Sunday, May 21, 2006

Why do so many women reject motherhood?




Today I read an article that is really disconcerting to me: (see below)

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,196367,00.html
"' If you're choosing contraception, then there's not a lot of point to having periods,' says Dr. Leslie Miller, a University of Washington-Seattle researcher and associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology..."

"According to Miller, modern women endure up to nine times more periods than their great-grandmothers, who began menstruating later, married young and naturally suppressed periods for years while they were pregnant or breast-feeding. Today's women may have about 450 periods. "

This makes me so sad! :-( It's not that I think having a period is such a wonderful experience, but it is a natural process every woman should go through, to remind her that she is a woman, a future mother. It just makes my heart ache to see another example of women rejecting motherhood for the sake of convenience and frivolity.

Just last week, at a RS Humanitarian Night, some of the women were talking about Michelle Duggar and her family, and said how shocked they were that she still would want more. :( Our family is literally the largest in the ward, and though I know they weren't trying to be offensive, it hurt. How must Heavenly Father and His waiting children feel to hear women say such things? I feel it is a priviledge to be a mother, and I now wish I had stood up and said something... :-(

To my mind, it is a terribly tragic trend-- especially since so many women in the Church are subscribing to these philosophies. :-( Is our eternal perspective so narrow that we think only of today and our own convenience? Selfishness has become a virtue...

And besides the spiritual ramifications, what will the physical consequences be??? That is frightening to me, as well! What happens to our bodies when they cannot purge themselves?

I gladly welcome all the spirits that the Lord has for me to raise. I consider them jewels in my crown. Is it easy? Of course not. But that does not give me a reason to tell the Lord that my plan is better than His!

Another angle on this subject was written as an editorial in USA Today back in March.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2006-03-13-babybust_x.htm

So who will raise the children of the future? Only those who choose to have children. Those who embrace motherhood! And what will we teach OUR children? I am teaching my daughters that motherhood is the sweetest reward a woman can have. What about the women who reject motherhood? Who will they pass their teachings on to?

It seems the future may be on our side after all...

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Back in the Swing of Things!



I spent this past weekend at the Thomas Jefferson Education Convention in Cedar City, and had my cup filled to overflowing! There was very little I hadn't heard the GWC folks say before-- however, the Spirit gave me lots of answers and insights I needed to hear!

I have known for the past two years, in my heart of hearts, that I need to apply for Distance Learning from GWC. While at the Convention, I committed to Dan Ralphs that I will send in my application before the magic date of JULY5th, this year!

Are we nervous?

YES!

Is it the correct thing for me to do right now?

YES.

Oh, My!

Other things that happened at the Convention:
  • Reporting to my mentor, Diann Jeppson, as to my progress on the recent assignments she has given me with regards to my TJEd group here in my home state. She liked my Vision!
  • Taking suggestions from Diann for new material to put on our TJEd.org website, which included getting a document signed by Dr. DeMille, giving us permission to use his material on the site, as well as receiving an assignment from Diann for Russell and I to read "The Tipping Point" together.
  • Dr. Julie Earley mentioned our website over the podium at the Convention! I about fell down with surprise! Unfortunately, Russell missed it, and I had to fill him in!
  • I got to meet and visit with some wonderful friends I've known for years online at the Pastry Pub. Very cool! Babies and pictures everywhere!
  • Visiting, talking, networking-- did I mention talking? Of sleeping, there was very little, but the trip, though rushed, was so worth it!
My only regret is that I did not take more pictures!!!

Monday, May 01, 2006

Today I'm Unravelling...



It's not been a stellar day for me.

I was reading my last post and began to wonder if I'm that same person. Today is just... blah.

My husband is camping alone in the mountains right now, so I guess I'm just lonesome.

So who cheers the cheerleader when she's down...?

LOL!

I think I'll add an amusing picture to this post, and quote Scarlet O'Hara -- who, because of my Southern heritage, sometimes is the voice of my alter-ego :

"Tomorrow is another day!"