Super Harvest Moon rising through thin clouds over the Draper Utah Temple. Double exposure, short telephoto (70–100 mm f/2.8) on tripod.
Excerpt Setbacks aren’t a verdict; they’re the venue. What feels like a bad break can become a disguised doorway when we trust the Lord’s larger view.
Intro Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught that “bad breaks need not ruin a good man or a good woman… so often in life opportunity comes disguised as tragedy,” and, “trust the Lord, for He sees your possibilities even when you do not.” Those lines met me this week. Sleep was thin, appetite gone, heart stretched—but even the stretch nudged me heavenward.
Perspective There are no super heroes in IT—no capes, no instant rescues. Systems fail, humans tire, plans bend. The real test is not whether I dodge hard things but whether I meet them with faith, honesty, and steady work. Joseph didn’t waste Egypt, and Job didn’t waste ash and silence. I don’t want to waste my own classroom of adversity.
Practice (today, not someday)
Whisper a prayer of trust: “Lord, I choose to keep trying.”
Do one quiet act of goodness for someone who can’t repay you.
Write a single line of gratitude for help you didn’t expect.
Sit in a patch of light—outside or by a window—and breathe until your shoulders lower.
Final Reflection Worry took sleep and appetite, yet the Lord met me in the stretch. He didn’t remove the weight; He strengthened my will and widened my view. A bad break does not define me; how I walk through it, with Him, refines me.
Pocket I’m Keeping “Proving is strengthening.” When the wind rises, roots go deeper.
What I Hear Now Be steadfast. Keep moving toward Me. I know how to carry you.
Green dragonfly camouflaged among yellow-green croton leaves; wings catch a thin line of light.
Excerpt
A dragonfly vanishes into the croton leaves—nearly invisible until the light catches its wings. Even when we can’t see, the Light is still there.
Intro
Elder Neal A. Maxwell compared life’s dark weather to a storm where we cannot see the sun but know it is still there. Likewise, in our stormy moments the Son of God remains constant. This image of a camouflaged dragonfly became a quiet parable of that promise.
Notes from Elder Maxwell
“You’ve all been in a storm… when you couldn’t see the sun but you knew it was still there. Likewise… the Son of God is always there. His light will never go out.”
Hope is not wishful thinking; it is trust in a steady, unwavering Light.
Our task is to keep moving by faith when sight is momentarily withheld.
Perspective
Camouflage works because color and pattern mimic the surroundings. Fear does the same—blending truth into the noise until guidance seems gone. But the Light hasn’t moved. Shift your angle, breathe, and let the glare settle; suddenly the wings glint, and direction returns.
Practice (today, not someday)
When anxiety spikes, pause and pray: “I know You’re here even if I can’t see.”
Name one current “storm,” then write one way Christ has lifted you before.
Look for small glints—scripture lines, kindness, music—that catch the light.
Final Reflection
Faith is the discipline of remembering the sun in a storm and the Savior in shadow. The scene may hide Him for a moment; it cannot extinguish Him.
Pocket I’m Keeping
“His light will never go out.”
What I Hear Now
Hold course. Let Me be your fixed point while the weather passes.
Morning butterfly perched on a dew-tipped blade of grass, reflected in still water as sun rays break through—an image of quiet patience and light.
Excerpt
Patience is not indifference—it’s caring deeply and trusting God’s timing. This image came from quiet hours beside dew and light, waiting for a butterfly to choose the leaf.
Intro
Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught that patience is “caring very much” while submitting to “the process of time.” It partners with faith, agency, humility, and love. Photographers know that rhythm: you prepare, you wait, you don’t rush the scene—and grace arrives.
Patience isn’t passive; it’s faithful submission to God’s wiser timetable.
We “run with patience,” not a sprint—enduring well, not merely long.
Patience protects agency—we don’t force outcomes or people.
It ripens discernment: we learn what matters most and let lesser things rest.
Tribulation “worketh patience,” which yields experience and the “peaceable fruit of righteousness.”
Photo Field Notes
Early-morning dew, low angle, and stillness. I set a full-frame body with a Nikon 105mm f/2.8G on a spider tripod, remote trigger attached. I hid off-axis, letting the leaf steady and the light settle. The butterfly came only when the world quieted enough to feel safe. Exposure and focus were ready—the rest required waiting.
Perspective
Macro work is a sermon in inches. If I keep opening the “oven door,” the scene falls flat. When I trust the light, honor the creature’s freedom, and wait, the frame fills with reverence. So it is with discipleship: God’s work in us is real but rarely rushed.
Practice (today, not someday)
Replace one hurry with one holy pause.
Let someone else’s agency breathe; resist “fixing.”
Choose one worthy thing and stay with it past the fidgets.
Pray, “Let patience have her perfect work in me.”
Final Reflection
Patience is obedience prolonged—faith that keeps the shutter half-pressed until grace enters the frame. God’s timing is not late; it is luminous.
Pocket I’m Keeping
“Patience makes possible a personal spiritual symmetry.” (Maxwell)
What I Hear Now
Wait with Me. I’m shaping both the moment and you.
a monarch resting on a sunflower — a living parable of light, patience, and lift.
