Beauty in the Belly

Last night was New Beginnings, which I was in charge of. We had a fun time playing Family Feud Mormon style with questions like which Book of Mormon prophet had the biggest muscles, surprisingly one girl's parents were upset because Ammon did not make it on the top 5.

The night was full of laughter but of course it wasn't all games. After the questions and surveyed saints I was able to speak on the importance of being feminine. You may be thinking to yourself how does family feud and femininity relate, I'll tell ya. Family Feud is a game where players are striving to give the most popular answer and our game was no different. The world is looking for the most popular answer but those answers are seldom correct ones. We have many seemingly attractive and appealing paths to take, whether it be the clothes we wear or to put off having a family for a career or even the false simplicity the world offers to trade marriage for immorality. Margaret D. Nadauld Former General Young Women President put it best when she said, “Woman of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune we need more faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity.”

It was very enjoyable to share with the girls about being feminine and being different from boys is good. Beauty is being a woman, we are the divine adornment of humanity. Last night one of the mothers asked how I was doing, referring to my growing stomach. I told her I was doing great and that I LOVE it. She responded with a laugh and said, "Oh good." The truth is I really love every minute of pregnancy. Each ache I feel reminds me of the wonderful opportunity I have been given to carry this child. My heart overflows with every tiny movement inside of me. Each morning I get to wake up and see the reality of a growing boy as my stomach gets larger. Others may not love the changes that happen they may even feel as though they no longer have control, I willingly and anxiously give up that freedom because I know that my reward is greater than any I have ever experienced.

Neal A. Maxwell said, “We salute you, sisters, for the joy that is yours...You rock a sobbing child without wondering if today’s world is passing you by, because you know you hold tomorrow tightly in your arms.”

I can't imagine that the world has anything better than this to offer me. I have been blessed with the greatest blessing of all, I am a mother.