.
Help me repay justice.
Give me power.
Save me.
Exalt me.
Only Jesus Christ does this all of this as I turn again and again to Him. Those are gifts that come as Alma said in the Book of Mormon, “on conditions of repentance”(8); they are not earned.
So, if keeping the law (commandments) does not save me or send me to any degree of glory(5), what is its purpose?! Why do we have commandments?
What do commandments do?
Commandments are given so I can “receive a fullness...of all truth.”(3)
They allow me, as the primary song teaches, more copious amounts of safety and peace while in the throes of mortality: “in thisss there is saffeeetyyy and peeeeaaacccee.”(6)
Commandment practicing allows me to live in deep-rooted feelings of lasting inner peace, fulfillment, contentment, happiness, blessing, gratitude and joy, which feelings only come from Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Ghost(7).
Keeping His law is one way I show Him I trust Him, that I want to receive truth, light (Jesus Christ is the truth and the light!), and know all things. I try to keep the commandments to show Him I want Him to abide with me(3).
Commandment keeping, maybe more accurately put: commandment faltering with constant daily (or hourly) turning (repentance) is my practice into Godliness, into Priestesshood!
“There was no other good enough to pay the price of sin. He only could unlock the gate of heaven and let [me] in(10).”
“He only.” Not me, not the law, which takes the pressure off of me!
The only thing I have to offer Him is my agency, my will, turning my heart to Him as many times as it takes (repentance) until one day — because of the love of a father for a son, and the divine love of a son for his father, and the entire human race — “by the merits and mercy and grace of the Holy Messiah”(4) Christ makes me “perfect in [Him]”(9) and I turn away no more(8).
Doctrine and Covenants 84:19-20
2 Nephi 2:5
Doctrine and Covenants 93:26-28 and Abide with Me; ‘Tis Eventide Hymn 165
2 Nephi 2:8
1 Corinthians 15:40 and 2 Corinthians 12:2
Keep the Commandments Primary Hymn 303
Mosiah 2:41
Alma 42:13 and Bible Dictionary Repentance
Moroni 10:32
There is a Green Hill Far Away Hymn
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Pasé unos días estudiando el tema de la Guía temática: Misterios de Dios. Aprender por mí mismo la verdad podría ser la mayor bendición para mi (además del convenio de sellamiento) que proviene de la Restauración de La Iglesia de Jesucristo. Debido a que el sacerdocio “clave de los misterios del reino, incluso el conocimiento de Dios” (1) está de vuelta en la tierra, todos tienen la libertad de buscar, estudiar, orar y encontrar, ¡recibir como dones! cualquiera verdades que necesiten y quieran.
He estado buscando diligentemente para comprender la misericordia, la gracia y la ley, y esto es algo de lo que he aprendido:
La ley condena a toda persona que no vive una vida sin pecado (una vida completamente perfecta) (2).
Solo volvemos a la presencia de Dios "a través de los méritos, la misericordia y la gracia del Santo Mesías" (4).
Comparé y contrasté lo que la ley hace y no hace por mí:
¿Qué no hacen los mandamientos?
Llévame a cualquier grado de gloria (5).
Limpiame
Ayúdame a pagar la justicia.
Dame poder.
Sálvame.
Exaltame
Solo Jesucristo hace todo esto al volver mi corazón una y otra vez a Él. Estos dones vienen como dijo Alma en el Libro de Mormón, "en condiciones del arrepentimiento" (8).
Entonces, si guardar la ley (los mandamientos) no me salva ni me eleva a ningún reino de gloria (5), ¿cuál es su propósito? Porqué lo tenemos?
¿Qué hacen los mandamientos?
Se dan mandamientos para que yo pueda "recibir una plenitud ... de toda verdad" (3).
Me permiten, como lo enseña la canción de primaria, cantidades más copiosas de seguridad y paz mientras están en medio de la mortalidad: "tendrás gran consuelo y sentirás paz...Él te dará consuelo y paz” (6).
La práctica de guardar los mandamientos me permite vivir en sentimientos profundamente arraigados de paz interior duradera, satisfacción, felicidad, bendición, gratitud y alegría, sentimientos que solo provienen de Jesucristo a través del poder del Espíritu Santo (7).
Cumplir su ley es una forma en que le muestro que quiero recibir la verdad, la luz (¡Jesucristo es la verdad y la luz!), y saber todas las cosas. Trato de guardar los mandamientos para mostrarle que quiero que more conmigo (3).
