Building Families

Tonight it was wonderful to attend the world wide training on the family at my church. There are trends and forces at work fighting against the very establishment of families, which I believe are the basic unit of society. It was the first time I was able to hear our new Prophet, President Monson speak. He has great love for all of us, he is very comforting. I did get to hear the press conference when he announced he was the next President of the church. I was holding McKenna who sat and listened and Jesus when I told her that he was the voice of God on the earth and a special witness of Jesus Christ. She is not even two years old and can recognize the spirit and feel reverence and love for Jesus- who awesome! I had been excited to think we might perhaps hear a last message from President Hinckley as they pre record the trainings so they can be translated into 70 languages. Elder Holland announced that we would be hearing from our new President I felt happy. It is a witness that the work moves on. It was a little strange to see President Monson’s name as the head of our church, yet the spirit is working in me so I can have my own personal witness that Pres. Monson is the prophet. I felt feed tonight; I was engaged in the training and loved being there to hear it. I pondered about how I can be a better support to the mothers in my life. My best friend is pregnant and having a hard time physically and mentally. I could do more to encourage and support her decision to follow the spirit and obey even if it was a hard choice. I was reminded to not look to the world for answers but to get on my knees in prayer and together with my husband decide what is best for our family. I thought of all the women in my childhood who reached out to me. There were a few from our neighborhood who seemed to always have a way of making me feel special. They gave me the part of Mary in the Christmas play year after year. They thought of ways to include me and increase my talents. I reflected on all the Aunts in my life, who I adore. The teachers I connected with, the friends I looked up to. It was often one of them that could reach me when my parents would not. I felt a little perplexed in my efforts of standing tall for the kids in my life; I know I can do better. I want to be able to love others better and not be so harsh on my judgments of my own performance or anyone else’s. It was a good reminder of the warning given too all to be kind to each other to love and not judge. It burned in my heart when they said… Family is central to the plan of happiness, that we follow a loving God, that gender, marriage, our divinity are not new but started before the earth was created. Life is not easy but it is possible to have great joy, family comes first, do not settle, how important avoiding emotional homesickness is, to let go of guilt and tap into the mantle we have in our families of protection, guidance, love, and inspiration. We were counseled to reclaim the Joy of the Sabbath, to establish a pattern of Prayer, a house of learning, and a legacy of love. To ask how we can support the families we serve not the other way around. The photo my friend Michele showed to me last night. I love to be at the Teran house. It is so sweet to see the love they have for the grandkids and kids and all they do for each other.