Conniptions of the Heart

               I always thought that five children sounded like the perfect number for my future family. I pictured this perfect little angelic family with my five darlings posing in their matching satiny blue and white sailor suits, maybe three boys and two girls; so adorable with their clean, smiling, dimpled faces, sitting so nicely and well-mannered. It was picture perfection.             When I met the love of my life, he informed me that he wanted 24 children. So, we compromised. End of story. Well, something like that. We did decide together that God wanted us to do our part in helping to multiply and replenish the earth and raise up righteous seed. We knew that, as hard as it might be, as long as we were keeping the commandments, God would bless us and somehow everything would turn out fine.              When I ...

          This past Summer I was stabbed through the heart and then stung by a bee. Nearly three years ago, I lost my husband to a sudden unforeseen brain tumor hemorrhage. We had just celebrated our 25 th wedding anniversary the week before. After his death, I was numb. I did not have the luxury of curling up in a corner and crying myself to death. I still had young children at home needing and depending on me. So, I pressed forward, trying to put on a smile for my kids and doing what I had to do.              I never planned on marrying again. I actually planned on getting my last child through life, at least to his mission, and then begging God to let me go home to be with my husband again. God has always been good to me. He hears and answers my prayers. Surely this would be agreeable to Him.             A couple years later, a met...