El seguir los mandamientos, o mejor dicho, tratar y romperlos, pero constantamente arrepentiendome ¡es mi práctica a ser Sacerdotisa!
“Tan sólo Él fue digno de ̮efectuar la Expiación.
Él nos abrió la puerta hacia la exaltación.”
“Solo El". ¡No yo, no la ley, y esto me quita toda la presión!
Todo lo que tengo para ofrecerle es mi albedrío, mi voluntad, volviendo mi corazón hacia Él tantas veces como sea necesario (arrepentimiento), hasta que un día, por los "méritos, misericordia y gracia del Santo Mesías", jamás me alejo de Él (8).
Lo de español sigue abajo!
A few weekends ago I happened to be in Seattle when Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the quorum of the twelve apostles was scheduled to speak at a parenting devotional. Here are the notes I took:
Elder Holland began by stating that it’s no coincidence that the scriptures begin with families, and families who are in trouble (Old Testament: Adam and Eve. New Testament: Mary, Joseph and Jesus. Book of Mormon: Lehi and Sariah and their family.) He continued, “As soon as Adam and Eve step out of the garden they don’t even have time to get family scripture study, family prayer, and family home evening under way before there is fratricide, with one brother killing another. It’s all not a new deal to God! All our questions have been asked before and case studies have been done in the scriptures.”
Elder Holland went on to say, “We are a temple-building church.” Joseph Smith was 38 years old when he died, and he devoted his life to temple building. Elder Holland asked, “Did he ever build a chapel?! He certainly never worshipped in one.” He provided the temple endowment and gave the keys to the 12 apostles. Joseph Smith said he could then die because the sealing power was restored to the earth — promptly followed his martyrdom.
Elder Holland then emphasized that he does not know of any wards or stakes in heaven, “There is only the governance of family. We will bind families together, link up families. Families are our practice.”
Elder Holland was jesting through all of his talk, he let his sense of humor shine. He went on to tease, “We think we are going to jump out of the grave and say, ‘Make me a God! I need some planets!’” The audience roared with laughter so I missed his next joke but I think he said, “God’s saying, ‘go read your scriptures; we’ll talk later about planets.’”
Becoming Godlike is a practice. We practice parenting by looking at how God deals with each of us, His children. And we will learn to parent like Him “so when we get there not a whole lot needs to change much.”
“Why is family our basic theology?”
After listing the myriad of things that go wrong in life and family he practically yelled over the pulpit, “WE KNOW THAT. But we are going to talk about family! We are obligated to fly the flag of eternity.”
He added, “We’ll learn to close the gap. We set an ideal realizing not everyone can achieve it.” Elder Holland then specifically mentioned a single parent who wrote in before the conference saying, “I’m crushed under the weight of it all. I’m crushed under the weight of trying to teach the commandments to my children.” And then he said, “Ya, we’re all crushed under the weight of it all.” And then lovingly, teasingly added, “If you think your life is hard with a few kids think of God!” And then emphatically tried to drill into us, “We’ll get there eventually! Don’t get sick and feel bad about it. Don’t feel guilty about it.”
He continued reiterating that this is a worthy goal to work toward and it’s worthy to talk about it, even though parenting is the hardest work we will ever do. He was quick and sure to add, “and the most important.”
“When you need encouragement turn to Moses 6-7. Enoch asks God, “Why can God cry?!” And God answers, “How can I cry? Look at those children. They’re mine and they hate each other!”
“You’re not plowing ground no one else has put a blade to; He loaned them to us. We’ll have a wonderful association with Him forever because of it. Of all the things I can promise God’s help about it’s about raising your children. If we can’t have help with this there will not be help about anything. We have power and covenants and priesthood. We will learn a lot of lessons along the way but we are heirs and joint heirs with Christ — it’s our doctrine. Children grow up to be like their parents.”
“How does Godhood happen? How do we become priests and priestesses, Gods and Goddesses? Not by a click of the fingers! Line upon line… You learn by practice.” And then began his loving jesting, “But some of you don’t enjoy the practice. You want long-suffering but you don’t want to suffer and you certainly don’t want it to take very long. You want patience but are saying, ‘Ya, sure I’ll learn patience — just give it to me right now…’”
He continued, “We will be given endless opportunities to learn to be divine, and every other virtue. I don’t think it can come any other way.” Motherhood and fatherhood are the highest and holiest callings. Of all the names He has, the one He wants most is that of Father. Elder Holland added that he knows we have a heavenly mother there, too, but doesn’t know anything about her.