Excerpt
When trials feel like too much, remember: the Lord proves us to strengthen us. Like a butterfly on a sunflower, we are held up by light we didn’t make and warmth we didn’t earn.
Intro
Elder Henry B. Eyring taught that through the glorious Atonement, Jesus Christ knows exactly how to succor us. Strength doesn’t grow in comfort; it grows when we feel stretched beyond what we thought we could bear. If we continue in faith — especially when it feels impossible — we become spiritually stronger.
Notes from Conference (Oct 5, 2025 General Conference)
Christ can succor perfectly because He has felt every mortal challenge.
Proving times are strengthening times, not signs of abandonment.
Discipleship is continuing — never giving up, always trying again in Him.
Faith while it’s hard invites His power to change us.
Perspective
God is mindful — of sunflowers and butterflies, and even more of souls. Elder Neal A. Maxwell reminded us that there are more stars than grains of sand, yet “souls matter more than stars.” If heaven attends to sparrows and petals, it will not forget your name, your tears, or your next step.
Practice (today, not someday)
Whisper a prayer of trust: “Lord, I choose to keep trying.”
Do one small act of goodness for someone who can’t repay you.
Write a line of gratitude for help you didn’t expect.
Sit in a patch of light — outside or by a window — and breathe until your shoulders lower.
Final Reflection
The Atonement is not just rescue; it is renewable strength. Trials may bend us, but in Christ they do not break us. Keep turning your face to the light. He will meet you where courage runs thin and hope begins again.
Pocket I’m Keeping
“Proving is strengthening.” When the wind rises, roots go deeper.
What I Hear Now
Be steadfast. Keep moving toward Me. I know how to carry you.
“watching the river run” — Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah. Long-exposure fall stream; motion becomes grace. Shot very low on a tripod with remote shutter. 4-second exposure at f/11, ISO 200 to smooth the water like silk while keeping the scene crisp.
Excerpt
The current is fast and the banks are close—but I can still choose calm. Today I’m learning that peacemaking starts inside me, then flows outward.
Intro
This stream looks like my week—swirl, speed, and color. I can’t control every bend, but I can decide the spirit I bring into each conversation.
Notes from Elder Gary E. Stevenson(Oct 4, 2025 Sat AM GC)
Peacemaking is a Christlike attribute that begins in hearts, then homes, then communities.
It requires courage and wise compromise without sacrificing principle.
Lead with open hearts, not closed minds; extended hands, not clenched fists.
Taught by Jesus Christ in scripture and reaffirmed by living prophets today.
Notes from Elder Kelly R. Johnson(Oct 4, 2025 Sat AM GC)
Seek validation vertically, not horizontally.
When others try to label us by weaknesses, stand strong in who we truly are—children of God.
Identity in Christ anchors peacemaking; it removes the need to win and invites us to love.
President Russell M. Nelson has taught that using labels can breed animosity, judging, and division; peacemakers look past labels to divine identity.
Perspective
Peace isn’t pretending tensions don’t exist. It’s choosing the Lord’s way—firm in truth, soft in tone, willing to listen, ready to reconcile. Knowing whose I am steadies who I am, so I don’t need to fight for labels or approval.
Practice (today, not someday)
Stop: rehearsing comebacks; seeking validation from reactions and “likes.” Start: pray before hard talks; state principles clearly, then ask sincere questions; offer one olive-branch action (thanks, brief apology, or specific help); write “I am a child of God” at the top of today’s notes.
Final reflection
Rivers carve rock not by force but by steadiness. Peacemaking works the same—courageous, principled, and patient because my identity is anchored in Him.
Pocket I’m keeping
Extended hands, not clenched fists—rooted in the quiet confidence of a child of God.
What I hear now
Be brave and gentle. Hold to truth. Let peace start in your heart and flow to your words.
Night setup: Nikon 14–24mm f/2.8G on tripod • Manual/Bulb • 30-second exposure • f/2.8 • ISO 2400
Excerpt It struck on a day I never expected—like the day I lost my father, on my birthday. The same jolt ⚡️ twice. Bitter and sweet at once.
Intro Some experiences arrive unannounced and unforgettable. The day held joy—time with loved ones, a wonderful dinner, thoughtful gifts 🎁 (I treasure shirts and cologne and keep them for years). Yet the soul-stretching overshadowed the sweetness, and the ache still lingers.
Notes from Elder Neal A. Maxwell • “It takes time to prepare for eternity.” • God customizes our curriculum—He gives what we need, not always what we like. • Discipleship is daily; steady choosing matters more than dramatic moments. • Meekness is strength under control. • Cheerfully submit: trust His timing and tutoring. • Be grounded and settled in Christ to endure well, not just long.
Perspective The lingering pain doesn’t mean I failed; it means the lesson matters. Like completed IT projects etched in memory, some days don’t fade—they shape.
Practice (today, not someday) • Pause to breathe and pray before I speak. • Trade rumination for one small act of service. • Write three lines of gratitude (including a gift I’ll lovingly keep). • Use meek words with firm boundaries.
