The Return of Beloved Friends

2 years ago, many of us said our goodbyes and parted ways across the world to go and spend the next 2 years serving the Lord and one of his representatives. Finding and teaching his children the plan of happiness. Slowly but surely, we have been completing our service and returning home, changed men. Today I had the amazing experience of participating in 2 missionary homecomings. Both of them good friends I have known for much of my life.

Coming home is difficult on a missionary. You spend 24 hours of your life serving our Lord and Savior trying to be his servant and doing your best to complete his will. Doing this, you gain such a love for the work that it becomes apart of you. Sometimes memories of home creep into your thoughts, but they are quickly replaced by the need of an investigator, or revelation of a scripture that would help a family. Coming home means leaving one love and coming back to another. You become torn between the two worlds.

But the thing that remains the same is the love of a mother. When I served my mission, I gained such and love and respect for my mother. Sure there were times where is was frustrated with things that she made me do, but then i remembered all the things she did for me. Suddenly the things that she told me to do seem very trivial. What I love about this photo is that after being apart for 2 years, that love that exists between parent and child grows. The child learns the greatness of their parents and the parents forget all the mistakes their child made and only count they days until they are reunited. My friend Elder Taylor is the last of my generation to be reunited with their mother, making us all mamas boys again.

"Behind every strong missionary, there is a stronger mother on her knees."

The Weird Fish

There are some pretty weird looking things in the ocean. The other day I was taking pictures at the Aquarium and saw my fair share of weird fish and it got me thinking. We all grew up with that weird kid in class. That one that was a little bit different. Well in my life, I feel at times I might have been that weird kid. During the course of my life experiences, I feel that I might not have acted as the rest of the kids that were my age. In some situations I might have been more mature, and in others, a little juvenile. I might not have been up to date on the latest fads, or who was playing for which professional sports team. Even my taste in music be considered dated to some people. Yes my friends, I feel that I might have been that weird fish. But as I was looking at this weird fish, something came to me. Our society teaches us we must stand out. Our role models that get all the attention are famous actors, prominent business men and politicians. Even at a young age we try to become known and “stand out” as prominent athletes, outstanding students, or student body presidents. We have this inherent desire to become what some might call a “weird fish.” What makes us unique is also what makes us similar; that desire stand out in one way or another. Some ways are seen more positively than others. In my case, I feel that people don’t quite understand my quirks. I feel that through the course of my life, no one really appreciated my type of uniqueness, and if no one did, how could anyone ever appreciate it.

                Until recently this is how I thought; not very exciting, and scary in some ways. These past couple of months has caused me to reflect greatly on how I have lived my life. The friendships I have made, the people I have helped, and the family I have. I have come to understand myself in a completely different light. Before when I thought, “How could anyone like a fish like me?” I see now, “Where are the fish like me?” As I go about my business each day I look at people and see how they interact with the people around them. I look at them and say to myself, “somewhere, there are people who are exactly like me, who feel the same way, who are looking for someone to fit in with.” I don’t see myself as a weird fish anymore. I look for the ones that stand out in the same way that I stand out, and they are the ones that I want to be with. One big happy school of “weird fish.”

The One that Sticks Out

            Recently I was asked to help a friend take pictures for his wedding. I gladly took this opportunity to practice some more and gain some experience for future projects. Also this past week my cousin also married. Both ceremonies were wonderful, and spiritual. As I am also in this quest of seeing marriage, if I can call it a quest, it has caused me to ponder greatly on how it all works. I was editing photos today and when I came across this photo, a thought crossed my mind. There are many beautiful flowers in the world. All of them different. Some are red, some are purple, and some are yellow. They all have similar and unique characteristics. Some are larger, some are smaller. Some bloom in the sunlight, some bloom in the dark, but in the end, there is one that always pops out. One that is ultimately unique. One that catches your eye and causes you to focus on it rather than the rest.
           I find great joy in seeing my friends and family finding their flowers. When I see a new couple start to form, my heart leaps for their success, and when that relationship gains momentum and brings about a beautiful family, my soul cries for them to achieve everlasting happiness. Amid all the confusion of this world and the distractions that manifest themselves, they were able to wade through the weeds and other flora to find that one that stood out to them. That one that was important. That one that was the most magnificent from all the rest. Their beautiful flower.

Death in the Water

Today i took my dog for a walk and started to take some pictures. Here is the only good one that I got. It looks like a skeleton in the water. Creepy!

Two of my good friends, Reggie and Jenae, got married a couple of weeks ago and they allowed me to take some pictures of them after i got my new camera. As you can see, they are a very happy couple. I love how they look together. Best of luck to you both!

Playing with HDR

Last week i went on a road trip with my dad and we decided to take the scenic route. This picture I took out in Arches National Park in southern Utah. I have experimented with HDR before, but wasn't successful. I tried again and I believed I have gotten closer. Tell me what you think. Arches is a beautiful place where there are thousands of opportunities to snap a great photo. Pretty much any day and anytime of day is a good day in Arches. I look forward enthusiastically till the time i can go again and spend a little more time exploring the park.