“You haven’t made any mistakes that can’t be corrected. Nor your parents, nor your children.” Laughing he added, “There is justice in this world — your kids are going to grow up to be parents! Let them take care of it.”
Again speaking of parenting he said, “Trust in God’s help in this! I don’t think we talk enough about miracles, angels, help through the veil that happens only miraculously. Believe in angels, manifestations, divine help, miracles that turn people around.”
“Alma came back because of Alma Senior’s - and I’m sure his mother’s! - faithfulness! And then the rest of The Book of Mormon becomes the story of his descendents! The scriptures say that an angel astonishes him; plan on being astonished! The origin tonish (in astonished) means tondra which translated is thunder. Call heaven’s help when your back is up against the wall. Call thunder, call down a lightning strike! Angels from the other side of the veil will come and others on our block.”
Elder Holland, with all of the passion and vigor he uses when delivering these messages, tried with his might to help us understand the truths he taught: “We are called to be angels of mercy, to make miracles, to team up with those on the other side of the veil! God will help you raise your children!” He repeated this endless times during the devotional. He said, “It’s time to put our theology where our religion is; we have covenants to call down the power of heaven. Don’t try to do this alone. Make and keep your promises and the power of that will lead them to heaven — they’ll come back. Not in abjection to the law of agency but because of it. Your children and your children’s children, they’ll choose to because they saw you do it!!! They’ll be back!!! Like the prodigal son, they'll say, ‘I’m going home.’”
He then gave an apostolic promise to everyone in the devotional, and every other person who would hear it: “Don’t be so miserably hard on yourself! Please, please, please. Trust me. Believe me. Generations will be blessed: your children and their children and their children... Be peaceful, be happy and accept this blessing. This is the most important work you will ever do and you will have help to do it.”
Hace unos fines de semana estuve en Seattle cuando el élder Jeffrey R. Holland, del quórum de los doce apóstoles, tenía previsto hablar en un devocional de padres. Aquí están las notas que tomé:
El élder Holland comenzó afirmando que no es casualidad que las Escrituras comiencen con familias y familias que están en problemas (Antiguo Testamento: Adán y Eva. Nuevo Testamento: María, José y Jesús. Libro de Mormón: Lehi y Sariah y sus familias. ) Continuó: “Tan pronto como Adán y Eva salen del jardín, ni siquiera tienen tiempo para comenzar a estudiar las Escrituras, la oración familiar y la noche de hogar familiar antes de que haya fratricidio, con un hermano matando a otro. ¡No todo es un nuevo trato para Dios! Todas nuestras preguntas se han hecho antes y se han realizado estudios de casos en las Escrituras.”
El élder Holland continuó diciendo: "Somos una iglesia para la construcción de templos". José Smith tenía 38 años cuando murió y dedicó su vida a la construcción de templos. El élder Holland preguntó: “¿Alguna vez construyó una capilla? Él nunca adoró en uno ”. Él proporcionó la investidura del templo y dio las llaves a los 12 apóstoles. José Smith dijo que ya podría morir porque el poder de sellar las familias fue restaurado en la tierra. Enseguida siguió su martirio.
El élder Holland enfatizó que no conoce ningún barrio o estaca en el cielo: “Solo existe el gobierno de la familia. Uniremos familias, uniremos familias. Las familias son nuestra práctica.”
El élder Holland estaba bromeando durante toda su charla, dejó que su sentido del humor brillara. Continuó bromeando: "Creemos que vamos a saltar de la tumba y decir: ‘¡Hazme un Dios! ¡Necesito algunos planetas!’” El público rió a carcajadas, así que me perdí su siguiente broma, pero creo que dijo: "Dios está diciendo:‘ ve a leer tus escrituras; hablaremos más tarde sobre los planetas.”
Convertirse en Dios es una práctica. Practicamos la paternidad observando cómo Dios trata con cada uno de nosotros, sus hijos. Y aprenderemos a padres como Él ", así que cuando lleguemos allí, no hay mucho que hay que cambiar.”
"¿Por qué la familia es nuestra teología básica?"