Final Reflection Bitter because it hurt. Sweet because love showed up. Both can be true while God stretches my capacity for trust and kindness.
Pocket I’m keeping “Customized by a loving Father.” Not random storms—tailored tutoring.
What I hear now Be still. Do the next right thing. Let Me do the shaping.
Needed a quick “where did this user sign in from?” report without swapping modules. I used AzureADPreview to export a clean CSV (timestamp, IP, country/state/city, app, client, result). All identifiers below are redacted; mailbox shown as [email protected].
Intro
Security asked for a last-30-days sign-in report. I didn’t want to migrate the host that already had AzureADPreview, so I stayed on that and exported the fields they care about. Notes are redacted and portable.
Notes from {Speaker}
Context: Windows PowerShell 5.x (STA) + AzureADPreview.
Avoided Microsoft Graph SDK on this box.
Output: CSV with location + app/client details.
Perspective (direct quotes)
“Use Windows PowerShell (not PS7) so the AzureAD auth control behaves.” “If you change the date range, re-run the query—don’t reuse the old $logs.”
Practice (today, not someday)
Use this redacted snippet; replace only the UPN line if needed.
Sticking with AzureADPreview is fine when you only need sign-in logs—just remember: PowerShell 5.x, re-query after changing dates, and export only the fields the requester needs.
Pocket I’m Keeping
“Query fresh, then shape.” Most delays come from reusing an old $logs object after changing the date window.
Exchange Online sometimes reports mailbox sizes with “Unlimited” wrappers that break simple math. Today I built a one-liner-friendly PowerShell snippet that returns Used GB, Quota GB, and Available GB—even when EXO wraps values in Unlimited<T>.
Intro
I needed the available mailbox size for [mailbox]@[domain] without exposing tenant internals. The usual TotalItemSize parsing failed because EXO returned Unlimited<ByteQuantifiedSize>. Here’s the redacted approach that works reliably and falls back cleanly.
Notes from {Speaker}
Context: Exchange Online + PowerShell; target was [mailbox]@[domain].
Constraint: TotalItemSize and ProhibitSendQuota show Unlimited wrappers or localized strings.
Goal: Get UsedGB / QuotaGB / AvailableGB with no tenant secrets.
Perspective (direct quotes)
“If it’s Unlimited<T>, ask for .Value—and always guard with IsUnlimited.” “When objects don’t expose bytes, regex the (123,456 bytes) pattern as a fallback.”
Practice (today, not someday)
Use this redacted snippet. It works with Get-EXO* and falls back to classic cmdlets:
EXO’s objects are powerful but quirky. Guarding for IsUnlimited, using .Value.ToBytes(), and keeping a regex fallback turns a flaky one-off into a repeatable tool.
Pocket I’m Keeping
“Parse what’s there, not what you expect.” When APIs return wrapped or localized strings, a small fallback (regex for (#### bytes)) saves the day.
What I Hear Now (direct quotes)
“Measure in bytes, report in GB.” “Handle Unlimited first, then do math.” “One clean object out—every time.”
Message trace + quarantine check (redacted): verified deliveries and deployed a Priority-0 SCL-1 allow rule for [partner-domain]
Excerpt
When a trusted partner’s emails started landing in spam (or nowhere at all), I traced the path, set a top-priority allow rule, and used Defender’s Allow/Block list to force clean delivery—without exposing internal details.
Intro
Today’s note is for admins who wear the on-call hat. Messages from [partner-domain] weren’t reaching our users. Some were quarantined as spam; others never showed. I documented the exact, reversible steps I used to restore delivery while keeping our environment safe and auditable. All vendor names, mailboxes, IPs, and hostnames are redacted.
Notes from {Speaker}
Symptom: Mail from [partner-domain] was flagged/filtered; end users reported “not delivered” or “went to Junk.”
Tools used: Exchange Admin Center, Microsoft 365 Defender, Exchange Online PowerShell.
Constraints: Multiple legacy transport rules; need a change that’s surgical, auditable, and easy to roll back.
Guardrails: Prefer allowlisting at the domain + spoof layer (not blanket bypass for everything). Keep headers/SPF/DKIM intact for future tuning.
Perspective (direct quotes)
“No decision is a decision—so we’ll choose the safe, reversible one.” “Top-priority SCL-1 with Stop processing beats noisy downstream rules.” “If spoof intelligence is tripping, meet it where it lives: Tenant Allow/Block.”
Get-TransportRule "Allow [partner-domain] (SCL-1)" |
fl Name,Priority,State,SenderDomainIs,SetSCL,StopRuleProcessing
# Send a new test; re-run Get-MessageTrace to confirm Status = Delivered
Most “email is broken” moments aren’t outages—they’re safety systems doing their job a bit too eagerly. The win is balancing protection with precision so real mail flows and risky mail doesn’t.
Pocket I’m Keeping
Put the SCL-1 allow rule with Stop Processing at the top. It’s decisive, reversible, and neutralizes noisy legacy rules downstream.
What I Hear Now (direct quotes)
“Measure twice, move to Priority 0 once.” “Don’t fight spoof intelligence—configure it.” “Document the rollback the same minute you deploy the fix.”
