Through My Lens

Photography, although only a hobby for me, has taught me many things. This year I am doing a 365 blog.....where I post a picture of every day life....every day. This project has taught me like no other thing could have, to look for the good, the beautiful, the interesting. I am always looking up at the changes in the sky.....the details of a flower or an insect, or the various colors of my grandchildren's eyes. Even how a toy looks from a 2 year olds perspective.

The other big thing is to approach the every day scenes from different angles. Looking down at something, lying down and looking up at it, how does it look at different times of day? I have found that there is beauty in everything, even the lacy lines in a grasshopper's wings, or the hairy legs of a spider.

Here is a little example from today. I had a little foot surgery a couple of weeks ago and have made a few trips to the Podiatrists office in Draper. I noticed that there is an open field next to his office, and among the weeds, are different kinds of wildflowers. Last week, the sun was shinning through them and I wished I had taken a camera. Today, I remembered to put my little point and shoot camera in my purse. When I came out, they all looked so pathetic, I almost decided they were not worth a photo. But moving into the flowers a little bit and kneeling down, so I could shoot upwards, the distracting homes in the background disappeared, the mountains were visable, and at the angle I was shooting, the weeds could no longer be seen.

The white appeared to be washed out so I added a little texture to the picture and this was the result:

I think it looks almost like a beautiful painting. It made me think about how the Lord looks at each one of us. He sees the beauty in us. Sure, he knows about our faults and shortcomings, but He invites us to come to Him and repent of our sins and imperfections. Shouldn't we be so kind to one another? Shouldn't we look for the good in those who may be different from us? Shouldn't we see each other in the best light, from the most complimentary angles?

I believe it is something to think about.

Thoughts from July

July always brings opportunities for celebrations. The 4th as we celebrate our country's Independance and all that we have...then the 24th...Pioneer Days. I am so grateful to live here in beautiful Utah, but most of all I am grateful for my own pioneer ancestry. I am familiar with the stories from the lives of my own Great, and Great-great grandparents. They made tremendous sacrifices to come here to the Salt Lake Valley. They were so hard working and accomplished SOOO MUCH in their lives. I can't even comprehend how they did so much! They were amazing people.

Last night, we celebrated other pioneers on my husbands side. My in-laws celebrated their 75th Wedding anniversary. They were married July 25, 1935, in East Germany. They came looking for a new life in America in 1954. They have lived here in Salt Lake City, and all of their children live locally here as well.

Looking good at 98 and 92 years of age.


Some of their posterity. Some were not able to attend, because of vacations, working outside the country, or serving in the missionfield

Gina's daughter, Kristi, and son Derek, along with our son, Brian, put on a program for us. They were acting as an Octoberfest band and took on hilarious, ficticious, German names, and sang funny songs. The kids and adults laughed and danced. I think it's the most fun we have ever had at a Hubrich party!

Nine of our 12 grandchildren. One young baby was being fed, and two others were on their way home from camping with the other side of their family .

Our family with Oma and Opa. Jeff was missing because he belongs to Skywest every weekend, and Becky, Ryan and their girls were the ones returning from camping. We were happy that Heidi, Ken and family were here from Idaho for this special occasion.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA July 4, 2010

I mended her yesterday.......this sweet little flag that flies proudly from a little pole that is stuck into the fence post at the end of our driveway. My husband insisted that I mend her first thing...I love how he loves her, this "other woman". That comes from living the first 18 years of his life in East Germany, and going through the sacrifices necessary to come to America for all the freedoms that she has to give.

I am happy that I was brought up loving my country. Every day of my schooling from Kindergarten throught high School, I stood with the entire student body, hands over hearts reciting the Pledge of Allegience, sometimes in student assemblies, generally in individual classrooms. When we studied about the Founding Fathers, we knew of their love for, and dependence on, God. There was never a question about that. Every school day began with prayer....it did not matter what religion you were.....one by one, we children took our turns, going down the roll book, saying the prayer at the beginning of the school day.

As a small child, I had no comprehension about the loss of life, and the other sacrifices that took place to make America what she is . I knew I got a new cap gun and a new squirt gun on the 4th of July. There was a feeling of pride and happiness throughout the neighborhood as we decorated our bicycles, participated in parades, had picnics, wore the colors of our country, and displayed the flag, and held our sparklers, generally writing our names in the air after dark. When I was older, and my family owned a car, we would go to Murray Park for the BIG fireworks, but, in addition, we still did the little celebration at home.

