My shining golden girls,
One recent Sunday I fasted for courage. I don’t want to be scared anymore, of anything! Long car rides, dropping you off at school, protecting you from things that hurt, the worries of keeping you too close or pushing you away. Did you eat enough vegetables today?
And thankfully I feel power helping me choose courage. When I have a choice to make, when feelings begin to overwhelm me I think, “Where is my courage?”
Now, there is a direct correlation between my courage and attitude towards religion and church.
The more I study my scriptures and hear the Holy Ghost, the less I accept general thoughts and opinions; knowledge has felt so clear, so simple. I am practicing taking responsibility for finding answers to my questions and I feel worlds of clarity open my mind and heart.
My faith is firm in Jesus Christ, his mercy and grace, and His love for all of His children. From this foundation comes every thing I will ever invite you to learn as long as I am living.
One warm afternoon on a sidewalk, crouched beside the car, you and I spoke of families. Annie, you casually responded to me, “‘Cause families can look however they wanna look.’” To which I said, “Exactly. And who does Jesus love?” It is a question you both know well, and you shouted simultaneously, “Eddabuddy!!!” (your version of everybody.)
You know God is love.
Christ spent His entire life with people who culture and tradition deemed different, ill, lowly, of less worth or contagious.
And He repeatedly asserted,
“ye judge after the flesh. I judge no man”
“neither do I condemn thee”
“I came not to judge the world but to save the world”
over and over again.
His spent every day trying to help everyone, but especially His followers, understand that we are all the same we just hurt differently, and that He is our Savior, prince of peace, master healer and perfect love.
If he does not judge or condemn, neither do I.
I learn from Him who to love, and how to love.
I trust Him. I love Him. But mostly I am trying to love like Him.
Baby girls, when you have questions, if you go to the source of all wisdom and understanding you will find answers that will fill and soothe your soul. Then, take courage and start with the smallest possible steps to do what you feel! It will pay off in powerful feelings of wellness and self confidence. Power was given to you before you were born to take courage, so step into your skin - as uncomfortable as sometimes skin feels - and take up all of the space you want in the world regardless of culture, tradition, and popular (or unpopular) opinion; you are so needed.
I love you. He loves you always.
Your mama
P.S. All apologies to my readers for any typos! I edit my posts about 49 times after I publish them. If you receive these via email you read version one. If you would like to read the must up-to-date, click the title of the post and you will be taken directly to my actual, and most cleaned-up, post.
P.P.S Bay area I will be there this weekend and can squeeze in one more shoot! Click here to book!
Photos Processed and Scanned by Richard Photo Lab.
Mixtures of Portra 800, Portra 400, Fuji 400h (to finish up the last roll), and Ilford 3200.
Pentax 645nii and Canon 1V
My front yard and the reservoir by the house.
And the goslings and their parents who showed up for the shoot.
