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Christina Judd

"come and see...come and belong"
  • letters to my girls, a blog
  • ALL WE CAN DO podcast
  • ALL WE CAN DO book
  • about
  • message me
  • families
  • weddings
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gozo aumentado - increased joy

Christina Judd November 4, 2020

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.”

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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.

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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.

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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

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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".

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Con todo mi amor, Christina

Tags peace, love, hope, jesus christ, church of jesus christ
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Walnut Street

Christina Judd January 16, 2019

(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).

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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!

Tags prayer, miracles, book of mormon, bible, art, film, pentax 645 nii, Portra 800, peace, joy, answers, love, god, photographer, double exposures
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