{Sorry if you’ve read part of this post already…I realized later that instead of saving the draft, it was published…another pregnant brain moment…oh the humility! }

This afternoon, two sweet young priests from our lds ward brought me the Sacrament.  I haven’t been to church for a few weeks now & it meant so much to me, that my eyes welled with tears as they finished the ordinance.  It was my first time receiving the Sacrament at home & I’d recently read Carole M. Stephens talk, Do We Know What We Have? , where she reminds us that:

“We need the opportunity to renew our covenants each week as we partake of the sacrament. Latter-day prophets and apostles have taught that when we worthily partake of the sacrament, we can renew not only our baptismal covenant but ‘all covenants entered into with the Lord.’”

What an honor it is to be a woman and a mother! And yet, other than making & keeping sacred covenants, I believe with all my ♥ that carrying & bearing children is one of the most important things I will do in my lifetime. 

We all have sacred, special missions…this is one of mine & I’m so very grateful for friends, neighbors, & family, who are helping me fullfill this great work. Truly, safely bringing these twins into the world could not happen without the kind, loving hands of all those around us. 

In the same talk that was mentioned above, Sister Stephens retells a story President Boyd K. Packer once shared where he watched an oxen-pull contest: “The big blues were larger and stronger and better matched for size than the other team. But the little oxen had better teamwork and coordination. They hit the yoke together. Both animals jerked forward at exactly the same time and the force moved the load”

Pregnancy has always been a bit of a feat for this body of mine. After my 3rd reconstructive surgery, my doctor warned me that I’d have a difficult time having children.  I told him my mom had borne 6 naturally.  He said it was carrying them that would be difficult for me.

10 years later, I began to realize he was right. It has never been easy…of course twins have complicated it further.  In my ♥ I know that Heavenly Father didn’t offer Carl & I this blessing & opportunity because we were qualified or the best for the job…let alone because I had the perfect frame for the task.

No, our Heavenly Father offered Carl and I this great blessing/task, knowing that we were the little oxen…that our little family would be willing to undertake the challenge, learning teamwork & coordination…that we would humbly realize that this would only be possible as we shared this yoke alongside loving neighbors, friends & family. 

As I again thanked the sweet boys for giving me the opportunity to renew my covenants today (something I couldn’t do for myself), they kept thanking me…sweet boys…telling me they were so happy to do this for me…

…wonderful future missionnaries, fathers & husbands they will be!  Great mothers & parents who raised these amazing young men!

How grateful I am for:
…the meals
…the playdates
…a sweet friend, RS President, VT & compassionate service leader who have orchestrated all the help
…wisdom & experience of the mothers who’ve borne twins (7 just in our ward!)
…the thoughtful advice of intuitive friends
…the friend who brought us groceries from costco when she made the trip this week
…the music that another friend brought that lifted our spirits
…the neighbors & friends who’ve brought our kiddos from school & scouts
…my sweet neighbors for helping me tidy my home
…our older children who have already stepped up their game in so many ways, they will be a huge help
…a husband who is much more than a partner: kind, selfless, humble, patient & unconditionally loving
…the confidence our Heavenly Father has in us, in me, & my willingness to lean on the infinite atonement of His Son each day.
…the prayers of so many to lift us through our struggle with infertility & now with this great calling

Again, what an honor & blessing it is to be a mother…thanks so much to each of you for making it possible for this one little gal. (Just little in spirit…feeling rather large otherwise.) 😉 You are loved! xo ~ katrina