Awaiting

This Thanksgiving year Brad and I ponder about what God has given to us that blessed us. The year of 2014, is an incredible year for both of us.

We grew so much from each areas of life.

We learned how to live away from family, which was really hard to accept at first, but eventually we came to appreciate the time we had making friends outside of our comfort zone. We noticed that we like the independence from family. Now, now, don't get all huffy and puffy. Its been a healthy journey for us. I feel we became even more unified as a couple living away from family. However, now we want to live by family desperately. Oh, how we miss going to one of the families Sunday dinner or a holiday get togethers. 

We learned how to buy our first home! Tough, scary, exciting process. 

We learned that having higher education can really pay off after graduation. Not only that, but the growth you go through your first job. Brad has learned so much that will benefit him at his second job.

This year we went through really high and some low points. It was great working for HP, but now we need to move on to our next chapter in life. Coming to Georgia was part of Heavenly Father plan, but couple of months ago Brad and I felt like we needed to move on, as if our work is done in Alpharetta GA. Now, we are awaiting for Heavenly Fathers timing to sent us to wherever we will be happy. 

Expecting Trials

Through suffering Jesus Christ was made perfect. We have trials so that we might get close to Heavenly Father, who is perfect.

It is recorded that Jesus was made perfect through suffering. If he was made perfect through suffering, why should we imagine for one moment that we can be prepared to enter into the kingdom of rest with him and the Father, without passing through similar ordeals? (Brigham Young,Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe [1941], 346).

This quote hits my heart hard, because I don't want to pray for trials. Most of my prayers consist of help me with this, bless this, protect this, help this person, and so on. I topically don't ask for opposition, pain, or to be forsaken. I think it is the hardest thing to ask is for a trial. I know what the benefits from trials are. We build patients, charity, humility, love, devotion, understanding, and faith. As trial end, we can see ourselves as a new person. However, somehow we don't like suffering. Only one time in my life that I prayed for a trial, and it was the hardest, longest trial I have ever went through. Though, I learned things about myself that helped me make difficult decision, to deeply love, and understand their suffering. I know how it feels when there is nobody to turn, but the Lord. It's the most humbling experiences is when you throw yourself in His arms, with little faith that you have that He is there to catch you. Sometime all you can do is to pray and pray, hoping that somewhere in the world he is preparing a way for an "exit." I grew closer to the spirit. I know who He is. I understand atonement more clearer. I understand how powerful the temple can be. I understand why I need to visit the temple more often. Jesus Christ does reside there. You can be healed from the most dramatic experiences in your life through the temple. Give any problem to the Lord, and he will take care of it. 

How can you and I really expect to glide naively through life as if to say, “Lord, give me experience, but not grief, not sorrow, not pain, not opposition, not betrayal, and certainly not to be forsaken. Keep from me, Lord, all those experiences which made Thee what Thou art! Then let me come and dwell with Thee and fully share Thy joy!”  (Neal A. Maxwell,Ensign, May 1991, 88).

Summer!!! (ENDING)

Our summer has been super fun. Brad and I did so many activities that I can say has been the funnest summer we had together.

It started out pretty well, which is a good sign-- we bought out first home!! Next we went to Biltmore Estate, which is like a castle in US (we don't have any), but it can compare. It was absolutely beautiful. Before going, I thought I will be envying this place, but I found that it's not the way I want to live. The place is just too fancy and big. I couldn't imagine myself even living like that. Also, back in the day it would have been appropriate to live like that. The house has many bedroom, some that don't make any sense why they were even created. This house has many many sitting rooms. Owners would enjoy different kind of activities throughout the day, which required changing clothing constantly. Each guest person residing in the house has their own servant to change them. Husband and wife had their own bedroom. We thought it was weird at first, but we found out that it's because servant had to change their masters, so they didn't want genders crossing when changing clothing.