Microsoft 365 Defender — Tenant Allow/Block List (TABL)
Exchange Online — Transport rules (mail flow rules)
Message trace in the modern EAC (references listed for context; links omitted for privacy—add your preferred docs when publishing)
One of yesterday’s frames at Deseret Peak. Thank you, President Nelson, for teaching me where peace lives—inside the temple, inside covenants.
Excerpt
Nearly eight years he pointed us to Christ, the temple, and higher thinking. I saw one change up close: the move from LDS.org to ChurchofJesusChrist.org—sacred identity, careful work, and no lost mail.
Intro
Last night I felt both loss and gratitude. President Nelson’s invitations—think celestial, be a peacemaker, focus on the temple—have become a rhythm for me. One moment from his ministry is personal: I was on the support email engineering team during the transition from LDS.org to ChurchofJesusChrist.org and the updated Church symbol. Behind the scenes, we prayed, planned, and tested so identity would be clear and messages wouldn’t drop. MX, routing rules, list servers, SPF, DKIM, and countless aliases—all touched, all safeguarded so the Lord’s work could keep moving without a missed heartbeat.
Notes from President Nelson
• Correct the name of the Church and center everything on Jesus Christ. • Focus on the temple; go more often; live inside your covenants. • Home centered, Church supported worship; two hour Sunday schedule. • From home teaching to ministering—people over checklists. • Accelerate temple building; take covenants to more of God’s children. • Keep the Restoration moving; methods can adjust while doctrine remains. • Peacemakers needed; lift our gaze—think celestial.
Witness — two moments that shaped him
• 1976 flight: in a small prop plane, an engine “burst open and caught on fire,” the aircraft dropped in a spiral, the flames went out, and they landed safely. • 2009 Mozambique: armed robbers put a gun to his head and pulled the trigger—“the gun did not fire”—and he and Sister Wendy felt the Lord’s peace and protection.
Foundation parallel — Salt Lake Temple and spiritual earthquakes
President Nelson used the renovation of the Salt Lake Temple’s foundation as a living parable. Engineers are reinforcing stone to withstand earthquakes and time; likewise, we take “extraordinary measures” to strengthen our personal spiritual foundations so we can stand steady when life shakes.
“Whenever any kind of upheaval occurs in your life, the safest place to be spiritually is living inside your temple covenants.” A simple promise, and it matches my experience: when I live inside covenants, spiritual earthquakes don’t topple me—they tutor me.
Perspective — direct quotes
“I promise that increased time in the temple will bless your life in ways nothing else can.” “Whenever any kind of upheaval occurs in your life, the safest place to be spiritually is living inside your temple covenants.”
Practice — today, not someday
• Temple rhythm: two visits a week when possible, with time to linger in the Celestial Room. • Ministering: one person to love and lift this week—quietly. • Peacemaking: choose the soft answer once a day. • Think celestial: make one decision with eternity in mind.
Final Reflection
Deseret Peak yesterday surprised me—the far drive, the light under the arch, and a whisper I needed. Layton’s pools, Syracuse’s grasses, Taylorsville’s familiar glow, Saratoga Springs where I first learned to notice the nudge—each room speaks differently, yet the message is the same: build on Christ. President Nelson’s legacy feels very close to the ground for me—temples and small daily choices that shape a life. Foundations strengthened. Identity clarified. The work moves forward.
Pocket I’m Keeping
Safest place spiritually—inside my temple covenants.
Deseret Peak Utah Temple at sunset—sunbeams radiating behind the spire; foreground includes a ONE WAY sign and sweeping curve leading to the grounds.
Excerpt
There’s one way that never fails: return to the temple. Time there refines the soul and tunes it to Christ.
Intro
The sun dropped behind the Oquirrhs and the rays split the sky while I stood by a road sign that simply read ONE WAY—its arrow bending toward the House of the Lord. That felt exactly right. My weeks are fuller and messier than I can say, yet the path that steadies me is singular: one way to the Celestial Room. I need that room every week. Every temple where I’ve lingered long in that quiet has offered a different whisper—no adjectives in English quite fit, only awe and a desire to stay.
Notes from President Nelson
• The Savior appeared to the Nephites at the temple—His house is filled with His power. • The Lord is accelerating temple building and access across the earth. • Increased time in the temple blesses life in ways nothing else can. • The temple helps gather Israel and spiritually refine disciples. • A living prophet invites us to focus on the temple in ways we never have before.
Perspective — direct quotes
“I promise that increased time in the temple will bless your life in ways nothing else can.” “It is significant that the Savior chose to appear to the people at the temple.”
Practice — today, not someday
Weekly Celestial Room: plan one session each week and leave time to linger.
Temple-first calendar: schedule temple time before the week fills with everything else.
Gathering habit: bring a name or help someone get to the temple each month.
Final Reflection
The sign says One Way. President Nelson’s promise makes the direction clear: choose the temple, and the Lord will shape the heart in ways nothing else can. Windows glowed, rays fanned the sky, and I felt the familiar nudge—be here often, let Christ refine you.
