March Message {from the chair}

Change is in the air...can you feel it? As winter melts away into the muddy, rich browns and greens of spring I'm reminded of how few things ever stay just as they are. We both love and lament this. We love it when things that are hard ease up and shift to become more bearable, comfortable. We lament changes that place us in uncomfortable, awkward places or that signal our lives will never be the same {unless it means a child being placed in our home and then it's funny how we are able to joyfully embrace change, difficult though it may be}.

The change of paths from medical treatments to adoption was a transition that took me a long time. As I prepared to speak with Ariane at an LDS Family Services training meeting I thought long and hard about the events that brought me to my Path of Promise. The shift for our family from LDS Family Services to using a private agency was another shift I didn't think I was ready for but we made it and enjoyed the private experience. Though this is not the time or place to wax extraordinarily personal, I can honestly say that traveling this path of pain, disappointment and trial taught me that I can trust the Savior and his plan. I have learned that the power of the Atonement is real and everlasting. Would I go through this again? If it meant knowing what I know now, Absolutely!

We enjoyed the opportunity to represent those among us who have struggled with infertility. It was an effort to help ward members and leaders understand what they can do to help those who face this challenge. I hope we provided some useful information.

Here are a few of the sources we used, if you are interested in taking a minute to look at them:

For Those Who Mean Well by Krista Oakes

You're Like A Mother by Ardeth Kapp

Just the Two of Us -- for Now by Ardeth Kapp

Encircled in the Arms of His Love by Elder Neil A. Maxwell

Changes are afoot, my friends. We will see many of those materialize in the coming months.
And if you need something to help you through...HERE.

P.S. Please don't forget about our Saturday Seminar 10am at the Hafer Building.