I am not sure why I feel like I need to do this, there is a very distinct possibility that it will be entirely for my benefit.

There is a conversation that I have with Terry often, it goes something like this, How are we doing as parents, are the things we are doing enough, are we doing them with the right spirit or just to get the next thing checked off the list? How in this world can we teach our kids to have any kind of morals or standards when all around them the world is teaching something completely different, and how do we teach them to not be ashamed and be confident in their beliefs. Where is their purpose, where is their direction, are we being good leaders because we know our own purpose and direction?

The world that we live in is scary, things that in times of old were punishable by death are now widely accepted as the norm. Husbands leave their wives and children for some fallacy they have created, women spend their lives trying to find happiness and purpose through career or their appearance, children grow up surrounded by drugs and alcohol and immorality and profanity- it is scary. As a mother and women in today's society I find myself worried a lot about these things.

But there is something that I need you all to know, it is scary, there is cause for great concern, but Terry and I have a plan, we always have and it is simple, not easy, simple. I can't imagine going through this life not having the knowledge that I have been blessed with for as long as I can remember. I know I have taken it for granted a lot of the time, I know I have not been a very good example at times through out my life, but it has always been there and I have always believed it and it is the reason I am where I am in my life today. It is the reason I am married to the most amazing man on the earth and blessed with five beautiful children. It is why I can send my precious babies, with confidence into the world and know they are armed to fight what comes at them. It is why I have never questioned my decision to have five children, and to stay home to raise them, I am missing out on nothing, not their lives, not their youth, not more money we would have if I worked, nothing. It is why I am so incredible happy, and not just happy my life has so much joy. Happiness can be fleeting, joy goes much deeper.

We do have a purpose here on this earth and there is a road map. I know absolutely where I was before I was born, I know EXACTLY why I am here and what I need to do in this life. When I die I know the plan at that point too.

This is conference weekend for our church. There was four hours of instruction given today. I think 90% of the talks were on parenting and how to help our children. It was amazing and full of incredible direction, and I am so thankful. Thankful to have direction, to not have to wonder if I am doing right by my kids and my husband and myself. I don't have to just hope it all works out, there is a path for me to follow. And I don't have to follow blindly, I can truly know for myself if it is true or all just a bunch of craziness.

I hope I do not sound preachy, I know most of you who read my blog are not members of my church, but I wanted to share these things with you. We are not on this earth to get through it, our Heavenly Father wants us to be happy, to have joy WHILE we are here and there is, absolutely a way to achieve that. We don't have to fear for our kids. We don't have to do it alone.

If you have satellite there is four more hours that will be broadcast tomorrow, you should watch, what could it hurt. It is on the BYU channel. If you want a copy of the Book of Mormon you should click here. That book is the cornerstone of our religion, you should read it, what could it hurt? I have recently challenged myself to read it, in its entirety in one week. It has been a huge challenge, but I am on schedule and will finish on Monday, that alone is probably what prompted all of this, but I feel like Moses, I need Aaron to word this for me. I just wanted to share. I wanted to be like Alma.

My life is so incredibly blessed and so incredibly happy and I wanted you all to know why. Are my kids perfect, no, well almost ;), will they always make the right choices, I hope so but maybe not. We are to acknowledge our Heavenly Father in all things and I don't what to be ungrateful. Hard stuff happens, sad stuff happens I am not immune to it anymore then anyone else, but I can weather it with confidence and still find happiness and joy and direction and purpose and peace.