Be Prepared

Last night for Family Home Evening Danny and I purchased some essentials to help us be prepared in case of an emergency. We picked up fire extinguishers, new carbon monoxide/smoke detectors for the apartments, and some other miscellaneous items. We also have a good amount of food storage set aside from all the canning we did in the Fall. Lucky for me, my Danny is the ultimate boy scout/farmboy--and that just makes me feel so blessed. It feels so good working to be prepared and following the counsel of the Prophet. If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear...

L

Life From the Passenger Seat: El Salvador

Just a few shots of the scenic views we took in as we navigated our way throughout El Salvador. The lush tropical landscape was simply stunning--I wish the pictures could do it justice. Everything was so vibrant and beautiful!

There were many people who traveled to El Salvador for the temple dedication, but missed out on really seeing the country. They stayed in the most neatly kept Americanized hotels and saw little else. We had to make some sacrifices, and it wasn't always convenient or comfortable, but I'm so glad I got to see a real glimpse of El Salvador--the land, the people, the culture. Meeting the people and seeing their country made me appreciate the temple dedication so much more.

I've thought about that lesson many times in recent months. You can't truly enjoy the best things without work, sacrifice, and courage. Sometimes I was certain we were lost in the middle of nowhere, and I envied those back in the safety of the hotel lobby. Then, we'd round the corner and I'd see the beautiful green countryside covered in a soft blanket of mist...all concerns and fears were forgotten in those moments, and I was simply awestruck at the beauty I was privileged to behold.

I think in the midst of trials, the Lord so often wishes I would step back, be still, and see the beauty of His plan for me. Perhaps just around the corner there's a lovely sight to behold... Perhaps after all the twists and turns and moments of feeling lost in unfamiliar territory, I'll realize I'm standing right where I need to be; right where I want to be. Living life from the passenger seat can be frightening, but if we let the Lord direct our paths, the road will have moments of immeasurable beauty, prepared just for us-- so often those moments come right when we need them most. Perhaps that's why taking in these views of scenic El Salvador was so marvelous to me, because they came right when I was wishing I was somewhere more familiar, somewhere more comfortable, somewhere more like home. You have to be willing to work, sacrifice, and move forward with faith in order to see the most beautiful things.

Don't give in. Certainly don't give in to that being who is bent on the destruction of your happiness. He wants everyone to be miserable like unto himself. Face your doubts. Master your fears. "Cast not away therefore your confidence." Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold for you. Elder Jeffrey R Holland, Cast Not Away Your Confidence

With Hope,
L

Quiet Comprehension

I've been looking for my voice. It seems to have gone missing. No, I'm not talking about the chronic strep infections I've been fighting, but more about an inability to adequately articulate my thoughts and feelings. Do you ever lose your voice in the midst of trials? It's not that I'm unaware of the things I'm being taught, but I just can't seem to vocalize the lessons I'm learning. Elder Maxwell said it beautifully here,

"...we sense that something special is happening in our lives but are not able to sort it out with sufficient precision and clarity that we can articulate it to someone else...We know more than we can tell! Sometimes the things we know take the form of knowledge about what is happening to us in life in which we sense purpose, in which we sense divine design, but which we cannot speak about with full articulateness. There are simply moments of mute comprehension and of mute certitude. We need to pay attention when these moments come to us, because God often give us the assurances we need but not necessarily the capacity to transmit these assurances to anyone else." But For a Small Moment, Elder Neil A Maxwell


I'm certain I'll find my voice again. I'll have more to say because of the lessons I'm learning right now.

With Hope,
L

Yawn...

I think Miss Dolly was yawning when I took this picture. It's just too cute not to share!! She loves the fashionable little black sweater Steph gave her for Christmas. She's also rather fond of the giant bone we got for her at Target on Black Friday. Some people braved the lines for TV's... not us. We were there at two in the morning for a giant bone and some dvds. Priorities.

L

Just a Pretty Picture

Sometimes I just can't think of anything to say... I wait and wait, but nothing comes. I may not have any words to share, but I guess I can still share something. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. I don't know if this one says that much, but I think it's rather pretty. It has such a feeling of softness about it--the muted colors, the delicate curvature of the leaves, the blurred background... so many beautiful things to see in the world around us!

L

A Sunny Day Story

It's officially winter and although we haven't had much snow, I'm pretty much ready for Spring... sigh. So, today I felt like sharing a sunny day story. (Not pictured, Miss M. taking the popsicle from her mommy in the first place.) Love the story these shots tell. Oh boy, Dolly sure was due for a haircut back then!! These are the REAL stories. Nothing posed, nothing contrived, just real life moments! Oh that sunshine and those little faces sure make me happy!!