Después de enumerar la miríada de cosas que salen mal en la vida y la familia, prácticamente gritó desde el púlpito: “SABEMOS ESO. ¡Pero vamos a hablar de familia! Estamos obligados a enarbolar la bandera de la eternidad ".
Añadió: "Aprenderemos a cerrar la brecha. Establecimos un ideal al darnos cuenta de que no todos pueden lograrlo ". El élder Holland mencionó específicamente a un padre soltero que escribió antes de la conferencia diciendo:" Estoy abrumado por el peso de todo. Estoy aplastado por el peso de tratar de enseñar los mandamientos a mis hijos ". Entonces dijo el Elder Holland:” Sí, todos estamos aplastados por el peso de todo ". ¡tu vida es difícil con unos pocos niños que piensan en Dios! ”Y luego enfáticamente trataron de perforarnos,“ ¡llegaremos allí eventualmente! No te enfermes y te sientas mal por eso. No te sientas culpable por eso ".
Continuó reiterando que este es un objetivo digno de alcanzar y vale la pena hablar de ello, a pesar de que la crianza de los hijos es el trabajo más difícil que haremos. Fue rápido y seguro de agregar, "y lo más importante".
“Cuando necesites aliento, recurre a Moisés 6-7. Enoc le pregunta a Dios: "¿Por qué Dios puede llorar?" Y Dios responde: "¿Cómo puedo llorar? Mira a esos niños. ¡Están preocupados y se odian el uno al otro! "
"No estás arando tierra a la que nadie más ha puesto una cuchilla; Dios nos los prestó. Por eso tendremos una asociación maravillosa con Él para siempre. De todas las cosas que les puedo prometer la ayuda de Dios , se trata de criar a sus hijos. Si no podemos tener ayuda con esto, no habrá ayuda sobre nada. Tenemos poder y convenios y sacerdocio. Aprenderemos muchas lecciones en el camino, pero somos coherederos con Cristo: es nuestra doctrina. Los niños crecen para ser como sus padres ".
“¿Cómo sucede la Divinidad? ¿Cómo nos convertimos en sacerdotes y sacerdotisas, dioses y diosas? ¡No con un clic de los dedos! Línea por línea ... Aprendes con la práctica ". Y luego comenzó su amorosa broma:" Pero algunos de ustedes no disfrutan de la práctica. Quieres long-suffering pero no quieres sufrir y no quieres que te lleve mucho tiempo. Quieres paciencia pero estás diciendo, "solo dámelo ahorita ..."
Continuó: “Se nos darán infinitas oportunidades para aprender a ser divinos y cualquier otra virtud. No creo que pueda venir de otra manera.”
La maternidad y la paternidad son el llamado más elevado y más sagrado. De todos los nombres que tiene, el que más quiere es el de Padre. El élder Holland agregó que él sabe que también tenemos una madre celestial allí, pero no sabe nada de ella.
"No ha cometido ningún error que no pueda corregirse. Y tus padres no lo han hecho, tampoco tus hijos ". Riendo, agregó:" Hay justicia en este mundo: ¡tus hijos crecerán para ser padres!”
Nuevamente hablando de la paternidad, dijo: "¡Confía en la ayuda de Dios en esto! No creo que hablemos lo suficiente sobre milagros, ángeles, ayuda a través del velo que ocurre milagrosamente. Cree en los ángeles, las manifestaciones, la ayuda divina, los milagros que cambian a las personas ".
"Alma regresó por la fe y oraciones de Alma Senior, ¡y su madre! Y el resto del Libro de Mormón se convierte en la historia de sus descendientes! Las escrituras dicen que un ángel lo asombra; planea quedar asombrado! El origen tonish (en asombro/atonished en ingles) significa tondra que traducido es trueno. Pide ayuda al cielo cuando tu espalda esté contra la pared. ¡Llama al trueno, llama a un rayo! Vendrán ángeles del otro lado del velo y otros en nuestra cuadra.
