Connected Cousins

My husband and I both have large extended families. So we have lots and lots of cousins to keep track of. 

Each of our families have a different way of accomplishing communicating. My family uses email and his family uses Instagram. Both techniques have their pros and cons but the point is that they both keep our families together.

Once people move far away it is easy to not know what is going on in their lives. I really think it is important to stay current with family members because these relationships last forever. 

In just one week we got a new cousin, had a cousin get home from a mission, and a cousin move. Thanks to technology we had pictures of these important events even though we are far away. 

Facetime

Does anyone else ever wonder how people survived without Facetime or Skype? Maybe some people appreciate it more than others do, but if you have ever gone through a long distance relationship, I'm sure you are one that is thankful for this modern convenience. 

My fiance' (now husband) and I went the entire summer in different countries. He was in Canada, I was in Utah. Then I was in Bolivia, then Peru, then Illinois, then Missouri. No matter where I was, I could see him and he could see me. I just think it is so amazing that we have a tool that makes the world so much smaller. 

Being at school and away from family also makes me appreciate Facetime. Almost every Sunday my husband and I check in with our families and it's so fun to not only hear them but see them too. We both have just one sibling left at home and I think it helps them to feel more included when they get to see their siblings more than once every couple months.  

We are so lucky to live in this time! 

Power or Poison?

I found this picture somewhere in my social media exploring this week. I see the needles as something that could either be a power or a poison. Sometimes needles can give us powerful substances that immunize us against terrible diseases. Media can certainly empower us for good. 

Needles can also give us substances that poison our bodies with drugs. Addiction can play a huge part if these substances are abused. Likewise, when we abuse our media choices, we can become addicted and completely overcome by it. 

What do you think? How do you interpret it?

Vain Things of the World

I have been studying in the Book of Mormon in the book of Alma. In chapter 5 Alma is teaching the people in Zarahemla who have gone a little bit astray. Verse 53 says:

"And now my beloved brethren, I say unto you, can ye withstand these sayings; yea, can ye lay aside these tings, and trample the Holy One under your feet; yea, can ye be puffed up in the pride of your hearts; yea, will ye still persist in the wearing of costly apparel and setting your hearts upon the vain things of the world, upon your riches?"

I am also reading the Institute Student Manual along with it. Here is what Elder Holland has to say about this scripture:

"In terms of preoccupation with self and a fixation on the physical, this is more than social insanity; it is spiritually destructive and it accounts for much of the unhappiness in the modern world. One would truly need a great and spacious makeup kit to compete with the beauty as portrayed in media all around us."  

I totally agree with Elder Holland. Alma 5:53 is more prevalent than ever today. We have to continually be on guard to not let the media influence our desires and actions too much. Otherwise, we will be caught up in the temporary happiness that the world provides.