L

MOOVING ON

Just a couple more shots from our drive to Wallsburg. Those cows did not want to be photographed, especially the white one with the brown spots--he was an angry cow! (Can't you just see his attitude in that photo?) They made such a ruckus that the farmer came out to see what was going on. (Oops!) Of course I didn't see him coming because I was looking through the lens. My photographing was abruptly ended when Danny waved at the farmer (who was approaching the car) and drove away... Sometimes photography gets me in trouble, or at least makes for a bit of awkwardness.

L

Everything That Matters

A few more photos from Izalco, El Salvador. I had to take a deep breath and tell myself, "I can do this," when I saw the conditions of this little village. Before entering Danny had informed me that he'd been attacked by a dog there as a missionary. As I surveyed our surroundings I quickly noticed the dog napping on top of that beat up car. Nervously, I snapped some pictures--hoping he didn't wake up, but wanting the pictures nevertheless.

Although this was one of the more humble areas we visited, I found the people to be so kind and faithful. We sat out on lawn chairs discussing the gospel and having a lovely time...all the while with chickens scurrying about, flea-bitten dogs scavenging for food, and the smell of the community outhouse filling the air.

When we arrived I noticed an elderly man sitting under the palm trees reading from a worn copy of The Miracle of Forgiveness, by President Spencer W. Kimball. He quickly went inside and returned with two cups of soda for Danny and I. You can't help but feel a sense of sincere gratitude when someone who has so very little gives so willingly. Their home was completely bare, yet like so many others, he gave us all they had. He returned to his spot under the palm trees, all the while clutching his book closely to his chest. His granddaughter introduced her infant daughter to us as Marjorie, named after the late Marjorie Hinckley, the wife of President Gordon B. Hinckley. I told her (Danny translated) that I had met Sister Hinckley when I was a younger, and that she had been a dear friend of my grandparents. What a wonderful namesake she had chosen. I thought to myself what an influence for good one righteous woman can be!

Here I sat, in such humble circumstances, knowing that Spencer W. Kimball and Gordon B. Hinckley were indeed Prophets of God, and that testimony had bonded me to these faithful saints in a remote village in western El Salvador. We had nothing and yet everything in common. I was so impressed with the faith of these good saints. Although this family had never met a prophet, or had personal experiences with the brethren, their testimonies were strong. That little village that initially seemed so sad to me, actually holds such happy memories. This is the gospel in action. They had very little, but gave so much... and really, they had everything.

With Love,
L

Five Little Ducks

Five Little Ducks went out to play,

swimming in the lake at the end of the day...

Oh that sunset, and oh those little duckies! Total Lynley moment!!! I just realized today that I had the right number of duckies per photo to illustrate the Five Little Ducks song. I thought about posting the whole thing, but really I think you all know it, right?. Love it. 

L

Us: Me and You

I've been wanting to take pictures of Danny and I in a photo booth forever. This is us sitting in a booth taking a self portrait because apparently the photo booth was broken. Oh well. Looks like I managed to put that camera right in front of Danny's face... oops. At least it's a picture of both of us--aside from our engagement and wedding photos, we don't really have many pictures together. I guess I need to get out from behind the lens a little more often.

So... here's a resolution for 2012 that I think I can handle: take more pictures of us this year. (Try not to put the camera right in front of husband's face.)

L

Advice to Self:

 Look up.

Enjoy the ride.

Sail away.

See the World.

Explore.

Wander.

Dream.
(Travel not required. Be a tourist in your own little part of the world.)

With Love,
L

Life From the Passenger Seat: Wallsburg

Isn't this barn just the loveliest?! We took a little drive up to Wallsburg on Danny's day off. It was such a beautiful day! Can't wait to share some more photos of our adventure!

I've decided to make "Life From the Passenger Seat" a regular feature here from now on! Perhaps it may just become something all it's own;) It's kind of the perfect project/niche for me right now. I don't always have the energy to do photoshoots, but I just HAVE to get out and see life through the lens! Exploring is fun for both myself and Danny--he likes to drive and I like to observe. It gives me interesting things to photograph, while not overdoing it, like I'm prone to do when shooting for groups. I kind of see "Life from the Passenger Seat" as the Danny and Lynley Adventure Book, like from the movie UP. I'm rather looking forward to seeing where our little drives will lead... With Danny's sense of adventure and my eye for beauty, I think we'll have some good stories to tell, pictures to share, and pages to create.

PS: When on said drives I have an irrational fear of mountain lions jumping out of nowhere at the car. Really, I'm always on the lookout. Either that would make for some great pictures, or a rather tragic ending to our adventures.

With Love,
L

Year in Review: Danny

Handsome, handy, and fun... I'm pretty extra lucky!! These are my top favorite pictures of Danny throughout 2011. (Sorry so many photos, but I did manage to narrow 65 classic photos down to 15.) My Danny is so much fun to be married to and I consider myself very blessed to have him! I love his silly side in some of these shots... he takes it in stride when I want to take pictures for every occasion. This boy is model material. I sure do love my Danny!!

With Love,
L