Even small blessings are worth noting.

Today I found out from my midwife that I'm not actually "anemic" in the way that the clinic tried to impress upon me.  Here I've been worried all this time that I may not be able to birth at home because of anemia issues (lack of iron in the blood can increase the risk of uterine rupture during birth), but according to J (my midwife), my anemia is inconsequential and actually at normal levels for a pregnant woman.  We just have to keep an eye on it and I have to keep eating more meat than I ever have in the entire course of my life.  :D

I was also able to provide J with all the labs and ultrasound reports that she needed in order to continue providing me with care.  SUCH A RELIEF!  Now all I have to "worry" about is collecting things like receiving blankets, mixing bowls, Ziploc bags, etc.  We're at 31 weeks, people!!!  WOOHOO!!!

And now I must go take care of my acid reflux and roll on my ball . . . .

Sara Sara Sara Sigh

Nothing MIRACULOUS, just a simple "stop complaining" from the man upstairs.

I was so frustrated on Saturday- a couple was getting a shotgun wedding because they messed up, had sex, and baby is coming, and both sets of parents are in our ward. They yelled at each other in the hallway at church, the bishop got involved, and THE PARENTS decided the boy and girl were getting married, no ifs ands or buts. This couple had already broken up, and I know they aren't in love. The bishop said in the ceremony that the only reason he agreed to do a civil marriage is because he made them both promise that in a year they'd be sealed in the temple. And then the parents went on to talk about how they KNOW this baby will bring them together and show them how much they love each other. Um, yeah right. What planet are we LDS living on?!?! I get really angry when I see how delusional we are as a church. Oh, let's force a stupid boy and a stupid girl to get married now, and let's watch the train wreak. And I knew the girl was pregnant before anyone said anything, just like I know the boy has pornography problems- and no one has said that. The sad thing is, this girl was one of our only two YW (out of 15 girls) who I thought had a chance at making it in this evil world! And the other girl has fallen as well. So, so sad.

How do you think the prophet and apostles keep their optimism? Do they have the actual numbers? Because it's pathetic.

And as I was driving to the wedding (actually, not true, I couldn't bring myself to attend the ceremony, I knew I would bawl the whole time- I just went afterwards to drop off a card full of worldly advice on how to be best friends and some cash) I get a voicemail from the compassionate service leader in our ward.

I had called the RS president on THURSDAY, and told her Wendy had her baby and needed meals. She left a message at 5 pm on Saturday, saying we only needed to do one meal, and could you do it today Sara? Thanks....hehehe...bye. I was ready to punch that lady. Jarem and I had date night with 8 other couples in 10 minutes, and I was running to the wedding! When was I going to get a meal together? And why do we always save our service for Armageddon? How about actually organizing just a few days of meals, or possibly even a whole week?!?! Oh my, what a concept! Plus this compassionate service woman didn't leave a callback number. So, I ignored it, and told Dorene on Sunday morning. She had a meal for them for Sunday, and Jarem and I did it today, and I'm going to call her vters and other ladies, and do the job RIGHT. For pete's sake.

So, Saturday was frustrating, and Sunday...well, I just couldn't feel the spirit all during church. I had no patience left. I know I always bug God to live where the real work is, but I was burnt out and sick of it. I'm also in the nursery, where 4 women were sitting on the floor chatting, and Laura and I were running around after 7 children, for two hours. Some of those kids weren't "legal" age. haha. Anyway, I got home, Jarem had the kids taking a nap (even Ari! He was fast asleep on my pillow :), so I decided to go read my scriptures in the hammock in the sunshine. Good choice. Still didn't have much of a spirit, but I learned:

"See that ye are not lifted up unto pride: yea, see that ye do not boast in your own wisdom, nor of your much strength....also see that ye bridle all your passions (or frustrations), that ye may be filled with love."

A verse later..."Do NOT say: O God, I thank thee that we are better than our brethren; but rather say: O Lord, forgive my unworthiness, and remember my brethren in mercy- yea, acknowledge your unworthiness before God at all times."

Hmm, think that was as clear as day to an annoyed little peon in the grand universe? It worked. Thanks Heavenly Father for the lesson- point taken.

Initiatory Inspiration

Way to go Elizabeth. I love it, especially the picture. Okay, here's how God touched my life on Thursday but the blog wasn't up to tell you that on Thursday.

I went to the temple at my favorite hour when there is lots of parking space due to the a.m. shift turnover at that time. And, there are usually few women waiting to do initiatory. Well, parking was no problem but I had to wait 25 minutes to get into the initiatory. The miracle is that I didn't feel the least bit irritable. It was just peaceful to be in the temple feeling the spirit, napping a bit and reading the Gospel Doctrine lesson out of the Old Testament.

When I did get into the initiatory, one of the workers was way over the top in her presentation. She was into it 100%. Another miracle! I didn't feel cynical towards the little, old soul. I just felt love towards her and admired her devotion. I was still surrounded by that substance called the Holy Ghost. I would like to have that with me always and probably could if I would remember Him always.

Temple blessings to new converts...

I got to be part of a family sealing today at the temple. A family that started with one convert baptism in our ward about two years ago became a couple, then her family became members, then they had a child. The sealing was normal. Nothing really stood out to me about it. I've been a part of that before and seen it plenty of times.
Then they brought in the 11 month old baby who is normally pretty rambunctious and I witnessed something I have never seen before. I have never seen a child who looked so joyful and peaceful at the same time. Watching this baby become an eternal part of his family was amazing to say the least. I really can't think of words to describe it.
My testimony of this gospel grew today and my heart was touched in a special way.

What Mom wants, Mom gets.

Mom says she wants another "area" where we can post about how God has touched our lives today.  Easy enough.  Here we go.  Now get posting, Mom, so we can all see what the heck is required of us here.  :D