My New Life

I watched a powerful video today. It starred Stephanie Nielson who was in a terrible plane crash in 2008. I believe the Lord knew I needed to hear what this beautiful woman had to say on the day before Mother's Day. I want to paraphrase some of what she says/writes in the clip.

today I woke up to rain
got up and did the rountine
i felt that familiar sadness
it was followed by a beautiful spiritual confirmation that this is my NEW LIFE
it is good
as women, we want to be beautiful and attractive
beauty and motherhood are one
i'm grateful I'm here on this earth and that I have the opportunity to be a mother
i view my role now as more divine
it's a priviledge

I couldn't stop the tears from rolling down my cheeks. I think it is natural to have a plan for our lives. Even though we are taught from an early age that trials are a universal part of our mortal existence, I believe it is dangerously easy to begin thinking that if a person is righteous the Lord will "bless" them and spare them any serious difficulty. Hence, no need to include any challenges in that "plan". (Phew!) I think one of the hardest things I've ever had to do (and I think this is true for many people) was accept the NEW LIFE Heavenly Father had for me, and to be able to say, it is good. I know that the challenge of having a disabled child has made me eternally grateful for every second I am given with my precious children in this life. I'm humbled that He would trust me with His precious spirits. A deep, sweet testimony about my role as a mother has given my life different meaning than it had before. The difficulties that I've passed through have been worth the earning of that testimony.

To see the clip go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHDvxPjsm8E&feature=player_embedded