Recently I randomly clicked on a referral link to our blog just to find who had sent a few views our way. Surprisingly it was an acidic, negative blog post all about our family!
Maybe you would think I would respond in anger, frustration and tears. But rather I was gently surprised that anyone would spend an entire blogpost on us, I giggled at some of the sentiments, thoroughly entertained by the assumptions this woman was making about my life and about “Mormonism”, neither life of which (by her own admission) she has lived. She outright called them both—the existence of happiness in my life, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—a lie. I felt that I was in very good company somehow if I had been grouped with The Church and the believing, active members of it.
Then she asserted as to what our motives were in posting on this family vlog, our YouTube Channel and Facebook, etc… She had some rather rude ideas about it.
So Why? What IS our motive in sharing a little bit of our life online? In searching my reasons, and our family’s, I believe it is as simple and straightforward a motive as Sarah’s was in this little video clip. Just to share… in love.
A couple years ago my brother asked us if we would be willing to share a little of ourselves with him and others on YouTube. He and his wife, along with others, continue to encourage me to write, to share our thoughts and experiences as a family. Just to share, in love.
I believe this simple motive is the same reason that YouTube, Facebook and other sharing sites have exploded with life and made this world a better, more integrated, unified, amazing place! Just to share… in love.
Maybe there are those who are motivated by gain, by greed, or a desire for fame or facetious fortunes. I am not. I believe that for most of us, it is a much kinder, inherited and learned reason that we share. Just to share, in love.
When we instinctively and in love reach out to offer something of ourselves to others we simply benefit so very much from doing so, in love, that we find it is worth our sacrifice and we want to reach out to share, to help each other in anyway we can, once more. Sharing with one another refines us, cultivates, grows our souls and expands our hearts. It uplifts us, strengthens us, and encourages us to believe, achieve, and conceive of amazing ideas and accomplishments together! It unites us and makes us broader, better people on both the giving and receiving end. I’m soooo grateful for those that have SHARED with me!!!!!!!! And I hope somehow my own teensy, tiny, incrementally small sharing will bless others in return.
I’m so grateful for comments like this one from a new friend that I have never met in India:
“It’s really amazing to see a family like this. I am from India and I have had thoughts on what is life all about—get married and other things that are a part of society, drag along in time and die?”
“Well God has been showing me the concept of family from both my own as we gather on Christmas holidays all my cousins and relatives. It’s fun, and the joy of being together. And now I see your family and this is changing my perspective!”
I share what has blessed me with the most joy I have in my life, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and my family! Just to share… in love.
Sincerely,
CaMarie and The Hoffman Crew
Keep Sharing!! You strengthen and encourage so many!
THANK YOU for the encouragement!!! 🙂
…with LOVE!!!
Keep at it CaMarie! As Kate & Mikela so wisely say, “believe in the good”. By sharing your light, their light, the world is a brighter place. So please keeping sharing! Let’s light up the world with GOOD!!! 🙂 Love you!!! ♥
– Aunt Becky
Thank you dear Becky :)!
CaMarie, I am so proud of you for standing up for your rights and for sharing your lovely family. Whoever this person was perhaps needs a little love in her family…….
Love you always….
Judy, this means soo much to me. Thank you and I agree, she needs some love too :). Much Love, CaMarie
You touched her heart even though she doesn’t recognize it yet.
Thanks for all you do
Thank you, Sally!!
You and your beautiful family bless the world so much with your love and faith. I stumbled onto your blog and love it – and have shared many of your posts with my hubby! Lots of love from Sydney, Australia! Please keep going!
Oh! What a delight! I’m thrilled to meet you here Eleanor. Wow. Thank you.
I really enjoy reading your blog. In a world filled with violence, hate, and discontent it’s so nice to read happy and uplifting words! Keep spreading the love! 🙂
THANK YOU for the encouragement Rene!!! Thank you for celebrating happy, good things with us!! Love, C
I love your posts. I am sad for those who may think your purposes are not pure and that you cannot be happy living as you are. They must not have ever been able to feel the true joy that families like yours (who have embraced the Gospel of Jesus Christ) have felt and wish to share with others. Thanks for continuing to share!!
Susie, Mikela shared with me what Hank Smith shared at BYU music camp last week, “A person with an experience is never at the mercy of a person with an opinion.” I realize I’ve been blessed with the experience and it is true, because of it I do wish I could share with everyone what I’ve learned so they can have a rewarding, joyful, enlightening experience too! But each to his own :). Thank you for ‘sharing’ a love of family and The Good News with us!
thanks for sharing precious moments! I really miss your babies in nursery! Hugs to all!
Toni, thank you for sharing of yourself in SOO MANY WAYS that bless us and soo many!!
I so enjoy your posts and hope you will keep them up. You show how wonderful it is to be in a loving family who truly lives gospel principles. I always feel enriched and encouraged by your blog.
THANK YOU Dear Donna! Your support and encouragement mean soo much to me!!
US!
Thank you for your uplifting encouragement. You are someone to look up to and aspire to be like
Thank you so much Danielle – remember just ‘look up’ – life works out lots better that way ;). Your Friend, C
not to me, to Him 🙂