Thoughts from the Hearth: Week Two

"The Storm" by Adolphe William Bouguerea, 1874

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Hello, wonderful readers! I am happy to be back sharing some of my random thoughts from this past week. I hope all is well with you and yours!

On my mind-

Popular feminism.

I am beginning to see it rearing its ugly head again in the rising generation, and it is deeply troubling to me.

With the recent "Women's March," I have seen an upswing in the amount of young women who are blaming the universe in anger as "victims of oppression." I have even seen grossly ignorant statements comparing the "struggle" of today's women with the persecution of Jews during World War II, and prejudice against blacks during the civil rights movement.

Honestly, the above thoughts made me sick to my stomach, and caused my blood to boil.

Only truly uneducated, UN-OPPRESSED generation could ever make such a claim. The literal suffering, pain, and bloodshed of MILLIONS can in no way compare to what the modern woman "goes through."

There are no bodies hanging in trees after vicious lynching by mobs. There are no cargo trains filled with sobbing men and women traveling to death camps. There are no people being forced to "sit at the back of the bus." There is no starvation or victimizing of human beings in our country or in the Western world.

But there IS death. There IS murder of the innocent. There ARE millions of lives being snuffed out every year.

And that depraved work is being promoted and carried out by the very women who are crying "victim."

And that is why it makes me ill to see vicious feminism gnashing its teeth and crying "oppression" when THEY are the oppressors.

I have said enough on this subject for today, but I am sure it will come up here again. I just know that I feel called to defend the Family and the divine calling of Motherhood with all that is in me.

That's why this blog was created ten years ago, and I have no plans to stop now.

Grateful for-

My husband is so very good to me, and I am grateful beyond words for the loving care he gives and the sacrifices he makes to support our large family.

I am thankful that I have rarely had to spend my time outside our home working to help provide for all these people we are raising. I know that the burden he carries is heavy, but he continually rises to the occasion every morning as he leaves us to work "by the sweat of his brow" to give us what we need and desire.

I know that I often take this daily sacrifice of his for granted, and I want to acknowledge and show appreciation to him more than I have lately.

Thank you, thank you, Honey. You make our comfortable lives possible, and I honor you.

Pondering-

In the last few years there have been people I admire and love abandoning their faith.

And it breaks my heart.

But it has also made me examine my own heart and standing with the Lord, and brought me to my knees before God in prayer.

With every fiber if my being, I hope that we each realize how VITAL it is that we give sufficient time each day to studying the scriptures and praying to our Father in Heaven.

Approaching each day without those two things is tantamount to going out to fight in the most challenging and deadly of battles with the most skilled enemy without using any protective armor, or without even a weapon.

We CANNOT face life in the modern world without the strength that the daily nurturing of our faith provides.

We MUST NOT go into our daily battles, unprotected and unarmed.

Organizing-

I am LOVING the color-coding we are doing with our family's clothes! For the first time since my first born child was an infant, I have a good grasp on what clothes each of my kids own and wear. For so many years I have been drowning in an inordinate amount of laundry to wash, but now I have a complete inventory of every article of clothing that each person has to wear.

I made a spreadsheet that mapped out each day of the week, and then chose a color for each day. I gave the boys some choices on a couple days, since they don't love pink or purple. Ha! When I specified each color, I decided that the colors did NOT need to be exact. That helps a lot.

This has NOT been a quick process, and I have had to do a little bit of shopping at the thrift store to replace some of the worn out, old clothes that I got rid of. Everybody who depends on Mom or big sister to do their laundry has matching shirts, and then I just make sure each person has enough pants, shorts, or skirts to wear with those shirts.

My teenage daughters are not participating, because they do their own laundry, and don't have so many clothes that overwhelm our laundry process. Plus, they are a bit more "fashion conscious" than the rest of us.

Just in case you might be interested, here is a list of the colors we wear:

• Monday- Red
• Tuesday- Pink OR Gray
• Wednesday- Purple OR Brown
• Thursday- Green
• Friday- Blue
• Saturday- Black and/or White

Sunday is not assigned a color, though I did go through and purge a LOT of my little girls' Sunday dresses. With five little girls under age twelve, you can imagine how over-loaded we were in the dress department!

We're all enjoying matching one another-- it feels like we're all on the same team. And it makes it easy for me to pick my kids out in a crowd, so that's helpful, too. (Notice that we're all in Thursday green for our trip to the park in the photo further down in this post....)

