The Eternal Nature of the Family

I am a frequenter of Yahoo's Shine, a page compiled with random blog posts in all sorts of topics. Generally, for no reason I can explain, I stick to the parenting section and read all the blogs of mothers and their various experiences or complaints. Apparently I think of myself as a mother without kids.

However, today I wandered upon a blog post written by a woman named Abby, a sex-writer and nude model (not the type of post I would generally read). She explained that she is a feminist who was raised in an unconventional home where her dad stayed home and her mother worked. She is working on a degree in Feminist, Gender, Sexuality Studies but has a secret (or not so secret anymore) desire to be a stay-at-home mother with at least 3 kids. She says, "I just want to fall in love with someone for the rest of my life, have kids with him, and watch those kids grow up".

Reading her post struck such a chord with me. The past two weeks I have been teaching my YW Beehives about the eternal nature of the family: how before this life we were a family unit and that pattern continues in this life and if we are worthy, will continue in the life to come. Admittedly, Abby is anything but traditional and her ideas are considerably liberal, however, even she recognizes the unconscious pull toward a family that has all the potential to be eternal.

I loved this statement that she makes: "I know that marriage and the nuclear family is a screwed-up social construction. I’ve even written papers on the topic. But this argument is based on logic (and a desire to get an A). My happiness is not logical. My choices are not logical." I felt that this is a witness toward the sanctity of marriage and of raising children. She may not realize it and her mind can't make sense of it, but her spirit does.

Along those lines, isn't it amazing that with all the wickedness that this world has experienced, that the traditional ideas of marriage and the nuclear family are still the mainstream? I find this to be a testament of the eternal nature of families.

Additionally, I absolutely loved this statement that Abby used to conclude her post, "Being a feminist is about having the right to choose what you do with your life. My choice (as of today) is to be a stay-at-home mom. Therefore, I am a feminist". With all the negative pressure against women who decide to stay home with their kids, I love this affirmation. Women who choose to stay home aren't giving up their right to be independent free-thinkers, they are actually asserting those rights. (FYI, I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with women who choose or who are unable to stay home, just appreciating a feminist woman who is not bashing on stay-at-home mom's.)

So bravo to all the women (not just conservative, traditional types) who, in their search for happiness, acknowledge their desires for a nuclear family life that may not always be the popular choice.

*If interested, you can read Abby's post here: "I'm a White-Picket-Fence Feminist"

Random Reflections

I have been so busy the last few weeks. I love being busy because it makes me feel like I am useful and that I am contributing to something. Unfortunately, this kind of busy has left me exhausted and vulnerable.

On Wednesday, without any warning at all, I got very sick. I thought it was a sinus infection because I had a sinus headache and all the bad stuff that goes with it, but then I think it turned into the flu and I have been rather miserable. Along with the sickness comes a forced break. I haven't done ANYTHING in 3 days! My house is a mess, my husband is forced to eat like a bachelor again, and my to-do list is getting longer and longer.

I cannot stand being forced to sit and do nothing for days on end. The only thing keeping me confined to bed is that I feel really yucky, which sounds like a lousy excuse to me. Out of desperation I finally called my mom yesterday to ask her for advice on miracle treatments to make me better within the hour. She didn't have any, but she did reprimand me for not telling her I was sick. Two hours later she was at my door with a pot of homemade chicken soup and fresh homemade bread! My mother is amazing!

So I sit here alone while my ever-faithful husband is at church fixing other people's problems. I have just run out of orange juice and I am trying to be reflective and religious while in my pajamas. It is Easter after all, the special day when we remember Christ's atoning sacrifice for man-kind. I am struck by the fact that the pain and sickness that I am currently enduring, Christ also suffered for me in Gethsemane, so that He would best "know how to succor His people." This is such an important piece of knowledge for me; it brings such comfort, yet it makes me sad that there are so many others who do not have this knowledge.

How blessed I am to know that Christ lives and to know that He is aware of me in my trials, however small they may be. I pray that we will each feel His spirit with us in our daily lives, whatever our current situations may be.

Despite my runny nose and cough, I cannot help but proclaim in my heart, "Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God!"

While the Enemy Assaileth...

I have been having some rough times lately. We have been going through some trials that have really put us through the wringer. Doubt, fear, and anxiety have been plaguing my mind and I have often felt myself faltering with the emotional and physical weight I feel has been placed upon me. It seems that all the powers of darkness have assembled themselves at my door and are simply waiting for me to give up. Unfortunately, instead of rousing my courage and fighting, I have felt my faith failing me and leaving me in a pit of despair.

This morning I began speaking with a friend who is engaged to be married. She was filled with all the usual fears and anxieties that most people have when they are doing something new and risky. As I offered my famous anti-anxiety advise, I realized that perhaps I needed to hear this more than she did. The words that tumbled out of my mouth were exactly what I myself needed to hear. I was relating to her the time when I was also engaged, and the how hardships that I faced assured me that Satan was pulling from all sides to bring us down. I also explained how I reacted to these trials. Recalling these experiences, I was brought face to face with a time when my faith was much stronger. The words I spoke to her were not from the current Anna, but from a younger, more faithful Anna.

The words were a testimony I have always had but had recently forgotten.

"This is where your trust in God really counts though. The way I see it, God knows what the future will bring. I know that if we stick close to Him, He will make sure that we are okay, no matter what happens."

Hearing this, I felt that a prayer had been answered, that I wasn't left alone in the cold of the world, but that perhaps I had just turned my back to the warmth of Our Savior.

At this time when so many are engulfed in the fears and the uncertainties of the world around us, let us remember to keep the faith and know that miracles are still happening daily. Even the small miracle of remembering past assurances was enough to make this day easier to face.

Reflections of Faith

My religion is very personal to me, and although I know I should share my feelings on the subject more often, I usually shy away from opening the innermost chambers of my soul. However, I have been reflecting on my religion today as I went visiting teaching this morning. My companion asked me to type up my testimony of the Savior to give to those we visit teach, so obediently and hesitatingly, I did so. I now feel compelled to share it with you as it seems appropriate at this special Easter season.

I know that Christ is my personal Savior and Redeemer. The experiences I have had throughout my life have manifested this to me in a thousand different ways. Each morning as I gaze at the newly risen sun, I am reminded of another Son who also rose to light the world with hope, love, and the promise of eternal life. It is impossible to look at the magnificent creations around us and doubt that the Lord loves us, each individually. It is such a blessing to me that I know that my Savior lives, that he suffered for our sins, and that through Him all mankind may be saved. It is a message that touches the innermost emotions of the heart. As I strive through each day trying to do all that must be done, this message breaks in through the suffering and I know that I am not alone in a crowd, but that I am His, I was bought with each tear and drop of blood that was shed for me. That love and compassion can make the hardest days bearable and lifts my weary shoulders. As President Hinckley has said, “In sunshine and in shadow we look to Him, and He is there to assure and smile upon us.” I testify this is true and that His love will forever be with us.

-Annalee B. Strub


"He Lives" by Simon Dewey