El élder Holland, por la pasión y el vigor que solo usa el élder Holland cuando entrega estos mensajes, intentó con su poder ayudarnos a comprender las verdades que enseñó: “Estamos llamados a ser ángeles de la misericordia, a hacer milagros, a unirnos a los que están en ¡Al otro lado del velo! Dios te ayudará a criar a tus hijos ”. Repitió esto infinitas veces durante su devocional. Él dijo: "Es hora de poner nuestra teología donde está nuestra religión; Tenemos convenios para invocar el poder del cielo. No intentes hacer esto solo. Haga y cumpla sus promesas y el poder de eso las llevará al cielo: regresarán. No en contra de la ley de agencia, sino por ella. Sus hijos y los hijos de sus hijos. ¡Elegirán porque te vieron hacerlo! ¡Volverán! Como el hijo pródigo, dirán: "Me voy a casa".
Luego nos hizo una promesa apostólica, a todos en asistencia y a cualquier otra persona que lo escuchara: "¡No seas tan duro contigo mismo! Por favor por favor por favor. Créeme. Créeme. Las generaciones serán bendecidas: sus hijos y sus hijos y sus hijos… Sean pacíficos, felices y acepten esta bendición. Este es el trabajo más importante que harás y tendrás ayuda para hacerlo ”.
Annie and Kate,
I wanted to remember our short scripture study tonight (by the way they are always short! My mantra is small and simple things, never perfection, and give thanks; trust His process. In frequent daily experiences the Savior consecrates every tiny effort for our gain):
Quería recordar nuestro breve estudio de las Escrituras esta noche (¡de hecho, siempre son breves! Ahora mi mantra es: cosas pequeñas y simples, nunca perfección y dar gracias; confíe en Su proceso. En experiencias diarias lo veo al Señor consagrar cada pequeño esfuerzo por mi beneficio):
In the evening you will not sleep until we “wead Book of Moh-muhn” (even though we are actually reading the New Testament and Come, Follow Me.)
Tonight I felt the spirit when we talked about things that are hard: Because He chose to do hard things, our Savior was given power to help you and me do hard things.
En la noche, no se duermen hasta que "leemos el Libro de Moh-muhn" (a pesar de que en realidad estamos leyendo el Nuevo Testamento y Ven, Sígueme).
Esta noche sentí el espíritu cuando hablamos de las cosas que son difíciles: debido a que Cristo eligió hacer cosas difíciles, a Él le fue dado el poder para ayudarte a ti y a mí hacer cosas difíciles.
In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus felt and overcame every person’s pain who would ever live (physical, spiritual and emotional).
He endured the hardest hard.
Al ir al jardín de Getsemaní, para sentir y superar el dolor de cada persona que viviría (físico, espiritual y emocional),
Jesucristo soportó lo más grave.
The pressure and difficulty of the task was so surprising that even He, the son of God, asked, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”
Even a God asked not to drink from that harrowing cup. But he chose to say, “Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” In other words, “Even though it’s hard, I will move forward anyway.”
La presión y dificultad de la tarea fue tan sorprendente que incluso Él, el hijo de Dios, preguntó, "Oh, Padre mío, si es posible, deja que pase esta copa de mí; sin embargo, no como yo quiero, sino como tú quieras".
Incluso un Dios no quería beber de esa copa desgarradora. Pero él eligió decir: "No obstante, no como yo lo haré, sino como tú lo harás". En otras palabras, "aunque sea difícil, seguiré adelante.”
And because He did, He now can give power to you as me to do the same - conquer hard things I don’t want to do, or don’t think I can succeed in.
At times we feel extra strong and committed like when Peter said to Christ, “I am ready to go with thee, both into prison and to death.” And some days we beg for the cup to pass, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me:” but if you and I can eek out an, “nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” His power and miracles will envelop us. I have watched it happen to your dad and I again and again! I feel power, light, revelation, and my heart expands 500 times its size. I have learned that what Moroni said at the end of the Book of Mormon is true, “...have miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men...showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind…”
This is real to me because I experience it daily.
Porque el lo hizo, se le dio poder para ayudarte a ti hacer lo mismo: conquistar las cosas difíciles que a lo mejor no quieres soportar, o las cosas en las que no te crees tendras éxito.
A veces nos sentimos extra fuertes y comprometidos, así como le dijo Pedro a Cristo: "Estoy listo para ir contigo, tanto a la cárcel como a la muerte". Y a veces rogamos que se nos pase la copa, "Padre mío, si es posible, deje que esta copa pase de mi” pero si usted y yo podemos llorar, “sin embargo, no como yo quiera, sino como usted "Su poder y milagros nos envolverán. Lo he visto pasar a tu papá y a mí una y otra vez. Siento poder, luz, revelación, y mi corazón se expande 500 veces su tamaño. Aprendí que lo que Moroni dijo al final del Libro de Mormón es cierto: "... ¿han cesado los milagros? He aquí, te digo: No; ni tampoco los ángeles han dejado de ministrar a los hijos de los hombres ... mostrándose a ellos con una fe firme y una mente firme ...”
