For Better or For Worse

We have been married for 6 years. In that time we have moved, 7 times and had 3 kids and another on the way. So far we have hit many bumps. Some, very challenging. I think we have gone through 8 jobs. Two of my children were born within a year of each other while my oldest wasn't quite 3 years old. I can safely say it was the hardest year of my lie and the hardest time of our marriage. Satan worked really hard to break up my family. At times I thought it was really going to break. I can say with all my heart that faith and hard work, kept us together and brought us to a better place. The joy I felt the day I was sealed to my husband for eternity, was of the charts. I had no idea the work we would be headed towards. The covenants we made that day, are what keeps us working hard as trials come our way.

Building an Eternal Family

The greatest thing I have ever done has been the creation of my eternal family. I often get comments from people we pass by about how busy I must be or how full my hands are. I usually respond with "Oh yeah definitely" with a look of exasperation. As I have studied the proclamation on the family I realize people sometimes don't get that my family is not a burden on me. My family is my choice and a huge blessing. I feel like we live in a world where being a mother is a decision made when we can't find something better to do. As if we finally just settle and say "OK, I'll be a mom". I recently read about a celebrity that finds it offensive when people speculate about her being pregnant or wonder why she hasn't yet had a child. Wow I never imagined that people thinking being a mother as a wonderful thing, could offend somebody. I know not every woman will become a mother. At one point I wondered if I would. I do not judge anybody on their family. It's interesting that I receive judgement for mine.

Great Effort

I know this to be true as I work on filling my home with the spirit.

Pornography Destroys

We had a case study on pornography and it hit a very personal nerve with me. Before I married my husband, he admitted he had a struggle in the past with pornography. He wanted to be open about it from the very beginning and give me a chance to decide if I wanted to proceed with our marriage. Looking back, I am thankful he had the maturity and understanding of what pornography can do to a marriage and that it is in fact evil.

Through out our marriage, the struggle has reappeared on a few occasions. The pain it causes me, is more than I realized. I have gone between being calm and willing to push forward in our relationship, to so much anger and betrayal that I no longer wanted a marriage.

The greatest blessing I have found is the ability to forgive. I have been able to forgive due to the work that both of us have put into repairing the damage. Our situation reminds me of other lessons I have learned in this class. Particularly the importance of a strong family unit. I desire nothing more than to keep my family together and to be with my spouse for eternity. Through counseling and a brilliant addiction program, we have been able to more forward with a string commitment to ourselves and our family.

Satan seeks to destroy the family but I will continue to fight to keep mine together. I pray every day, that my husband and I can fight temptations that may come our way. I know Satan is working on us and will continue to work on us until we can ultimately prevail.

Do Not be Afraid of Truth

Something I did not want to study or discuss was gender roles and how we, as members of the church, view them. Why? I think because of how vocal the opposing side is on gender and identity. See it's not that I agree with the idea that gender i something we made it, it's just that, I don't want to feel like I need to debate anyone. I shouldn't have been afraid because it isn't about debating. It's about strengthening my testimony of what is true as others are doing what they can to turn our minds in another direction.

I have a family member whom I love that seems to be struggling with gender identity. I also have a neighbor that is as well. I try to do what I can to show my love for my family member even though they have already decided in their mind that people of our faith, do not love those who have this struggle. It is unfortunate that my feelings about what I know to be true, have been misconstrued as hate.

I know gender is a something divine. We are all made in the image of our Heavenly Parents. There is no mistake in a man or a woman but that doesn't mean, as we gain earthly bodies, we will have numerous struggles that come with these bodies.

I hope those that disagree with the truth of gender roles, can learn to open their hearts. They are after all, accusing others of doing the same thing.

Behold Thy Mother

This is one of the most amazing talks I have heard from an apostle. As I am carrying my 4th child, I notice the judgement I get about creating such a big family so fast. Yet when I talk of my pursuit to get a degree, I am met with congratulatory well wishes. For me there is no doubt that as hard as it is, my best work in this life, my greatest achievement is being a mother.

Earthly Father, Heavenly Father

As Father's Day approaches, I think about my own father and the example he is to me. He is strong in his beliefs and was always there for all of his children. My husband has been an amazing father. He works all day and comes home and plays with his children until bed time. He then helps with our bed time routine. He holds a calling and does it to his best abilities.



My Father in Heaven has made a perfect plan for His children to come to this earth and create families so we can become like Him. I know His place is divine and eternal.