>the creative soul.

it's pretty hard to believe that i have two and a half weeks until the semester ends. how did that happen? well among the mess of school and finals approaching, it's been pretty fun to relax a little with art. words can't express how absolutely wonderful it has been to sketch in my notebook, take pictures outside, and write in this little space again. i'm currently bouncing between projects of designing graduation announcements & wedding invites and it's quite grand. it's really sad how easily i forgot about my dreams. but it's been really fun to rediscover them the last few months. this semester has been a crazy one. so many ups and downs. but i'm here. i'm alive. i'm well. i'm good. luke 1:37 has sort of been a motto for me lately. for whoever is reading this, wherever you may be around the world, hopefully it helps you too. 

with warmth & love,

lo

>simplicity in a walk.

"you must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in every moment."

-henry david thoreau

pc || zach fackrell

with warmth & love,

lo

>stairway to heaven.

today i went for a hike.

and when i say hike, i don't mean some easy stroll.

i mean climbing a ladder, up a mountain, for 3,922 steps. 

the last time i did this hike was about 2 years ago, and i did it at 3 in the morning to see the sunrise. doing it in the evening time, what definitely a better idea. it is easily one of the prettiest and most breathtaking things i've ever done. i only took my gopro instead of my other camera for weight reasons, and i'm a little bummed because i don't think the gopro pictures turned out too well. but luckily my friend zach, who is out here filming videos for his company, got some great photos so i'll definitely be stealing them and posting them later. but for now this will have to do. i'm way too tired to write any more.

with warmth & love,

lo

>only about 10 or 11.

today i learned a story about a little boy. 

only about 10 or 11. 

every day while riding the bus to and from school he writes down a list of all the chores he needs to do.

once he arrives home, he works hard to accomplish the list. 

he's only about 10 or 11. 

and not one, but both of his parents have cancer. 

he's the only one that has the physical means to help get everything done around the house.

when i was about 10 or 11, i was concerned about learning the dance moves to bye, bye, bye by nsync, begging my mom to buy me about every shade of blue, sparkly nail polish, or rushing off to soccer practice. when i was about 10 or 11, i did not sit on the school bus making a chore list. i sat and talked about my elementary school crush, or played my mary-kate and ashley detective video game on my lime green gameboy. 

when i was 10 or 11, life was rather simple, easy, and happy. 

this little boy and his family live in the community. i don't personally know them. but i hope to soon. this is just one family, in one very small community. which reminds me of how many people there are all around us going through trials far worse than we can imagine. 

a quote by spencer w. kimball comes to mind:

"god does notice us, and he watches over us. but it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. therefore, it is vital that we serve each other in the kingdom."

i've always been such a strong advocate of service because through small acts of service from others and myself serving others, my life was saved. too often i become so consumed with the small things of the world. learning about this little boy, only about 10 or 11, reminded me of my small role here on this earth. 

to serve and to love.  

with warmth & love,

lo

>lost in your mind.

sunday truly is the greatest day of the week. so much time to relax, ponder, sleep, and enjoy the moment. today i've been pondering a lot about how far i've come in the last few months. a lot has changed. i'm feeling very blessed to be where i am today. one of my close friends is going through a really rough time and it breaks my heart to see her so distraught and hurt. as i hugged and comforted her, i listened and watched her tears roll down her cheeks. i quickly noticed i was not only brushing off her tears, but mine too. i feel for her. a verse has been in the forefront of my mind all day, john 14:18 "i will not leave you comfortless: i will come to you." i remember thinking a few months ago how badly i wished i didn't have to feel so much pain anymore. i would have rather taken broken bones and the flu over the pain i was feeling. as i hugged my friend, she said a similar thing to me. so badly i wish i could take this pain from her. but i find a lot of comfort in this scripture. and a lot of comfort in knowing that my heavenly father probably wished as well that he could take away all the pain i was feeling a few months ago and the pain my friend is feeling today. oh man, this life is an interesting one. 

i'll end this post with something pretty for your ears.

with warmth & love,

lo

>blooper reel.

just a few other gems i had to post from the other day.

aloha fridays.

with warmth & love,

lo

>bliss in a day.

sometimes you just need a midweek break and adventure.

today was full of excitement and time to de-stress.

chinawalls. spitting caves. makapu'u hike and lighthouse. whale & sunset watching.

pure bliss.

today was so relaxing and fun.

while we were sitting behind the lighthouse and the sun was setting, we saw tons of whales breaching. all of us kept saying how great the day was, how much we loved life, and how breathtaking the view was. i know i take this little island of paradise for granted too often. it was nice to take time and ponder the blessings i have. i really am so lucky. this life gets better every day. i can't wait to see what the future has in store for me. 

with warmth & love,

lo