The last things I need to purge/organize-- and hope to finish this weekend-- are the pajamas. Wish me luck as I face that mountain...

Creating-

You know how I was working on my Shakespeare curriculum, and was sooo excited about finishing my Table of Contents? Well, something went wrong and IT ALL DISAPPEARED from off my computer.

... (cue screaming here)...

Yes, technology can be a blessing, and it can also be a curse at times.

SO!

I am going back and looking at everything again, and trying to take in the idea that all my work is gone. I have decided that there MUST be a reason? Maybe I was on the wrong track, and need to re-think it all again.

I choose to see this as a happy accident, and a new chance to start again.

Reading-

I recently read Sarah Eden's "The Kiss of A Stranger" and it was good Regency fun, I can tell you! It was just a fluff read, but I need those now and then. Sarah Eden is the ONLY modern Regency writer I can tolerate. For the most part, if I want to read a good Regency romance, I'll just look to Miss Austen! But Sarah has done enough research, and writes in such a way that I am never jerked back into the modern world until I close that last page.

My other favorites by her include "Seeking Persephone" and "Courting Miss Lancaster" (my personal favorite of hers).

Maybe one of Mrs. Eden's books will help you endure the last of winter this year.

Homemaking-

Reducing our family laundry by six garbage bags has been so freeing and helpful! I can now do just ONE LOAD of laundry a day, people!!!

MONUMENTAL.

If you missed it, I go into more details above in the section on organizing. ^^^ 

Songhaven Homeschool of Fine Arts-

Homeschool Outdoors

This week's beautiful weather simply called for some outdoor reading and learning time. So on Thursday, we packed up lunches, put all our homeschool supplies in a box and the kids toted their backpacks down to the park with me.

We are really enjoying reading "A Little Maid of Massachusetts" by Alice Curtis for our American History read aloud. The kids get so involved emotionally, sitting at the edge of their seats, and yelling at the characters. Lots of good lessons for kids in this one so far, all contained in the backdrop of the American Revolutionary War.

We're also reading "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" together, since there are some among these younger ones that have never heard the book. Reading C.S. Lewis NEVER gets old for me! He never fails to inspire, and I love sharing his writings with my children.

Scripture Study-

I have started reading the LDS Doctrine and Covenants over again this month, and I'm really enjoying "hearing" the voice of the Lord as he counseled His imperfect servants at the very beginning of the Restoration of the Gospel.

One of the scriptures that stood out most to me this week was this:

"Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength and means provided to enable you to translate; but be diligent unto the end. Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work." ~Doctrine and Covenants 10:4-5

I don't know any mother who does not need the support of heaven in this all-important work. I know that I cannot do it alone!

I hope that we are good to ourselves and to others, and do not compare ourselves to other women who seem to "have it all together."

Ladies, NO ONE HAS IT ALL TOGETHER.

We are all just trying the best we know how.

And so we need to take care that we do not "run faster or labor more than we have strength." We can rely on the arm of the Savior to make up the difference when we feel we are falling short of where we want to be. If we trust in Him and ask Him for His help, he can fill in all the gaps we might be worrying about.

Truly, He is there for each one of us.



Something to Share-

My husband is one of the greatest cooks I know-- no joke! I have been spoiled by this since the day we got married. (I am keenly aware how lucky I am, ladies!)

I just want to share a yummy treat recipe he came up with for our kids the other day:

Yummy and Easy Chocolate Shake

Made from all the cheap ingredients you probably already have at home

• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• pinch of salt
• 2 Tbsp. cocoa powder
• Enough ice to reach the 32 oz. marker on the blender

Blend and serve!

Final thoughts-

I have had a couple experiences this week that reminded me how important it is for us to stand up and defend Families, Traditional Motherhood, and our roles as homemakers and nurturers.

This is a stand worth taking, ladies.

My hope and inspiration for creating this blog has always been with the aim of taking that stand. And I believe it is more important now than ever.

Thank you for standing with me!

Love, Mama Rachel

Rise Up

We live in a day and age where goodness is not championed.

We live in a time where the virtue of women is not defended and protected.

We live in a world where motherhood is undervalued, dismissed, and even ridiculed.

So what can we do???

We can stand up for the good, the praise-worthy, the lovely, and the divine.

We can proudly live virtuous lives, and show the world what a woman with strong standards looks like.