We went white water rafting with some friends on Forth of July. Absolutely priceless experience. We camped the night of the Forth of July and it was different than what you would expect camping would be. There was a lot of parting and we were the only couple that were sober. It was a great experience, because it strengthen my testimony in the Word of Wisdom. (Word of Wisdom is a LDS commandment given to their saints to not to partake anything that is harmful to the body, like coffee, alcohol, smoking, and so on). Even though, people back in the day weren't aware of the effects of smoking and alcohol, it was still a commandment.

We had couple of family members come to visit for the a week. Brad's dad Dave came and visited the popular Atlanta attractions like Coco Cola factory and Georgia Aquarium. Also, we took him white water rafting, knowing that he will be going crazy for it. Dave loved, loved rafting. He said it can't compare to his slow water kayaking. He said he wants to expend his possibilities with kayaking. We felt honored to have Dave come to visit us.
My sister Ashley and her beautiful daughter came to visit too. Ashley and I spent a lot of time together. We talked. Shopped. Played with baby. Took pictures. For the first time we visited Savannah, Georgia Tybee Island beach. There we swam and loved the warm Atlantic ocean water. Like every first experience, Brad and I got stung by a jellyfish. It hurt pretty bad, but it wont prevent me from going in the ocean water again. Since the baby is only 6 month old we weren't able to go to popular attractions. But soon, we can spoil them when we get a chance.

I hope every summer would be as fun as this one. Brad and I love adventures and hanging out with close friends and family.

P.S. We adopted a kitty named Belle, and found soon that we was pregnant, (or so we though). She did have a tiny creature inside her. She only delivered one kitten (blessed are we). We decided to keep our little Rex in our family. He had come long way to be given away. Also, we well in love with him.

Sharpening Our Axes

Often life becomes overgrown with things of varying priority.  The temptation might be to hack away as usual without pausing to plan, mistaking planning as an unnecessary burden.  However, these are the times where we absolutely cannot afford to not plan.

Abraham Lincoln, is widely attributed as saying "If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend six hours sharpening my ax."While Abraham Lincoln may not have actually said that, it still rings true—especially when there are lots of trees to cut down.

I know I'm laying on the metaphor a little thick, but more than ever, time has become the most precious commodity to me.  Investing time in the highest yielding areas, such as family and our relationship with God, is challenging if we are going through life with a dull ax.  Let's all take some time to sharpen our axes.

- Brad


"Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing..." - D&C 88:119

Home

This is the place where I live, Alpharetta, GA. Spring has come and everything just turned green. I love going for a ride on this road. The trees are very mature, so they cover the sky and make it look like a magical tunnel.
Brad and I are settling here in Alpharetta for a while. We've been absolutely happy how things have turned out for us. It's almost been a year since we left Utah and lots has changed for us. I think we became the Classic Southerners. I can't even tell you how much love Brad and I received since we came here. People are incredible! They accepted us like family.
The time has come to think a little serious, so we decided to look for a permanent home! Looking for houses wasn't easy. At first we were so naive at how loans work and closing, that we became very overwhelmed. But after baby steps, we finally found our perfect home here in Alpharetta. We are crossing our fingers that everything goes well with the loan so that we can close end of May!
Brad and I are so grateful for Heavenly Father and His love for us. We have felt His love so strongly coming here. We got the privilege to be ward missionaries. This calling is the best calling Brad and I ever had! We love teaching and serving! We have seen people change in front of our eyes. We can see miracles happen to those who seek the truth. People are willing to turn 360 degrees just to follow Jesus Christ and serve Him! This has been the most rewarding thing I did in my life.
Though, it's not always a bliss, because lots of people do reject the message and that is just so heartbreaking. Some people's hearts are not ready to receive the the full gospel of Jesus Christ.  All that we want to do is to invite all who want to know.

Preparations for Photoshoot

I get asked a lot what to wear and what to bring to photo shoot?

