The End to Family Relations!

I wish I could explain in every single way what this class has done for me but that would take a lot more than this last blog entry. This class has opened my mind to a lot of different and new opinions. I don't feel as strong willed about certain things as I used too and I can not thank the insightful whisperings from the spirit enough. Before I started this class, I had a five year plan that I was determined to stick by regardless of what entered into my life. I knew what I wanted and I didn't take the time to sit and think is this what the Lord wants for me. And I can honestly answer no to that already. My plans have changed and are lining up more with what He wants for me than me thinking I know what is best. One of the biggest things I have learned in this class is my idea of how I want my future family to be and grow. I understand things in a new light that I didn't take the time to understand before. Like how many children I want to have or how I will treat my husband and how he should treat me. But what makes this class so much more worth while, is that I have finally decided to have a career in this field. Family is the most important thing on this Earth and should be valued above all things and it slowly fading, but I refuse to allow it to get out of reach.

Parenting at it's finest!

Parenting is hard to judge considering I am not a parent..haha! But because I have been blessed with incredible parents with habits that I hope I can pass down to my children. My parents have given me examples on how well they work off of each other while they discipline. My dad has always been the one to take my mothers side and stand by her when us kids get angry. They understand and work on the same team. They are a unit and partners that are equal to each other. I have learned from the way they respect each other and us as kids. My parents have always given me the opportunity to make the decisions on my own depending on the situation. We have built trust. Parenting is a lot more than that though and it takes each a team of two willing to work at it everyday with each other.

Gender Roles in the Eternal Family!

The gender roles seem to be more skewed than ever before in our world today with how they think women needing to be out more working and changing the world in a different way. But while they are so focused on trying to prove how women can do what men can, they are forgetting the beautiful uniqueness of women. Women have a special role in the family that can not be replaced by a paid nanny, a teacher, or any other paid professional in this world. It is that special. Mothers' are given such tender and sweet traits to help raise their child. Women are given an obligation to that child of taking care of that child and guiding that child, just as well as men do. I think of when Jesus Christ came down on this Earth for us. He gave everything and felt everything for us because he loved us. I hope as mothers and future mothers we can understand the divine role we have to our children..

Sex...What?

Sexual Intimacy is such an interesting topic that should be discussed but is rarely ever mentioned. Sex should only be between a man and woman that are married. I know that in our society this is such a hard concept for people to understand. They believe that if you are in love than it is fine. But that isn't the case. Sex is such a beautiful thing that when misused people end up hurt and broken. It is so sacred and chemically bonding that it is meant for building two people closer. It is one of the strongest ways to express love to someone. Anything that special is worth waiting for. That is why Satan wants to destroy it. Because when misused, people feel worthless and feel guilty. It hurts and can cause bad habits in the future that may cause farther heartache later and even can cause very hurtful diseases. So although it may be something that you think you want in that moment, think about the eternal perspective of it and how beautiful and sacred it will be with the right person at the right time.

Same Sex Attraction are Not Banana's!

Often times as humans, we think we know and understand every aspect of people's problems. We tend to assume but that is just human nature, the only problem with this is we tend to forget that we only see the outside of what is really going on. We tend to think people are like bananas. If they are good and dandy on the inside they will be yellow but if they are bad on the inside, the peel will start to turn brown and then black. But that's the thing, this is not the case!
Therefore, we must learn to never judge. It's hard because we don't have an x-ray vision where we can see the true inside story of everyone. So instead of thinking everything that person has something wrong with them, let's think of everything we can do to understand that person and how to help. Seeing them through God's eyes.
I watched an insightful video on understanding same sex attraction. It made me feel sorry for the things and factors that caused them to feel this way. Some MAJOR factors were child abuse, dad being absent, gay porn, not being accepted by peers, and etc. The list goes on. All of these factors lead up to what they felt caused them to be attracted to the same sex. Many said that the hardest time of their lives were when they were attracted to the same sex. Not because people didn't accept them but because you can never be satisfied with something that you don't need. That sounds like a very harsh statement but that can sometimes be the reality of it. When you don't need something you are never satisfied. Although they were sexually active with other partners they could never be satisfied. But after therapy, they changed and understood their temptation more. Unfortunately, people also have misunderstood the idea of therapy, it is not emotionally damaging to them. And sometimes they don't change, and that's fine too. But it our job to take time to understand these things, and to always remember...Their our always exceptions to the rule. Let's challenge ourselves to see everybody through God's eyes. Before we continually judge what we don't see or understand, let's remember..."Do not judge, you don't know what storm God has asked them to walk through." -Unknown

How many kids should you have?

