Suffering from bad mom syndrome

There really is no way to escape it, once in while (sometimes more often than we like) we fall ill to the 'Bad Mom Syndrome'. No one is immune.
Its that moment when we feel low and the sense of failure and insecurity creep in. Our weaknesses consume our judgemental minds and our strengths diminish with each passing blow of criticism we cast upon ourselves.

 I recently read a heartbreaking blog post of a friend who lost her baby.

It is usually during times of great sorrow, misfortune and disappointment when we start to question who we are as mother. Are we doing a good enough job? Are we even worthy to care for these tender spirits we are entrusted with from heaven? Does Heavenly Father not trust us? Have we failed him? Have our limits been met or maybe we aren't capable and someone else could do better?

God doesn't punish us in this way -- if anything, he is just as heart broken watching us suffer, unable to see the bigger picture and only seeing the vision of earthly dreams escape us.

The dream of a family does not end here -- for Families are Eternal.

Before Gods children can enter in to immortality,there must be mortality...there isn't a set time limit or number of years that these beautiful children are required to be here. Heavenly Father has a plan for them....and you have provide a way for this spiritual being to accomplish what they couldn't on their own. To gain a body and return to the embrace of a loving Father in Heaven who can now set in motion their eternal progression.

I believe angels surround and the heavens open to pour out greater blessings upon those who have lost a child. For they are stronger than I am...and Heavenly Father knows them....and trusts them....and he knew they could handle these mortal life challenges best.

We shouldn't compare our situations to someone else's, because all we will see is their assumed greatness and our numerous exaggerated faults. The only person you can compare yourself, and your life to....is you. Ask yourself, "Am I better than I was yesterday? And am I doing all I can to strengthen, Me." Be a bit better than you were the day before and strive to improve your knowledge and testimony just a bit more than yesterday and you will find peace, joy and contentment in knowing you are becoming exactly what you long to be. 

Neal A Maxwell once said, "God loves us. I'm not sure we can always understand the implications of his love, because his love will call us at times to do things we may wonder about and we may be confronted with circumstances we would rather not face, he will set before us what we need, not always what we like. ....this will require us to accept with our hearts the truth that there is divine design in each of our lives."

You are not a bad mom....even though we live in a failing world, we have not been sent here to fail.

The Power of Prayer

A few weeks back Darrin was released from Bishopric and I was put in the Stake Primary Presidency -- Which I couldn't have been happier. I love primary!! :)

At my last meeting we were asked to read over Elder J. Devn Cornish's Conference talk on The Privilege of Prayer....
(What a great talk)

There were a few passages from it that I wanted to share that I think can help all mothers and women in general get through their day...I hope you read something here that will bring peace or simply whisper a gentle reminder that all we need to do, is to remember to pray.
                                                                               

"Prayer is an act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other." 

"Our Heavenly Father loves us so much that the things that are important to us become important to Him, just because He loves us."

"Your loving Heavenly Father wants to bless you. But because He will not infringe upon our agency, we must ask for His help."

When we are struggling with something -- no matter what the issue, turn it over to the Lord,

"Then drop the matter completely, letting the lord take it from there"

Each day take the time and "Do not forget to ask the Lord to protect and be with you (and your family)"

"Sometimes we seem to get no answer to our sincere and striving prayers....but on further reflection, we will often realize that we already know full well what we should do"

and remember..."Prayer is the provider of spiritual strength; it is the passport to peace...miracles are wrought through prayer."

Finally, if you ever doubt the power that prayer can hold...step back and reflect upon the word in Matthew 7:9-11...

"If ye then know how to give good gifts unto your children....how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them to ask him?"

YOU ARE LOVED, YOU ARE NEVER ALONE

AND YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD

If you haven't read or listened to the talk in its entirety I encourage you to do so....what a simple act (prayer)...yet what great gifts it can bring into our lives.  

http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/the-privilege-of-prayer?lang=eng

The Stories I Write...

Of all the stories I write for the Daily Herald...these are the ones I hate the most....The sad ones,

Inndia Powell and her two younger boys, Ashton (1) and Alexander (3) were killed in a car accident on their way to Wyoming last week.


Everyone that I interviewed and spoke with expressed what an amazing mom, wife and friend Inndia was. I wish I could do more for their family, it breaks my heart to hear things like this. It always leaves us asking why...I believe that's what makes these situations so painful for us, we just don't understand the eternal plan behind it all.

Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers -- with the holidays upon us and everyone starting to return to their own lives, Thomas and Anthony will have a lot of time alone. Lets not let them feel forgotten.

If you live close to the Eagle Mountain Utah area, come over to the Powell Family Bake Sale Fundraiser.

* 4pm-7pm tomorrow (Nov. 22rd) at Eagle Valley Elementary. (4475 N. Heritage Drive in Eagle Mt.)

*They are selling pies, breads and all sorts of yummies that can be eaten at your Thanksgiving dinner (possibly saving you time on your own meal preparations).

*There will also be a silent action on decorations, etc

Read more about them at http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/north/eagle-mountain/neighbors-plan-thanksgiving-bake-sale-to-help-powell-family/article_760dcf0a-3dba-543e-b98d-ffd08a7b0619.html

There has also been an account set up at America First Credit Union under the name "Inndia Powell Family Memorial".

THE MUD

I spent the afternoon with a great friend of mine. As we visited she confided in me and I in her about some issues we were facing in our own personal lives. Toward the end of our conversation she said something that spoke volumes to me...she said, "Sometimes when you are wading through mud its hard to just jump right out of it."

And that's when I realized....

There will be moments in life when we are going to end up in the mud. There will be situations that will weigh us down, slow our progression, tyring us physically and emotionally.

As we trudge though these trials, we will encounter others along our way. There will be people who will simply stand by and watch us struggle, unsure how to help without having to enter the mud themselves. Others will stand on the edge or wade in just enough to dirty their feet, then call out words of encouragement. Some might even question why we are struggling as much as we are...why it is taking us so long to get through? 

Nobody can relate to the difficulty of our own personal struggles. Every one's strengths are different and everyone will push through the mud at different speeds

There will be times when our pit will appear to have no end in sight. There will be times when all we will want to do is to give up, lie down and sink.

But when we are feeling down and defeated, when others efforts aren't quite enough to help us though....those are the times when we need to call out for help,... and Christ will answer that call. Wading out without hesitation,  to carry us the rest of the way. 

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I hope my dear friend knows just how amazing she is as a person, a friend and a mother.
Knowing her makes me a better person...and I'm grateful for that.