We can defend our homes and our children from evil influences and loose morality.

We can treat the service we give in motherhood as the divine calling from God that it is. 

We can nurture and influence our children to live righteous lives, and to not excuse wickedness.

We truly CAN "rise up to become the women of faith and courage our Father in Heaven needs us to be."

And we can begin TODAY.

With love,

Mama Rachel

The Family is Ordained of God

Dear friends,

This sweet video, made by a very talented family, really touched my heart. I am so very grateful for God's plan of happiness for His children. He has sent us to earth to live in families, with a mother and a father who are married, for very important reasons. I know that His plan is the very BEST way for us to learn about Him, to find joy in life, and to have hope for a future with our eternal families on earth and in heaven.

I hope you enjoy this video as much as I did. The Family truly is ordained of God!


 

Love,

NEWS FLASH: Most Marriages are Happy and Successful!

Well, this video gives us some wonderful things to think about. Most of all, it gives me HOPE!

Love,

Is Forgiveness for Everyone?

Satan wants us to think that when we have sinned we have gone past a 'point of no return'—that it is too late to change our course. In our beautiful but also troubled world, it is a sad reality that this attitude is the source of great sorrow, grief, and distress to families, marriages, and individual lives. ~Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I despise how scandal-crazy and unforgiving society is right now. Since I first read the story about the horrible situation involving Joshua Duggar of the Duggar family, I have been just sick to my stomach with all the vile things said and spewed all over articles and comments about the incident that happened long, long ago. I am devastated that this family who has opened their home, faith, and lives to the world are being kicked and discarded by the very people who have watched, supported-- and now even those who created-- this show. 

 I believe that ALL of us make mistakes. NONE of us is perfect enough to cast the first-- or second, or third, or fourth-- stone at someone else. 

I also believe that the great Atonement of Jesus Christ is powerful enough and big enough to cover ALL sins. 

When someone has repented, confessed, and done all they can to make something right, if we continue to condemn and scathingly blame them, WE are the ones currently sinning.

Painting by Liz Lemon Swindle

I agree that sexual abuse is terrible. It is a a horrible sin that has long-lasting effects for ALL those involved. But what happens to the person who chooses to do something horrible after they confess and apologize, and do all they can to make it right? Is there not repentance for them? Is there not forgiveness? 

In the battle of life, the adversary takes enormous numbers of prisoners, and many who know of no way to escape and are pressed into his service. Every soul confined to a concentration camp of sin and guilt has a key to the gate. The adversary cannot hold them if they know how to use it. The key is labeled Repentance. The twin principles of repentance and forgiveness exceed in strength the awesome power of the adversary.

I know of no sins connected with the moral standard for which we cannot be forgiven. The formula is stated in forty words:

“Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.

“By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them.” (D&C 58:42–43.) ~Elder Boyd K. Packer (emphasis added)

I believe that it CAN be forgiven. Sexual sin is not a disease that never goes away-- especially when it is addressed with counseling and the proper ecclesiastical channels.

I know people (yes, more than one) personally who have done terrible things who have paid all the price that they could and have tried to move on with their lives. What should they do instead? Retire from life, never marry, never have children, never go out in society again, and beat themselves over and over again for what Christ has already forgiven them for?

When Christ protected the woman found IN THE VERY ACT of adultery from being stoned, he did not excuse her terrible choice. But He did protect her so that she could live to "go and sin no more."

Our society is salivating with twisted glee over the fact that the "squeaky-clean" Duggars (Ha-ha!!!) have something so black and vile that they are "hiding." 

This makes me so sad and frustrated. How would any of us like our deepest darkest sins brought out to be "shouted among the rooftops?" Not me!!! I don't think ANY of us are lacking something we deeply regret doing.

I have read the Duggars' books and watched their show for years, and I have never ONCE heard anyone in their family claim to be perfect. In fact, in both of the books written by Michelle and Jim Bob, they have talked about working through sins with their children. 

The measure of our success as parents, however, will not rest solely on how our children turn out. That judgment would be just only if we could raise our families in a perfectly moral environment, and that now is not possible. ~Elder Boyd K. Packer

The Duggars are just good people trying their best to come to Christ. And I think that someone should stand with them in this terrible time when they are being forced to relive this pain in such a degrading, public manner. 

And so I am.

Love,

Where Will YOU Stand?

