We Believe: His Atoning Sacrifice
~by Heidi My oldest son just turned twenty. As I watch him, this man who first made me a mother, I feel a glow of gratitude for all he has taught me about life, love and what truly matters. Still, his birthday always brings a sadness that the healthy, happy child with whom I bonded during my pregnancy is gone forever. Twenty years has been long enough to adjust to his multiple-disabled reality but the mourning still goes on, here a little, there a little, often when I least expect it. Today I wake him early. My husband has a meeting so getting the Big Guy dressed for church is left to me alone. He bathes himself but I am needed to make sure all the shampoo is w

Links We Like: Holiday Lights, Performances, Nativity

Family Friday: A Mother’s Love
~by Jenny Last night, while tightly hugging me around my neck, my twenty-three month old spontaneously told me that she loved me – for the first time. ”I love you.” Oh, how those words hold such magic. I immediately became a puddle of mommy love, Callie melting to the ground with me. I then filed this memory in that ever-growing box in my brain titled “Memories Never to be Forgotten.” I hope this box doesn’t fail me because tha

Poetry: Gastronomic Lamentations
We thought this poem would be enjoyable for those celebrating Thanksgiving today in the United States. (Don’t live in the U.S.? We would love to have submissions that share glimpses of holidays in your part of the world!) ~By Dianne Billstrom When I site down To a scrumptious meal, I can’t describe The passion I feel. Pass the meat, Gravy, potatoes, Peas, corn, olives, Stuffed tomatoes. Spinach, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, I will even eat Sauerkraut! It doesn’t matter How I am sated, Or what cuisine, Or how it̵

Portraits of Mormon Women: Catania
My name is Catania (it rhymes with lasagne). I am 31 years old, and learning to come to terms with it. I have been married for 2 and a half years, and I have three girls – an 8-year-old, a 7-year-old, and a 7-month old. I am a happy person. I’m not any happier now than I was 15 years ago. In 1994 I was in tenth grade. I ha