To Shape.

"To help another human being reach one's celestial potential is part of the divine mission of women. As a mother, teacher, or nurturing spirit, she molds living clay to the shape of her hopes. In partnership with God, her divine mission is to help spirits live and souls be lifted. This is the measure of her creation. It is ennobling, edifying, and exalting."

Russel M. Nelson

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Simply put, this quote is beautiful. It makes me feel important, loved. It makes me understand more about what Heavenly Father wants me to become. It makes my heart yearn to do whatever He asks. I know that Heavenly Father knows each one of us individually. We are his.

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I've been thinking a lot lately about what it means to be a woman, what it means to be mother. What it means to me now, what it meant to me one year ago, as I was preparing to give birth.

What it meant to me before I was married, as a young woman, or even as a child, as I watched and learned from my own mother.

And I've been thinking about others whose situations are different than ours - couples without children, and even, too, those who may never marry. It seems that our hearts so often long for things - good things - that for some reason, may never be ours. We know there must be opposition in all things. What we have to learn is how to embrace whatever the Lord has in store for us.

It's really so simple. But can't learning to embrace be so challenging, even heartbreaking at times?

My mother, I believe, is the most faithful person I know. She, and my father, were never able to physically conceive children of their own. When I imagine how their arms must have ached, and their hearts must have longed, it brings tears to my eyes. Yet, here I am, so much theirs, I sometimes forget my mother didn't give birth to me. Through blessed adoption, there are three of us children in that family of mine. We all belong. God orchastrates all.

I think the very essence of womanhood, goes hand in hand with motherhood. To nurture, to look after, to be tender. And so it is with men and fathers. To strenghen, to provide, to protect. I know, in my heart, that these are heavenly, Godly traits. Inherited traits that we were given from our Heavenly parents.

I believe that if we shape our lives in contour with The Gospel of Jesus Christ, we will flourish. And we will do so wherever we are at in our lives. We will learn all we are meant to learn. We will feel of God's love and feel true individual importance. We may learn through marriage. Through the bearing of children, through parenting. Or we may learn it through other service, through schooling, through jobs. While the plan of salvation is centered on the family, I know that we are sent here with the spiritual capacity to mother and father, even if, in our earthly lives, we may never physically get to. We have inherited, in a word, those characterisitics because of who we are - children of God.

As for me, I love being a woman. I love being a daughter, a wife, and a mother. I am thankful for a mindful Father in Heaven, who leads and guides me, and watches over me always. I'm especially thankful for a Savior, a friend, who sacrificed all and opened up eternity for all who are willing. A Savior who lives still, loves and saves - who mends and heals. Brings a certain hope that can warm all of our hearts. Wherever we are.