I do not live in the state of Utah, but I and many others from other states are watching what Utah will do in the coming months to defend traditional marriage.

As you may remember from my last post, Utah now stands at the forefront in the battle to keep the definition of marriage between a man and a woman.

I've read lots of articles and essays on the subject, as well as talking to many people, and I must say that I am frustrated that there are those in Utah who are giving up!!!

When we pick up one end of a stick, we also pick up the other. When we choose one road over another, we also choose the destination of where that road leads.

To keep our heads in the sand, and think that we will be "left alone," if only we just "give people what they want," we are only deceiving ourselves.

In the book of 2 Nephi in the Book of Mormon, we read:

 For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good.

 And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.

 And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance.

 Yea, they are grasped with death, and hell; and death, and hell, and the devil, and all that have been seized therewith must stand before the throne of God, and be judged according to their works, from whence they must go into the place prepared for them, even a lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment.

 Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!

 Wo be unto him that crieth: All is well!

 Yea, wo be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men, and denieth the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost!

And then, in the Doctrine of Covenants the Lord says:

And thus he flattereth them, and leadeth them along until he draggeth their souls down to hell; and thus he causeth them to catch themselves in their own snare.

Staying Valiant in the Cause

I often, when thinking of fighting for truth, think of Captain Moroni in the Book of Mormon. His people were in REAL danger of losing their freedoms. Those who opposed the people governing themselves had joined with the vast, innumerable armies of the Lamanites. They were outnumbered, discouraged, and tired.

But did Captain Moroni give up and say "Oh, well. Let's just give them what they want, and then they'll just leave us alone. What's the big deal?"

Uh, NO. That's not what he said.

Nevertheless, the Nephites were inspired by a better cause, for they were not fighting for monarchy nor power but they were fighting for their homes and their liberties, their wives and their children, and their all, yea, for their rites of worship and their church.

And they were doing that which they felt was the duty which they owed to their God; for the Lord had said unto them, and also unto their fathers, that: Inasmuch as ye are not guilty of the first offense, neither the second, ye shall not suffer yourselves to be slain by the hands of your enemies.

And again, the Lord has said that: Ye shall defend your families even unto bloodshed. Therefore for this cause were the Nephites contending with the Lamanites, to defend themselves, and their families, and their lands, their country, and their rights, and their religion.

And he didn't just talk, he ACTED:

And it came to pass that when the men of Moroni saw the fierceness and the anger of the Lamanites, they were about to shrink and flee from them. And Moroni, perceiving their intent, sent forth and inspired their hearts with these thoughts—yea, the thoughts of their lands, their liberty, yea, their freedom from bondage.

And it came to pass that they turned upon the Lamanites, and they cried with one voice unto the Lord their God, for their liberty and their freedom from bondage.

And they began to stand against the Lamanites with power; and in that selfsame hour that they cried unto the Lord for their freedom, the Lamanites began to flee before them; and they fled even to the waters of Sidon.

Of course, we should be civil and Christlike in our defense of traditional marriage. But I know, with all my heart, that if we sit back and do nothing to protect the most sacred, divine institution (marriage) that God has created, The Lord WILL hold us accountable.

From Elder Robert D. Hales:

"Do what is right even though it seems you will be alone in so doing, that you are going to lose friends, that you will be criticized. I have never been sorry on any occasion that I stood for what was right even against severe criticism."

Though our enemies are numerous, and though they mock us, and call us names, and "gnash their teeth" in hatred and anger at us, we still have God on our side.

As our church leader, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland stated:

"In the gospel of Jesus Christ you have help from both sides of the veil, and you must never forget that. When disappointment and discouragement strike—and they will—you remember and never forget that if our eyes could be opened we would see horses and chariots of fire as far as the eye can see riding at reckless speed to come to our protection. They will always be there, these armies of heaven, in defense of Abraham’s seed."

We MUST stand obedient and strong in the doctrine of our God on the issue of marriage.

UTAH, WE ARE WATCHING YOU!!!

What will YOU do to stand up for marriage?

I invite everyone who truly believes in the sanctity of traditional marriage who is in Utah to attend TONIGHT'S Rally celebrating Traditional Marriage between a man and a woman.

Please stand for truth. 

Please stand for families. 

Please stand for religious freedom. 

Please stand for our children and the world they will inherit. 

PLEASE STAND WITH GOD.

Tonight, at 7pm, at the State Capitol Rotunda in Salt Lake City. 