Sé que esto es real porque lo vivo a diario.
A favorite thought comes from Elder Jeffrey Holland, “If those miracles do not come soon or fully or seemingly at all, remember the Savior’s own anguished example: if the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong, trusting in happier days ahead.”
Una cita preferida viene de Elder Jeffrey Holland: "Si esos milagros no se producen pronto, en forma total o aparente, recuerde el angustioso ejemplo del Salvador: si la copa amarga no pasa, bébala y sea fuerte, confiando en los días más felices por delante."
I love you forever. He loves you always.
Te amo por eternidades. Él te ama siempre.
Momma
More notes to follow including summer travel dates.
Mas sigue abajo incluso las fechas de viaje de verano.
I believe my faith in Jesus Christ produces countless miracles in my family's life, thus my blog has transformed into a faith-based blog. Subscribe by clicking here to receive travel dates and photos, subscriber codes, and the sacred lessons I learn by grace, directly in your inbox. I hope you find hope, love, light and faith here — that you are led to see the miracles God gives to each of His daughters and His sons that He loves so perfectly. If someone comes to mind while you read this email please feel free to forward it to them.
SUMMER Travel Dates:
UTAH: June 22 (I can take one more photoshoot)
SAN FRANCISCO/PALO ALTO: JUNE 28 (I can take one photoshoot)
SEATTLE: Middle of July (Exact date to be determined and I can take 4 photoshoots)
SANTA BARBARA/MORRO BAY: Jul 28 - 29 (I can take one more photoshoot)
YOSEMITE: Aug 31 - Sept 2 (I can take two photoshoots)
SANTA CRUZ: Sept 29 - Oct 4 (I can take two more photoshoots)
It’s a hang out. I get a little bossy and press a shutter while forgetting to breathe and also sweat a ton and get all caught up loving you through my lens and then you get a collage back of everything we all love about YOU. If you would like a payment option contact me; together we can make anything happen!
love to all,
Christina
(This was written last week two days before our leaving the most beautiful 7 months of our lives.)
I drove past Walnut Street today, downtown Huntington Beach. Memories, deep feelings, and inspiration washed over me.
7 months ago when Tyler and I were moving to Huntington Beach, finding an apartment was especially difficult. No one wanted to rent to someone they hadn’t met in person, no matter the amount of money one is willing to send ;) Managers kept telling me, “It just hasn’t been done before…”
We specifically wanted this cute apartment on Walnut street, directly one block off the beach!
We pulled out every sales pitch to no avail. That manager, and every manager, said “no.” It became the pattern of our hunt for a new home.
With only a few days left before driving away from Seattle, one manager took a chance on us. He let us FaceTime him, and my soon-to-be good friend even hauled her kids to the bank to get him a check that day!
Finally, a “Yes!”
This apartment in this area has been a miracle. An actual miracle. And today driving past Walnut Street the Holy Ghost taught me:
Had we moved into any other apartment, we would have attended a different ward (church). We would not have met distinct people we feel strongly we moved here to meet! These individuals caused us to ask questions that propelled us onto a new path, and in a new direction. We would not have been on a SIX MONTH lease that now allows us to move out and pursue big dreams!
Every “no” we received was crucial to the single “yes” we needed that was going to lead us to a new path - the most light-filled path, our direct course.
When I let the days unfold His way, in His time, I give Him space to give the best gifts. And looking back I see each tender mercy that has led us to where we are now.
I am thankful for these moments, for the accompanying peace and surmounting joy they bring. My faith is strengthened in the seemingly small things. When my faith is strong I feel filled with power, with light. I am able to move slowly - to breathe slower, deeper, and trust more.
When I drove Annie to her last day of school in Huntington, I asked who she wanted to say the prayer; she wanted me to say it. I asked her if there was something special she wanted help with that day. She replied, “With my ahhwwtt" (art).” I began the prayer talking about how thankful I am for Annie - her light, her happiness, her talent of always taking care of people and helping. Then I prayed for her and her art that day: that she would produce art that reflected all of her happiness, her gifts, her dreams.