Pocket I’m Keeping
“One way to peace and power this week: go to the temple.”
What I Hear Now — direct quotes
“Focus on the temple.” “He is making His temples more accessible.”
Deseret Peak Utah Temple — blue hour after a 4:30 PM proxy endowment. Foundation steady, heart steady.
Excerpt
When life shakes, covenants hold. The temple is where Jesus Christ strengthens my foundation so I can stand steady through any upheaval.
Intro
I drove west to Tooele Valley for a late-afternoon proxy endowment at the new Deseret Peak Temple. It became a 5‑hour sacred errand—2 hours round‑trip, 2 hours in ordinance and 30 quiet minutes in the Celestial Room, and 1 hour making photographs at last light. President Nelson’s words about foundations felt tailor‑made for this day.
Notes from President Nelson
• The Salt Lake Temple’s seismic retrofit is a living parable: strengthen the foundation to withstand future shaking. • Our safest spiritual place is inside our temple covenants. • The temple centers us on Jesus Christ—His doctrine, ordinances, and power. • The Restoration continues; methods adjust by revelation while doctrine remains. • If distance or health limits attendance, rehearse your covenants and let Him teach you. • Go more often, not less; the temple becomes safety, solace, and revelation. • Build now—before the spiritual earthquakes come.
Perspective — direct quotes
“Whenever any kind of upheaval occurs in your life, the safest place to be spiritually is living inside your temple covenants.” “How firm is your foundation?” “Everything taught in the temple increases our understanding of Jesus Christ.”
Practice — today, not someday
Foundation checks: After each temple visit, write one way I’ll anchor to Christ this week.
Covenant rehearsal: Set a weekly 10‑minute block to review the promises I’ve made and the power He offers.
Regular appointments: Put the next proxy session on the calendar before leaving the parking lot.
Final Reflection
Looking through the arch toward a glowing House of the Lord, I felt why foundations matter. The drive, the ordinance, the quiet—each pressed me deeper into the covenant path. Cameras can’t capture the weight of peace, but they can remind me where it’s found. President Nelson’s plea is mercifully simple: strengthen the foundation now. The shaking will come; Christ holds.
Pocket I’m Keeping
“Safest place to be—inside my temple covenants.”
What I Hear Now — direct quotes
“If ye are prepared ye shall not fear.” “How firm a foundation.”
Layton Utah Temple — late afternoon, sun crowning the spire; shallow haze for a soft halo; foreground reds as a living border. iPhone, 26mm equiv.
Excerpt
In a shifting world, God’s laws don’t move. Standing in holy places anchors my heart and tunes my ears to revelation—often quiet, always real.
Intro
I came to the Layton Temple in July needing steadiness. Technology breaks, schedules slip, even good plans go sideways. Inside the temple, the noise falls away. President Monson’s call to “stand … in holy places, and be not moved” landed fresh. I felt why the Lord invites us to keep covenants and come back often—the temple is where He re-centers the soul.
Notes from President Monson
• God’s commandments are constant; they are commandments, not suggestions. • Prayer is our lifeline; God answers—in ways we recognize as we practice. • The world’s moral compass drifts, but Christ’s gospel holds steady. • Revelation comes when we’re worthy, willing, and in the right places. • Holy places (temples, homes, sacrament) give peace to weather life’s storms. • Inspiration is to be trusted and acted upon.
Perspective — direct quotes
“The Ten Commandments are just that—commandments.” “Our Father in Heaven is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” “Watch and pray always.” “Stand … in holy places, and be not moved.”
Practice — today, not someday
Temple time: schedule my next endowment/initiatory before I leave this post.
Daily prayer slots: five quiet minutes morning and night—no phone, just scripture and a kneeling prayer.
Holy ground at home: set a small, uncluttered spot for scripture, journal, and temple card—use it daily.
Final Reflection
In July I brought a hurried heart to the Layton Temple and left carrying peace. President Monson reminded me that God’s laws don’t flex with culture, and that revelation often whispers when I’m where He wants me to be. The temple slowed me to the Lord’s pace. It didn’t erase my problems, but it reframed them. I can face outages, delays, and disappointments without losing center. Holiness isn’t escape; it’s alignment. When I choose the Lord’s places, I hear the Lord’s voice.
Pocket I’m Keeping
“Stand in holy places, and be not moved.” One line to carry into every room this week.
What I Hear Now — direct quotes
“The work of righteousness shall be peace.” “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you.”
A Moment That Marked Me — Frankfurt, 1987 (Monson)
President Monson told how, during the Frankfurt Germany Temple dedication, he felt a clear impression to call Peter Mourik as the first speaker—even after being told Brother Mourik wasn’t in the building. Trusting the Spirit, he announced him anyway. At that very moment, Brother Mourik felt prompted across town to drive to the temple and walked in as his name was called. This experience witnesses that worthy, timely impressions can be trusted—the Lord coordinates details we cannot see.
Advantages of Standing in Holy Places (my takeaways)
Clarity: Temples tune the heart; choices sort into wise vs. unwise.
