Lately a popular topic of conversation with people is the number of children we will soon have. When my handsome husband and I are out alone, strangers often comment, "Oh, is this your first baby?" (I know, we look young)
The past few years I have felt inspired to teach my children and have strongly felt their individual purposes. Being pregnant again and not always feeling like myself has caused me to ponder even more why we bring these special spirits into this sometimes crazy world.
This morning I was reading a talk by Elder Boyd K. Packer from the 2006 Women's Conference titled 'Children of God.' He quoted the poem ..."the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world." He goes on to say, "Now the birthrate is declining in every country in the world. In order for a nation's population to remain stable, the birthrate must be just over two children per woman of childbearing years... worldwide, the birthrate among members married in the temple is notably higher than in the world, but this rate too has been declining... we face a particular set of issues because the pool from which missionaries are drawn is in steady decline."
I never imagined I would be the mother to so many boys... but I know that there is a purpose for them to fulfill. I hope to be more aware of my own purpose in preparing them.
Who am I BEING when I am with them?
How do I speak to them?
What true/false beliefs am I teaching them through the things I choose to do with my time?
It can be a little overwhelming to think about the huge influence a mother is on her children and what they will take with them into their own future families :-)
Elder Packer concluded, "The ultimate end of all activity in the Church is that a man and his wife and their children can be happy at home, sealed together so that the family can continue throughout eternity."
Thanks for the LIFT Elder Packer :-)
~ Creating an Atmosphere of Simplicity, Learning and Joy out of Organized Chaos ~
9 comments:
You are an amazing mother Sarah! I do think there is a reason why HF gave you "so many boys". As well as Sandra and many of my friends. These spirits need good strong mothers to help guide them and teach them to be good strong men, husbands, fathers and leaders. I am so greatful for women who do want to have more babies. I know I'm not made for 5. Not everyone is. I think that people should not be shocked at the number of kids one has. If you have enough love and the means to take in so many spirts it's not the concern of others to judge. That happened to my mom and this old guy gave her some huge lecture about the starving kids in this world...Yada, yada. Her kids weren't starving and were well taken care of, so really, why did he care?
On a side note, Kylee just came in here and pointed at Maddie's picture and said, "Mom! Maddie's pretty! Daddy! I saw Maddie at the swimming pool." She likes Maddie and talks about her all the time.
Awe man I just wrote a really long comment and some how I exited out of it :( I was saying that I was at that Women Conference when he spoke and I remember how much that talk affected me. Also your words helped me about the whole all those boys thing and helped me to see it in a different light. I need to make sure I can be strong for them and prepare hem so that they can be in that pool of Missionaries that are left :) Anyway, I was wondering were you read that talk? I would love to read it again, I have thought of it through out the years and would love to get the whole of it again :)
Thanks for posting your thoughts on here. Sarah, I've never see you with your children, but from what I remeber of you when we were younger I'd bet anything that you are an amazing mom. It is a little overwhelming to think of our (all mothers) responsibities. I often think about my sons and wonder about what kind of missionary, father, husband they will be. I am very grateful for my husband and his support of me and also his awesome example to our boys. My patriarchal blessing says over and over that I am to put NOTHING above my responsibility of motherhood. When the rough days come around I try and remember that. Anyway, thanks for this uplifting post. It really made me think.
What a powerful message. We had a great lesson in Relief Society about the power of women. I can't remember what prophet talked about it, but he said if we as women, every one of us, stood together in righteousness we could change the world. You are a great mom Sarah, called to raise up some of our greatest warriors. Some of the cutest too!! You are changing the world already. What an honor to be a mom in these latter days. I always wonder what Brooklyns callings will be in this life. I know that all of our children will have great challenges ahead of them.
I just updated myself, I haven't blogged in awhile. I loved reading the 100 things about you. You truly are an amazing person!
I really appreciated your comments about Motherhood, we really do have an important role as mother's and it is important to keep in mind our purpose.
amazing post! I think we all forget why we are here on this earth sometimes. When stephen decided to move us to albuquerque I really wondered what I was going to do. Proves that heavenly father really has a plan for us. I get to be a mother now :)
amazing post! I think we all forget why we are here on this earth sometimes. When stephen decided to move us to albuquerque I really wondered what I was going to do. Proves that heavenly father really has a plan for us. I get to be a mother now :)
There is nothing like a good confrence talk or talk by a GA to help you know your purpose and what you are doing.
Hopefully all keeps going well.
? for you. I have been able to subcribe to the post atom of my other friends and have there new post automatically downloaded to my computer into my outlook but I can't seem to do it with your blog. Is there a way to do it?
Sarah...thanks for inviting me to your blog! You are awesome and thanks for sharing your thoughts about Elder Packer's talk. I needed that. Oh and thanks for coming to park day today! I am SO excited you are going to be in the 5Pillar class.
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