Children

My husband listened to Elder Neil L. Andersen's talk, Children, last week. (Go ahead, watch/listen/read it!)

He was touched by the spirit while driving to work, as he listened to this talk. I watched it a few days later, and felt the same way.

People always ask us why we have so many kids? Even some of our own family doesn't get it. And to be honest, I don't know why. I just know that I have always wanted a large family. Always.

Elder Andersen's talk says it best. When Adam and Eve were told to go and multiply and replenish the earth, that commandment has never been removed. It is still in force today.

We believe that family is central to God's plan. It's in the family where we learn the most important lessons about life. And we have both felt that God is delighted that we want to have such a large family. So we can teach His children His Plan of Happiness (that will be next weeks topic).

I know that we are truly blessed to be able to have kids. Without complication. I know that for sure. I am sadden that so many of our friends are not so blessed. But am happy when it works out for them. I pray that they get to be parents someday. No matter how it happens.

We struggle in our own ways. It's not easy to raise 5 kids on a one income family. We zero out our checking account every month. But, I would rather have the happiness that my children bring me then want any material thing (despite how much I really want that iPad) could bring me. But I am reminded that the most perfect child in the world, He was born in a barn. It doesn't matter that we struggle. It only matters that we are doing what the Lord wants us to do. He will provide the rest.

We knew that we that parenthood would be hard. We choose to have a family before we finished school, before we got a real grown-up job, and even before we have a house. We listened to what Heavenly Father wanted for us, and we have been blessed a thousand times over. I can't imagine what it would have been like to go through school without Jake, Zoe, and Leo. Teage and Dexter showed up after school was done for Steve.

I know it doesn't make sense to a lot of people. Like I said, even people in our own family don't get it, but it is so worth it. I know that we are doing what God wants us to do. And after reading this talk, I know that we are not the only ones.

It is not easy by far, to have this family. But I am so thankful that an Apostle of God shared his thoughts and feelings on this. For once, we were already doing something that should we should be doing! It feels so good to be doing something right! But it's no picnic!