Protection: Covenants set boundaries that keep me safe when the world blurs lines.
Power to Act: The Spirit gives courage to do right things in the right order.
Peace: The promised effect of righteousness is quietness and assurance forever.
Memory: Heaven records; the temple helps me remember who I am and whose I am.
Sleeping Beauty Castle during the fireworks, framed by the Partners statue. Tripod + remote shutter, long exposure on the 14–24mm f/2.8G. Manual focus, no flash.
Why this fits Elder Holland
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: “Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead… Some blessings come soon, some come late… but they come.” Fireworks are a patience test. You compose in the dark, wait through false starts, and trust the next burst will fill the sky. That is discipleship in miniature: keep your place, stay steady, believe light is coming.
Pocket I’m keeping
When life feels like a long exposure with nothing on the sensor yet, don’t touch the tripod. Hold your ground. Keep praying, keep working, keep walking. The frame will fill.
BTS (how I made it)
Arrived early to anchor composition on Walt & Mickey leading to the castle and sky
Tripod low, remote shutter to avoid vibration; manual focus set before showtime
Long exposure to “draw” fans and heart-shapes in the air; no flash to keep ambient color
Wide at 14–18mm to include crowd, statue, castle, and sky in one story
Final reflection
Walt’s “dreams come true” meets Elder Holland’s “don’t you quit.” Courage starts the dream; covenant faith finishes it. Stay close to Christ and keep moving—light always finds the faithful.
Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland framed by morning roses and a still moat. Low-angle composition, layered foreground-to-background for color, structure, and reflection.
Intro
The castle is storybook stone, but the roses are living color. Faith is like that—rooted, seasonal, and bright against whatever feels immovable.
Excerpt
I framed this low in the rose bed to stack three layers: blooms, castle, and reflection. The flowers pull you in, the bridge and turrets anchor the middle, and the sky opens the scene. The castle gets most of the attention, but the roses do the inviting.
Notes from the Devotional
“Make Jesus the light of your life. And then by his light, see everything else.” — Elder Neal A. Maxwell When the Light is first, everything else makes sense.
Perspective
“Sometimes it is better to be left out than to be taken in… It is better for you to be alienated from the gang than to be alienated from God.” — Elder Maxwell Beauty is not popularity; it’s alignment. Choose the view that keeps you closest to the Light.
Practice (today, not someday)
“Obeying is one of the best ways of exploring.” — Elder Maxwell Honor park rules and guests. Work within limits: arrive early, stay off the beds, wait for gaps in foot traffic, and compose from the edge.
Final Reflection
“Trust the Lord for he sees your possibilities even when you do not.” — Elder Maxwell The bloom you notice is rarely the only one ready to open. In time, a whole garden appears.
Pocket I’m Keeping
“Be very careful about what you let come inside your storehouse of memories. Those memories will be there for a very long time.” — Elder Maxwell I want a storehouse full of color and peace—moments of quiet light with people I love.
Behind the Shot
• location: Sleeping Beauty Castle, Disneyland • approach: arrive early; look for still water in the moat for a clean reflection; use flowers as a foreground frame • composition: very low angle, flowers as leading foreground, bridge arches and turrets for structure, negative space in the sky • settings (starting point): 16–24 mm, f/8–f/11, base ISO, shutter as needed; confirm nearest bloom focus; keep verticals natural • etiquette: stay out of the beds; don’t block paths; be quick and kind with guests and cast
Pirates of the Caribbean, Disneyland — the dog with the keys. Captured from a moving boat, manual exposure, 24mm at f/2.8, high ISO, no flash allowed.
Intro
The pirates beg; the dog holds the keys. It’s funny—and it’s a mirror. The way out is often right in front of us, but we still have to earn it: patience, timing, and steady hands in the dark.
Excerpt
No flash, no tripod, no second chances—just a drifting boat, dim lantern light, and the moment you either catch or miss. I rode the attraction several times, dialed in manual settings, and waited for the boat to line up with the dog and the bars. The frame finally clicked when the scene, the motion, and my breathing all settled together.
Notes from the Devotional
“Righteousness has to become a matter of reflex.” — Elder Neal A. Maxwell When the light is low and everything moves, you don’t have time to analyze; you respond because you’ve practiced. That’s true for cameras and character.
Perspective
“Don’t be discouraged if, in your lifetime, you seem surrounded and outnumbered.” — Elder Maxwell Surrounded by bars? Sometimes the key is closer than it feels. Keep your eye on it—and keep reaching.
Practice (today, not someday)
“Obeying is one of the best ways of exploring.” — Elder Maxwell Honor the rules of the ride—no flash photography is allowed—then explore within those limits: open your aperture, raise ISO, steady your body, and work the timing on each pass.
Final Reflection
“Believe in yourself not only for what you now are but for what you have the power to become.” — Elder Maxwell Low light doesn’t mean no light. There’s enough light to grow if you learn how to see it.
Pocket I’m keeping
“Be very careful about what you let come inside your storehouse of memories.” — Elder Maxwell This frame reminds me to stock my mind with moments earned by patience and restraint, not shortcuts.
