I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go

This Summer has been truly wonderful. I can't believe it is nearly halfway over and I haven't posted a single thing! I need to post some of Ezra's monthly pictures, but school seems to take up all my free time. Anyway, I wanted to share my favorite hymn as of late, I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go. This gorgeous hymn nearly moves me to tears every time I hear it. I know it is typically related to missionary work, but it speaks to me about my role as a mother. 

When I was a newlywed, I told Joe that I wanted to travel the world, and more specifically that I wanted to go build homes or dig wells somewhere like Africa. This dream never came to fruition, but I have been able to see, with the Lord's help, that my path right now needs to be focused on my family. This is where the Lord wants me to be, and these are the seeds that will bring me the most blessings when they are grown. 

Sometimes I dream of grandeur, and that is okay, but this hymn helps to anchor me back down. It allows me to find so much joy in my calling as a mother. The world may not see much praise or glamour in this calling, but I know it is what the Lord wants me to do. Parenthood is one of His most important works for us to do. It may be exhausting and sometimes mundane, but I am going to try to put my whole soul into it. 

I hope this hymn will give your spirit a little boost today like it always does mine. After all, music creates atmosphere. Atmosphere creates environment. Environment influences behavior.

1 Nephi 3:7: And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

D&C 4:2: Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.

How could I not enjoy motherhood when I get to look at that face all day? I am one lucky mom.

No Airbrushing Allowed

I recently came across an article and sobbed (link at bottom of post). I sobbed for the way my body used to be, but with the knowledge that, even if I could, I would never take it back, because being a mother is the most life-altering, important, and wonderful decision I have ever made. Motherhood brings me joy every day, but I would be a liar if I said that I don't weep simply from the fact that I had my baby almost 7 months ago, and my body is still flabby, loose, marked up, and just plain bigger than I would like. My body has changed, and I have to realize that this is okay, as it is because of this change that I have my son, someone who makes me happy every day.

The pictures in this article celebrates that "stretch marks, C-section scars and rounded bellies are the marks of a woman who’s grown life inside of her. They’re brandings of power..." It also states, "Airbrushing the reality out of women’s bodies has become so much the norm, reality isn’t often seen, let alone celebrated. Even supermodels are Photoshopped into standards of total perfection that can’t be met in reality." There's the cause of the trouble right there. 

(Now, I must take a moment to say that the photos in the article are semi-nude (all the important parts are covered though), so if this offends you, please don't click on this link. If not, by all means look and perhaps have a good cry. Don't worry, I won't judge).