We will be watching you, Utah.

Love,

"Casual Sex" Is NOT Liberating!

'When you “express yourself” you are conveying a message about your thoughts, feelings, and character. So shouldn’t we, rather than encouraging sexual expression for the sake of it, encourage MEANINGFUL and POSITIVE sexual expression? In the context of commitment and loyalty, sex expresses something. It expresses: “I love you. I give myself to you.” But what does casual sex express? “Use me and I’ll use you.”' ~Matt Walsh

In addition to the quote above, the following blog post makes so many valid points, and makes so much logical sense, I just HAD to share it here.

Abstinence Is Unrealistic and Old-Fashioned

The article is not for children, but I do think it should be read and discussed with the teens in our lives, especially since it was a response to a high school student's questions about staying morally pure.

Here are a few more quotes:

We’re told that we are sexually “liberated” if we throw ourselves at strangers and give ourselves over to people who couldn’t possibly care less about us. This is yet another lie. If modern attitudes about sex have “liberated” us, what, precisely, have we been freed from? Security? Commitment? Trust? What, we’ve broken the Shackles of Purity and Love and run gleefully into the Meadows of Pornography and Herpes? Because that’s all that our sexual liberation has wrought. A lot of confusion, a lot of porn, a lot of disease, a lot of emotionally desperate, psychologically battered, spiritually broken people wandering around, searching for another stranger who’s willing to go in for a few more rounds of sterile, shallow, pointless sex.

Even the term “casual sex” is insane. It’s an oxymoron. Denim is casual. Restaurants can be casual. Casual: without serious intention, careless or offhand, informal. A high-five is casual. Sex can only be viewed in this same vein once we have dehumanized ourselves enough to see human sexuality as something no more significant than a pair of jean shorts. 

Describing sex as “casual” is like describing the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel as a “nice little doodle.” That’s what I can’t stand — the people who diminish and cheapen sex are the ones who get to pass themselves off as “sexually enlightened.”

 Obviously, I don't see being "old-fashioned" as a bad thing. In fact, more and more, as time goes on, I believe it's the only way to stay morally clean. Following the truth that has been proven over and over again throughout all of history is the only way to be happy and successful.

I'm proud to say I'm "old-fashioned!" And I hope you enjoy reading and sharing this article with "old-fashioned morals" as much as I have.

Love,

Why I Keep Having Children

"The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force." ~The Family: A Proclamation to the World

There's a common joke in the world today when people see a large family. It goes something like this:

"Are you Catholic...? or Mormon...? Ha ha ha!"

Really, it's a very OLD joke, because I think we all can see that there are actually not many Catholics or Mormons having large families these days. (I'm only guessing about the LDS birth statistics, but being an active member who moves around a lot, I think I have a fairly good grasp of the average size of most active LDS families. Of course, we still have larger families than most, but anyone can attend a church activity or meeting and see that LDS family sizes are noticeably shrinking from what they once were.)

There are the occasional exceptions to this (like our family), but as a rule, most families, regardless of religion, routinely use birth control or sterilization to stop having children.

Five of my seven lovely daughters, posing after church.

Multiply and Replenish

Today's definition of a "large family" is very different from what it used to be. I have heard gasps of disbelief and exclamation when I have overheard young LDS (Mormon) moms tell someone that they have-- wait for it-- FIVE children. 

The responses range from "Wow, you're a SAINT!" to "Are you CRAZY?" and even "Oh, my gosh. I would KILL MYSELF!"

When people ask how many children I have, I respond in various ways, based on the situation. Sometimes, when I can tell that they might go into shock if they really knew the actual number, I smile and say "A lot." Most of the time, it's just a question people ask to begin small talk. Usually they are not looking for something as earth-shattering as hearing that I have had a dozen children from my own body, no twins. 

I mean, who could be THAT insane?

Brennan with Grayse

Training for Real Life

I think one of the shocking things about having lots of children to many people in our society is that they imagine that I have a dozen two-year-olds running around, driving everyone crazy, and tearing my house apart.

But then, when it occurs to them that I have older children, they start to talk about how nice it is to have older kids to help. Unfortunately, often they then go into how they hope my big kids get a chance to have fun, and that they aren't "raising my children for me."

Yeah, they uncovered my evil plot: I have more children that cost money, time, effort, resources because I want to enslave my older children so they never have any fun. No fun allowed. EVER.

