I know that my Redeemer lives

Everyone always asks the question is 3 kids harder than 2? And people who have 3 kids or more always say that the 3rd kid is always the hardest, once you get pasted the 3rd the rest are easy. My answer is yes of course 3 is more work and more time consuming but I find that with each child my heart expands to capacities I never knew I had and with that expanded love I find that I become less selfish and that my priorities and desires change. I find I don't sweat the small stuff so much and I have more patience. Now that's not to say I never get frustrated or overwhelmed or lonely when my husband is gone for extended periods of time. But because of this expanded love and most importantly the knowledge I have of our Heavenly Fathers plan for us and knowing the Savior and his sacrifice for me, my life is FULL of joy. So much so that my cup runneth over. I enjoy being with my children, taking care of them, waking up in the middle of the night and giving them comfort that only a mother can give. My heart melts when my little girl stops eating looks up at me with eyes that beam and smiles, letting me know how much she loves me, how much she's thankful for me that I take such good care of her. Even at 3 or 4 in the morning when I don't want to be up, I still have an overwhelming feeling of love and joy and there's no other place on Earth I'd rather be at that moment.

I am reminded this morning as well how thankfully I am that I am sealed to my wonderful husband and that our 3 beautiful children our sealed to us as well. How could I live in a world with the thought that once we die everything I love so dearly would be taken from me. I had a friend who was married for a couple of years and had a beautiful little boy about 6 months old when Ryan and I were about to be married. Tragically she was in a car accident and was thrown from the car and passed away. She was one of the sweetest kindest women I've ever known and thankfully she had the gospel in her life. She was a righteous woman and was able to be married and sealed in the temple, therefore she is not lost forever to her husband and son. About a year later her husband was able to remarry in the Temple and be sealed to another beautiful and righteous woman. Together they have had 3 children. Sadly today I received the news that this husband has passed away. My heart breaks for the wife and 4 children he has left behind and my prayers go out to them. I know the Savior is watching over them. But I REJOICE in our Heavenly Fathers great plan of happiness. That a Savior has been provided for us our Savior Jesus Christ. That he lived a perfect life and was able to atone and take upon him all our imperfections and sins. He provided us a way to return and live again. Because he lives! And he's standing there with his arms stretched out to us ready to lighten our burdens and our sorrows if we but let him.

I know that my Redeemer lives, what comfort this sweet sentence gives, he live, he lives who once was dead, I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES!!!!!!