Close to Home

Sunday evening a violent tornado ripped through the southern part of Joplin, Missouri. For me and my family this disaster has hit very close to home. Many of my mothers extended family live and work in Joplin. Also most of my dad's family lives in the surrounding areas. So we have discovered that everyone is safe. My uncle, who lives about a mile away from St. John's Regional Hospital was spared both him and his home. My father's family is dealing with debris. Unfortunately some family members lost their homes and livelihoods. They are alive and as my mom put it is it really all that matters. While I miss the Midwest I do not miss the horror of tornadoes. They are truly the most violent thing nature can produce. From the moment a funnel cloud forms in the sky to the time that a tornado as touched down and done damage all one can do is pray. You learn to respect and read mother nature in a way that never leaves you. Do this day when the sky gets angry here is Utah I still pray that nothing horrific will come from the impending storm. I am thankful for the miracles we had felt in this disaster and hope and pray that others too may feel of the love and compassion of the Lord as they being to rebuild their lives.

Motherhood is...

All of my life I have wanted to be a wife and mother. Yes, I went to college and received a degree but my greatest desire has always been to be married and raise a family. I am  not the conventional mother. I don't adhere to social norms or standards. I follow my heart and am constantly praying. I have the simliar struggles as others. Children not listening, making messes, etc. But I revel in these moments. You see I was older when I had the blessing of getting married almost three years ago. I waited and did everything I could to support my friends who were married and had children. Even so I yearned for it for my own life. When it finally came I made a covenant with the Lord that I would do everything in my power to raise my children as he would have me do. I am anything but perfect. I have a temper that I am learning to control. However, I am trying so hard. Everything I do during a day has my husband and my children in mind. I hope and pray that I can continue to be worthy to listen to the spirit and live my life in such a way as to teach my children eternal truths through word and deed.