blended families

So its been a while since I have posted. I blame my new job. So last week we discussed blended families. Blended families normally consist of a step parent coming into the family. This new family system can be tough to adjust to with, or without step-children coming in as well. Our teachers wife came in to class and gave us a unique insight for she has had experience in the area. What was significant to me is that the new parent that is coming in should make the transition extremely slow. They should be careful not to be overbearing or too passive. What is really important to the couple during this time is that they respect one another and have mutual understandings without challenging disciplinary methods with the children. Another important thing is to act like one family system. Too often a family acts like separate subgroups and never blend. A system such as this will not be very successful. 

A family in Crisis

Last week we talked about crisis and how it effects the family. We learned about how the reaction of family members, especially the parents will effect the kind of experience that the family unit haves during that crisis. Crisis' include loss of life, loss of job, move of residency or any other event that presents a new situation to the family. We learned about how it is essential for a family to rely on each other and pull together to support one another in order to get through crisis. If they do not pull together, it can heavily impact the individual relationships within the family. Discussing these things made me think about my own family or origin and how we got through so many crisis'. It was clear to me that it is the blessings we were given by having the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our home. It allowed us as a unit to have an eternal perspective. That perspective being that families are eternal and are the most important things in this earthly life. I am so thankful for my family and the fact that I was able to learn from the trials and I am stronger because of it. I also have the ability to apply these things to my family now and benefit from my experiences. 

1st week of November

Last week, the focus of class was on intimacy. What I thought was interesting was how intimacy needs are different between men and women. This meaning that when it comes to a man, his sexual needs have to be fulfilled before he feels emotionally intimate. With a woman it is exact opposite. I also learned that there is a lot of conflict when it comes to marriage because of this fact. It was evident to me that this conflict comes from not understanding how their spouses work. We were asked the question, "Why would God ever make man and woman work this way?" The answer is simple, yet profound; because man and woman have to work together and rely on each other in order to fully have their emotional and physical needs fulfilled. I found importance in this because what majorly wedges couples together has divinely been designed to make them one and bring them together. It is only through understanding and faith that we can save marriages through working together to become one. 

Last week of October

So for what ever reason my blog didn't post for last week so I am now retyping it. peachy.

we learned about The family dynamics and how it is effected when a child is born into the family. I learned that there is several dangerous things that can effect the relationship of the spouses. They include not trusting the husband to take care of the child and not including the husband in bonding opportunities. Something as simple as including the other when the baby is kicking. These things held significance to me because they seem so simple yet have such a huge impact on the relationship. I also found it to be significant because in a marriage it is important to share experiences and build off of these things. 

Love

Class this week has been about love. I thought it was interesting to learn that English is one of the only languages that only has one word to describe "Love". In Greek there are 4 different words to describe 4 different types of love. Eros- Romantic, sexual. Agape- "Christian". Storge- parent-child. Philia- Brotherly, friendship. So which one is real love? All of them are. When I was just getting married, my wise aunt told me that true love isn't solely based upon the Eros type of love because the romance and sexual aspect of a relationship will eventually fade and be put on the back burner. It is so important for us to have a strong friendship with your spouse because that is where all of the four types of love originate. 

A touchy subject- homosexuality

I am late writing this. Life happens. Last week class was very enlightening. we discussed a topic that is often never discussed within the education system. We discussed homosexuality and the patters that have been observed to cause homosexuality. Contrary to what the media has presented, more scientific studies and observations are concluding that homosexuality is not an orientation you can be born into. Another pattern observed is that those who consider themselves to be gay have been sexually abused previously in their life. We continued to discuss what the leaders in our church have addressed homosexuality. They have acknowledged that homosexuality is a legitimate thing that individuals are faced with. They continue to plainly say that acting upon these feelings is wrong. Something significant that they addressed is how they have the same expectations for those who have homosexual feelings as those who are heterosexual. They expect that they will remain pure and not act upon immoral temptations. 

Holy Moly

So I know I am posting late, but I have a really really great excuse.... My excuse is that  I got married! yay! the Most important part is that I was blessed to be able to be married in the Denver Temple. Last week was literally a blur, especially classes. So I am going to write about my experience of the Temple. The first and greatest thing I noticed was the calming peace in the Temple. As soon as I entered, all the stresses of planning the later reception and sticking to a schedule faded away. It was so wonderful to be able to share this peace with my sweetheart. It was great to have both of our families inside with us. The spirit was so strong that I immediately started crying. It was comforting to see that my husband Jayce was crying also. I gained an appreciation of the atonement of Jesus Christ. Without his sacrifice, it would not be possible to have eternal life and be able to be with my loved ones forever. There is so much more that I wish to share, but due to its personal nature, I won't. I recommend that everyone gets to the Temple, so that they will have the joy of experiencing the feelings that I have.

Last week of September

As September closes, October opens and soon I will be married. 4 days to be exact. Who's counting though? In  family relations, we discussed relationships within the family. This meaning that boundaries are generally made as exclusive relationships are strengthened. An example being that a daughter is extremely close to her mother. She talks to her about everything, but tends to leave her father out of the picture. The relationship with her father doesn't have the opportunity to develop or be strengthened if the daughter is exclusively going to her mother. I will post more on how include every family relationship as I learn more about it!

accurate information

last week we spent a majority of our time discussing accurate information and comparing it to inaccurate information. The importance of this is to be as accurately informed as possible. Not until this weekend did I understand the point to learning these things. In the gospel, we are encouraged to know our stuff. To understand principles and their importance. In the changing world today, it is hard to know what is fact with so many sources floating around. If we develop the ability to find good sources, we will be able to have knowledge and truth that is never conflicting. These things make me think about all of the false information about the LDS Church that is out there. I have heard so many ridiculous things that people think is fact about Mormons. I take comfort knowing that the true resources about the church are the scriptures, ordained brotheren, and church approved websites such as LDS.org, or Mormon.org.

first week of class

Something that Brother Williams said this week really hit home for me. He said, that "Covenants are made in the Temple, and covenants are kept in the home." I think the reason this statement really stayed with me is because I am preparing to go to the Temple in a few short weeks.

The Temple and the covenants made there make families eternal. This excites me greatly because it is my greatest desire to have my family bonds even after this life. I think the greatest part of God's plan for us is the opportunity we all have to be part of a family. It is the the foundation of all relationships we have.

Nothing is more appealing to me than to go to the Temple with my sweetheart in two and a half weeks and be sealed together for all time and eternity. We will receive the assurance that our family will always be together, no matter the storms that blow through life. This knowledge brings me happiness.

The second part of his statement, "covenants are kept in the home," makes me think of right now. I just moved into my own apartment, where my fiance' will join me after we are married. I think about the things I am doing right now in my home not only to prepare, but to also establish a home that I can someday continue the celestial work at. Right now my goal is to get everything organized and where is should be. Not only will this allow me to relax, but it will also allow the spirit to be present. I know that the presents of the spirit in the home can make all the difference in the world. I also know that it will allow me to learn more about the gospel and better myself and strengthen my testimony. 

This is my soon to be husband and me.