Behind the Shot
• location: Pirates of the Caribbean, Disneyland • camera: full-frame body, 24mm f/1.4G • settings: manual, f/2.8, high ISO, shutter fast enough to freeze boat bobble • constraints: moving boat, dim practicals, absolutely no flash allowed • approach: rode multiple times, pre-focused, timed shutter as boat paralleled the dog
Tips if you want this shot
flash is not allowed on this ride—respect the rules, the show, and other guests
use manual exposure; start around f/2.8, 1/125s, ISO 6400–12800 and adjust
stabilize with breath control and elbows tucked; shoot short bursts as the boat glides parallel
Sleeping Beauty Castle after closing, colors breathing against a quiet walkway. Handheld patience, not luck.
Story I didn’t grow up thinking “bucket list.” I just liked being with my family and carrying a camera. During my consulting years we were blessed with no-blockout annual passes to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. I only share that to explain why we have so many pictures there—and so many good memories. The park was our long walk after a long week.
I wasn’t chasing rides. Most nights I was chasing light. My kids and my wife did their favorites, and I did mine: “it’s a small world” for the melody I can’t shake and “Soarin’” for the way it makes your heart feel bigger than your chest. Between those two, I was usually off finding a quiet corner to photograph, waiting for the crowd to thin the way a tide pulls back.
We spent more than a few Christmas Eves at the Disneyland Hotel and Christmas Day in the park—again, not to show off, just to be together somewhere that made us smile. In other seasons, when I worked with an aerospace team and later in perinatal healthcare, our groups sometimes held Christmas parties at Disneyland. I’d still slip away for a few minutes, because the castle looks different every night, and the fireworks give you one more excuse to try again.
A lot of those photos are still on old memory cards from three cameras. I know—process them already. But there’s something honest about leaving a few dreams unwrapped. The parks taught me that: you don’t need a louder life; you need a longer patience.
Walt said, “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” For me, courage looked like staying five minutes longer, carrying a tripod when my back complained, and coming back when the last shot failed. It’s a small practice, after all—but small things add up.
If you see Disney or temple photos here, that’s what they’re made of: family time, a stubborn camera strap, and the quiet belief that good light rewards people who are kind and who stay.
Monsoon rain, no guarantee, and a low chance of lightning. I framed Mokoliʻi between the bougainvillea, promised myself “ten more minutes,” and waited. The sky answered with a single crack of light. Most breakthroughs arrive between patience and presence. Keep going.
Intro
Hawaiʻi is famous for warm trade winds and sudden monsoon rain—but not for lightning. That’s why I stayed anyway. Between gray bands of rain, a single bolt cracked over Mokoliʻi, and the island lit up like a punctuation mark on the horizon. Some shots don’t happen until you’ve already decided to keep waiting.
Excerpt
“We cannot expect life to be a first-class experience unless we face some first-class challenges.” – Elder Neal A Maxwell
Approach: Pre-framed the island between bougainvillea and palms; stayed sheltered and watched the cloud build. Shot short bursts when thunder rolled; reviewed only after the storm passed.
Tip: On days when odds look low, decide ahead of time how long you’ll stay. The decision to wait removes the temptation to quit early.
Perspective
Lightning over Mokoliʻi is a reminder that rarity isn’t impossibility. Breakthroughs often arrive in the minutes after most people pack up. The skill isn’t just technical; it’s endurance plus attention—staying present long enough for grace to show.
Practice (today, not someday)
The “Ten More Minutes” rule: when you feel like leaving—stay ten more.
Pre-frame & wait: set one composition and guard it. Let the moment walk into your frame.
Write one sentence: “I’m still here because ______.” (Name your why.)
Final Reflection
Storms don’t always bring danger; sometimes they bring definition. Keep going. The bolt you’re waiting for may be one cloud away.
Pocket I’m Keeping
“Rarity is not a reason to quit—only a reason to stay.”
Setting crescent moon over the Taylorsville Utah Temple at dawn—just left of the spire—captured as a double exposure with a 70–200mm f/2.8G lens.
Personal Note I listened to this 37-minute devotional more than twenty times from yesterday to today. It felt like a magnet—I couldn’t let go of it. I even fell asleep with it playing.
Intro
The Three Forms of Suffering:
1. Suffering from Sin and Stupidity Quote: “There’s the kind of suffering we undergo which is very real and that’s the suffering that happens because of sin and stupidity. We do dumb things. We do things that are wrong. And then we suffer.” This first type of suffering is a direct consequence of our own poor choices, mistakes, or sins. It’s a natural outcome of actions that go against divine or moral laws.
2. Suffering as a Part of Life Itself Quote: “There’s a second form of suffering and that goes just because it’s a part of life itself. The scriptures say the Lord maketh the rain to fall on the just and the unjust alike.” This refers to the universal hardships and natural adversities that affect everyone, regardless of their righteousness. These are inherent stresses and strains built into the mortal experience.