As I got older, I learned about the wars. Then it was my classmates, and friends who died in Vietnam. Soon my little children were participating in patriotic programs at school. By then, my experiences had brought me to a new place. When Randy's 5th grade class sang the songs about America that I had never heard before, I stood there in tears, watching those children, and listening to their voices raised in song, and praises to America. I experienced that with all six children, and now, several grandchildren. I seem to cry more at every performance,

because of history and current events, teaching me a new appreciation for what we have here.

Today, my memories take me to a number of places, one in particular....the last 4th of July that my dear mother had here on this earth. I can clearly see her arthritic shaking hands as she pinned her sparkly flag pin to her blouse. She didn't want any help with it. She was so appreciative of the little fireworks display that Ralph put on at the edge of our driveway, late at night. I can visualize her waving her sparkler. She was so patriotic. She knew what was being discussed in national venues. She watched the captioned TV stations that showed our senators and congressmen and women, in Washington, as they went through all the processes of government, changing or adding laws etc. Every day, her prayers included those who were speaking or working toward something good in Washington. I learned about what was going on, NOT by reading the newspaper or watching TV........up until a couple of years ago, I learned it from listening to my mother pray. How I miss that! Now most of my information comes from emails. I need to do better, and be better informed. Mom would hate what is going on today. She was fiesty...sometimes I hear in my mind, what she would say about some of the things that are happenng in the USA today.

I am angry that some of our hard won freedoms are threatened.....that our sacred roots, Faith in God, and the importance that He was in the lives of our Founding Fathers, is being challenged today. Even the words, "Under GOd" in the Pledge of Allegiance, and, "In God We Trust", on our money, is under attack. It puts me in a fighting mood today to stand up and speak up for what I know to be true and right.

Today, I thank God for America, for the freedoms established here that give us freedom of religion, the freedom to praise God, and teach of His love, and his commandments. I am so grateful that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth in these latter days, and can be preached and lived throughout the world.

Let us do everything in our power to elect righteous men to public offices, and most of all, to make our voices heard....gone are the days when we can sit idly by, and let what happens, happen . It is time for good people everywhere, men, women, and children , to learn from the past, and to stand up for what is true and what is right!

GOD BLESS AMERICA, today and every day!

Home again...

I came home Thursday afternoon, after 9 days in the hospital. It feels so good to be home again, and I am looking forward to better health in the future. I already see some benefits from having the “Sigmoid Collectomy”. You can bet that I will be watching my diet and taking better care of myself in the future.

If you ever need anything done….the Intermountain Medical Center in Murray is the place. It is a beautiful hospital. I had extra special care on the Surgery Trauma floor. I am so grateful for the professionals who attended to me, and my various needs while I was there. This was my 9th abdominal surgery, and I have never had better care.




I have a new appreciation for my family….my children and their spouses, and my grandchildren. So many prayers went up for me. I received beautiful flowers, and cards, along with letters and drawings from my sweet grandchildren. I’m grateful for their visits and some even brought something for me to eat…I had a hard time adjusting to anything. My sweet sister in law, Gina brought potato soup. My son, Danny, came late one night to bring me chocolate soy milk, and that in fact, was a breakthrough for me. I had not kept anything down before that.

Our daughter, Heidi, came in from Boise the night prior to surgery. She stayed with me 24/7 for the entire time, with the exception of two nights when my DIL, Cheri, came up for the night. What a difference it made to have a family member with me at all times. I could write a book about the tender mercy's rendered to me.

Another blessing that came from this experience is several “one on one” moments with some of my children, as we shared thoughts and sometimes, tears. I have never felt so loved. I also received Priesthood blessings, and blessings of comfort that came right from the Lord as I prayed for strength and healing.

I am feeling better each day. I am happy that Becky lives next door, and can assist me with packing and dressing an area of my incision. It had to be opened up because of an infection. Cheri has also assisted with this. It is not a pleasant job to do, and has to be done twice a day for 14 days.

I am lucky to have wonderful DIL’s who would do anything for me. I have gained a deeper appreciation for my family, and love everyone one of them dearly. My sons have been a great help and encouragement for me as well. Brian has put in so many hours in our yard, and when I came home, everything was green, and the flowers are blooming, and he even put in an above ground sprinkling system on a timer, in the back so I will not have to drag a hose all over the place this Summer, or worry about it while I am recovering.

Thank you to everyone who has fasted, and prayed for me to have a positive outcome. I am so blessed. XOXOXO Karren

Mother's day...New baby, things to be thankful for

This is last Saturday, just a little while after Avonlea was born. We are still in the delivery room. I love this photo, and keep going back to look at it. Three generations of women here....You can see how delighted I am with this new little baby girl. I love being a grandma. I am proud of my daughter, Becky, for being such a wonderful mom...and so thrilled with the little new life that has come into our family.
On Mother's Day......Avonlea is barely 24 hours old here.