One thing they have right. I want my older kids to know what it is to be a parent. I want them to think about someone else's needs outside of their own. I want them to grow up knowing how to love and serve others. I want them to know that the universe does not entirely revolve around them.

Muah-ha-ha-haaaaaa!!!!!

Diabolical, I know...

My five handsome sons

Suffer the little children to come unto me

There is a relatively new movement of Evangelical Christians having large families. (A very famous family, the Duggars, are part of this growing philosophy. And yes, we love their show at our house!) They call it "Quiver-Full," and I have been asked by people who don't know what my religion is if I am part of it.

I have said yes. Which is kind of true, because I know what the movement is about, and I happen to agree with the principles of it, even though I'm not Baptist.

I've also said, "No," and then explain that I am LDS (Mormon). Sometime, when I give that answer, the person may back away slowly, nervous of what I might say next. But then, they might remember the old joke about Mormons and Catholics, and now have a story to tell about a REAL, LIVE Mormon lady they actually met who had a ton of kids.

Hey, I'm willing to provide that service! But no, my pathetic obsession with being the center of attention is not the reason I have a large family. I promise.

I have children because that is what the Lord has commanded my husband and I to do.

And no, I am not now going to go into a diatribe about how selfish other couples are, and about how evil birth control is, or about how I'm trying to buy my way into heaven by having a houseful of children. (This is for the fellow LDS sister who asked me the other day why I wasn't translated yet.)

All I am saying is that the Lord has asked me, through personal revelation from the Holy Ghost, to welcome each and every one of these children of His into my heart, my home, and my family. 

I don't know for certain all the reasons why the Lord wants me to have this many children, but I DO know that I am far, far, FAR from perfect, and that this is one way the Lord is teaching me to get over myself by serving others.

I am fully aware that I still have a LONG WAY to go.

My mom with her siblings and my grandmother.

Doing My Part

Growing up, I always knew that I personally wanted a large family. I come from a long line of large families, especially from my mom's side of the family tree. My mom is number five of eight children, and I have always LOVED being with my entire extended family. My very BEST memories of my childhood are tied to those close, loving, BIG, family relationships. I knew that I wanted to be just like my beautiful and stalwart grandmother by having a large posterity around me forever. To this day, that vision of having all my children and grandchildren around me throughout my life thrills me to no end.

And I already get to have that joyful noise and warmth around me EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. My life is filled with joy!!! How could I regret inviting any of these awesome people to be such a big part of my life? How? How? HOW?

I couldn't. And I haven't. I feel really good about that.

Now that I have a big--okay, MEGA-sized-- family, I am learning all kinds of really neat things about big families.

The reality of life is that the world needs CHILDREN. 

Birthrates are declining around the world. 

Entire populations are not replacing themselves. 

It's actually kind of scary. 

Who will care for the elderly when they have no children to look to? 

Who will be the next generation of citizens, parents, teachers, leaders, when so many of them are tragically slaughtered in the U.S. and all over the world every single day?

There are governments practically BEGGING their citizens to have children, entire ad campaigns dedicated to helping a country be more friendly to children, and yet the birth rates fall to dangerously low levels. Cultures are being lost. Our very futures are at risk because so few people are having children.

My heart breaks for those I know and love that have not been able to surround themselves with all the children they hoped and planned for. 

Infertility is a HUGE problem, and it frustrates me to see how so many wonderful couples want children, and then compare that to how many couples reject welcoming children in to their families. 

I don't know how to sort all that out, and I'm grateful I don't have to! But I know that the Lord is over all, and that He will work it all out in the end.

Our precious twelfth child, Davy

One more

It should come as no surprise to my readers that I am now expecting my thirteenth baby, due in mid to late April of 2014. 

Am I surprised? 

Yes, and no. I really thought our Davy was the last. 

But then, I thought that about baby #7, and then about baby #10, and then about baby #12.

The Lord is asking me to step into the dark once again. He wants me to trust His plan and bring one more baby into our family and into the world. 

I have had some very sacred experiences with the spirits of my unborn children. I am careful about what I share, but I can honestly say that I know that each one of my children is supposed to be here. I know that they are meant to be a part of our family-- that God sent them specifically to my husband and me to raise.

I am doing my very best to help them return to our Father in Heaven. Thank goodness for the Lord's help in doing so!