After that prayer my thoughts turned to the verse in Alma, “but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass;” I knew it was true - big miracles (like perfect apartments) come from small things (like simple prayers while driving to school).
These photos were taken on 35mm film (of my precious friend, Liz. If you want a beach shoot, or delicious in-home shoot, OR BOTH, in So Cal, with all of your lovers, GO FIND HER!)
I shot the roll (with multiple double exposures), then rewound it and weeks later shot it again. They were taken on Ektar 100 and pushed one stop. Processed and scanned by Goodman Film Lab.
SALT LAKE CITY, NYC, SEATTLE, BAY AREA, NOR CAL, SO CAL, BARCELONA, O’AHU!!!!! I’M COMING FOR YOU!!! If you want the most freeing photoshoot you have ever experienced book your newborn, elopement, birth, or whatever other session you want here! Even your husband will say, “That was fun!” I promise, it’s a good time!
xo, Christina
Also, call, text, email me with whatever questions you have! I am an open book (bless my husband for rolling in the “no privacy” kinda life. HA!
Jesus Christ invites everyone, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matt 11:28-29
I have been wondering about certain doctrine, specifically relating to the doctrine of our Heavenly Mother. As I have pondered over these topics I felt enlightening moments.
We know much about Jesus Christ because prophets have been teaching and writing about him for centuries. Multiple people throughout history have seen the Father and the Son, but we know little of our Heavenly Mother.
This is what I have felt as I have studied, and pondered:
While our Heavenly Mother (and Father) have endured an earthly experience, she has not endured our individual earthly experience. She has not felt all of my pain; she has not experienced all of my sorrow.
As much as I want to, I cannot completely understand all of my own children's pain or sorrow. As attentive as I try to be, I can never completely know what they are thinking, or how they are feeling, and why.
There is only one who knows the deepest depths of my heart: He who went to the garden three times in prayer “suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind;…[taking] upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.”
Alma 7 is one of my favorite chapters, “…there is one thing that is of more importance than they all…”
Has he experienced heartburn and morning sickness and pregnancy pains for 9-10 months? Yes.
“And he will take upon him death,”
Has he experienced the suffocating grief a mother must feel upon losing a child? Yes.
“he will take upon Him [Christina’s] infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor [Christina] according to [her] infirmities.” (Insert your name there!)
Has He physically and emotionally felt everything I, and every woman, could ever possibly suffer and be asked to endure? Yes.
Why did He go willingly for me? Why did He choose to feel weight so crushing He bled from every pore?
So that he could “succor” me in my infirmity! So He would know what it physically feels like. So that He could exactly attend to, minister to, care for, bring relief to, comfort, strengthen, and support, me in my needs.
Has he felt loneliness, abuse, addiction, sickness and every other heartbreak that any parent, child, friend, or human would ever experience? Yes.
His atonement is infinite: limitless, endless. By a miracle, and to wholly and completely understand our exact circumstance - to understand you and to understand me - his spirit and His physical body felt all of it.
And He did it out of perfect love for every single human ever born.
He is a gift - our perfect healer, perfect counselor, perfect comforter, perfect consoler, perfect friend. He is the only one who has walked our exact steps, felt our exact feelings - the only one who can take our loneliness, pain, sorrow, and despair and reverse it.
And he earned that right in the garden and on the cross.
So I ask myself: Is there something about His sacrifice that is lacking, that causes me to look elsewhere for comfort, guidance, connection?
What would be my response if He asked me, as He asked Mary Magdelene at His empty tomb, “Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?”
I believe both Heavenly Mother and Father want us to seek the prince of peace. They point us to the master healer, He who pours out mercy and grace and perfect love. Is that why every time the Father speaks he directs us to His Son, “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear ye Him”?
Everything typifies of and points to Him who pleads with me,
“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matt 11:28-29
”We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ…” 2 Nephi 25:26
I know He heals every ailment as we increase our faith in Him, turn our hearts to Him, and try to be like Him.
He is everything.
“O come, let us adore Him” this Christmas season and always. Always. Always.
Thank you for being here.
xoxo,
Christina
P.S. I hope my blog posts invite introspection, study, pondering, and prayer. I hope they lead you, and me, to brighter light - to the brightest Light.
Speaking of lights………can anyone shine brighter than these? They are everyone’s favorites.