3. Soul-Stretching Suffering (The Highest Form) Quote: “But there’s a third form of suffering which is the highest form of suffering… There is that suffering brothers and sisters which we undergo in life because we believe because of who we are. It is that kind of suffering which comes to us because God loves us and will stretch our souls.” This is the most profound type of suffering, intended for our growth and refinement. It comes from a loving God who seeks to stretch our souls and help us achieve our divine potential, even when we don’t understand the reasons in the moment.
Excerpt
A beloved apostle mapped out a way to face “first-class challenges” with first-class discipleship—seeing suffering clearly, choosing joy over pleasure, and letting God stretch the soul He loves.
Notes from the Devotional
1. Make Jesus the Light of Your Life Quote: “Make Jesus the light of your life. And then by his light, see everything else. He is your best friend. And if you will worry most about what that friend thinks about you, you’ll be safe.” This counsel encourages prioritizing a relationship with Jesus Christ above all else. By focusing on what He would have us do, we can find true safety and guidance.
Perspective
7. The Difference Between Pleasure and Joy Quote: “Sometimes young people need help telling the difference between pleasure and joy… pleasure is plastic… It’s like the cotton candy you buy at the amusement park or the fairgrounds. It melts quickly in your mouth... But you will never find a substitute for joy.” This insight distinguishes between fleeting, superficial happiness (pleasure) and a deep, lasting state of being (joy). He reminds us that while pleasure is a temporary sensation, joy is an eternal principle centered in Christ.
Practice (today, not someday)
8. Righteousness as a Reflex Quote: “Righteousness has to become a matter of reflex. There are too many temptations and too many circumstances in life for you to always give an intellectual analysis of the sin or temptation… You’ve got to have good reflexes.” He taught that living righteously must become second nature. Through consistent practice, our choices should become automatic, allowing us to respond correctly to temptation without prolonged deliberation.
The Loneliness of Righteousness (narrative bridge) — #20
Quote: “When Shadrach Meshach and Abednego three young men were thrown into the fiery furnace that was heated to a temperature so hot that the men who tended the furnace died. The scriptures tell us as the three of them walked around in the midst of that furnace unharmed The scripture then says ‘And there was a fourth figure in the fire and its form was likened to the son of God.’ When you are passing through these trials and some of those lonely moments the Lord will be especially close to you.“ Elder Maxwell used this powerful biblical account to illustrate that even in moments of extreme loneliness or adversity due to righteousness, the Savior is intimately present and provides comfort and protection. This reinforces the idea that choosing to live righteously, even when it means standing alone, brings us closer to God.
Final Reflection
16. The Stretched Soul Quote: “Believe in yourself not only for what you now are but for what you have the power to become… Someone has said that the soul is like a violin string. It makes music only when it is stretched. And because he loves you the Lord will stretch your soul.” This powerful analogy illustrates that growth requires discomfort. The challenges and hardships we face are not random but are purposeful, serving to refine us and help us reach our full potential.
Pocket I’m keeping
9. Guard Your Storehouse of Memories Quote: “Be very careful about what you let come inside your storehouse of memories. Those memories will be there for a very long time.” This is a call to be mindful of what we expose ourselves to, as our experiences and what we consume mentally become part of our inner spiritual landscape for the rest of our lives.
What I hear now
12. Bad Breaks and Disguised Opportunities Quote: “Remember that bad breaks need not ruin a good man or a good woman. They may even make him or her better as they did Joseph in Egypt… So often… in life opportunity comes disguised as tragedy.” This point offers a hopeful perspective on adversity. It suggests that even the most difficult experiences can serve as catalysts for personal growth and may contain hidden opportunities for a greater good.
Autumn fire on the mountain after rain; an open doorway, wet boards, and a single chair facing the clearing light.
Open door, lone chair, autumn mountain—proof that heaven isn’t scarce; it’s waiting to be noticed.
Opening Some days heaven feels scarce—like peace is on allocation. We queue in long lines of noise and hurry, wondering if there will be any light left for us.
The scene An empty chair by an open door says welcome without a word. The storm has rinsed the world clean; the mountain answers with color. See the chair—waiting in line. “Nobody gets too much heaven no more.” The Bee Gees were in my headphones when I made this image. It can feel harder to find, like we’re all waiting our turn.
Reflection Their song dreams big: life that sees beyond forever, love that never dies, a warmth that turns the whole world into a summer day—and the fear that such love is only a dream that fades. I know that ache. Yet the doorway answers with abundance. Grace is already spilling through the threshold; the queue forms only in my mind. The chair is enough. The view is enough. God is not withholding; I’m just learning to notice.
Scripture echo “Be still, and know that I am God.” —Psalm 46:10
Practice Open one door in your day—fewer tabs, slower breath, a real chair by a real window. Sit long enough for the clouds to move.
Final reflection The chorus says love is mountain-high and hard to climb. Looking out, I see the mountain—and I remember: in Christ, the climb is companionship more than conquest. Scarcity is loud; heaven is quiet. When I stop hustling for a place in line, I find I’ve been standing at an open door the whole time.
Pocket I’m keeping A chair by an open door is enough. Summer arrives in the heart that makes room.
What I hear now A gentle nudge: You don’t earn heaven; you notice it. Love doesn’t fade when you sit in the light.