I assure you that I feel that responsibility keenly, and that I take it very, VERY seriously. None of my children are "a mistake." They were invited by my husband and I, and they were sent by God.

I testify of the divinity of parenthood. It is a holy calling and the greatest work ANY of us can do. I am so grateful for the chance to be a small part of the grand design.

With gratitude and joy,

Children are an Heritage of the Lord

I am so thankful for my twelve miracles, and I feel so humbled that the Lord has entrusted them to me! We have a sacred duty to rear them in love and righteousness, and to protect them in a world of ever-shifting values. 

The family is one of the greatest causes we have in society today!!!!

Counting my blessings, 

Choosing LIFE

"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God." (Doctrine & Covenants 18:10) 

Women in Combat

Painting by Edmund Blair Leighton

I was stunned and disturbed this morning to hear that the United States Pentagon has lifted the ban on women fighting in the military. As I listened to the commentator on the radio speak of women waiting at home for the men serving as something as "antiquated as the wearing of hoopskirts" in a disgusted tone, my stomach lurched.

And I began to think about the many reasons to have women home during times of war, "keeping those homefires burning."

Those Left Behind

The first thing that came to mind was the draft. If both the fathers AND the mothers of children are called up to arms, WHO takes care of the children?

Who DOES keep the homefires burning, keeps the money coming in, keeps the neighborhoods functioning, keeps the homes protected from theft and the children from harm?

WHO???

A Bloodthirsty People

Have we, as a country, as a society, really come to the point where we are as bloodthirsty and warlike as the ancient Greeks and Romans before us? If we haven't already, we soon will be, if our women become as hardened and troubled as our soldiers both past and present. War is one of the most disturbing things that humankind deals with, and if our soldiering men are having such a dfficult time with post-traumatic syndrome and other such mental troubles, what will happen to nurturing, feminine women? 

Is the female sex demanding, as did Lady Macbeth?

Come you spirits
That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here. . . .
Come to my woman's breasts
And take my milk for gall, you murdering ministers.

What WILL happen when mothers become "murdering ministers?"

My thoughts turn to the Jaredites, in the Book of Mormon. Near the end of their civilization, (which came about because of all the fighting and killing among them-- in essence, they destroyed themselves!) they had become so bloodthirsty and hardened that they required their women and their children to fight, in addition to all their men.

And it came to pass that when they were all gathered together, every one to the army which he would, with their wives and their children—both men, women and children being armed with weapons of war, having shields, and breastplates, and head-plates, and being clothed after the manner of war—they did march forth one against another to battle; and they fought all that day, and conquered not. (Ether 15:15)

 The destruction was so great among their people, that there was not even anyone left to bury their dead.

And so swift and speedy was the war that there was none left to bury the dead, but they did march forth from the shedding of blood to the shedding of blood, leaving the bodies of both men, women, and children strewed upon the face of the land, to become a prey to the worms of the flesh. (Ether 14:22)

This future, with all the wars going on all around the world that OUR troops are fighting in, is not that far off. How quickly has the unthinkable always happened? When looking back to history and those who have come before, it's sooner than we like to think.

Irony

In all of this, the media is speaking from two polar opposite opinions. On the one hand, arming women to fight in bloody and disturbing wars is being applauded, while cries for taking away personal weapons of protection from families are reaching fever pitches.

There is a great deal of talk of "protecting children," but who protects the young when BOTH their parents are serving in distant lands, killing the innocent children of our enemies? The State??? 

How can a mother keep the milk of human kindness in her heart for her own little ones, knowing that her actions are destroying the lives of other babies? 

Lady Macbeth, again, shows us that a woman cannot have both.

Gender

As stated in "The Family: A Proclamation to the World,"

Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

and

By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.

Men and women ARE different, and yet equal. 

To deny that fact is not only scientifically ridiculous, it is also silly in the emotional, mental, and spiritual senses. Misinterpreting equality in such a way is nonsensical. 

Each have their own stewardships that work within their natural abilities and talents. BOTH ARE NEEDED-- in their heaven-endowed duties. They should then help and support one another in those roles, as equal partners.

The prophets then go on:

...we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

The modern world that women are trying to navigate is more confusing and troubling than ever. For me, this is not a day to rejoice. It is a day of mourning. My pleading prayers for peace will be stronger and more heartfelt than ever.

I raise my voice in protest-- I cannot stand by and let this disturbing issue stand, unchallenged.

