Contemplation

I didn't realize it had been so long since I had posted on this blog. Time flies when you're having fun!! What an eventful summer and fall we've had. The culmination of the events came on Oct. 17th in the Columbia River Temple in Richland, WA when Lorena was sealed to her parents for time and all eternity. She looked like a little angel in her white dress. She was so peaceful as I held her at the altar and placed her hand on her parents hands. She was so peaceful and just looked around -- leaving her little tiny hand where I laid it. Her mother and father were so joyful and I was reminded of the beautiful day they were married in the Salt Lake Temple 5 and a half years ago. They've waited for this little princess for so long!

I love each one of my sons and daughters (including in-law children) so much. I am so happy to have each of them in our family. I take great joy as each has come into our family -- whether I've given birth to them (as in the original 3) or through marriage and now adoption. There is so much happiness as I get to know their personalities and develop an appreciation for their talents and gifts. I want every single one of them and I don't know what we would do without each of them. I can't believe how blessed I am.

Lorena is a beautiful little girl with dark brown eyes, dark hair, and golden brown skin. She is half Mexican. Her biological father is a very dark Mexican man -- probably with a lot of Lamanite or Indian blood. Knowing this about her genetic heritage has caused me to think and ponder about the fact that I know she was intended to be in our family. I received personal revelation about this and I know that she was prepared in the Spirit World to be in this family. I've thought about the prophecies in the Book of Mormon about the dispersed House of Israel, including the Lamanites -- that kings and queens would be their (referring to the dispersed house of Israel) nursing mothers and fathers. I have to believe that this is literally being fulfilled in this adoption -- because Abby and Jeremy have entered the House of the Lord and made a covenant and have been anointed to become a King and a Queen to the Most High God through the order of the Priesthood. They are literally the nursing mother and father to this precious little Lamanite daughter - and she has become part of their royal priesthood line and restored to the Household of God.

Ok, maybe I'm waxing eloquent -- oh well... but I have pondered these thoughts repeatedly and I cannot ignore the actuality and fulfillment of these ancient prophecies in our own family.

Nevertheless -- gratitude continues to fill my heart. My prayers each day are that my sons and daughters will always turn to the Lord and follow the Savior. I know they each have challenges and problems but I also know that they can be faithful and true if they are obedient and determined to honor and keep their covenants and focus on the Savior.