Families

Today I was reading in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Nov. 2011 Ensign Issue. Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gave a talk about Children. I wanted to share part of what he said because I feel there are so many amazing Husbands & Wives out there that are unable to have children of their own. He says, "President J. Scott Dorius of the Peru Lia West Mission told me their story, he said: "Becky and I were married for 25 years without being able to have (or adopt) children. We moved several times. Introducing ourselves in each new setting was awkward and sometimes painful. Ward members wondered why we (didn't have) children. They weren't the only ones wondering.  When I was called as a bishop, ward members (expressed) concern that I did not have any experience with children and teenagers. I thanked them for their sustaining vote and asked them to allow me to practice my child-raising skills on their children. They lovingly obliged. We waited, gained perspective, and learned patience. After 25 years of marriage, a miracle baby came into our lives. We adopted two-year-old Nicole and then newborn Nikolai. Strangers now compliment us on our beautiful grandchildren. We laugh and say, they are our children. We have lived our lives backwards."
Neil L. Andersen goes on to say, "Brothers and Sisters, we should not be judgmental with one another in this sacred and private responsibility. "And Jesus took a child...in his arms and said...whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosever shall receive me, receiveth...him that sent me."

I loved his whole talk but I especially loved this section, there is so much that goes on here as far as feelings and actions on mulitiple parts. All of what I say is my own opinion and thoughts & I hope I do so in a sensitive way. My heart goes out to them and to those who long to have children that wait so long. I know the Lord has a plan for everyone, from the husbands & wives that ache for a child of their own, to the women who in their circumstances love their baby enough to place them into the families of these Men & Women who cannot do so themselves. I want to point out that even this Bishop & his wife waited 25 years, It says they learned patience, this was their trial to overcome. Also they not only tried to have children themselves but they also tried to adopt.  There are so many things we can do to have a family of our own. Not only can we do things such as invetro, but we can try adoption through lds family services (where the birth mom picks a couple), also there are many other adoption agencies that vary in price, wednesdays child is a program in Idaho that talks about a different child each wednesday so they can find a home, there is also foster care which you can choose to take in children that you would be able to adopt. We must do everything we can on our part, then have faith in Christ to do the rest. Brock & I were so blessed to be able to adopt our little Annabelle. I know that she was meant to be in our family. Sometimes our families are created through adoption, but it makes them no less our children or family. Each day I thank the Lord that he was able to bless us with our daughter. Our case, I believe was special because of how quickly it went, for those of you who wait many years like this Bishop & his wife, rely on the Lord to comfort you in your trials. I am memorizing this scripture right now, Mosiah 24:14 it says, "And I will ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions."

I love that scripture, it brings so much peace, because as long as we try as hard as we can, He will comfort us in our afflictions & trials. Many people might say, Why me? No one can tell you that but the Lord. If you are discouraged, angry, upset, and saying Why Me?! I urge you to pray to your Loving Heavenly Father. He can give you comfort & strength and help you to know why, even if it is but to give you experience. The glorious part of this is that President Dorius and his wife were blessed with two children through adoption. Have faith. Even if you are not able to have children in this life, you will in the eternities. However, there are so many children you can help here and now. You can serve in the primary, sunday school, young men's, young women's (there are so many children and teenagers in need of love and someone to understand them, their home lifes might not allow this.) You could volunteer to help read to children in the schools, you could also volunteer in after school programs. You could go into a career such as teaching- where you could influence many children and love them. There are places around where we live where children have been taken from their homes, or in safe houses. If you needed to get away? Why not volunteer to go work in orphanages around the world where many children are starving for attention. By doing these things you will experience the Joy of being a Mother or a Father. Who ever said that to experience this Deep Love & Affection that they had to be born of your own flesh & blood?

 I bare testimony that I know Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, love us so much. They want all of us to feel that love, and I know that we can be the Instruments in His hands to do that work. My heart goes out to you and I know that the Lord will comfort and uplift you if you will only go to Him in prayer. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

If you would like to read more about Our Adoption Story, click HERE.

I thought this was a great video on Adoption:
http://lds.org/media-library/video/mormon-messages?lang=eng&id=2009-06-23-trusting-in-the-lord#2009-06-23-trusting-in-the-lord

You can also visit this adoption website whether you want to adopt or are thinking of placing your baby for Adoption: ItsAboutLove.org