This is the second anniversary of my mother's passing. I continue to miss her so much. She would have been so thrilled with her two new great grandchildren who have come to our family in the past 6 months.


This is a little photo I was lucky to get today, of Rory visiting with her mommy. I happened to be over there tonight when they were ready for Family Prayer. Rory was saying the prayer. It was a good thought provoking moment for me, and I have been reflecting on it for several hours now. Recently, I have not felt well. I have some surgery coming up in a few days, and I am concerned about it. There are days when it takes over my thoughts, and it is not as easy to see the wonderful things that surround me every day. As I listened to Rory thanking the Lord for the things in her life, I thought how many things I have to be grateful for. Rory mentioned the obvious things, like her home, her mommy and daddy, Jesus....but she voluntarily added other things in without any prompting at all....worms....potato bugs.....her very own watering can.....a car ride with Grandpa Bill......and Avonlea. Just part of a long list of things that are precious to her in her little world, things that she experienced today. We have been counseled to give thanks in all things.......and to "take what comes, and love it". SO, starting now, I will look for the good in my challenges and look forward with faith that the Lord will see me through it, and I know that I will be better for it. Like Rory, I am very grateful for the little things in my days that bring me joy. I often enlarge on those things on my photography blog ....check it out and leave a comment there. Doing a photo a day has helped me to notice all of the beautiful things around me, and I am really enjoying this project.
http://karrensphotojournal.blogspot.com/

Sweet Experience Yesterday

This is not my photo... I found it on the internet as a background download. The flowers at the temple are beautiful, but nothing like this yet.

Ralph and I, had the privelage of going to the Jordan River Temple yesterday, with a friend in our ward, and her family, who were doing temple work for her parents. We joined them for the endowment session and the sealing. Honestly, it was one of the sweetest temple experiences I have ever had. the sealer took his time, and taught the group in the sealing room about a number of things, before actually performing the ordinance. I learned things, and understood some things that I had never realized before. The spirit in the room was warm, and penetrated my heart. It was so wonderful to see this sweet family, acting as proxy for mother, father, and grandparents. What a gift they gave their ancestors yesterday! My testimony of the temple and the ordinances performed there. grew by leaps and bounds yesterday. I am moved, to really get going with Family Search, and start taking my own family names to the Temple. It is important work...it is the work that God wants us to do.....and I know it with all of my heart.

Testimony-of-the-Book-of-Mormon

Testimony-of-the-Book-of-Mormon (click to hear Jeffrey Holland)

I add my testimony that the Book of Mormon is indeed true. I am re-reading it presently, and as I do so, my heart nearly bursts, with my love for my Savior Jesus Christ, and my own testimony that He lives, that He is my Savior and Redeemer. I know that He willingly took upon himself the mission to come here and die for the sins of the world, and that He was chosen in that Pre-mortal council in heaven. I know that we shouted for joy when the Plan of Salvation was presented to us, and I feel that we must have felt such LOVE, for the Savior, as we comtemplated what He was about to do for us. I testify that He was born of Mary, in humble circumstances, described in the Bible. I appreciate His example, his teachings, and his willingness to carry out his Father's plan, as he took upon himself the sins of this world, and worlds without number. I know that he died on the cross on Calvary, and that He rose on the third day, with a body of flesh and bone. I also know beyond any doubt that he appeared to the Nephites on this continent, fullfillng His own declaration that He had sheep of another fold. (John 10:16). I know that sacred records were kept on this continent which were later revealed to, and translated by, the prophet Joseph Smith. I bear witness that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored in these Latter days, and that all of the keys, doctrines, and ordinances that were present in the ancient church are restored again, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I do not believe that any one can read 3 Nephi 17, and not feel the Holy Ghost testify to them that this book is true, and that the Savior lives, and loves each and every one of us. I love HIM. I have a desire to keep His commandments, and bear testimony of Him and his gospel.
This past Easter Weekend was marvelous....the spirit was so strong in General conference, as we heard prophets, seers, and Revelators and other servants of God, bear witness of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and of those things which we ought to be found doing. I'm grateful beyond words for my membersip in Christ's true church, and for the covenants I have been privelaged to make in his Holy Temple. I'm grateful for the power of the Priesthood that is in this church, and in my family, and for the great blessing that it is in my life.