May the Lord help our society come to its senses, before it's too late!!! 

40 Years

Me and my newborn Davydd (2 weeks old); photo by Jill

As a mother, today I weep for the MILLIONS of innocent children who have been murdered in the name of convenience. And I know that we, as a nation, will be held accountable to God for those deaths.

To read more, see this article. To see an up-to-the-minute count of abortions given, see this link.

We know what we are doing. 

How long will we allow this tragedy to continue?

Sadly,

"Protect the Children"

Here is the amazing talk I promised to share with you. Children truly are "an heritage of the Lord," and as the Savior said we will be accountable for how we-- individually and as a society-- treat them.

I hope you enjoy this important message as much as I do!



Love,

P.S.-- Still waiting for my own little bundle of joy to arrive!

Ladies of Liberty

"The manners of women are the surest criterion by which to determine whether a republican government is practicable, in a nation or not. The Jews, the Greeks, the Romans, the Swiss, the Dutch, all lost their public spirit, their republican principles and habits, and their republican forms of government, when they lost the modesty and domestic virtues of their women." 

~John Adams 

Ladies, there is MUCH we can do to keep this blessed freedoms alive. Are we doing it?

Women of God

Artist: Munier, 1888

The following is a quote that has often been on my mind:

“Women of God can never be like women of the world.

The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender.

There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind.

There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined.

We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith.

We have enough greed; we need more goodness.

We have enough vanity; we need more virtue.

We have enough popularity; we need more purity."

~Margaret D. Nadauld  

Taking a stand as Women of God is never an easy thing. A video about fighting the plague of p*rnography recently came to my attention. There is an organization called Morality in Media that is teaming up with other similar groups to stand up and ask our government leaders to uphold the obscenity laws that are already in existence. 

One woman in the organization who posted a video (VIEWER BEWARE: She does describe some of what she saw. I turned down the volume during that part of the video. I just want you to be aware before you view.) of her experience of being exposed to p*rn on an airline flight has been working hard to help remove filthy material from airlines, libraries, and schools. 

Since she decided to take a stand and make the video, she has been bombarded with hate mail and even threats against her life.

Standing up for righteousness is never an easy thing! And in this day and age, it might just be dangerous. But when we choose to stand up and speak out, we also have God on our side, helping us, so we have no need to fear.

Right now, there is a petition we can sign which is asking for a Congressional Hearing on the issue of p*rnography. There are already laws in place that prohibit this kind of material in our country, but the laws are being ignored by those in authority-- those that we have elected to uphold the law! Will you join me in signing the petition here?

The content of the letter is this:

We, the undersigned, strongly urge you to hold hearings on the harm from pornography and the need to vigorously enforce U. S. laws prohibiting distribution of obscene adult pornography. The U.S. Department of Justice has stopped all enforcement of these laws at a time when our nation is suffering an untreated pandemic of harm from pornography.

Last April, 117 Members of Congress, 75 from the House and 42 from the Senate, sent the attached letters to U. S. Attorney General Eric Holder calling to his attention the evidence that pornography is causing profound harms and urging him to vigorously enforce federal obscenity laws. Those laws prohibit distribution of obscene (hardcore) pornography on the Internet, on cable/satellite TV, on hotel/motel TV, in retail shops, through the mail, and by common carrier.

In their letter to General Holder the Members noted that “illegal adult obscenity contributes to violence against women, addiction, harm to children, and sex trafficking. This material harms individuals, families, and communities and the problems are only getting worse.”

We also know that consumption of adult pornography leads many consumers to harder and more deviant material over time and even leads many to consume child pornography, contributing to the widespread and increasing problem of child pornography distribution in America. Children are also too often targeted by the pornography industry through free distribution of illegal hardcore Internet offerings, leading many child consumers into sexual exploitive behaviors and life-long accompanying problems.

We believe that the U. S. Congress needs to do more to explore the true harms of pornography and that a Congressional hearing in either or both the Committee on the Judiciary and Committee on Energy and Commerce, bringing together leading medical professionals and researchers on the subject of harm from pornography, is now vitally necessary.

The harms of pornography are devastating youth, families, marriages and country.

We respectfully request a hearing on the pandemic of harm from pornography.

Most Sincerely,
List of Signatures

We should do all we can to remove this evil and its devastation from our lives, our homes, our communities, and our country.

Fresh courage take,