     Okay, okay, okay, okay. Everyone calm down, I am not going to tell you to have over 10 kids. I am not even going to tell you a specific number! But, there are very many factors that should be accounted for. At least I think so.
     When I first started college, I made an oath to wait for marriage and wait for kids. I wanted to be finically stable and completely ready. Well...There is NO such thing as completely ready for kids. It took me awhile to understand why, when another huge bullet was thrown into my face, I shouldn't be the only one who has a say on how many kids I will have. Now, I know all my readers...all of  my 2 readers; are sweating bullets. It's actually quite simple.
     I strongly encourage everyone to add Heavenly Father in these life changes. I strongly encourage everyone to take the path that He wants for you. There is a quote I really like about how He will never give you anything that he hasn't provided away for you to get through. He wants to shape us and build us up because He knows what we can be. Why wouldn't we obey that? Well that is dumb of me to say because I can imagine that these things are still hard even when we know He has provided a way. But just think for a second. If we added Him in this equation, things would always work out.
    Parents, we have such an opportunity to take care of God's children! I mentioned before but how neat is that! He is trusting us to take care of his children. I know that seems almost overwhelming but also powerful. Include Him in your choices and include your spouse of course but just because things seem unstable or school is in the way, that is Satan working overtime and putting doubts in your head. You and your spouse should understand the incredible responsibility, potential, and love that could come from putting Him in your decision making for having kids.

Same Sex Marriage?

Now I know what you are all thinking. Why do people keep discussing the same thing over and over again? Well, I do believe that this is a serious topic that should be discussed considering it will impact future generations. That's your kids!
I recently just realized what this could mean even for me. I grew up with eight siblings and two very wonderful parents who loved and constantly support us. I have been beyond blessed. Recently I started a family relations class at college and always had a very strong opinion about gay marriage and how I believe it should work. My opinion still hasn't changed but grown stronger. I do believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman. But that's all I thought. My only good reason was due to the fact that, that is what the Lord wanted for us. But he wanted much more then that, He wanted family. Family is the foundation of how to be happy. Think about it for a second? The saying, "Happy Wife equals happy life." It should be "Happy family equals happy life." Although it doesn't rhyme! I know due to my personal experiences that my family has shaped me into what I am right now but also into what I know I can become. That being said, I am not saying that gay relationships can't be happy, I believe they can be very happy. But I also believe that bringing children into a relationship of same sex marriage can have negative impacts. Before I bring in some statics I learned in class of these negative impacts, I want you to think about something important. There is a reason why the same gender can not procreate. Now I want you to think of the roles of a woman and a man in a marriage. No, I am not talking about the women in the kitchen and the men at work; I am talking about the roles in how to raise children. Women think of the divine responsibility we have here on earth to give birth to God's children! How neat is that! And think of the strong bonds between a women and her child and think of the bond between a father and his child. Both bonds have huge advantages to a child's stages. Every child deserves to have both of those bonds! They deserve to have the compassionate nurturing side of their mother and the selfless and protective love from their father.
Now in my class at school everyone made excellent points on this topic. One girl in my class mentioned something very important to me, she spoke of how she was raised just by her mother and how well off they are but also she has seen her mother struggle trying to do both roles and how hard that has been for her. I think it is important that their is ALWAYS exceptions to the rule. Yes, there have been happy families and healthy environments in gay families and families that have one parent. Every family has their hard ships and trials but some of those hardships can be avoided depending on our choices.
For instance, I want to be with my family forever and because of my loving parents decision to get married in the temple and be sealed, I will be with my entire family in heaven FOREVER! That is amazing. But this was also because my parents used their agency and we were blessed by the Lord.
My point of this entire topic is to think of your kids and your family. What do you wish was different? What do you want to happen? How far will go to put away the selfish desires of the world and do what you think is best for your kids?