Divine Nature

Being the Secretary in Young Women, the YW President asked me if I would introduce the value for each month.  This month’s value is Divine Nature with the accompanying color of BLUE.

I prepared a few things that I would say while introducing the new value and what I would read out of the “For Strength of Youth” book.  I thought of a little saying and treat to go along with the value that I could hand out to the girls.  Something to help remind them of the many divine qualities Heavenly Father blessed them with and to work on developing those qualities. 

So today, when it came time for me, for the first time since doing this, I got really nervous.  I’m not sure why I was so nervous. I had done this before, these were the SAME girls and the SAME leaders I had stood in front of before. But I was nervous this time…

I was also asked to help out with a little part in the lesson today that our awesome President was giving.  She had asked me, as a mom to young children, to stand and share a few thoughts on how it is to be a mom of young children, particularly an infant. 

I shared some of my thoughts and feelings I had after Makenzi was born as well as after Jaxson was born.  And then shared how Heavenly Father had blessed me with divine qualities that I had NO idea I had.  I shared with them how after Bailee was born my emotions were on this constant roller coaster and how there were times I felt unsure of myself.  But then how at times like that, I would witness these tender mercies and feel the Savior’s love that would pull me through.  And it was through these times that I would realize how much Heavenly Father was helping me through this and with these motherly divine qualities (I didn’t know I had) he had blessed me with, that I could do this!

One thing I didn’t share with them, that I wish I had, is how after having kids how much you realize that YOU are a Child of God!! That you were sent here from Heaven!  As a mom to a precious newborn, there’s nothing sweeter than holding your baby for the first time and just taking in that little piece of Heaven right there in front of you!

I did share with them that after having children of your own, you realize how precious life is and how important it is to spend your time living in a Christ-like way and spending your time developing your talents and your divine qualities that they have been blessed with.  How they have many qualities that they have yet to develop and to look forward to discovering their many blessings that Heavenly Father has in store for them.  

I hope they got the message that they are loved, that they are SO loved!  I cried, because that’s what I do.  I try SO HARD not to, but when I talk about something that’s so personal and dear to my heart, that’s just what happens!   I hope they don’t mind.  Our President did an awesome job.  She always does. I’m sure after her lesson today, they got the message that they are God’s children and that they are so very important.  Our President is amazing in so many ways.  She has this awesome ability to connect with the girls.

I love serving in Young Women.  I love to go every Sunday and listen to the lessons and feel the Spirit.  I haven’t been in YW since I was a young woman myself.  I love to go each week and see the Spirit radiating from each of the girl’s faces.  We really have an awesome group of girls.  They are strong and steadfast and faithful.  And why? Because they have to be. They have so many challenges that they are facing that I know I didn’t have.  There is so much “darkness”  around them that they are constantly fighting to keep away.  They constantly amaze me with how brave they are. 

This is long, I know, and if you made it to this point, I’m impressed.  This isn’t a “typical” post from me.  I realize that.  But sometimes, it’s necessary to write down a few of my more random thoughts.

It’s hard to believe in a few short weeks my little Bailee will hit the 1-year milestone.  I’m not sure what happened to this past year.  I know there have been a lot of growing pains along the way.  Not with having three kids (that’s been an adventure) but with me personally.  I’ve grown a lot, I think, in the last year.  Emotionally, I’ve been a mess (hormones are SO not fair!), spiritually I’ve been all over the map.  And physically, well…that’s a whole other post (note: nursing does NOT always help you lose your baby weight!).  Luckily, I’ve had some fantastic family and friends pull me through the harder times and lift me up when I needed it most. 

I love my little family.  I love to look at the faces of my three precious angels here on earth and witness the light and love they each bring to our family.  I love being married to a guy that loves us and honors the Priesthood.  I love my calling and serving in the church.  I’m grateful for tender mercies that get me through the hard times.  And I’m grateful for a loving Heavenly Father that grants me those tender mercies.

Life doesn’t ever go as planned.  Which being the planner I am drives me crazy!! However, I heard a thought today that I tend to agree with: God has a plan for each of us; we can fight it every step of the way or we can hold on and enjoy the ride.  Obviously, it’s not always going to be an enjoyable ride, but I believe that having faith in the Lord and trusting Him and His plan is the way to go.  I choose that route, I choose God’s plan.

So back to being nervous while introducing our new value of Divine Nature.  I think I was so nervous because I felt so passionately about it.  I so wanted to get the message across how divine these girls are and that they matter and they are important.  I hope that was the message they received.

Sometimes life can be hard.  I don’t really write about those times.  I like to focus on the good in life.  I like to focus on my kids and all their milestones and great memories we have.  But no one’s life is perfect.  No one’s life is all hunky dory all the time.  We all have growing pains and learning curves.  We all have trials and tests that we have to face and overcome.  I say it makes us stronger and appreciate more all that we have been blessed with.  However, even knowing that doesn’t always make it easier to endure.  Sometimes it’s just plain ol’ tough! 

So here are my thoughts.  Life definitely has its ups and downs. Hormones are in no way a fair part of life.  Being a mom can be hard.  Kids are smarter than you sometimes give them credit for therefore, leaving us, as the parents, the students and our kids teaching us.  Heavenly Father knows us individually.   He loves us unconditionally.  I am blessed.