Briefly I'll give you some suggestions: 

• Usually photographers what to meet your expectations of them, so they'll ask for a locations you want to do photography.
  • Think of those locations that have taken your breath away. If you have no locations coming to your mind, no worries, photographers have been to many and they can match it up for you.
• What kind of photography are you looking for? Do you want creative photography...?
  • Start thinking ahead what you want to have in your photo shoot. Sometimes people use balloons, old chairs, trucks, blowing bubbles, vintage city walls and so on. 
• What kind of clothing to wear is another question that many clients ask?
  • Coordinating, but not matching colors for family portraits.
  • Since you'll be hanging your pictures on the wall, think what colors you have in your home and coordinate it alike.
  • No character shirts, too distracting.
  • Add texture to your clothing. (Belts, boots, scarfs, and so on).
  • Think classic -- we want a timeless feel to them.
  • Additional clothing (make sure one piece of clothing can go with other outfits)
• Anything else? Yes.
  • Bring sunscreen
  • Umbrella just in case
  • Snacks -- it gets exhausting.
  • How about towels?
  • Makeup for ladies

Taking pictures is fun and exciting. DON'T forget to bring a SMILE!

Good luck,

Rachel Gashler

P.S. Today is a historical day: 4.4.14 

Pic of the Day

I took my camera for a walk and it served me well!

Happy Spring everyone!

-Rachel

P.S. I have been working on something for two years, and now I am finally coming out with my finished project. 

For two years I have been building my photography portfolio, and getting to know the camera, Photoshop, and Lightroom. 

I built my own photography website.... with my own pictures! How exciting is that?

I also have the best teacher I can ask for—Brad.  He is a pro, and he totally knows his stuff. 

I learned how to run a business in a subjective industry, while we ran Gashler Films. 

So hopefully the future will smile at me :D

Here's my link: (heads up... not finished yet lol)

~~~http://rachelgashler.wix.com/photography~~~

Baby Girl Tutu Dress

So, I have been obsessing with baby tutu dresses. I have some family members that are having or are going to have baby girls. It's so exciting to shower those babies with gifts.
It's super easy to do, and it will cost you very little.
The fun part about it is that you can make this dress in one night. I found all of this fabric at JoAnne's fabric store. As you can tell, the dress has a top that is a stretchy elastic, plus, it has lots of holes to pull through your tulle.
You can have a ribbon go around the tutu skirt just for fun, as shown in the picture.

Tutu dress that I made for a Christmas present for my mother-in-law's baby girl. She absolutely loved it. She gave all smiles! Pictures turned out supper cute.

This one I'm going to make for my sister's baby girl Rylie. Instead of a dress I will make a tutu skirt.

DIY Laundry Detergent

Something new I wanted to try and see if makes a difference.
It's supper cheap and easy to do.

You need:
1 Borax
1 Box of Super Washing Soda
1 OxiClean (optinal)
2 cups downy scent booster (optional)
3 bars of Ivory soap
*Some people use baking soda
*Use only 1/4 of a cup per load

I microwaves Ivory soap  and this is how it looks afterwards. (I didn't want to take time to grade it or do I have a food processor to grade it) 

Soap becomes like a little cloud that is easily crushed into small sand like grain.

I wish I discovered this earlier in my life. It makes my clothes smell so nice.

Soap close up

It makes a lot of soap

*** SO, I TRIED THIS SOAP TO SEE IF IT IS WORTH GOING FROM TIDE TO HOME MADE LAUNDRY SOAP ***

I did some loads of laundry and have been pretty happy. I do feel like it cleans my clothes a lot better than Tide. They come out very fresh and they stay fresh. I had couple of towels that smelled, but after one load I never had that problem.

Review

 Something I learned today is through this bloggers testimony of Jesus Christ and his atonement.
 I have heard many phases as well like "God won't give us more than what we can bear." It made me feel comforted for a while, but it never gave me a way to run to Heavenly Father for help. It made me feel ok with the things that were happening to me and it almost made me feel like I can handle it all on my own, but this is not what scriptures teach. The phrase is not what it seems--some trials are way too much than what we can bear and the only way to find relieve is to RUN to Jesus Christ for help. It's a way to trust Him that He is there and will help us if we are willing to give our burden to Him. What an eye opener.


Credit goes to Kayla Lemmon

http://lemmonythings.wordpress.com/2014/01/05/god-will-give-you-more-than-you-can-handle-i-guarantee-it/